Database Info

Is antivirus must for Android

I'm seeing anti virus software for phones, are there any viruses around for android? Is worth wasting RAM and CPU on anti-virus program

I use to have it installed on my android but I have not yet heard of a virus for android platform. I uninstalled it.

Well, antivirus is probably not the right word but an app which will check what you install to see if a malware will be nice...
Lookout might be that tool but i don't know any malicious apps to test it

If you only install software from the Market, you'd probably be fine without anti-virus. And you'd have to make sure not to visit any 'shady' websites on your phone.

I believe it is necessary...
Check out the first Android RootKit:
h-online.com/open/news/item/Android-rootkit-demonstrated-1049183.html[/url]
.. I have Lookout installed for this purpose , and to find my device if I forget it somewhere.. LOL

Like tuxStyle was saying, Im sure if we grant wrong application to access personal information and internet, end result will be very bad.
Im little sceptical Google itself made us vulnerable by tempting to use everything on cloud basis.
One recommendation is when you install apps, check the allowed permission is really necessary. so far I couldn't find any application that allow us to limit in each application . but firewall apps are coming up. we need more.

SlipperyMonkey said:
I believe it is necessary...
Check out the first Android RootKit:
h-online.com/open/news/item/Android-rootkit-demonstrated-1049183.html[/url]
.. I have Lookout installed for this purpose , and to find my device if I forget it somewhere.. LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but according to the article anti virus cannot detect rootkit

Adware/Virus on Android

Hello
im facing an ad-ware issues on my htc desire 610
out of no where my phone's screen dims and an add appear (while im on my home screen and all the apps are closed)
You can see the adds in the attachment
please tell me how to locate and remove it

You could try running Malwarebytes, I've normally had quite good results with it.

It's one of the apps you're using. Go through the permissions your apps have

genius911 said:
Hello
im facing an ad-ware issues on my htc desire 610
out of no where my phone's screen dims and an add appear (while im on my home screen and all the apps are closed)
You can see the adds in the attachment
please tell me how to locate and remove it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i also have this problem... i guess "Clean Master" is doing it in my Z3 Compact.

I have solved this issue on canvas a116 and core duos (gt i8262)
firstly, to check the severity of the virus do this : go to settings>security>device administrators
try to remove all apps under device administrators. If u are unable to remove them implies the virus is now embedded to ur fone's firmware.
solution : 1. backup ur contacts and media only, (do not backup apps and app data)
2. now u need to do a factory reset either from recovery menu or using adb (factory reset from 'settings' wont work)
3. if u again see any app under device administrators then the only solution is to reflash ur firmware
About the virus: This virus come packed in several apps on playstore in april 2015, those apps were immediately removed from playstore. however before its removal from playstore the virus had infected around 5000 smartphones. some websites refer to it as ghosthost virus. Still some non playstore apps carry this virus with them. once you install such apps, the virus will first root ur fone, and then grant itself superuser permissions without u even knowing it. Then it will install itself into system folder so dat it appears to be a system app. Whenever u r connected to internet it will download adware and install them in system folder. Its a very powerful virus, it also hides itself by running a script. Once it is in system folder u wont be able to delete it because it imitates the file names of the system files.

There's a huge list of infected apps hosted by Google playstore. So I think it's not easy to keep our devices secure from virus infection.

AVG can be as correct the problem

Hi guys! i have a serious adware problem on my elephone p7000 and i hope you can help me out.
So it's been a few days and i haven't been able to uninstall this mofo.
Here's what the adware is doing:
-Used to open ads on homescreen. it did that disguising itself as a dancing matrioska doll (which you could move around). since i installed CM security it stopped showing this kinds of ads.
-It opens pop up windows with du batery saver or other related apps (from appstore and from non-official stores). Mostly when i browse the internet.
-it places vertical ad banners (like the normal ones on almost every app on the store) on some apps, it seems to be random, cause it doesn't always happen on the same app, but it's always placed on the lower side of the phone.
-it installs push notifications with ads
-i believe it shows app ads on google play store (i haven't installed any app in quite a while so it could be google implementing this).
i have tried a lot of apps:
-Avg
-Avira
-Avast
-Malwarebytes
-CM manager (found a stagefright vulnerability and fixed it)
-Stagefright detector (with vulnerable result)
-addons detector
-airpush detector
-trustgo ad detector
-adware
-ad clean & antivirus security
and not even has been able to remove this damn malware, they don't even spot it!
i've also tried looking for all the apps on the phone,searching for apps with all the permissions and here's the list ( i don't know if these are the problem or not):
-Aging test
-agoldFactory test
-Bluetooth
.Bluetooth Share
-Bluetoooth LE
-Common data service
-e_Compass
-Elephone launcher (apparently it's the same as X launcher mysterious)
-LocationEM2
-MTK THERMAL MANAGER
- at least 3 different phone apps, 2 with 4.4 icons and 1 with android 5.0 icon. all have access to everything (is it normal to have 3 apps with the same name but different icons? )
- settings storage
-trusted face
-ygps
i have also cleared the cache of the phone, because i've read on several places that it helps (settings -> storage -> clear cache data) but with no positive result.
i have also tried looking for admin permissions but the only things in there are CM security and android manager (which i suppose is NOT an app but part of the OS).
I have tried looking for hidden files while checking my phone on my pc but there wasn't any nor did i find any weird app NOT installed by me.
i don't know if you have any other advice on what to do, or if you can help me reduce this list of apps so i can find the culprit app.
i'm afraid this is the ghost virus everyone's talking about, it appeared out of nowhere.
i haven't browsed that much. and when i do i always go to trusted sources. apart from the netflix app which i downloaded a few days ago i haven't downloaded anything in like 1 or 2 months and didn't have this problem until a few days ago. Right after my girlfriend's phone (same model as mine) got the same problem.
We both had the "install from untrusted sources" option on because i was testing an app i am making, but i doubt that's the problem since we only activated it whenever i tried to install the app on the phone (like twice in a week).
she has sent me pictures or files through mail, whatsapp or telegram only and it's the only link between our phones, besides being under the same wifi connection, of course.
thanks in advance for the help!

This is a known issue with these types of devices. They have these ads built into the system apks.

Hi !
Thanks for that solutions !
I have a question : where could I find malwarebytes for android ?
Best regard.

Adware and infected htc desire 526 g plus
Guys I am in a pickle! :silly:
I want to wipe my HTC desire 526 plus clean of malware that is causing it to download unwanted apps without consent. The malware seems capable of modifying the inherent permissions and bypassing all security features.
I am unable to gain root access by kingoroot alone. adware is not letting me update the Superuser app and being nasty on purpose.
It can gain permission to automatically start wifi, gain pemission to install 'Unknown Apps' and sends location and data with impunity. The ads are everywhere.:crying:
I have tried stock backup but it still reinstalls all the malware and the same cycle begins again. What I want is a freash stock rom/nand backup for this menace. Surprisingly I still cant find one link on the world wide web. Please Help me find it.
I am unable to gain root access by kingoroot alone. adware is not letting me update the Superuser app and being nasty on purpose.

alokmey3 said:
Guys I am in a pickle! :silly:
I want to wipe my HTC desire 526 plus clean of malware that is causing it to download unwanted apps without consent. The malware seems capable of modifying the inherent permissions and bypassing all security features.
I am unable to gain root access by kingoroot alone. adware is not letting me update the Superuser app and being nasty on purpose.
It can gain permission to automatically start wifi, gain pemission to install 'Unknown Apps' and sends location and data with impunity. The ads are everywhere.:crying:
I have tried stock backup but it still reinstalls all the malware and the same cycle begins again. What I want is a freash stock rom/nand backup for this menace. Surprisingly I still cant find one link on the world wide web. Please Help me find it.
I am unable to gain root access by kingoroot alone. adware is not letting me update the Superuser app and being nasty on purpose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kingo root is the reason you are in this jam as it is. I don't think HTC ever released anything for this device so your best bet is to contact HTC.

ENERGYSER400 MTK 6572 virus help android 4.4.2
Bonjour, hy
For me it's exactly the same on my phone.... i have the snowfoxer folder with a lot of malicious apk on it and i don't know how to delete or erase the virus .... without wifi and google play ..... how i can flash the firmwire please
!

philjps said:
Bonjour, hy
For me it's exactly the same on my phone.... i have the snowfoxer folder with a lot of malicious apk on it and i don't know how to delete or erase the virus .... without wifi and google play ..... how i can flash the firmwire please
!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Find the forum that supports your device
model/carrier and post there. You'll likely find your answers there. If not someone will help you.

HTC desire 526G+ bricked
zelendel said:
Kingo root is the reason you are in this jam as it is. I don't think HTC ever released anything for this device so your best bet is to contact HTC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have deleted my priv-app folder and now I am stuck in boot loop, or just the HTC logo.
cant boot into recovery or bootloader (I tried). Tell me if you know something

Antivirus Software, is it needed

You see all these Anti-Virus apps on the market:
Are they needed
Do you use one?
Have you ever had a virus?
I'm not sure, if I stick to getting apps just off the google play store surely i'll be fine? I've never had a virus on android, on my previous HTC M7, M8 and M9 I used Kaspersky just because I got it free with my banking, but I removed it from the M9 after a few months.

Mcyates said:
You see all these Anti-Virus apps on the market:
Are they needed
Do you use one?
Have you ever had a virus?
I'm not sure, if I stick to getting apps just off the google play store surely i'll be fine? I've never had a virus on android, on my previous HTC M7, M8 and M9 I used Kaspersky just because I got it free with my banking, but I removed it from the M9 after a few months.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I've gathered, if you're a relatively aware user and install apps either from the play store or other trusted sources then those antivirus and cleaner apps, at best, mitigate an already very low risk or, at worst, drain your system resources, steal personal info, and/or con you into spending money with no benefit whatsoever.

1. Not in my opinion
2. No
2. No
Edit: In the spirit of this post, if you're on the web and you get a pop up stating your phone has a virus... It's a scam.

1. no
2. no
3. no
Never used an antivirus program on a computer or a phone and never had one single issue with it ever in the entire history I have used a computer.

No, they're not needed
No, I don't
No, I've never had one
Sent from my SM-G935T using XDA-Developers mobile app

1. No, unless you're fond of downloading dodgy apps from weird Russian hacker sites (and even then I'm not convinced an AV app would save you)
2. No
3. No

Mcyates said:
You see all these Anti-Virus apps on the market:
Are they needed
Do you use one?
Have you ever had a virus?
I'm not sure, if I stick to getting apps just off the google play store surely i'll be fine? I've never had a virus on android, on my previous HTC M7, M8 and M9 I used Kaspersky just because I got it free with my banking, but I removed it from the M9 after a few months.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Answer to all questions: NO.
More detailed answer to the general idea of an antivirus on Android: Simply put, if an antivirus program is *able* to scan your Android device, then it IS A VIRUS. Android prevents all applications running in the "untrusted_app" security context (which means EVERYTHING that you install from ANYWHERE, except those which are an upgrade to a system application with matching signature) from any kind of access to anything which would be required in order to write an antivirus program that actually does ANYTHING.
So to answer your question properly; ANY antivirus on Android is DEFINITELY one of two things;
1) A virus.
2) A placebo that tries to take your money.

1. No
2. Not for several years(used to use AVG)
3. Never had a single issue
To put it bluntly, antivirus is almost useless on smartphones. They pretty much only check installs of apps(not other downloads), and they don't know what viruses look like, in my experience. After years of use, my antivirus never found a virus, but did try to prevent me installing a bunch of root apps because it often thought they were malicious. So it only got in my way. Several years later I didn't even remembered they existed till this post reminded me.

My last 2 phones both came with lookout , S6 & s7 from TMO...it seems like this application does nothing but drain my phone of resources. Once i disable lookout in app manager the phone becomes much smoother and faster.
So yes I think these kinds of apps are useless.

Need Help: BEEN Infected by MALWARE Lenovo tab model a5500-hv android version 4.4.2

model number : lenovo a5500-hv
android version: 4.4.2
baseband version: a5500-hv.v34, 2014/05/08 22:28
kernel version: 3.4.67
build number: a5500hv_a442_000_011_140508_row
As shared in subject, my tab ANDROID is infected by malware where multiple issues have starting lately
a) Constant popup message stating" Unfortunately, com.system.update has stopped"
b) Constant popup message stating" Unfortunately, org.snow.down.update has stopped"
c) Constant popup displaying to INSTALL application" com.android.keyguard"
d) Automatic checking (on) in Settings> Security> Allow installation of apps from unknown sources, despite my regular check off( its gets reactivated again). Device Administrators viewed are Android Device Manager (ticked), Daemon Service( twice listed- unchecked).
e) Installed Malwarebytes Anti-malware, upon scanning detected these 11 malwares, which it is unable to delete ( Norton is unable to detect those even). Any open app which I try to use after some seconds are abruptly closed.
Malware name- Path
Android/ Backdoor.Triada.c - /system/priv-app/higher.apk ( File linked to be uninstalled- AppManage)
Android/ Backdoor.Triada.js - /system/priv-app/BCTService.apk ( File linked to be uninstalled- bcct_service)
Android/ Trojan.Rootnik.I - /system/priv-app/Bseting.apk ( File linked to be uninstalled- com.android.sync)
Android/ Trojan.SMSSend.ge - /system/app/com.android.token.apk ( File linked to be uninstalled- com.android.taken)
Android/ Trojan.OveeAd.F - /system/priv-app/com.mws.tqy.vsdp.apk ( File linked to be uninstalled- com.system.update)
Android/ Backdoor.Triada.J - /system/priv-app/com_android_goglemap_services.apk ( File linked to be uninstalled- GoogleMapService)
Android/Trojan.Dropper.Shedun.dc - /system/priv-app/parlmast.apk ( File linked to be uninstalled- GuardService)
Android/Trojan.Dropper.Agent.MJ - /system/priv-apk/Sooner.apk ( File linked to be uninstalled- PhoneService)
Android/Trojan.OveeAd.J - /system/priv-apk/com.tsr.eny.hyu.apk ( File linked to be uninstalled- system.bin)
Android/Trojan.Guerrilla.Q - /system/priv-apk/NAT.apk ( File linked to be uninstalled- SysTool)
Android/Trojan.Triada.m - /system/priv-apk/com.glb.filemanager.apk ( File linked to be uninstalled- UPDATE)
PS: If I try to connect to Internet, app icons are downloaded and auto open displaying porn images.
Please assist to REMOVE the MALWARE INFECTION. Tried FACTORY DATA RESET from Settings, but no help. Tab not rooted.

Solution
Last night i got some pesky malwares. For now i think i removed them. Get Avast and see what it can find. After that try to remove the files from file explorer and the most important thing - go to Settings-Security-Device Administrators. From there remove everything and now from Avast you should be able to remove the infected apps. Hope i helped

Tried cm's stubborn Trojan remover from play store and it did the trick- as in disabled the infected processes but at end took my mail ID with followup request if raised to get the device cleaned from malware. Cross checked from Malwarebytes and kaspersky, and looks seemingly clean with no active culprits. Though not checked with WiFi or data connection through sim.
Sent from my A0001 using XDA-Developers mobile app

Ashish1+1 said:
Tried cm's stubborn Trojan remover from play store and it did the trick- as in disabled the infected processes but at end took my mail ID with followup request if raised to get the device cleaned from malware. Cross checked from Malwarebytes and kaspersky, and looks seemingly clean with no active culprits. Though not checked with WiFi or data connection through sim.
Sent from my A0001 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did it root your phone first? Else I can't see how it would be able to get to those apps installed as system. If so, if it was me, I'd unroot my phone at the very least & uninstall the CM apps since they do not have a good reputation so far as data snooping goes and excessive app permissions etc goes.
eg (from The Capitol Forum)
The apps require extensive access to the devices on which they run, and they are able to harvest a great deal of data about users’ interests, demographics and location. Cheetah Mobile’s business model is not significantly different from the way in which some major American tech companies such as Facebook monetise their free products. However, Cheetah Mobile is different from American tech companies in that its headquarters are located in China and its data servers are primarily located there as well, and its main business partners are major Chinese tech firms. The Chinese government, according to sources, accesses its companies’ data for internal security, economic competitiveness or other purposes. Cheetah Mobile, and similar companies, represents a major point of entry for China to access American app marketplaces and their users to gather information. However, U.S. government officials in national security and intelligence agencies are highly aware of surveillance and hacking both inside and outside China, presumably coming from actors affiliated with the Chinese state.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
see the alteco report (about investment risks but they ran tests on other apps that didn't do anything, what battery savers don't help!!! :silly: )
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_zW4GWDn5wpVDBiLUpDcE9IS0E/view
Now I haven't used the app you quote but if it didn't root your phone then it can't have removed the malware and they are likely up to their old tricks ie the app doesn't really work, they have just been blocked or something. (Ask yourself why aren't there other apps from well known companies that can remove trojans in system on play store?) ANd with their dodgy reputation for ads, & selling user data if it did root your phone you may only be slightly better off!!?? But at least it should only be your user data they are gathering and not your bank account number to try and get ya money like the malware guys!
Anyhow happy for you if you really are free of malware and don't forget to change all your passwords for all accounts, your routers etc else you could be reinfected by the time you read this!
I would reflash the stock ROM to be sure (backup ALL your pics, txts address, whatsapp etc etc)
I would also be interested to know how the app worked, if you can explain it. Did it say it would ROOT your phone? (there is nothing in their write up to say it will, Google would not allow an app that can root on play store, as far as I know) Do you have an app that can read what system apps are installed, like Link2sd? Does that show any of the malicious apk?

Thanks, No I did not root my phone but judging by the way removal came (easy) I too was bit surprised with outcome. No sooner I decided to remove the cm app Trojans and malware again became evident meaning it was just being suppressed in a way not removed and now again came back (when removed).
Sent from my A0001 using XDA-Developers mobile app

Ashish1+1 said:
Thanks, No I did not root my phone but judging by the way removal came (easy) I too was bit surprised with outcome. No sooner I decided to remove the cm app Trojans and malware again became evident meaning it was just being suppressed in a way not removed and now again came back (when removed).
Sent from my A0001 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to hear this. However I think it is possible that the CM app did its job as those malicious apps have probably already rooted your phone, so CM may have just used that root access without informing you, though whether or not other apps like CM app can still use that root, I'm not sure, it depends if its been left "on". I did watch a video on youtube for CM Stubborn Trojan app and the guy had to root his phone first. (You could try some/several of the root checker apps, if you want to know). So lets assume the CM app worked properly and removed trojan as it could get root without giving you a root request notification.
It's entirely possible that your reinfection is from your external SD card or via some other means eg. your router has had some ports opened or some other means. (Sorry I should have said reset router when I said change router password [do this for all routers you use & update firmware & ensure remote access is off (ref. dirty cow) while you are about it too!]
So I would reinstall CM Stubborn Trojan (lets assume it removes malware as it has root, even if it just blocks them it helps us) so you can then reflash official stock ROM for your country (& update to newest version if available), you must flash the FULL stock ROM so all partitions are reflashed. partial stock or custom ROM will not do this & potentially leave you open to reinfection! Reflash the FULL STOCK ROM is the only way to "easily" be sure you have cleaned the malware from your phone. NOTE: just doing a factory reset will NOT remove the malicious apps if they are in operating system folders, this only works for malicious apps in user data areas! Then you must make sure all possible ways you can be reinfected eg via sync, external SD cards or storage, your PC, router etc are cleaned/blocked/reset/updated
If you are not getting updates for your ROM you might want to consider installing a custom ROM (AFTER you have flashed the stock ROM!) from a reliable & trustworthy source, if available for your model, so that you get security patch updates. But you need to research and consider the risks of things like bricks, security etc for yourself first.
Hope this helps you clean your phone

Sometimes, it's times, it's the firmware itself that is infected
IronRoo said:
Did it root your phone first? Else I can't see how it would be able to get to those apps installed as system. If so, if it was me, I'd unroot my phone at the very least & uninstall the CM apps since they do not have a good reputation so far as data snooping goes and excessive app permissions etc goes.
eg (from The Capitol Forum)
see the alteco report (about investment risks but they ran tests on other apps that didn't do anything, what battery savers don't help!!! :silly: )
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_zW4GWDn5wpVDBiLUpDcE9IS0E/view
Now I haven't used the app you quote but if it didn't root your phone then it can't have removed the malware and they are likely up to their old tricks ie the app doesn't really work, they have just been blocked or something. (Ask yourself why aren't there other apps from well known companies that can remove trojans in system on play store?) ANd with their dodgy reputation for ads, & selling user data if it did root your phone you may only be slightly better off!!?? But at least it should only be your user data they are gathering and not your bank account number to try and get ya money like the malware guys!
Anyhow happy for you if you really are free of malware and don't forget to change all your passwords for all accounts, your routers etc else you could be reinfected by the time you read this!
I would reflash the stock ROM to be sure (backup ALL your pics, txts address, whatsapp etc etc)
I would also be interested to know how the app worked, if you can explain it. Did it say it would ROOT your phone? (there is nothing in their write up to say it will, Google would not allow an app that can root on play store, as far as I know) Do you have an app that can read what system apps are installed, like Link2sd? Does that show any of the malicious apk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my case, I have a similar issue - however, it's an infected SYSTEM file - which Malwarebytes spotted (but is unable to remove), and is NOT related to the KingRoot dodgy file. It's actually two different Trojans - both in /system/priv-app (settings.apk and smsservices.apk) - the first is the more problematical. (It's problematical because it's a critical system file/app/service - killing it without a replacement is NOT an option.) How the heck do you replace such a critical system file when it got itself hijacked?

In this case, I would agree with just a complete factory reset or ROM reflash. Like it is simply too much of an issue to try removing and recovering everything. Especially, once it's deep within your system....

Josh Ross said:
In this case, I would agree with just a complete factory reset or ROM reflash. Like it is simply too much of an issue to try removing and recovering everything. Especially, once it's deep within your system....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was what I did finally, I went to service centre and spent bucks. They reloaded the firmware I suppose ( not flashing it) and instantaneously it was as good as new. I think, malware was itself part of original installation like uc browser- it was there. It just activated after some time or may be I clicked on some advertisement while running app and then the hell happened.
Any ways, its working fine, added an adblocker, restricted usage to few apps and keeping my fingers crossed for future.
Sent from my A0001 using XDA-Developers Legacy app

Yeah, the bloatware that you get with some phones nowadays is unbearable. If there is an option, go with a rooted phone, custom ROM, some couple custom solutions for protection and you will be good to go. And they work better than defaults most of the time. Good luck! Hopefully, we will only be hearing good news from you

PGHammer said:
In my case, I have a similar issue - however, it's an infected SYSTEM file - which Malwarebytes spotted (but is unable to remove), and is NOT related to the KingRoot dodgy file. It's actually two different Trojans - both in /system/priv-app (settings.apk and smsservices.apk) - the first is the more problematical. (It's problematical because it's a critical system file/app/service - killing it without a replacement is NOT an option.) How the heck do you replace such a critical system file when it got itself hijacked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd reflash stock.

Apps for finding spyware someone installed on my phone?

I've looked at a lot of anti-spyware apps, but I can't find one that specifically says it can find stealth apps that someone installed when they got ahold of your phone. So it would look like an app that I personally wanted to have. They mostly talk about apps that were installed by a virus or link, etc.
It would be nice to be able to disable camera/mic functions too, or at least be notified when they are being accessed.
I don't mind paying to purchase the app, but most require a double digit monthly subscription, and I make next to nothing because I'm disabled so chances are even if I subscribed the money wouldn't be there to continue the subscription.
I've lurked here for many years without signing up, I love you guys! There are so many tutorials and apps that would never have known about if not for you guys. The developers here are geniuses. So thank you immensely in advance for your help!

Maybe try play store free app Bitdefender which has 5 million dl's & 4.7 rating. I have not tried it....
"Bitdefender Antivirus is one of the few actually free antivirus apps. It hasn’t changed much over the years. It offers a basic scanning feature, a simple interface, quick performance, and no configuration. This is a great one for super basic needs. All it really does is scan stuff ..." androidauthority

galaxys said:
Maybe try play store free app Bitdefender which has 5 million dl's & 4.7 rating. I have not tried it....
"Bitdefender Antivirus is one of the few actually free antivirus apps. It hasn’t changed much over the years. It offers a basic scanning feature, a simple interface, quick performance, and no configuration. This is a great one for super basic needs. All it really does is scan stuff ..." androidauthority
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. Do anti-virus apps detect spyware though?

They can, just read some of the app playstore reviews and it's Developer app description for details....

Try ‘Malwarebytes for Android’.

If you really think there's spyware do a hard reset.
If you still aren't satisfied go full nuke and have the firmware reflashed.
No virus detection has a 100% detection rate and the worst trojans only a reflash can eradicate them.
A better question is why do you think there's spyware on the phone?
In over 6 years of using outdated OS's I've never had to do a reload because of malware.
Once found a nasty trojan preloader before it could be triggered with Malwarebytes.
I had a infected jpeg that damaged files in the download folder. Deleting the jpeg and some of the files ended it's brief rain of terror.
Be careful what apps you load, what you download*, what you click and never let others have unsupervised access to your device. React quickly to abnormal behavior to find it's cause.
Delete any file you suspect of being malware including jpegs and pngs.
Be prepare to do a hard reset at any time if you believe the device has been infected.
Always keep at least 2 complete isolated data backups for the device. Stagger syncs to them so a virus can't get embedded on both of them... hopefully.
Lol, paranoid yet?
*use only cloud based email apps like gmail

Google apps are spyware, Facebook is spyware, Whatsapp is spyware, Instagram is spyware. In principle all Social Media apps are spyware.
All apps what are designed to track your Internet browsing habits, such as frequented sites and favorite downloads, and then provide advertising companies with marketing data are spyware. All apps what can access your contacts data are spyware ...

Android, the spyware party mix...

You can try Bitdefender Free or Malwarebytes Premium. I have not used the second one before but have read a review at https://antivirusdoctor.net/ and think about using it on my smartphone.