The android phones market is blooming with choices. Since the Play Store has a huge number of apps on it, it makes it accessible to not only trustworthy third-party applications but viruses as well. We’ll cover the main points of what an android virus is, what it can do, and how to stop it. This way you’ll be able to stay informed and secure when utilizing your device.

What is an Android virus?

To keep things simple, an android virus works like any other malware, it is designed to temper with your device’s data and performance. Some go as far as stealing your sensitive data or reporting your location. Usually, they enter your device via external sources either software or device. Think of a public wi-fi hotspot where you the consumer don’t know where the signal is coming from. It can be the router of your local dinner or a suspicious hotspot created by a hacker.  When it enters your android operating system (OS) the virus can start downloading packages from your device and gains access to personal information. From generating ads to recording your calls, malware is capable of running several kinds of malicious activities. Since it doesn’t exactly act as a PC virus you may not notice its presence on your device. Nonetheless, you will notice there is a reduction in your phone’s processing speed and excessive battery draining. To put it simply, the day to day “routine” of your device will become strange. You may start asking the question below:

How did my phone get infected?

Before we start off, beware that your location on the map matters. In case you are traveling to high-risk areas you will need to be vigilant of how you use your devices and what applications you download. Since the App Store is very picky what third party developers can place their apps on their market, Google Play is the main target for malware attacks. It is your responsibility to know what you consume. It is a simple rule of thumb, don’t download suspicious apps to your device. As mentioned above don’t connect your devices to unknown sources of the internet or connect to devices you don’t trust. You may get suspicious emails or messages that ask you to open links, never do that.  

Here is a checklist for the “symptoms”

• Your device’s battery drains faster than usual
• Rising frequency of randoms phone restarts
• Fast overheating while performing simple tasks
• Check your device with file explorer for unusual files in the system
• Increased mobile data usage
• Connectivity issues and noisy chatter similar to radio waves during calls
• Random advertisements pop up when browsing the internet, prompting you to access a link
• Your android’s CPU performance drops. It is noticeable immediately since you are used to a different speed.

Some items on this list may appear due to the fact that your phone simply got outdated, but stay vigilant and make the distinction between what’s old and what’s infected. Nowadays phones from across all budget ranges come with improved security features, but you’ll still need to consider some additional resources, just to be on the safe side.

How do I protect my mobile phone?

To put knowledge into practice keep these things in mind:

• Update your software updated regularly. This ensures the best protection since Android natively comes with decent security features that only get better with each update
• Pay attention to what personal data you share and to whom, especially via social media. Avoid suspicious friend requests and intrusive messages from users
• Install anti-virus software from the Google Play store. The top items on that list are trustworthy security providers that will keep your device safe. Make sure to keep it updated as well
• You can go as far as installing a firewall. It is basically an upgrade to the previous feature and a good security enhancement feature. 
• Always use a passcode or finger scan on your phone. Losing a mobile phone can happen so it is best to protect your data with any potential measure. You can use the find my phone features, provided by Google to find it or delete its data entirely in case of highly sensitive situations. The two-factor authentication is here for a reason.
• Download games and apps from official stores – specifically Google Play and App Store. Any other store that you come across by on your journeys, need to be taken with a grain of salt. Stay clear of strange .apk’s.  There are bad apps filled with malware even on the 2 most trusted stores, so just imagine what can happen on the outskirts. 
• Always read the end-user agreement. No one does it these days, but you should discern qualified legal texts that can ensure data protection, from dubious un-clear agreements.
• Except for airports (even then I would suggest your own charger), avoid public charging stations
• Don’t jailbreak your phones as they void the warranty and if you need to fix some hardware issues of your device, use a licensed vendor for it.

Finally, to remove a virus, you can just go ahead and use the Antivirus software. With a press of the “Remove” button, your issue should be fixed as it guides you through the process. In a different scenario, if you want to remove a specific file you or app are well aware of, you can just boot your mobile in safe mode and delete it or uninstall it. You can also create backups for your data in the and revert to an earlier version, that didn’t have the malware-filled app installed. You can find it in the “Settings” sections, usually under Personal Account & Sync.

So there you have it, the basics on how to keep your favorite Android phone secure from viruses in 2020. Stay safe and for everything related tech and gaming trends keep Techfiddling.