Android viruses are a hot topic in the tech world right now. With the increasing popularity of Android devices, it’s no surprise that cybercriminals are targeting them more and more. In this article, we will discuss what Android viruses are, what antivirus will help to check for viruses on Android, and how to remove them if you find one. We will also cover the best antivirus apps for devices. So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, this article has something for you!
We have noticed that many users are looking for an answer to the question: how do I check for viruses on android phone?
First things first: what are Android viruses?
Just like traditional viruses, Android viruses are malicious software that can infect your device and cause all sorts of problems. They can steal your personal information, send unwanted text messages from your phone, and even disable your device. In short, they’re not something you want on your phone!
There are a few signs to look out for:
- Your battery drains faster than usual
- Your phone is slower than usual
- You see unexpected charges on your bill
- You notice strange apps or files on your device
- You get frequent pop-ups or ads
What viruses on Android exist?
Trojan viruses:
These viruses disguise themselves as legitimate apps in order to trick you into downloading them. Once they’re on your device, they can do all sorts of damage, from stealing your information to deleting your files. One of the most dangerous Trojan viruses is Triada. Triada is a modular Trojan that uses super-user privileges to replace system files and performs other tricks to remain as invisible as possible. Triada’s main peculiarity is that it can penetrate the very basics of Android and embed itself in all other applications. In fact, the malware can take complete control of the infected device. The virus steals confidential data as well as the user’s money.
Shedun:
The “gadget killer” most often gets onto devices through programs that are downloaded from unofficial app stores. The virus masquerades as popular apps, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter. Shedun works as adware, displaying a large number of annoying ads on the device’s screen. The virus is also capable of downloading other malicious programs onto the infected device without the user’s knowledge. In addition to making it impossible to use your phone, it also causes your phone to download pay-per-use applications that automatically deduct money from your account. This virus is not for nothing nicknamed “The Gadget Killer” because even a factory reset will not save an infected device. The only panacea is to “reflash” the device or buy a new one.
Mazar:
The Mazar virus comes in the form of a text message that looks like it’s from a friend or family member. The message contains a link that, when clicked, downloads the virus onto your device. Once it’s on your phone, it can send text messages and make phone calls without your knowledge. It can also access your personal information, such as your contacts, photos, and text messages. Mazar is a particularly dangerous virus because it’s very difficult to remove. Even if you factory reset your phone, the virus will still be there. The only way to get rid of it is to “flash” your device, which is a process that requires technical expertise.
In fact, the list of malicious viruses for Android could go on for a long time. Let’s not get stuck on this point of the topic, but move on to the next question…
How to Check Android For Viruses?
As they say, when there is a demand, there is a supply. Due to the huge number of viruses, the world market of modern technology is actively creating programs that will protect your Android, and you can avoid such troubles with your smartphone. Even for beginners, it is no secret that in order to protect or check for viruses on your device, you need an antivirus, but which antiviruses are effective and how does it work in practice?
- According to many users, the top best antivirus as of the year 2022 are the following:Avast Mobile Security is an Android application designed to protect your device from phishing, malware, spyware, and viruses such as Trojans. It protects personal data with automatic virus scanning and alerts you to malicious URLs and blocks, hackers, with a built-in firewall. The anti-virus function supports remote control and allows: deleting history on the device, locking the phone, activating the siren, tracking location using GPS, performing audio monitoring, and other useful actions.
- Norton Mobile Security is the brainchild of the creators of Symantec, which is one of the most famous names in the digital security industry, and the company’s mobile solution provides excellent protection with a good pedigree. Norton Mobile Security does a great job of scanning and protecting against malware, but it also includes a full range of anti-theft features, robust phishing protection, and an intelligent app advisor that alerts you to suspicious apps before they download. All these advantages allow the application to win PCMag’s “Editor’s Choice” title in the category of paid antiviruses for Android.
- ESET NOD32 Mobile Security includes a number of components to protect your mobile devices. Among them is a useful and sometimes indispensable call and message control module. Thanks to it, you can set up a call filter and avoid unwanted mailings. No more cold calls, you only need to enable verified numbers to receive calls only from people you know. With the Antivirus component, you can always know where your phone is, even if it’s stolen or lost. It also provides protection from phishing attacks, which will help avoid-clicks to fraudulent sites. You will be able to remotely block any of the devices to which you have connected the ESET NOD32 Antivirus Mobile Security package. In addition, the user can send messages to the remote device and block its SIM card for a certain period of time.
The good news is that there are a few things you can do to protect your device from viruses. First, only download apps from official app stores, such as the Google Play Store. Second, install an antivirus app on your device. And third, keep your operating system up to date.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these:
- Official app stores: When you download an app from the Google Play Store, it goes through a rigorous security check to make sure it doesn’t contain any viruses. So, this is the best place to get apps for your Android device.
- Antivirus apps: As we mentioned above, there are many anti-viruses available for Android, such as Avast, Norton, and ESET, also did not make it into the detailed description, it is AVG and Bitdefender. These apps scan your device for viruses and remove them if they’re found.
- Operating system updates: Android releases operating system updates regularly to fix security vulnerabilities. So, it’s important to keep your Android device up to date.
You can follow these steps to check for viruses on your Android device:
- Go to the Google Play store and search for any antivirus that you like best according to the description.
- Install it and launch the app.
- Click “Start”.
- After a series of messages, click Continue with the free version if you don’t want to pay for the Premium version.
- Click “Run Smart Scan”. This will check for viruses as well as junk files and any other problems.
- The scan will check all installed apps as well as your phone’s memory for viruses and other malware.
- In a couple of minutes, you will see the results of the scan. Hopefully, it will show that no threats are detected, but if they are, follow the instructions to remove them.
- The rest of the smart scan shows any space that can be freed up, as well as other “problems” – most of which are really just excuses to ask you to pay for Avast One Premium, although there are benefits, such as unlimited VPN service.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can also install a VPN on your Android device. A VPN encrypts your traffic, making it harder for hackers to snoop on your data. We recommend NordVPN as it’s one of the best VPNs out there.
We hope this article has helped you learn how to check for viruses on Android and remove them if necessary. Stay safe out there and don’t let yourself be fooled.