Database Info

Tronsmart TS7 (aka Glacier TS7) installs random apps without permission

I have a (4GB) Tronsmart TS7 (some times known as a Alps Glacier TS7). It's a Chinese MTK6589 based phone running Android 4.2 purchased from geekbuying.
For the most part the device is stock, there are next to no pre-installed apps apart from the usual, and the only additional apps I have installed are: Playstation, Steam, ColorNote, Shuttle+, Root Explorer DI Radio, Chrome & Gmail
The problem I have is that there are apps appearing on the device that I am not installing. So far it has been the same set of apps that appear:
Mobo Market
UC Browser
TrustGo Security
DU Battery Saver
337 Game Master
GameCenter
(there may be more)
These apps don't start appearing right after a factory reset, but start to arrive 1-2weeks later. They also seem to be packaged similarly; when I say packaged I mean opening them seems to prompt with the same menu & style (accept licence etc) before it gets to the main app. Also, after you open the app from the app drawer it then creates an icon on the desktop. Maybe opening it actually does the installing?
The apps themselves seem to be legit.
I have factory reset the device (twice), and changed my Google password but they are still appearing. They don't show up in my Play store history so they must be coming from elsewhere.
My main concern is that if it is downloading things without my permission, what might it be uploading ? Not to mention wasting my 3g data etc.
So I have a few questions:
Should I be (really) worried?
Is there a way to monitor this? eg connect to a wifi hotspot and packet capture the network traffic? or maybe use a process monitor (the ones I've tried so far haven't shown anything) to see if there is some sort of script in the background?
Can it be stopped?
Thanks in advance, I would be interested to know if anyone else has/had this problem?

I have the same problem.
I haven't tried flashing some other ROM yet, but I guess that is the only way to get it to stop installing those things.

Have you actually found any other roms to install?

For anybody's information:
You may have noticed how you always end up with a 'Tronsmart.mp4' video file appearing in your gallery app. This is damn annoying since it appears twice, once on the internal and once on the external SD card. There is an '\system\app\CopyTest.apk' file which creates both of these. Should be safe to delete it and thus prevent the file(s) appearing
I have actually decompiled this apk. It works as a service that runs when MEDIA_UNMOUNTED or MEDIA_MOUNTED is invoked, and does absolutely nothing else.

I have the same problem, those random apps installing and the video always in my gallery. I have managed to stop tge apps by using a firewall and allowing only my apps that i want to use the internet. I havent found a solution though to fix the problem. Probably tronsmart is spamming its customers...

mariosm1cy said:
I have managed to stop tge apps by using a firewall and allowing only my apps that i want to use the internet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What Firewall did you use? I might be able to use something like that to pinpoint the app that's causing this.

Sory for the late reply. I am usin "android firewall" free from google play store.

USB debugging disabled stopped it on mine
edit: not that easy, wasn't enough. made some cleanup by disabing/removing some system apps. seems to work so far although there are still some strange events like superuser crashing and right after that system downloader.apk reappearing. haven't seen any other junk coming back
these are the apk's i removed:
systemupdateassistant
systemdownloader
omacp
mtkbt
midtest
galaxy4
fusedlocation
engineermode
engineermodesim
cds_info
basicdreams.

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

[Completed] Malware , 'anti-virus/cleanup' software uninstalls, returns during phone bootup

I have a phone which has been rooted due to a problem I encountered where I had to flash and re-install my Android thl5000 device. I have the ultimate v3 on it. It was fine until I again installed a dodgy application where I had to try to remove it via an anti-malware app. Out of my curiosity one of those applications was the cheetah and Go Security anti-malware app.
I searched the forum and could not find a similar issue.
Now all the anti-malware and anti-virus applications I have installed do not detect any malware on my phone. I have the stubborn trojan removal software which I also have used and still it has not detected anything. I have a web anti-virus security which has not detected any problem with my phone.
My problem is I have 3 applications that as a result of my lack of wisdom keep re-installing themselves upon bootup.
'Android is optimizing 1 of 3 apps'
When my phone loads up I have 3 applications (which can be uninstalled without a problem apparently).
they are
"Go Security"
"Superb Cleaner"
"Ace Cleaner"
I have messaged the developers in their apps and they have not responded, once or twice the Go Dev for 'Go Security ' team got back to me about trying to help me permanently remove it but after several attempts of clearing the cache, the removing from google play and doing the same removal from safe mode and even trying from the root to find similar looking files, there seems to be no way to remove whatever is causing their re-installation.
The only application I have found that identifies the applications as low reputation apps is Sophos.
I will try the hummingbird application that someone suggested in another thread in the XDA assist ... hummingbad-malware-android-t3484704 .
It could be there is malware hidden behind these applications and I want to find the source of this and remove it. I am not sure how. I have a USB cable, I have mtk droid tools I think on my laptop, I have my phone on developer options.
When I uninstall the applications there seems to be no installation, either this is fake or it uninstalls part of the program and upon reboot calls the apk file responsible which is hidden deep in the phone.
In safe mode and all the other techniques I have not found a solution yet. On google there is a bit but nothing about this specific case and its source.
Any thoughts for those with a bit of experience would be grateful, I will also post this same post in the Sophos Security forum to see if their experts can offer any thoughts, in case anyone else has the same problem as me.
Harry

Harry Georgiou said:
I have a phone which has been rooted due to a problem I encountered where I had to flash and re-install my Android thl5000 device. I have the ultimate v3 on it. It was fine until I again installed a dodgy application where I had to try to remove it via an anti-malware app. Out of my curiosity one of those applications was the cheetah and Go Security anti-malware app.
I searched the forum and could not find a similar issue.
Now all the anti-malware and anti-virus applications I have installed do not detect any malware on my phone. I have the stubborn trojan removal software which I also have used and still it has not detected anything. I have a web anti-virus security which has not detected any problem with my phone.
My problem is I have 3 applications that as a result of my lack of wisdom keep re-installing themselves upon bootup.
'Android is optimizing 1 of 3 apps'
When my phone loads up I have 3 applications (which can be uninstalled without a problem apparently).
they are
"Go Security"
"Superb Cleaner"
"Ace Cleaner"
I have messaged the developers in their apps and they have not responded, once or twice the Go Dev for 'Go Security ' team got back to me about trying to help me permanently remove it but after several attempts of clearing the cache, the removing from google play and doing the same removal from safe mode and even trying from the root to find similar looking files, there seems to be no way to remove whatever is causing their re-installation.
The only application I have found that identifies the applications as low reputation apps is Sophos.
I will try the hummingbird application that someone suggested in another thread in the XDA assist ... hummingbad-malware-android-t3484704 .
It could be there is malware hidden behind these applications and I want to find the source of this and remove it. I am not sure how. I have a USB cable, I have mtk droid tools I think on my laptop, I have my phone on developer options.
When I uninstall the applications there seems to be no installation, either this is fake or it uninstalls part of the program and upon reboot calls the apk file responsible which is hidden deep in the phone.
In safe mode and all the other techniques I have not found a solution yet. On google there is a bit but nothing about this specific case and its source.
Any thoughts for those with a bit of experience would be grateful, I will also post this same post in the Sophos Security forum to see if their experts can offer any thoughts, in case anyone else has the same problem as me.
Harry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Greetings and welcome to assist. If you just want to remove those apps then there are a couple of very simple ways while you have root. You could just delete the apps with a root browser but the easiest would be to use titanium backup or anything similar to remove the apps
Good Luck
Sawdoctor

sawdoctor said:
Greetings and welcome to assist. If you just want to remove those apps then there are a couple of very simple ways while you have root. You could just delete the apps with a root browser but the easiest would be to use titanium backup or anything similar to remove the apps
Good Luck
Sawdoctor
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium backup was able to uninstall the applications just like the other methods of uninstallation but after rebooting my phone the 3 applications re-install themselves.
Any other thoughts?

Harry Georgiou said:
Titanium backup was able to uninstall the applications just like the other methods of uninstallation but after rebooting my phone the 3 applications re-install themselves.
Any other thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried to freeze them instead? If you actually know the package names it's easy to delete them with root browser
Sent from my SM-N930F using Tapatalk

sawdoctor said:
Have you tried to freeze them instead? If you actually know the package names it's easy to delete them with root browser
Sent from my SM-N930F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you mean freeze them?
What do you recommend? They cannot be force stopped, only uninstalled.

Harry Georgiou said:
How do you mean freeze them?
What do you recommend? They cannot be force stopped, only uninstalled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just checked Titanium Backup to see if that is what you mean and realised you meant that.
I just checked and it said they can only be frozen in the version you pay/donate money for.
Any other way?
How to I isolate what causes them to be started up in the first place, like using MTK droid tools or something? What command is set by what program to call them to be installed so as to track down the culprit and file causing this problem.
It would help me and others who know not how to deal with it.
Harry

Harry Georgiou said:
How do you mean freeze them?
What do you recommend? They cannot be force stopped, only uninstalled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have root then their is an option in titanium backup to freeze the apps rather than uninstall them. This will prevent the app from starting

sawdoctor said:
If you have root then their is an option in titanium backup to freeze the apps rather than uninstall them. This will prevent the app from starting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is only available for the paid version. I tried it and I have root access since I allowed Titanium backup to have root facilities with SU User
Any thoughts?
Also how do I find out the reason they are starting up in the first place?
I can simply ignore them after uninstalling hoping my phone does not restart but this does not solve the issue at its core.
Any thoughts?

Harry Georgiou said:
This is only available for the paid version. I tried it and I have root access since I allowed Titanium backup to have root facilities with SU User
Any thoughts?
Also how do I find out the reason they are starting up in the first place?
I can simply ignore them after uninstalling hoping my phone does not restart but this does not solve the issue at its core.
Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The android is upgrading message is probably because the apps have not been removed properly thats all so no do not worry its normal. Using titanium backup you should be able to find the actual name of the app and then actually delete them with a root browser. You can try similar apps to titanium back up like rom toolbox, package disabler or 3c toolbox to see if they can uninstall them or freeze them. It is a very easy thing to fix when you have the phone in front of you but harder to talk you through it unfortunately

sawdoctor said:
The android is upgrading message is probably because the apps have not been removed properly thats all so no do not worry its normal. Using titanium backup you should be able to find the actual name of the app and then actually delete them with a root browser. You can try similar apps to titanium back up like rom toolbox, package disabler or 3c toolbox to see if they can uninstall them or freeze them. It is a very easy thing to fix when you have the phone in front of you but harder to talk you through it unfortunately
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks,
I will try the applications you have suggested.
So far Root explorer does not really identify them apart from various folders, Titanium backup does not freeze them unless I donate money.... I would like to but kind of thinking having a limited budget long term to try to scrimp and save here and there.
Will try
Rom toolbox
Package Disabler
3c toolbox
I will let you know how it goes and other options, on top of that what else could I do?
Is there a way to dig deep down in the system and identify the different commands that the system calls up to bring them into installation?
Harry

How to remove recurring virus in android 4.4.2 lava iris atom 2

I have a virus on my phone device mentioned at the title. I have heard about it in some websites and 1 in xda too but it didn't help. I hard resetted it alot from the power and volume buttons. It still comes. My device was rooted using king root. The virus installs many apps . I do not know the exact file names. it was like asd.htj.zcx , zgf.iok.lkj etc. I get it every time i connect to the internet. It creates shortcut to porn sites (sex club, hot videos). I do not own the device its of my mom and she will be mad if she saw it. I couldn't suspect any apps that could do it i would have removed it if i could suspect it. It gives another type of ad about juggernaut champions, uc browser(which i already had). It displays full screen ads excluding the status bar stating launcher loading. It just draws its content over other apps as i noticed it while i hold down the home button i noticed the recent apps thing. And I discovered that if i turn off wifi its gone. Until the time i turn off wifi.
I couldn't install a custom rom as my phone is not detected in spreadtrum driver update tool.
The official update from lavamobiles.com fails halfway while verification.
I have a good experience on samsung devices. But i don't know about others
Plz help!! Fast!!!

sashinm said:
I have a virus on my phone device mentioned at the title. I have heard about it in some websites and 1 in xda too but it didn't help. I hard resetted it alot from the power and volume buttons. It still comes. My device was rooted using king root. The virus installs many apps . I do not know the exact file names. it was like asd.htj.zcx , zgf.iok.lkj etc. I get it every time i connect to the internet. It creates shortcut to porn sites (sex club, hot videos). I do not own the device its of my mom and she will be mad if she saw it. I couldn't suspect any apps that could do it i would have removed it if i could suspect it. It gives another type of ad about juggernaut champions, uc browser(which i already had). It displays full screen ads excluding the status bar stating launcher loading. It just draws its content over other apps as i noticed it while i hold down the home button i noticed the recent apps thing. And I discovered that if i turn off wifi its gone. Until the time i turn off wifi.
I couldn't install a custom rom as my phone is not detected in spreadtrum driver update tool.
The official update from lavamobiles.com fails halfway while verification.
I have a good experience on samsung devices. But i don't know about others
Plz help!! Fast!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your mom hasn't killed you yet, follow these steps.
1. Download ES File Explorer from Google Play
2. Run app and navigate to the "Apps Page"
3. Sort installed apps by Date. Making the most recently installed apps appear first
3. Using Es File Explorer, unistall the suspicious looking apps. Or navigate to data/app or system/app and delete the apps manually. You can sort the files (apks) in the system/app folder by date. That should make it easier to locate the newly installed malware.
4. After you've removed all the suspicious apps, Reboot and connect to a WiFi/Mobile Data to make sure all the malicious apps are gone (you shouldn't get the pop ups or the shortcuts anymore)
5. If everything works as intended, uninstall ES File Explorer.

Thanks
Freewander10 said:
If your mom hasn't killed you yet, follow these steps.
1. Download ES File Explorer from Google Play
2. Run app and navigate to the "Apps Page"
3. Sort installed apps by Date. Making the most recently installed apps appear first
3. Using Es File Explorer, unistall the suspicious looking apps. Or navigate to data/app or system/app and delete the apps manually. You can sort the files (apks) in the system/app folder by date. That should make it easier to locate the newly installed malware.
4. After you've removed all the suspicious apps, Reboot and connect to a WiFi/Mobile Data to make sure all the malicious apps are gone (you shouldn't get the pop ups or the shortcuts anymore)
5. If everything works as intended, uninstall ES File Explorer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
But I already did that. :good::good::good:
I was inactive to reply if i am late i checked my email and got the reply.
The method was pretty much the same.
The differences from the method are:
I used link2sd to do so
and i found that they weren't in /system/app/ but in /system/priv-app/ .
I tried uninstalling them and it said reboot device. Still they were not uninstalled.
I have just frozen them. And now it works fine.
Good news for non rooted people you can disable the apps if you have the same virus.
If you still have the virus after disabling the apps then you can use link2sd without root and view the system apps and sort them acc to date.
The name of the apps are:
Android Media Service
catstudio
netalpha
org.rain.ball.update
PhoneService
Good news the device is mine now :laugh::laugh::laugh:
I classified the virus and its impacts and removed the explicit one.
And let my mom use facebook for a while i know it sounds cruel but i had to do it.
She had a experience from hell. Then i disabled the sim and said "Now even the sim doesnt work" :cyclops::cyclops::cyclops:

sashinm said:
Thank you!
But I already did that. :good::good::good:
I was inactive to reply if i am late i checked my email and got the reply.
The method was pretty much the same.
The differences from the method are:
I used link2sd to do so
and i found that they weren't in /system/app/ but in /system/priv-app/ .
I tried uninstalling them and it said reboot device. Still they were not uninstalled.
I have just frozen them. And now it works fine.
Good news for non rooted people you can disable the apps if you have the same virus.
If you still have the virus after disabling the apps then you can use link2sd without root and view the system apps and sort them acc to date.
The name of the apps are:
Android Media Service
catstudio
netalpha
org.rain.ball.update
PhoneService
Good news the device is mine now :laugh::laugh::laugh:
I classified the virus and its impacts and removed the explicit one.
And let my mom use facebook for a while i know it sounds cruel but i had to do it.
She had a experience from hell. Then i disabled the sim and said "Now even the sim doesnt work" :cyclops::cyclops::cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad you got them removed.
You're cold bro
But you got a new phone so :good:

Flash the device
using ResearchDownload Spreadtrum
first, install driver spreadtrum in pc
2, firmware firmwarefile*com/lava-iris-atom-2

Freewander10 said:
I'm glad you got them removed.
You're cold bro
But you got a new phone so :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks
And actually I got an old phone :silly::silly::silly:
But something is better than nothing:good::good:

danmrz said:
using ResearchDownload Spreadtrum
first, install driver spreadtrum in pc
2, firmware firmwarefile*com/lava-iris-atom-2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My device isnt detected in flash tool while it is detected in auto driver installer.

recommended steps for locating hidden adware

Hi All,
I'd like some recommendations on steps for locating a stubborn adware infestation that virus scanners don't seem to be able to find on my mobile. System is:
- Samsung SM-G900F
- Android 6.0.1
- unrooted
I get advertising redirects several times per day. It isn't clear where they are coming from. Have tried complete system reset. Uninstalled all downloaded apps. Disabled app auto updating. Ran a Malwarebytes scan. It found nothing.
Is there somewhere a log file for browser calls? At least I could find the app that requests the unwanted URLs.

thunderslug said:
Hi All,
I'd like some recommendations on steps for locating a stubborn adware infestation that virus scanners don't seem to be able to find on my mobile. System is:
- Samsung SM-G900F
- Android 6.0.1
- unrooted
I get advertising redirects several times per day. It isn't clear where they are coming from. Have tried complete system reset. Uninstalled all downloaded apps. Disabled app auto updating. Ran a Malwarebytes scan. It found nothing.
Is there somewhere a log file for browser calls? At least I could find the app that requests the unwanted URLs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you could turn on logging in developer options, though you'll need a little tech skill to use & set up.
Probably an easier way is to use a no root firewall eg
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.faircode.netguard
while the log feature is not free as you only want to find one potential app you can set notifications for internet connection attempts to on, then manually check app & ip address it's trying to connect to win you get popup.
Also you could use this app (it's NOT a proper antivirus app, but a useful 2nd opinion to your actual antivirus), it just allows you to easily see app status from virustotal.com & manually submit any that are suspicious or have not yet been submitted,
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funnycat.virustotal
btw even if you really have uninstalled all 3rd party apps one of the bloatware adk's may have a dodgy ad sdk within it. If so you can (probably) block this with the above firewall if you pay for that feature, without having to root your phone or freeze dodgy app. (Also boot phone into safe mode disables all 3rd polarity apps & see if it still happens)
Note: if system is infected by malware factory reset won't help, you need to reflash the FULL (eg 4 or 5 files inside) Samsung factory ROM with complete wipe. Though as I guess the S5 is not receiving updates anymore, I'd be looking into installing LineageOS to get up to date security patches (after first reinstalling stock ROM asuming you have malware as custom roms are not full roms like samsung factory rom)

thunderslug said:
Hi All,
I'd like some recommendations on steps for locating a stubborn adware infestation that virus scanners don't seem to be able to find on my mobile. System is:
- Samsung SM-G900F
- Android 6.0.1
- unrooted
I get advertising redirects several times per day. It isn't clear where they are coming from. Have tried complete system reset. Uninstalled all downloaded apps. Disabled app auto updating. Ran a Malwarebytes scan. It found nothing.
Is there somewhere a log file for browser calls? At least I could find the app that requests the unwanted URLs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could be xhelper, mostly Chinese phones (what a surprise ?) it seems but at least one Samsung running 6.0.X like you
https://threatpost.com/android-malware-45k-devices-mystery/149654/