In today’s world, our smartphones contain a wealth of sensitive and personal information. From personal photos and messages to banking and payment information, our phones hold details that we don’t want to fall into the wrong hands. That’s why it’s critical to keep our devices secure and know how to check for signs of malware or viruses. Here are some key things to look out for to determine if your phone has been infected by a virus.
Watch for Unusual Behavior
One of the first signs that something may be wrong is if your phone starts displaying strange behavior. Things to look out for include:
– Apps crashing or freezing unexpectedly
– Sluggish performance – taking a long time to open apps or web pages
– Battery draining faster than usual
– Odd pop-up messages appearing
– Apps opening or running without you tapping them
– Unusual or excessive data usage
If your phone is lagging, unresponsive, or acting differently than normal, a virus could be the culprit. Be on the lookout for any behavior that seems out of the ordinary.
Look for Unknown Apps
Carefully review all of the apps installed on your phone. A virus may disguise itself as a legitimate app to sneak onto your device. Be wary of apps you don’t remember downloading. Also look for generic sounding apps with vague descriptions. Only install apps from trusted and reputable sources like the Apple App Store or Google Play. Delete any questionable apps immediately.
Scan with Antivirus Software
One of the best ways to actively check for viruses is to use trusted antivirus software designed for mobile devices. Look for a highly rated app that offers real-time scanning. It will comb through all your installed apps, files, and system data looking for anything suspicious. The antivirus app should quarantine or delete any malware it detects to help disinfect your phone. Schedule regular scans to stay vigilant.
Reset Your Phone to Factory Settings
If your phone seems infected and antivirus software isn’t solving the problem, a factory reset may be necessary. This will wipe your phone back to default factory settings and uninstall any apps that came preloaded. Make sure to back up any data and files you want to keep before resetting your device. Resetting the phone will delete any viruses or malware lurking in the system. However, you’ll have to reinstall your apps and set the phone back up from scratch.
Watch for Battery Draining Quickly
One telltale sign of a virus is if your phone’s battery life seems to go down much faster than normal. Many viruses and malware constantly run background processes to relay information or siphon data from your device. This extra activity taxes the phone’s CPU and drains the battery more rapidly. If your phone’s battery seems to disappear quicker than it should, a resource-sucking virus may be to blame.
Delete Suspicious Texts or Emails
Some viruses target mobile devices through phishing text messages or emails. The message may look like a delivery notification or other legitimate communication. But clicking any links could launch a malware download onto your phone. Delete any texts or emails that seem suspicious without opening or clicking on any contents. Even previewing a sketchy message can enable malware. When in doubt, delete the message. Don’t click on links from unknown numbers or addresses.
Connect to a Secure WiFi Network
Using public, unsecured WiFi can make you more vulnerable to viruses. Hackers can sneak malware into your phone using an unencrypted hotspot connection. Only connect to the internet through a secured WiFi network that requires a password. Avoid doing any sensitive activities like online shopping or banking over public networks. Stick to secure, private WiFi to reduce your risk.
Look for Pop-Ups About Security Issues
Viruses will often create fake security pop-ups warning of issues on your phone. For example, it may say a virus was detected and you should download software to remove it. But clicking just launches more malware. Legitimate security warnings will never ask you to download anything. Close any pop-ups that claim to have found viruses and suggest installing an app.
Review App Permissions
Apps that have more permissions than they should need to operate could be viruses in disguise. Review your app permissions in your phone’s settings. Look for any apps that ask for unreasonable permissions they shouldn’t need. For example, a basic calculator app asking for location access could indicate malware. Revoke any unnecessary or suspicious app permissions.
Install Apps from Trusted Sources
Stick to downloading apps from the official Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Avoid third party app stores or sites offering free app downloads, as these often contain malware. Read reviews and ratings for apps before installing. Be leery of apps with low ratings or new apps with little history. Only give apps the permissions they absolutely require.
Monitor Data Usage
An infection may cause an unusual spike in your mobile data usage if it’s silently transmitting information in the background. Keep an eye on your monthly data usage under your phone plan. Watch for any extreme spikes that are out of the ordinary. A significant jump likely means something on your phone is needlessly burning through data.
Keep Your Phone Updated
Be sure to promptly install any system updates or security patches issued for your phone. Software updates often include key security fixes that close vulnerabilities used by viruses. Updating to the latest OS version will ensure your phone has all the latest protections enabled. Don’t delay system updates. Turn on automatic updating if possible.
Use Caution with Public Charging Stations
It’s best to avoid using public USB charging stations in airports, hotels, or other locations. Criminals can modify the charging ports to install malware on your phone. Only use AC outlets for public charging. Or bring your own wall adapter and USB cable so you can plug into a standard outlet instead of an unknown USB port.
Conclusion
Keeping our smartphones safe from viruses and malware requires vigilance. Be on the lookout for any odd behavior, unknown apps, or other signs of infection. Make use of trusted mobile antivirus software, don’t click suspicious links, only install apps from official stores, and keep your phone updated. With proper precautions, you can avoid mobile viruses and keep your personal data secure. Being proactive about security will help ensure your phone stays healthy.
| Signs of a mobile virus | What to do |
|---|---|
| Sluggish performance | Run antivirus scan, delete suspicious apps |
| High battery drain | Check for resource-heavy background processes |
| Strange pop-ups | Don’t click links, close pop-ups |
| Unknown apps | Uninstall apps you don’t remember downloading |
| Suspicious emails/texts | Delete without opening or clicking links |
| Data usage spikes | Determine source of heavy data use |
Here are some common questions and answers about checking for viruses on phones:
How do I know if my phone has a virus?
Watch for unusual behavior like constant crashing, rapid battery drain, sluggish performance, and unknown apps. Run antivirus software to scan for threats. Also be wary of suspicious texts/emails and don’t connect to public WiFi.
What’s the best antivirus software for Android?
Top options include Norton Mobile Security, AVG AntiVirus FREE, Bitdefender Mobile Security, and Lookout Security & Antivirus. Compare ratings and reviews to find a highly rated antivirus app.
Can an iPhone get a virus?
iPhones are generally more secure than Android, but they can still be infected in some cases. Be careful what you click on and only download from the App Store. Use built-in iOS security features like Face ID.
Should I factory reset my phone if it has a virus?
Factory resetting can wipe out any persistent malware if antivirus software isn’t effective. Just be sure to backup your data first, as a reset will erase everything. Resetting the phone essentially gives you a fresh start.
What’s the most common way phones get infected?
Clicking infected links in text messages and emails is one of the most common ways phones get infected. Also be careful when downloading apps outside official app stores.
Keeping your smartphone secure requires being cautious and alert for any suspicious behavior. Follow best practices like using antivirus apps, avoiding sketchy links, updating software, and limiting app permissions. With proper precautions, you can help ensure your phone stays free of viruses and malware. Don’t take mobile security lightly in our increasingly connected world.