We delivered an educative and enlightening piece on the possibilities of an iPhone getting the iPhone getting a virus. This doesn’t leave Android devices out. Viruses, as we know, can cripple a device operating system and destroy files or data it comes in contact with. This article, therefore, is to enlighten you on how to detect virus on Android phones and a little guide on how to remove any if found.
Although Android phones aren’t configured to be extremely vulnerable to viruses, they are undoubtedly exposed to a number of malicious software that can wreak havoc in their operating system.
The vulnerability of Android devices
Android viruses can emerge in various forms ranging from spyware by gathering your private and personal data for third parties to mobile ransomware, which withholds your files and requests a ransom in order for you to regain access to them.
Malware often makes its way into Android OS in the form of fake and unscrutinized malicious apps that sneak into Google play store or disguise under third party app shops.
It’s important to state that one of the reasons Android phones are vulnerable to viruses is because of their struggle with periodic updates. Updates are sacrosanct because they often prevent and provide solutions to bugging or vulnerabilities in the Android Operating System. This is one of the reasons we advise you to use an Android Antiviruses like additional safety and precaution.
How to Detect Virus on your Android Phone
As we established, viruses sneak into your device like an unsuspecting thief, laying low until you trigger and activate it. Usually, they go ahead and steal or tamper with your private data right in front of your eyes. Preventing these attacks means you have to take an extra step in fishing them out and eliminating them. This is how you can check your Android phone for virus attacks;
- Constant App malfunctions
To detect virus on your Android, check whether your apps crash from time to time either when using them or when they are minimized, it’s possible there has been a virus attack.
- Excessive data deduction
If you detect a sharp increase in your data usage, this could mean that your Android device has been infected. It could mean that a virus is running background tasks on your Android device or trying to access your internet to transmit or transfer information from your device.
- Adware pop-ups
We all know that most pop-up ads can be annoying. The good news, though, is that these ads can be blocked with the use of ad blockers or the updated Opera browser app, which brings with it a built-in adblocker. Meanwhile, seeing pop up ads on you Android even when your browser isn’t running could have you dealing with adware: virus filled pop up ads caused by malware trying to infiltrate your data.
- Quick battery drain
One of the ways to detect a virus on an Android device is to monitor battery usage. Their underground operations take tolls on your device battery, and if your battery is unusually drained easily and quickly than before, a virus could be hiding in your device.
- Overheating
While there are many reasons why your Android device could be overheating, there are chances of it being infected at one point. With this symptom being vague and hardly possible to guess, it’s better to watch out for other symptoms and assuringly declare an infection if overheating is among the symptoms you are seeing.
How to remove virus from Android
If you are witnessing any of the symptoms we stated above, then the chances are that you are facing a virus attack on your Android device. No fears, these are ways you can try to remove virusES on your Android;
Manually Uninstall Malicious third-party Apps.
Just as in windows, you can go into safe mode on your Android device and get all third-party apps to stop running. This feature is impactful and great in that it helps you in identifying the suspected app behind your device malfunctions.
When the issue is resolved after you try this safe mode method, then it’s okay to conclude that a virus is to blame for this.
Performing this process on most Android phones could mean you Reboot to safe mode by pressing and holding the power off button, other Android devices may take you through a slightly different procedure. If either of these methods are correctly done, you should find a Safe Mode notification at the lower part of your screen once it turns back on. To do this;
Step two is to identify the infected app
To detect and remove the infected app from your android device;
- Go to Settings
- Choose Manage Apps
- Proceed to Apps and Notifications
- Go ahead to Downloaded apps or Installed apps.
Under this tab, search for any app that appears suspicious. You can easily detect by checking for unauthorized apps or apps you don’t remember downloading.
- Now uninstall the app (if you find it)
Sometimes, the malware might put up a struggle, and you might see a grey colored Uninstall button, this means it has gained control of your device administrator. We have provided a step for you to bypass this below.
Removing administrator access
- Go to Settings on your Android app list
- Under settings, look for Security
- Click Device Administrators
Now check if any malicious application has access. If Yes, as suspected, click on the app and remove its access by unchecking the blue box or using the Deactivate button. When this is successful, you can now go back to performing the previous guide in step 1 and uninstall the malicious app.
We hope this helps in keeping your Android device safe and free from viruses. The comments section is open for you, kindly let us know about your experiences concerning Android malfunctions and a possibility of virus infections.