CHECK your Android phone for eight signs that it’s infected with sinister “malware”.
Cyber-experts have revealed the simple clues that signal something is seriously wrong with your phone.
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Your Android phone will contain some of your most sensitive information and media – and probably money too.
So it’s a prime target for cybercriminals who want to make quick cash by exploiting, extorting or defrauding you.
In an official memo, cybersecurity company Malwarebytes has revealed eight signs that you need to look out for.
If you spot them, it’s time to act.
Warning signs of Android malware
There are eight “unmistakable” signs of an Android infection, according to security experts.
They are:
- Sudden flood of pop-ups
- Sudden increase in data usage
- Mysterious charges on your bill
- Poor battery life
- Strange calls and texts
- Phone mysteriously overheating
- Unknown apps on your phone
- Wi-Fi or other connections activating on their own
Most of these aren’t hard guarantees that your phone is infected.
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But one or more means it’s very possible your device has been hacked.
For instance, an expected flurry of ads can mean that your device is infected with adware.
That’s software designed to spam you with ads to generate quick cash for crooks – at the expense of your smartphone.
“If ads appear out of nowhere and send you to sketchy websites, you’ve probably installed something with adware in it,” the cybersecurity company explained.
This can often cause drain on battery life, and potentially performance issues too.
Unknown apps that have been installed by someone close to you are dangerous – but hackers could also load your phone with dangerous software remotely.
Whatever type of issue you’re having, you should investigate it as soon as possible.
If you’ve installed any apps recently, take a close look at them.
Have they asked for any strange permissions, or promised to do something and not delivered?
You might also find that a rogue app has bad reviews, or was installed from somewhere other than the Google Play Store.
If your phone starts acting up soon after installing an app with these problems, consider deleting it as soon as possible.
