If you’ve ever used a desktop computer before, you’ve likely dealt with viruses and malware that can infect your computer and create myriad problems. Some viruses are relatively easy to get rid of and will only cause a slowdown on your computer. However, other types of viruses and malware can cause significant damage to a computer and steal your data.

Just like desktop computers, Android devices can be infected by malware and other types of viruses. This guide takes you through the steps involved on how to remove malware from Android devices.

What is malware?

Malware refers to any kind of malicious software that gets into a computer, network, or computer server. It is used as a blanket term for worms, viruses, and harmful computer programs aimed to directly damage computing devices and access your sensitive information such as credit card data and log-in credentials to your bank account and social media accounts. After all, the point of malware is to generate revenue for cybercriminals.

While all viruses are malware, not every piece of malware is a virus. These are the three main types of malware that may infect your Android device:

Worms

A worm is a piece of malware that spreads from one device to another by reproducing itself. Worms are particularly dangerous because they can operate autonomously and don’t need a host file or a hijack code to spread.

Viruses

A virus is a simple computer code that invades and damages a device or steals information from it. Many modern viruses are outfitted with a logic bomb, which means it won’t execute until specific parameters have been met. Some viruses are sophisticated, so it may prove difficult to detect them before it’s too late and without an expert.

Trojans

A Trojan is a type of malicious software that the Android device user can unknowingly activate, as it mimics normal functions. Once activated, it spreads and starts to damage the device. Just like a regular application, Trojans typically request administrator access. If you select the agree button, it will have extensive access to your computing device.

The impact of malware on Android phones

There are many things that malware can do after infecting Android phones. Malware on Android devices can download malicious applications, open unsafe web pages, send expensive SMS text messages, and steal information. This information can include your passwords, personal information, location, and contact list.

Once a hacker has access to your Android device, they can either sell or use your information on the dark web. More sophisticated and complex malware will take the form of ransomware, which can lock your phone and encrypt some of your data. You will then be given time to pay a fee if you want to have your files and data restored.

Signs that an Android phone is infected with malware 

Malware can inflict internal damage that is challenging to detect. In many cases, it will take up significant resources on your Android phone, degrading its performance and creating other similar problems. You can suspect that your Android phone has been infected if:

  • Your device has slowed down significantly without an apparent reason.
  • Your battery drains at a quicker rate than normal.
  • Applications are taking a long time to load.
  • The phone is using much more data than it should be.
  • Pop-up ads are in abundance.
  • You notice applications on your phone that you don’t recall downloading.
  • Your phone bills are higher than they should be.

How do I detect and remove malware on my Android phone?

You can take several steps to verify the presence of malware on your Android device, the primary of which is to run a standard antivirus scan. These programs can be either free or paid. Keep in mind that the most expensive antivirus program isn’t always the best. So, ensure that you select a program that offers complete functionality and doesn’t solely provide a quick scan feature.

Quick scans can help check the most vulnerable areas of your system, such as the memory, startup folders, system, and program files. This type of scan may give you a false belief that your phone is free from viruses and harmful malware. Full scans, however, are necessary if you want the program to check every facet, local drive, folder, and file of your Android phone. 

Once you have detected malware on your Android phone, you can remove the malware by following five simple steps.

Step 1: Immediately turn your phone off before performing any research

Upon detecting malware, you should turn your Android phone off entirely while you perform some research on another device. Turning the phone off should keep the problem from worsening and may stop the malware from spreading to other networks in the vicinity.

If you know the name of the application or program that contains malware, take this time to learn more about what it could be doing to your phone. If you don’t know the name, consider looking up the symptoms you’ve noticed. The only way to eliminate malware on an Android phone is to identify the app that is infected with malware.

Step 2: Turn the phone on in safe or emergency mode

Once you know which application needs to be uninstalled and deleted, turn your Android phone on in safe mode or emergency mode by holding the power button down for several seconds. From here, you should be given power options like reboot and safe mode. Once you activate the safe mode, your phone will restart.

Step 3: Go to Device Settings to locate the malicious app

Once in safe mode, go to the Settings section on your Android phone, scroll to the Apps option and click it. Look through this list of applications present on your phone until you find the one that’s infected and needs to be uninstalled. If the application is a core app, you may be unable to delete it but have the option of disabling it. However, it’s unlikely that a core app is the source of a virus or malware.

Step 4: Uninstall the infected application

To uninstall the infected application, simply select it and hold your finger down for a few seconds. This will provide you with options such as force stop, force close, or uninstall. Select the uninstall option to remove the problematic application. 

If you are unable to delete the infected malware because your Android phone has been hijacked with ransomware, you can fix this problem by going to the main settings menu and selecting the security section. From here, search for the phone device administrators area. Adjusting your administrator settings should allow you to delete the app.

Step 5: Opt for a factory reset

If you’re willing to say goodbye to the current media and content on your Android phone, a factory reset is an excellent option to eliminate the malware. This process does remove viruses and malware, but more potent malware may survive. With a deep antivirus scan, you may detect as much malware as possible.

Step 6: Post-cleanup and prevention

After you successfully eliminate the malware, focus on downloading malware protection and learning how to avoid future malware infections. Choose a malware solution that will delete unnecessary files, protect your information, and scan for viruses. You should also regularly update the antivirus program.

Tips to keep malware off your Android phone

It pays to know how to remove malware from Android, but it’s still better to keep them off your phone. You can take these simple steps to ensure that viruses and other malware don’t corrupt your phone:

  • Make sure that you invest in reputable and robust security software.
  • Don’t click on links in text messages or emails that you aren’t familiar with.
  • Keep your software and operating system up to date.
  • Use complex passwords.
  • Make sure that you don’t use an unsecure Wi-Fi connection. A virtual private network is the best protection when you’re accessing public network connections.
  • Only install applications from the Google Play Store and other sources you can trust.

Final thoughts

Malware can damage your phone and potentially steal your information if you aren’t proactive about getting rid of the malware once it has been detected. 

The best way to keep these problems at bay is to use reliable antivirus software and take some precautionary measures. Once you realize that malware has entered your Android device, your main goal should be to remove it as soon as possible by using robust antivirus software like McAfee Mobile Security, seeking help from experts, and staying informed about modern cyber threats and the risks they pose.