Our Android smartphones and tablets are very personal devices. They’re our digital homes, and we should be just as vigilant about outside invaders as we are with our houses. In the case of Android gadgets, it’s a matter of being aware of malware.
Android is a target for digital criminals thanks to how popular it is worldwide, with Google estimating that there are over 2 billion monthly active Android devices in use. While we can take precautions to protect our smartphones, sometimes malware sneaks in.
Security company Kaspersky Lab reports the number of attacks using malicious mobile software nearly doubled in 2018. While we often think of malicious software in terms of viruses, the big culprit on Android is malware. We just tend to use "virus" as a shorthand nickname for a category of items that may include spyware, ransomware, adware and other apps that are out to compromise your private data.
If you think you’ve got a malicious app hanging out on your Android device, then it’s time to make it disappear. First, put your phone into Safe Mode, which disables third-party apps. The method for doing this may vary with your phone, but for most it involves holding down the power key and then tapping and holding "Power off." Tap OK when prompted to reboot into Safe Mode.
Now let’s remove the offending app. Open Settings and tap on "Apps & notifications." You may need to tap on the "see all" option for the complete app list. Locate the app and click on "Uninstall." Restart your phone or tablet like normal to return to the regular operating mode.
Use the Google Play Store: The Google Play Protect service runs a safety check on apps from the Google Play Store before you download them. It also scans your device regularly looking for offending apps. It will notify you if it finds one that’s potentially harmful. Google tries to stay vigilant with weeding out bad apps, so make sure you only install apps directly through the Google Play Store.
Install the latest updates: Keep both your Android system and your apps updated in order to take advantage of the latest security improvements.
Consider anti-malware software: There are plenty of options for Android antivirus apps. At their best, these apps can prevent malware attacks and also scan your phone or tablet to locate existing malicious software. Recent research showed that many antivirus options are ineffective, so be sure to go with a known security provider with a good track record.
Be vigilant: This tip is all about staying aware. Learn how to identify phishing attacks, don’t click on sketchy links in texts or emails, and use strong passwords for your accounts.
Protecting your Android device takes a combination of common sense and vigilance. Be aware of the signs of malware and take the steps needed to clean up your phone or tablet.
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