Good time!
Many viruses on the phone are insidious in that for the time being they do not manifest themselves in any way: until suddenly you discover that the funds on your mobile have disappeared somewhere. This is where doubts creep in as to whether Android has caught some kind of virus ... 👀
In general, the most common signs of an Android infection are:
- pop-up banners, intrusive advertising (where it has never been before);
- loss of money from the phone balance;
- frequent freezes of the device, reboots;
- spontaneous installation and updating of applications;
- the inability to visit some sites, etc.
I should note that at the present time the number of viruses for Android devices is growing in some progression (apparently due to the fact that it is easier to "profit" with something from a phone than from a PC).
Generally, in this article I want to consider several simple and effective options for checking and removing viruses from Android devices (phone, tablet). I will also give you the most frequent tricks and tricks of virus writers, the main protection measures to resist them.
I hope this information will help you get your device back on track and save money. Now, more to the point ... 👌
*
Check and remove viruses on your phone
If the menu opens and you can install applications
Using antivirus on Android
Perhaps this is the most obvious and fastest way (it will help against most viruses).
The algorithm of actions is approximately the following:
- go to 👉 Google Play (if it doesn't work, you can use its analogues);
- install one of the well-known antiviruses: AVG, Norton, Avast, etc. (I spoke about the best of them in this article);
Installing antivirus (no hint of AVG ads)
- update anti-virus databases;
- conduct a full phone check;
- follow the instructions of the anti-virus software.
AVG - scan phone
*
Unfortunately, some viruses cannot be removed in this way (they can actively block some functions of the security software and interfere with cleaning).
👉 Supplement!
Some viruses block access to the Google Play Market. In this case, to download the antivirus, use its counterparts.
*
Using Anti-Virus on a computer
Some Android phones can be connected to a computer as a USB drive (note: if it is a USB drive, it means that it can be scanned for viruses, like a regular drive!).
Algorithm:
- first connect the phone to the computer via a USB cable;
- further in Android settings see subsection "Connect as" , What are the options. You must select "USB storage" (I emphasize: in the latest versions of Android, this feature was removed);
Connect as USB stick
- further, by opening the antivirus (or by going to "My computer"), you should see another new disk (there may be two of them: phone memory and flash drive). Just select them and run an anti-virus scan. An example is shown in the screenshot below.
Scan with AVG
*
If some menus and settings do not open
More problematic option. It often loses some of the user data.
I recommend that before resetting your phone, try 👉 loading it in safe mode (very similar to Windows safe mode: only the most necessary applications will also be loaded, without which the normal operation of the phone cannot be carried out).
*
Removing through safe mode
A lot of virus software works normally in normal phone mode, and absolutely cannot in safe mode (for example, various banners, pop-up and blinking messages, browser add-ons, etc. "garbage").
To enter Safe Mode:
- press and hold the power button to display the service menu with a proposal to turn off / restart the phone;
- then the item "shutdown" (not to be confused with the physical button on the side of the phone), hold down and hold for 2-5 seconds;
- a window should appear prompting you to enter Safe Mode - just click OK. See example below. 👇
Entering Safe Mode
Note: to exit safe mode - just restart your device.
*
In safe mode, you can also go to the Google Play Market, download an antivirus and check the phone with it (moreover, since the phone started with a minimal set of software, most likely no pop-up windows and banners will interfere with you!).
An example is shown below. 👇
Please note that when you boot your phone in safe mode, you will see a notification about this at the bottom of the window (some applications will be inaccessible (gray icons)).
The phone is working in safe mode
*
Reset phone (Hard Reset)
This method should help even in the most difficult situations. Please note that after the reset, all your previous data and settings will be deleted (along with viruses), i.e. the phone will return to its original state (as it was new when purchased).
Before reset - make 👉 a backup of your contacts and files (if possible).
How to reset:
- turn off the phone;
to call such a menu - hold the power button for 3-5 seconds.
- then press the buttons at the same time "volume down and on" and hold them for 3-5 seconds. As a result, you should have a "black" service menu (the buttons for "such" inclusion may be excellent, for example, "increase the volume + turn on", "increase + decrease the volume + turn on", etc., see the specification for your apparatus);
- note: in the service black menu, to move from one item to another, use the volume up and down buttons, to confirm - the power button;
- to reset the phone, select the option "Wipe data / factory reset" or "Clear eMMC" depending on your menu option;
- confirm the operation.
Recovery menu (options)
*
👉 Supplement!
Detailed instructions for resetting Android settings to factory presets [Hard Reset] (this article will help you delete all data from your phone and tablet (including viruses)).
*
Preventive measures (how not to infect your phone in the future)
In most cases, phone infection occurs due to carelessness or carelessness of the user.
Many, visiting various entertainment sites (torrents, sites for making money, collections of games, etc.), do not pay attention to some messages, and easily "fall" into the bait of scammers. Below are some typical examples.
Let's say you are looking for a file and want to download it (in general, an ordinary situation). You come across a forum where the first message contains a link to the file, and then 10-15 people. actively thank the author of the topic.
In 99% of cases, this is a scam, after downloading and running the file: you either send a paid SMS (you will get a subscription), or pick up some kind of virus.
Laudatory odes to some file ...
Also be very careful when installing games. Android, by the way, always shows what permissions are required for this or that application during installation.
Please note that a fake game (most likely it is infected with some kind of "good") requires permission to send SMS (of course, after permission to install it, you will lose part of your mobile balance).
A very suspicious game
By the way, even if you yourself do not visit various "gray" sites, it can happen that scammers will send you an ill-fated SMS to your phone.
Most often this can be associated with the most popular sites: VK, OK, Avito, etc. (after all, many have a profile there, and it is quite easy to interest an inexperienced person).
According to statistics, 2-5 people will click on the message below. out of 100!
Sale of goods on Avito
Another An extremely popular method of infection is various proposals to check the device for viruses, or to speed up its performance (some promise as much as 2-3 times!). Naturally, these are all fake messages.
If you want to check the device for viruses, go to the Play Market, download an antivirus from a well-known manufacturer, and check the phone with it (and do not agree to various "kind" offers).
Viruses found on your device, cure?
*
👉 General recommendations:
- try to install applications only from the 👉 Play Market (and preferably only from well-known developers);
- don't get root rights (if the virus gets to them, it will be much more difficult to remove it);
- install one of the 👉 modern antiviruses on your phone (and check your device regularly);
- do not follow suspicious links, do not agree to various "anti-virus" checks on little-known sites, etc. (I have discussed some of the "tricks" above);
- set телефон PIN blocking or other protection against "prying" hands on your phone;
- do not enable bank account management via SMS, auto-replenishment (for example, if a virus starts sending paid SMS, then bank auto-payment will "help" it empty your account).
*
But in general, personally, I would give one more piece of advice: get yourself a simple and most ordinary phone for work; for entertainment - use Android with dozens of apps. In my opinion, such a measure will seriously protect your funds and nerves. 😉
*
That's all for now. Additions on the topic are welcome!
Good luck!
👋
First published: 10.10.2018
Correction: 11/12/2020
