What is more frustrating – your Android device acting strange, apps running slower than expected, or getting unknown spam calls all day? Did you know, many of these issues could be signs of a virus or malware infected device? Every day, thousands of Android users face such problems, and many don’t even know how it happened or ways to fix it.
Android software can become infected with malicious or harmful code that enters your device without permission via suspicious routes. These malicious apps or harmful code are known as malware or viruses. Let’s understand the havoc these viruses create on your Android device, and the ways to protect it from virus attack.
How Does a Virus Attack Affects an Android Phone?
Once a malware or virus enters inside your Android phone, it can do a lot more than just slowing down your device or downloading junk files:
It includes:
- Corrupting or damaging the files stored in your device
- Data breach
- Stealing your personal details, accounts, and passwords
- Hacking your email
- Send emails and messages from your phone
- Read personal messages
- Show annoying and suspicious ads
- Battery drain
- Unauthorized app installations
However, the damage to your device depends on the type of malware. For e.g., some viruses, like adware, fill your screen with harmful pop-up ads, while spyware steals personal information and records activities. Some of the most lethal Trojans like Medusa ransomware, hide behind apps or pretend to be a useful app while hacking into your device and taking full control.
Suppose you downloaded a free game, a video streaming app, or a free tool that is too good to be true, but inside, it could be malware. After installation, such apps can steal your messages, photos, and even bank details. There are several instances where people have lost money or had their accounts hacked because of such malware attacks.
Is Your Android Device Virus Infected?
Sometimes, your phone might just be slow, or the battery might drain fast, either because it’s old or has too many apps. But wait! If you notice such things happening out of the blue, it could mean your phone is virus-infected.
Other than that, if your contacts are getting spam or strange messages from your number, or you’re seeing unknown apps that you didn’t install, getting spam calls, or apps are misbehaving, there’s a high chance that your device is virus or malware-infected. Android Phone overheating, screen freezes, or pop-up ads, are also red flags.
How to Protect Your Android Device?
Step 1: Keep Your Device Updated
Android phone’s OS receives updates from time to time. These updates can fix various problems and close the hidden paths hackers use to get inside your phone. Regularly updating your Android device for security and OS updates is one of the easiest ways to keep your phone safe.
Step 2: Install Apps from Trusted Sources
Only download apps from the Google Play Store or other trusted sources. Avoid downloading apps from non-trusted websites or links sent by strangers. Some apps look good and fun but can be hiding malware.
Step 3: Use a Reputable Antivirus App
Use a trusted and reputable antivirus apps for Android; most are easily available on Google Play Store. Antivirus apps scan your Android device for viruses and malware and help quarantine or remove them. Some popular antivirus brands are Norton, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, AVG Antivirus, etc. These apps are easy to use and feature-loaded, and they can protect your phone from various threats and malware.
Step 4: Be Careful with Permissions
When you install an app, it asks for various permissions to use your camera, storage, microphone, read messages, contacts, or others. Think twice before saying yes and allowing any such permissions. Avoid giving permissions to apps that do not require such permissions to operate. Never install or give permissions to apps downloaded from other unknown sources or websites. If a simple game wants access to your contacts or camera, it might be up to something suspicious.
Step 5: Avoid Clicking on Suspicious Links
Never click on unknown and suspicious links or files received via messages or email. This could be malware or a virus. These links can hack devices, reveal bank account information and sensitive data, or take you to harmful blackmailing websites.
Step 6: Enable Google Play Protect
Google Play Protect is a free tool that checks your apps and device for suspicious app behavior and viruses.
- To turn it on, open the Play Store.
- Tap on your profile icon. Go to Play Protect < Play Protect settings.
- Now enable the Scan apps with Play Protect and Improve harmful app detection.
- Once enabled, you can scan your apps by tapping on scan.
If they are already turned on, no further actions are needed.
Data Protection Tips for Android
Create Regular Backups: Save your photos, videos, messages, documents and other important files to cloud backups, such as Google Photos or your computer. This way, if anything goes wrong with your device, you won’t lose everything.
Secure Your Wi-Fi Connections: Never use public Wi-Fi for banking or shopping. Hackers use these public Wi-Fi to steal your personal information on unsafe networks.
Use Strong Passwords and Biometrics: Enable dual-factor authentication on your accounts and keep your Android device locked with a strong password or fingerprint. This makes it harder for cybercriminals to access your device and steal information.
What to Do if Your Device is Infected?
If you think your phone has a virus, don’t panic.
- Switch off your Android device, and hold the Power Off button until the device enters Safe mode.
- Restarting your phone in safe mode helps you identify any problematic or suspicious apps.
- Remove any suspicious apps you don’t remember downloading or installing.
- Perform a complete antivirus scan to detect and remove any malware present on your device.
If you still have problems, you might have to factory reset your device. This will erase everything, so make sure you have a backup first.
Can I Recover Data Deleted by a Virus on My Android Phone?
When a virus infects your Android device, it can sometimes result in losing important data, such as photos, videos, audio files, messages or documents. But fear not; there are reliable solutions to help you recover lost data, even after a virus attack.
An Android data recovery software, Stellar Data Recovery for Android can help you recover files that have been lost due to malware or viruses. By connecting your Android device to a computer and running the software, you can scan your device for lost data and preview recoverable files before restoring them. Stellar Data Recovery for Android supports a wide range of files, including images, videos, contacts, messages, and WhatsApp chats.
Conclusion
Keeping your Android phone safe from viruses demands precautions and discipline. Always keep your phone updated, download apps from trusted sources only, use a reputed antivirus, do not visit harmful websites, never use public Wi-Fi, and be careful with permissions and links. Also, if you notice anything strange with your phone, act fast.
Taking the above precautions will help you protect your privacy and avoid data breaches. If you have any questions regarding Android data loss or a virus-infected Android device or want to share your experience, feel free to leave a comment below!
What is the Google Play Protect feature?
All Android devices come built-in with the Google Play Protect feature that scans your apps and device regularly to check for harmful app behavior and notifies you of any security risks.
How to get rid of Adware on Android phone?
You can get rid of Adware in an Android phone by removing the unwanted and suspicious apps. Start your device in safe mode to identify the apps and remove them one by one.
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