How to Remove Malware on Android: A Complete Guide

March 15, 2024 By Janne Smith No Comments 8 minutes

Are you seeing unexplained data usage on your device? It’s time to remove malware on Android! According to Astra Security, 560,000 new malware attacks are daily identified, contributing to a total of more than 1 billion existing malware programs.

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When used wisely, the digital world is every individual’s safe haven, and for everything it has to offer, it’s the best thing after sliced bread! However, malware and viruses can drive the calmest up the wall, too.

Before delving into a list of never-ending solutions for how to remove malware on Android or how to remove rooted malware on Android, here’s a precise article for that. Let’s dive in!

Note: We recommend using FastestVPN for guaranteed malware protection. A VPN serves as a mitigation step for malware and viruses.

What is Malware?

This harmful software enters your device through unconscious file installation or clicking a malicious link. Illustrating that, remember the last time you streamed your favorite sports event through an illegal site? The constant ads and pop-ups might have led to malware installation – without you knowing. Scary, right?

To understand destructive malware better, here’s what malware generally aids in:

1. Illegal Monetary Gains

Most online scams have the same incentive – gain monetary benefits. Malware steals sensitive information from your device and later sells that out on different sites, such as the dark web.

2. Spy on the Network

The black hats can always spy on your network to monitor device activities. From the movies you stream to the friends you text, your device is under a constant eye.

3. Stealing information and Displaying Ads

Generally, malware is all about stealing information. You can also expect ads and pop-ups on your device that mark the presence of device malware.

What Are 4 Types of Malware?

According to Statista, in 2022, global cybersecurity systems identified 5.5 billion malware attacks, with the Asia-Pacific region experiencing the highest concentration of these incidents.

Before learning about how to remove rooted malware on Android, let’s find out about the types. The prevalent types of blocked malware attacks included:

• Worms
• Viruses
• Ransomware
• Trojan
• Backdoors

Speaking of the types of malware, let’s briefly discuss the 4 types of malware:

1. Worms

A worm propagates by replicating itself from one device to another. Worms pose a significant threat as they can function independently and do not require a host file or a hijack code for their dissemination.

2. Viruses

A virus integrates its code into other programs. Certain viruses exhibit advanced characteristics, challenging their detection without timely intervention or expert assistance.

3. Ransomware

This type of malware uses asymmetric encryption, and the attacker generates a unique private key. Once it’s installed in the device, the victim has to pay the ransom, and only then the attacker gives the private key to decrypt files.

4. Trojan

Trojan is another malicious software that damages the device – and that’s what malware does. However, trojans always request user permission, and by any chance, if you accept that, you’re up for some severe damage.

Do Android Phones Have Malware Protection?

Android has Google Play Protect, and along with that, Android offers monthly security updates. You must have seen the “No Harmful Apps Found” notification in the Play Store apps and games management section. It indicates that Play Protect actively ensures the safety of the apps you obtain from the Play Store.

How Do I Know if My Android Has Malware?

Speaking of malware and ways for how to remove malware on Android, their purpose is to damage a device, right? Here’s the exciting part: the damage isn’t external; it’s internal, making it even harder to identify. Usually, you can detect malware through significant battery drain and device slowing down. But that’s not where the list ends.

Here’s a list of factors that denote malware in your Android device:

• Your phone’s performance has significantly dropped.
• You notice apps that you don’t remember downloading.
• Apps take longer than expected to load when you launch them on your device.
• Your phone’s taking more data than normal.
• The phone’s battery is draining faster.
• When using cellular data, phone bills are higher than expected.
• Your phone’s heating up more than usual.
• You see constant pop-ups and unexpected ads.

How Do I Detect Malware on Android?

A typical malware detection requires you to use the best antivirus for Android. And, to navigate the anti-viruses, we’ve got a list of the top options covered in one of our recent articles, too.

To delve further into checking malware on Android, here’s how you can do that:

1. Check for the Sideloaded Apps

This can be a common sign of malware; check to see if your device has any apps installed outside the Google Play Store. You can do that by following these steps:

• Go to Settings and open Apps.
• Tap on Special Access.
• Select Install Unknown Apps.
• Ensure there aren’t any browsers or apps with permission to install applications on your phone.

2. Check the Apps With High Battery Consumption

Since malware runs in the background, check the apps that consume higher battery. You can check that by taking the following steps:

• Go to Settings>Battery>Battery Usage.
• The highest battery-consuming apps will be displayed at the top of the list.

3. Watch Out for Ads and Pop-Ups

Ads and pop-ups are clear signs of malware, and you can remove malware on Android by clearing your device’s cache. Here’s how you can do that:

• Go to Settings>Apps.
• Find your phone’s browser.
• Following that, select Clear Cache.

4. Check Apps if They Have Admin Privileges

With admin privileges, the malware can access apps and easily steal your personal information. Here’s how you can check for apps with admin privileges:

• Go to Settings>Security.
• Select Other Security Settings.
• Go to Device admin apps> Device Administrators/phone Administrators.
• Toggle off the admin privileges for unrecognized apps.
• Tap on Deactivate.

How to Remove Malware on Android

Once you’ve detected malware on your Android, it’s time to remove. Here’s how to remove rooted malware on Android:

1. Uninstall Sideloaded and Unrecognized Applications

While your phone may be operating normally, if you detect signs of malware, a straightforward solution is to examine your installed apps. Malicious software can introduce harmful applications to your Android device. Uninstalling unrecognized apps will effectively remove the malware.

2. Clear Device Cache

If you’re experiencing pop-ups and being redirected to websites, take the following steps to improve the situation.

• Go to the Settings app and select Apps.
• Locate your phone’s browser.
• Choose the options to Clear Cache and Clear Storage/Clear App Data.

3. Reboot your Device

If you believe your phone has malware and is not functioning properly, consider using Safe Mode as a potential solution. Safe Mode, also called recovery mode, restarts your device to its original state when you first purchased it.

Here’s how you can reboot your device and enable the safe mode:

• Press and hold the power key; sometimes, you might need to simultaneously press the power and volume up buttons, depending on your device.
• Hold the on-screen power button until the message “Reboot to safe mode” appears.
• Tap OK to initiate the reboot of your Android phone in Safe Mode.

5 Ways to Prevent Malware

Nobody’s safe from malware attacks, and to mitigate the risk, we recommend you take the following steps to prevent malware before you search for how to remove rooted malware on Android.

Here are the top 5 ways to prevent malware:

1. Use a VPN

Use robust cybersecurity tools, like a reliable VPN, i.e., FastestVPN, to enhance your defense against cyber threats.

2. Don’t Open Unknown Links

Be cautious when dealing with attachments and links, avoiding opening unfamiliar attachments or clicking on unknown links. Even attachments from trusted sources should be approached with skepticism.

3. Review the Installed Apps

Regularly assess your installed apps and their permissions to stay informed about the access granted to them.

4. Ensure Using Strong Passwords

Strengthen your account security by employing robust passwords, and consider implementing two-factor authentication for an extra layer of protection. It’s best to use a trusted password manager for enhanced password management.

5. Ensure Regular Software Updates

Ensure your phone’s software is regularly updated, as keeping your device up to date is a simple yet effective strategy to stay ahead of the latest malware threats and address software vulnerabilities promptly.

Wrapping Up

Forbes reports that daily, approximately 560,000 new instances of malware are identified, contributing to a total of over 1 billion circulating malware programs. And the best way to mitigate malware attacks is to use a reliable VPN, like FastestVPN.

Conclusively, we covered ways to detect viruses and remove malware on Android. The FAQs section covered other parts as well.

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