How to check an Android smartphone for viruses

It seems to most users of modern Android smartphones that it is almost impossible to pick up a virus now. In many ways, we can agree with them, especially considering that most manufacturers have implemented native security verification methods in their devices. However, on the Internet every now and then there are loud headlines like: a virus in the calendar on Android or a virus on an Android pop-up windows , which means that checking a smartphone for malware is still relevant. In this article, I propose to analyze the best ways to check your phone and decide when to start sounding the alarm.

I have been using Android smartphones since the days of Android 2.2 Froyo and have never encountered such problems. To be honest, since 2009, I forgot about antiviruses and did not even install them on Windows machines. Yes, it was possible to catch a Trojan a couple of times a year, but there was always the Dr.Web CureIt utility in this case.

Are there viruses on Android

First, you need to understand what a virus is in a global sense:

So that’s it. There are no viruses, in the usual sense of the word, on Android, since viruses cannot spread on Android . However, there are analogues that are called malware. They are embedded in your smartphone and steal certain data from there or imperceptibly write off money.

What are the viruses on the phone

Species vredosnosnogo software on Android there are so many. It will not work to list all of them, but here are the main representatives:

• Advertising viruses (flipping banners).
• Viruses with SMS or web subscription (money is debited through an active link).
• Programs that flood you with messages.
• Ransomware Trojans (block access to the phone and demand a ransom).
• Viper programs (erase all files from the device).
• RAT Trojans (can control your phone remotely).
• Banking Trojans (steal bank card data).

How to find out if there is a virus on the phone

It can be extremely difficult to recognize malware on a smartphone. Recently, scammers have learned a very high-quality disguise. It often happens that even on Google Play there are programs that can throw your smartphone out of balance.

In principle, all the main recommendations follow from the list of similar programs above. If you notice that you have debited money from your bank card , it is worth checking. Incomprehensible SMS arrives or the phone sits down quickly – consider that this is the first call.

And, of course, it is important to evaluate the behavior of a smartphone over time. Suppose you recently downloaded a dating app from a third-party resource, and after a couple of days your phone started to live its own life . In this case, your device needs verification.

How to check Android for spyware

There are many ways to scan Android for viruses. It is clear that the most effective way to fight will be to install applications only from official sources and the Google Play app store.

However, if you have already noticed suspicious activity on your smartphone, you can download a special application that will help you recognize programs with suspicious activity. Plus, it will add a few goodies like checking applications before installing them and hiding private photos in a separate album.

The only thing I would not recommend is to enable autoscanning. No matter what anyone says, malware on Android is very rare. With all the precautions taken, you hardly need constant checking. The app is best used in extreme cases.

How to protect your smartphone from hacking

Google has long understood the danger of malware and has provided its users’ smartphones with high-quality protection. The Google Play store has a built -in Play Protect antivirus , which sensitively protects not only applications from official sources, but also those coming from outside.

You can also help Google Protect improve the protection of your smartphone. To do this, you need to set some settings in Google Play, thanks to which all information about suspicious applications will be sent directly to Google.

• Open the Google Play app.
• In the upper right corner of the screen, click on the profile icon.
• Select Play Protect then Settings.
• Turn on the Scan for security threats and Help improve protection options.

By the way, you have noticed that in the past few years all programs have bored us with different access permissions for a particular function: allow access to the gallery, allow access to the microphone, and so on. This is done just so that some production calculator does not accidentally start tracking you through the camera.

Therefore, the main advice that can be given on this score: carefully look at what rights you grant to each program. And if it seems to you that a virus has appeared on your phone, check the access of applications to various functions :

• Unlock your smartphone.
• Go to Settings, Applications.
• App permissions.
• Check out the list of programs, disable suspicious software.