How to avoid Android viruses & malware
• Don't install apps from outside Google Play unless you know what you're doing:
This functionality should be disabled by default, but to check you can
open your phone or tablet's Settings menu, go to Security, then ensure
the Unknown Sources option is disabled
• Avoid cloned apps: 99 percent of the time you will
be safe downloading apps from Google Play, but malicious code has been
found within apps there. Avoid downloading what appear to be cloned apps
from unknown developers, or apps that simply don't do what they say
they do
• Check app permissions: No matter from where you are installing an app, check its required permissions before hitting Install. Never allow an app device admin permission, which prevents it being deleted. And does a video player really need to see your contacts? You can also check reviews online and browse the developer's website to see whether it's a genuine operation or cowboy business
• Keep Android up to date: The latest version of the Android operating system won't necessarily be available for your phone or tablet, but you should check that it is as up to date as it can be. Next time you upgrade, consider a brand that is known for its timely operating system updates (for example, Nokia).
• Install an antivirus app: You don't need to install antivirus on Android, but it can give you peace of mind if you're concerned about viruses, and the apps often have other useful functionality too. Be warned that Android antivirus is known to occasionally report false-positives, but if you know an app is okay you know an app is okay. Our favourite antivirus option is BitDefender, but there's also plenty of other options for mobile security software
How to remove a virus from Android
Put your phone or tablet into Safe mode. This prevents any third-party apps running, including any malware.On many devices you can press the power button to access the power off options, then press and hold Power off to bring up an option to restart in Safe mode.
If this doesn't work for your device then you should Google 'How to put [your model name] into Safe mode' and follow the instructions.
When in Safe mode you'll see 'Safe mode' at the bottom left of the screen.
Open your Settings menu and choose Apps, then make sure you're viewing the Downloaded tab.
Chances are you will know when your device started misbehaving, and you can usually line that up with a new app you might have downloaded.
If you don't know the name of the app you think has infected your Android phone or tablet, go through the list and look for anything dodgy-looking or that you know you haven't installed or shouldn't be running on your device.
Tap on the malicious app (clearly it won't be called 'Dodgy
Android virus', this is just an illustration) to open the App info
page, then click Uninstall.
In most cases, this is all you need to do to remove the virus,
but occasionally you might find the Uninstall button is greyed out.
This is because the virus has given itself Device administrator status.
Exit the Apps menu and tap on Settings, Security, Device
Administrators. Here you'll find a list of any apps on your phone or
tablet with administrator status.
Simply untick the box for the app you want to remove, then tap Deactivate on the next screen.
You should now be able to return to the apps menu and remove that app.
With the virus now off your Android phone or tablet, all you need to is restart the device to take it out of Safe mode.
Now that it's working correctly it's a good time to back up whatever
important data you have stored on the device, and install an Android
antivirus app to protect you from any future viruses that come your way.
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