Usually, Apple and Android phones don’t face issues when it comes to getting viruses. However, there is a rare possibility that some type of malware or virus might enter your phone. So, if your phone is showing the symptoms of a malware or virus infection, then you need to get it removed.
That being said, not many people know how to get the virus removed from their phones. If that is the case with you, then don’t worry because you have come to the right place. This article will provide you with a step-by-step process for removing viruses from your phone. But before that, let’s find out about the symptoms that indicate your phone has a virus.
How to Know If There is a Virus on Your Phone?
There are different signs that indicate there is possible malware and you would need to remove virus from phone. You can run a malware scan by using a malware and virus scanner on your phone. Additionally, you can also look for the following signs that indicate you might have a problem in hand to deal with.
Pop-Ups
Different unwanted programs such as adware will show ads on the Android phone screen to get advertisement money. This malware can also clash with your Android’s OS (Operating System), causing weird pop-ups to show up on your phone screen. Therefore, it is time to get your phone checked when you see too many pop-ups.
Battery Draining
Apps running in the background can cause your battery to drain up quickly. However, if your phone battery starts to drain much faster than it usually does, then it indicates a possible virus or malware presence. A few types of malware will drain the battery to carry out malicious activities through the device’s hardware.
New Apps Showing Up
If there are apps on your phone that you haven’t seen before or don’t remember downloading, then it is an indication of probable issues. These apps would act as a protector for another software, app, or privacy-invading tool installed by someone you know. They can also be due to a phishing attack and you should consider removing them immediately.
Contacts Receiving Suspicious Messages
Lastly, contacts receiving suspicious messages also show that malware like some Trojans has scanned your contact list. They would continue to send them phishing emails and texts. Some malware and viruses will also send messages to people through your social media platforms.
Removing Virus from Phone: 5 Steps that You Need to Try
Now that you know the signs of possible virus and malware attacks on your phone, you might wonder what you should do about it. Here is a step-by-step process to help remove virus from phone.
Step 1 – Clear Cache from Your Phone
First and foremost, you need to remove the cache from your phone. The cache refers to the storage of reserved data where the device holds temporary files. By clearing up your data, you can speed up the device. It can remove all big files and also ones that are infected.
The process of clearing the cache is quite simple. All you have to do is open Settings>Apps and Notifications>Chrome and then tap Clear Cache in the Storage and Cache menu. This process will work on most of the devices.
Step 2 – Open Safe Mode and Then Reboot Your Device
The next thing that you need to do is carry out a reboot for your device in a safe mode. Doing so will allow you to run the Android OS without any issues from malicious apps. Also, running the Android safe mode can be beneficial if the device is crashing, freezing, running slow, or restarting on its own.
- Here is what you should do to restart the Android device in safe mode:
- Press the power button, which is usually on the side of your device
- Wait for the screen to show the Power off icon
- Press the power button and the power off icon on the screen together till you get the Safe Mode icon
- Click on Safe mode and then restart the Android device in safe mode
Step 3 – Search and Remove Malicious Apps
As mentioned before, there can be apps on your phone that you don’t remember installing or using. Ignoring them can be devastating for your phone and that is why you need to consider removing them. For that, you need to open “Settings,” on your phone and tap on “Apps & Notifications.”
Next, you need to tap on all apps and go through all the installed apps to see if any apps are suspicious or unfamiliar. In case you find any such apps, then you need to remove them immediately. After uninstalling them, you need to restart your device.
Step 4 – Activate Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)
The multi-factor authentication (MFA) plays a major role in keeping your device safe and secure from identity theft. If any hacker can get access to your login credentials from your Android device, they would still not be able to access the account.
It is safe to say that MFA adds another protection layer that can help you stay safe from cyber-attacks. To allow 2-Step Verification on Android, here is what you need to do:
- Go to your Google Account on the device
- Access the navigation panel and choose security
- Check for the option to sign in to Google
- Select 2-Step verification and get started with it
Once you complete all these steps, you will see the directions on the screen to secure your account with 2-step verification. Follow the steps and your device will be safe and secured from any potential attacks from cybercriminals or hackers.
Step 5 – Install Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware Software
Last but most importantly, you need to download an antivirus and malware software on your phone. This software will run a scan and check if there are any viruses or malware on your phone.
Not only that, it will also keep your phone protected against such actors in the future. You can go through the different software to protect your device on the Google Play Store and choose the one that is suitable for your needs.
Keeping Your Phone Safe: Bottom-Line
There is no telling when any virus or malware will enter your phone. Nevertheless, you can look for potential signs to find out if your device is infected. In case there is any potential issue like this, then follow the steps mentioned above to get rid of the virus on your phone.
