6 possible signs your Android phone may be infected with a virus

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According to the Annual Security Threat Report by Quick Heal, mobile ransomware has increased by 450% from Q1 to Q4 in 2016 while mobile banking Trojan has shown an increase of 110%. Read the complete report here. All these stats only echo the fact that Android phones are a hotbed for malware and attacks are only growing. What’s scarier is that most users are not even aware that their device has been hacked and is being used for other nefarious purposes. So, we have listed here 6 possible signs that will help you detect if your phone is actually infected with a virus or malware.

#1. Your phone makes calls that you have no idea about
Noticed any calls or SMSs made or sent from your phone that you are not aware of? If no one else is using your phone and you notice unexplainable calls made from your phone (or SMSs sent), then you can suspect a possible virus infection. Most mobile viruses are designed to make calls and send SMSs from the infected device.

#2. Sudden or unexplainable usage of mobile data
When a virus infects your phone, it does not still idle; well, not forever. Android viruses and other mobile malware act based on the commands they receive from their creator (the attacker). For this, they require an active Internet connection. Internet is also needed for the malware to carry out other activities like stealing user data and sending it to the attacker, displaying fake pop-up ads, and so on. For obvious reasons having a malware hiding on your device means your mobile data usage will increase for a reason that is not known to you. So, if this happens, it is a good sign that your mobile device is infected.

#3. Battery drains faster than normal
Most Android phones now come with better battery life. Some even last for almost two days with heavy usage. If your device’s battery is drying faster than usual even with normal usage, take this sign of a mobile virus infection. Viruses constantly keep running in the background without giving away their presence and this eats up the battery.

#4. Poor performance
Mobile phones lose on the performance score as they age and get stuffed with apps over time. So most of the times, poor performance cannot be blamed on a virus infection. But, if you are like me who gets rid of unwanted apps, avoids live wallpapers and takes all necessary steps to optimize performance and still experiences lags and slowdowns, then a virus infection could be blamed for it after all.

#5. Unfamiliar apps show up on your phone
Most mobile viruses are programmed to install other apps (mostly malicious) on the infected device so that they can work together to mess up your happiness.  If you notice apps which you don’t remember installing on your device, then there are high chances of your phone being infected with a virus.

#6. Overheating
It is normal for a mobile phone to get overheated while playing games, constant Internet browsing, charging or non-stop calling. But, if your device remains hot most of the time for no reason, a virus infection could be the most probable culprit.

What to do?

1. If you find your Android phone is suffering from one or more of the signs listed above, then install a mobile antivirus app and run a complete virus scan.

2. Never install apps from third-party app stores. Only trust official sources such as Google Play and App Store.

3. Do not click on pop-up ads that come up on your device while browsing websites. Clicking them might take you to an infected website or drop a virus on your phone.

4. Do not click on links or download attachments received from unexpected, unwanted, or unknown emails. Follow this practice even with messages received as an SMS or over WhatsApp.

5. On your Android phone, ensure the ‘Unknown Sources’ setting is checked out. This will prevent third-party, unofficial apps from getting installed on your phone.

fonetastic_app_free

The Fonetastic App by Quick Heal offers essential security features that protect your Android phone from harmful and malicious apps. The app also helps in improving the device’s performance. You can download Fonetastic for free from the Google Play Store > https://bit.ly/1Hvg0Mj

Share this post with your friends and peers if you find it informative. Stay safe!

Rajiv Singha

Rajiv Singha


42 Comments

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  1. how to turn off the phone of the person using a cell phone I ask the help

    Reply
  2. Avatar Parmod SareenFebruary 9, 2017 at 11:34 PM

    Good.

    Reply
  3. GOOD

    Reply
  4. Avatar MANOJ U JOSHIFebruary 10, 2017 at 1:06 PM

    MY ANDROID MOBILE SLOWED DOWN RAPIDLY AFTER I TRIED TO ACCESS A CALL WHICH WAS ‘INVISIBLE’ i.e. NO INDICATION OF CALLER’S MOBILE NUMBER. I LOST MY WHATS APP FUNCTIONS AND DATA. I SWITCHED OFF AND WENT TO GALLERY. GALLERY HELPED ME TO CLEAN IT .AND ASKED ME TO CHANGE MY MOBILE SIM USED PREVIOUSLY FOR WHATSAPP.

    Reply
  5. sir help me my system is lost of speed….

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  6. Avatar bikash kumarFebruary 10, 2017 at 9:58 PM

    NICE

    Reply
  7. Avatar chetram mehrdaFebruary 10, 2017 at 10:33 PM

    SEND KEY…..

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  8. Avatar Jai kishor kumarFebruary 11, 2017 at 6:52 AM

    I BUY THE QUICK HEAL TOTAL SECURITY

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  9. Avatar ANSUMAY DATTAFebruary 11, 2017 at 10:46 AM

    Excellent topic.

    Reply
  10. My moto e3’s battery is draining fast in mobile standby mode. is this caused by virus or bug of marshmallow version. draining has started after update but others who have this cell dont have this same problem

    Reply
  11. thnx sir

    Reply
  12. Avatar RANJIT KUMARFebruary 11, 2017 at 9:50 PM

    PLEASE RENEW MY ACCOUNT

    Reply
  13. Avatar Mahadeo KoliFebruary 12, 2017 at 4:19 AM

    I have using Quick Heal Mobile Security on my mobile model Panasonic P51. I have installed & reinstalled YouTube app from Google play store. But this quick heal mobile security shows warning that threats detected in YouTube app. What to do I ?

    Reply
  14. Avatar Dilnawaz AlamFebruary 12, 2017 at 8:14 AM

    That is good app but just not try to at various levels .I hope it would definitely good work by possible as for good work.

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  15. I have a Samsung Galaxy S 5 Android Smart Phone. Some of the telephone numbers saved in the memory just vanish. Same thing happens in another smart phone Lenevo A 7000-a.
    Is there any particular method of saving the numbers so that they do not vanish?

    Reply
  16. Avatar R Senthil KumarFebruary 12, 2017 at 1:47 PM

    I have using quickheal Mobile Security on my mobile model K4 note

    Reply
  17. Avatar satyaptiwari007@gmail.comFebruary 12, 2017 at 9:01 PM

    its really usefull

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  18. Avatar Shubham RajputFebruary 12, 2017 at 10:48 PM

    Scan installation app from installation system and make privacy and protect system

    Reply
  19. Avatar aditya chuttarFebruary 12, 2017 at 10:54 PM

    I always have one notification update your quick heal services even after I m trying to update thers n error occurs what should I do?

    Reply
  20. Avatar Tanmoy kunduFebruary 13, 2017 at 8:46 AM

    Is very good anti virus

    Reply
  21. very good

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  22. Avatar abhi agarwalFebruary 14, 2017 at 7:23 AM

    It’s good

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  23. best antivirues

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  24. Avatar Tanmoy kunduFebruary 14, 2017 at 7:23 PM

    Good

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  25. Avatar Alok Vardhan GuptaFebruary 14, 2017 at 7:45 PM

    I want to download Quickheal in my smart phone please send product KEY.

    Reply
  26. Avatar Jagdish ShahFebruary 14, 2017 at 7:55 PM

    I am using QHTS on my laptop. Please let me know it is sufficient to take care of my mobile when I connect it with laptop for scanning and backup.

    Reply
  27. Useful topics for android user for handset security purpose.

    Reply
  28. Nice

    Reply
  29. Avatar Indra chalihaFebruary 15, 2017 at 5:06 PM

    How can I prevent it

    Reply
  30. My Google play store is not working l c’ant down load any apps or update from my mobile Google play store it so download is pending please do needfull

    Reply
  31. Avatar Sanjay kumar mahatoFebruary 16, 2017 at 10:56 PM

    Hi, I am using this security .but some problem are created that is my mobile becomes hot and that time this app doesnot work properly.means my mobile is hanged. I have a samsung core mobile.

    Reply
  32. good

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  33. How to use quick heal and how fast my mobile

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  34. Avatar Ranjit kumar nayakMarch 28, 2017 at 12:02 PM

    That is good apps

    Reply
  35. Good

    Reply