What are the Signs of a Malware Attack on an Android Phone?


Internet browsing offers several outstanding features for the user, but at the same time, it comes with its fair share of risks. A considerable proportion of the browsing is done with the help of android smartphones.

Recognising whether malware is on the phone is very crucial to protect yourself from it. Malware may be perplexing, interfering with how you regularly use your phone and making you feel anxious, even if you don't know what's causing the issue. It's also relatively frequent. Therefore, we have put together the possible signs of a malware attack on an android in this post.

How Does a Malware Function?

There are different types of Malware based on the way they function −

  • The first sort of malware deceives you into permitting it to access sensitive data.

  • The second sort of malware takes advantage of phone flaws to access sensitive data by granting itself administrator capabilities. Hence, there is no requirement for users to click "OK" on permissions requests, making it easier for malware to run undetected on the device.

  • Ransomware is another sort of malware. Typically, victims' data are locked away and cannot be accessed. In order to get them back, a pop-up usually asks for payment in Bitcoin. According to Bauer, most Android malware can only encrypt items on external storage, such as photographs.

Effects of Malware

Mobile viruses may access sensitive information in addition to making you unpleasant with incessant advertising. The following are examples of common targets −

  • Your banking information

  • Information about your device

  • Your phone number or email address

  • Your contact list

Hackers can utilise this data for several nefarious purposes. They can steal your financial credentials and use them to perform identity theft.

  • For example, the Anubis banking Trojan achieves this by duping customers into giving it access to an Android phone's accessibility capabilities.

  • As a result, the spyware can record every program you start as well as the data you type, including passwords.

  • After you provide the permission once, the malware's activity is entirely hidden on screen, with no indication that anything malicious occurs as you enter into your accounts.

Hackers can also employ malware to capture and sell your device's and contact information, flooding you with robocalls, SMS, and other unwanted messages.

Signs of Malware on Your Android

Following are the signs and symptoms of a malware attack on an Android phone −

  • Regardless of the app you're using, you're continuously bombarded with advertisements.

  • When you install an app, the icon vanishes very instantly.

  • Your battery is depleting considerably more quickly than usual.

  • On your phone, you see apps that you are unfamiliar with.

  • Your phone might be compromised if your apps continually crash for no apparent reason.

  • If your data use increases suddenly, it's possible that malware is doing background operations on your smartphone.

  • Another example of a probable malware infestation is spam texts received from your phone.

Updated on: 02-Jun-2022

333 Views

Kickstart Your Career

Get certified by completing the course

Get Started
Advertisements