Checking Android for viruses. How to check your phone for viruses: symptoms of Android infection and methods of checking

Hello dear readers! Unauthorized data transfer and malfunction of mobile devices - this is what malware infection can lead to. Today we’ll look at how to check your tablet for viruses through a computer (PC), clean it and improve security. Have you already tried this?

There are quite a few ways to remove viruses. The choice of a specific one depends on the tablet model and the operating system installed on it. Below in the text we will consider several general options that will be useful in many cases.

Detecting and removing viruses from a tablet using a computer: step-by-step steps

Let's divide the necessary actions into several stages.

Step 1 - preparing antivirus on your computer

If it is not there, then you need to install it. I prefer to use Kaspersky antivirus, as I consider it one of the best. You can use others - it's a personal matter for everyone.

So, it is advisable to update the antivirus before checking the tablet. It would also be a good idea to set the maximum possible levels for searching, treating or removing infected objects, as well as the desired actions if they are detected. How? This is a big topic, I won’t repeat it, programs have help sections for this.

Step 2 - connect your tablet or other mobile device

The connection can be made using a USB cable or a local Wi-Fi network. To check for viruses and clean them, I usually connect the tablet in “USB storage” mode. This will allow the PC to read data approximately the same as when connecting a regular flash drive.

Please note that just connecting the device via cable or wireless network may not be enough to read information from some models. It happens that installation of additional software is required. As a rule, it comes with mobile equipment. If you don’t find it, then you should look for the corresponding programs on official websites on the Internet.

Step 3 - checking for viruses, treating them and cleaning them

If the previous steps are completed successfully, then in the “my computer” window you can see the tablet’s data drive. Right-click on it and select “check for viruses” from the options presented. We wait for it to finish and, if necessary, confirm the appropriate actions requested by the antivirus.

In its settings, when a threat is detected, I set the action to “cure” and “delete” if treatment is impossible. As you understand, if, for example, a text file is infected, you can try to cure it and save the data. If such an action is impossible, then deleting the file, I think, is an acceptable solution. Thus, at the end of the scan, I receive a tablet cleaned of viruses, but some data may be lost.

Step 4 - checking the device's functionality

Upon completion of the above work, disconnect the tablet from the computer, reboot and check its functionality.

Do you think it’s enough to go through the three stages described above? It happens that yes, but this is not always the case. Can you guess why this happens?

It happens that you clean viruses from a tablet, but it still doesn’t work properly. This may happen because software threats have been eliminated, but the consequences of their activity remain. For example, individual operating system files may be damaged or deleted.

What to do if a similar situation arises? Here I can give only one practical recommendation - you should contact a specialist.

Alternative ways to clean your tablet from viruses

In essence, they represent a “strengthened” version of the works. After going through the three steps described above to scan and clean your tablet from viruses through your computer, it may be useful to do one or more of the steps presented below.

• Scan files and clean your tablet computer with several antiviruses. In this case, the chances of detecting certain categories of previously unfound viruses, if any, are increased.
• Reset your mobile device to factory settings, having first made a backup copy of the information cleared from infection from your mobile device to your computer.

Please note that it is better not to install more than one antivirus at the same time on one computer. As a rule, this does not lead to anything good. Therefore, before installing another antivirus on your computer, you should remove the one already installed, if any.

Another alternative is why not put antivirus software directly on the tablet? He certainly won't be superfluous there.

Unauthorized access to accounts, personal data, damage to information and the device itself - this is to be expected from the activity of various viruses. How great can be the amount of damage they cause? Is it cheaper to purchase a licensed antivirus to regularly scan, monitor and maintain a high level of security on your tablet?

• Install, configure and update a licensed antivirus on the tablet.
• Read security alerts carefully and do not take unnecessary risks.
• Do not open sites with questionable content.
• Do not click on dubious links from SMS, email and other communication channels if you do not know the sender and have no reason to trust him.
• Use exclusively licensed software and update it promptly.
• Do not connect to other devices (computers, phones, etc.) if you are not sure of the appropriate level of security.

The list goes on, but I think you get the point. It would seem that the recommendations are quite simple and logical. Are they often observed? And what does ignoring them lead to?

This concludes the information material on checking tablets for viruses by connecting to a computer. I hope that the safety recommendations were also useful.

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There is a common misconception that there are no viruses for the Android operating system, but in fact this is not the case: Android is written on the Linux kernel, for which many viruses have been created. In this essay, we will consider in detail the question of how to check Android for viruses.

Verification methods

There are many ways to check your system for viruses. Let's review some of them.

Via PC

Before checking Android for viruses through a computer, you need to connect the gadget to it. USB Debugging mode must be selected. Next, launch the antivirus installed on your computer, select the “Scan PC” and “Scan removable media” modes.

Unfortunately, this method does not help identify the threat in all cases.

Antiviruses from Google Play

You can find out if there are viruses on Android using one of the antiviruses that can be found on Google Play. Paid and free versions of them can be found at the link. Before this you need to do several manipulations. Go to “Settings”, then “Applications”.

Select the browser you are using.

This will help clean Android from viruses.

Online services

Types of viruses

What viruses are there on Android? Most of them are similar to “Trojans” from computers: when they get onto the device, all user actions begin to be recorded in a special hidden file. This way, attackers gain access to passwords, credit card numbers and other confidential user data.

Other viruses, when they enter the system, begin sending paid SMS until the money in the user’s account runs out or goes negative.

A special subtype is spam programs, which constantly generate annoying advertisements. The last type that is worth mentioning and about which little is still known is viruses built into the entertainment systems of cars running Android. Theoretically, they can cause various vehicle systems to work incorrectly, but there have been no such precedents yet.

Checking Android for viruses allows you to eliminate most of them. But you can download applications only from official sources; if there is a need to download something from another location, first check the file for viruses. Also, do not visit sites with dubious content.

Keep your antivirus updated and scan your system periodically.

All this will reduce the risk of malware infection to almost zero.

Fraudsters are also taking advantage of the development of mobile technologies - they are updating schemes to deceive users. To protect your device from hacker attacks, you need to be able to check your phone and get rid of viruses in a timely manner.

How to scan your phone for viruses via computer

The most common virus on Android is considered to be spyware, popularly called “Trojans”. Their task is to collect information about the owner of the phone and forward it to the desired server.

The main sign of the presence of a Trojan program is a decrease in the performance of the mobile device and high consumption of Internet traffic.

To check your phone for viruses via a computer:

1. Enable USB debugging on your smartphone in the “For Developers” menu (“Developer Options” or “Development”).
2. Connect the gadget to your laptop or desktop PC via a USB cable, then select Media Transfer Protocol (“MTP” or “Storage Mode”) mode.
3. A new storage will appear on your computer in the “Devices and Drives” section. Then run the antivirus program available on your PC (if it doesn’t exist, install it).
4. In the antivirus program settings, open the “PC Scan” – “Removable media” mode. Click on the “All disks” tab - the phone will scan for viruses. If infected objects are detected, they must be deleted.

Checking your smartphone online

Phone security can be ensured with effective and free anti-virus scanners that work through an online browser. With their help, you can find out about infection without downloading and installing third-party utilities on your smartphone.

An online checking application will test the contents of the apk file and check the data against virus databases.

Practical use of the program:

1. Find and download the application you like via Google Play Market.
2. Install on Android. Select files to scan, run online scan.
3. Once viruses, Trojans, malware and other types of pests are detected, the service will offer to delete them or quarantine suspicious files.

Top 5 best utilities

There are many different applications for checking your phone online. List of the most popular antivirus scanners:

How to find a virus on your phone using special programs

If your smartphone has lost its functionality, the easiest way to neutralize malware is to install a permanent antivirus program. It's not difficult to do this:

1. Open the built-in Play Market application on Android and launch it.
2. Find the antivirus program you like and use the “Install” button.
3. After installing the program on your phone, launch it. Scan your gadget.
4. After receiving the result, if there are viruses, the program will offer to clean your smartphone from them.
5. Periodically activate the downloaded application to check your phone.

Rating of free antivirus applications

The list contains the best antivirus apps for Android according to experts and users. Each program has its pros and cons:

Built-in passive protection Google Play Protect

In May 2017, Google announced the creation of a new application, Google Play Protect. Essentially, this is a software package that protects the device. They do not need to be installed separately, since they are part of the Play Market store (from version 11). The main functions of the application are scanning the operating system and applications for viruses. The process occurs in the background, but this does not affect the performance of the device. How to enable the program:

1. Go to your phone settings.
2. Open the Google menu item.
3. Go to the "Security" section.
4. Activate the "Google Play Protect" option.
5. Disable/enable the “Scan for security threats” function as needed.

Built-in passive protection analyzes applications from different sources that are installed on the phone. The search for malicious files is also carried out in program updates.

If a virus is suspected, the application will be stopped and the information will be transferred to the owner.

Among the advantages of Google Play Protect, users note the protection of sites they visit in the Chrome browser. When you go to a suspicious resource, the system will immediately warn you.

Another advantage is that if the phone is lost, the alarm siren is activated remotely, and the protection blocks the smartphone and displays information on the screen on how to contact the owner. The disadvantage of the application, according to long-term testing, is the weaker level of malware detection compared to similar ones.

Video

Virus programs have been attacking user devices since the beginning of the development of computer technology. From Windows, virus creators switched their attention to other systems, including Android. Numerous viruses, from relatively harmless ones and spam to stealing funds from phone accounts, cards and wallets, are written every day, and today they take such forms that at first glance it is impossible to even distinguish the interface of a malicious program from your own account. With the widespread introduction of SMS banking, it is not surprising that user passwords for personal accounts have become a frequent target of “invaders”.

Finding and eliminating viruses on an Android tablet.

Regardless of whether viruses are aimed at stealing funds or are simply pests of the system, their removal is sometimes not an easy task. are not always able to save you from a virus attack, even if a virus has been detected, not every security software can eliminate or deactivate it. In addition, regular database updates are required, because virus developers are not asleep, using new methods of bypassing protections and authentication, intercepting passwords, disabling antivirus, etc. All systems, in fact, are vulnerable to one degree or another, and viruses help It is often the user himself who takes up residence on the device.

Attackers use different methods to force the user to download virus software on their own, attracting with “free cheese” or fueling interest in other ways, so the most common infection is as a result of the actions of the device owner. Common causes of infection are:

• Lack of installed anti-virus software, old update databases;
• "Surfing" on sites. Exploring the depths of the Internet for different purposes, it is quite possible to catch an “infection”, while it is not at all necessary to visit resources with “18+” content; there are enough viruses on portals with completely harmless topics;
• Downloading software from dubious sites;
• Launching unknown programs from unofficial resources;
• Data exchange via open channels (Bluetooth, public Wi-fi).

Virus programs do not necessarily have the extension “.apk” and are registered in the downloads folder, where they are easy to find and neutralize. There are many modifications of viruses, the most insidious of them can hide under the guise of system processes and files, as well as useful applications, and it is difficult to find a well-disguised pest.

By the way, in most cases, the installed antivirus still warns the user about a possible danger, but not everyone can cope with the desire to download something if they already have it in mind and leave the page. In addition, security software often mistakes hacked applications for malware, so many people ignore the defender’s scolding and download the files anyway. Well, who wouldn’t want to get cracked programs for free with features that are only available in paid versions of the software? Many users sin by downloading unofficial applications and interesting “goodies”, risking bringing trouble to the device system, which is successfully exploited by attackers.

Symptoms of a virus infection on an Android device

Virus programs manifest themselves in different ways, depending on their purpose, and if you observe one or more signs of their activity on your tablet or smartphone, you need to urgently take steps to get rid of the “infection.” The following phenomena can indicate the presence of malware on an Android device:

• System performance deterioration. The device slows down, the response time to commands, including when launching applications, has increased significantly, lack of response to some actions;
• Slowness of the browser, low speed of downloading files;
• Spontaneous deletion of files from the device’s memory or their movement or editing. If it is noticed that photos, videos or other elements disappear, are found not where they were before, that is, actions are performed without the participation of the user, it means that the device has acquired excessive independence precisely thanks to viruses;
• The appearance of unknown applications;
• Spontaneously making calls, sending messages;
• Withdrawing money from a mobile account for no apparent reason;
• Loss of funds from a bank account or wallets;
• Requests for access to the camera, memory or Internet connection, administrator rights, etc.;
• Blocking the launch of the OS of a tablet or other Android device, regular crashes, shutdowns and other system “glitches”;
• Blocking access to user data, individual elements or system settings;
• The appearance of pop-up windows, banners with advertising;
• Increased battery consumption.

If there is even the slightest suspicion of the presence of virus programs, or even the device “lives its own life,” you must immediately check it for viruses. Next, let's look at how this can be done.

Scan your device for viruses

Versions of Android higher than version 4 have a built-in scanner, which in some cases allows you to detect virus threats, so if a standard tool is available, it won’t hurt to run it first. Other testing options are more effective and, if the case is severe, you can try each of them.

Using third-party antiviruses

The Play Market has many paid and free applications with which you can check your Android device for viruses and also get rid of them. To do this, you need to install the program, reboot the device and start scanning the system. In addition to downloading the software from the official store, you can also do this by running the installation manually using a file manager or transferring the antivirus from a desktop computer. Dr.Web and ESET Mobile Security & Antivirus services have proven themselves to be excellent.

How to check Android for viruses via computer

A convenient and effective way to identify threats is to scan your tablet for viruses through a computer. Since the antivirus is also capable of working with devices and storage devices connected to a PC, it also scans Android directly from the computer without installing it directly on the device. To do this you will need to take the following steps:

• Connect your Android device to a desktop PC or laptop using a USB cable;
• In the tablet settings, activate the “Use as a multimedia device” item;
• In the PC menu (“My Computer”), find the connected device and double-click to open the data;
• Launch the antivirus on the PC, designate the additional device as the object of scanning;
• After checking the tablet for viruses, the defender will provide information with the results;
• Next, you should try to disinfect the files or delete them.

Security software on your computer must have the latest anti-virus databases in order to most effectively neutralize even new modifications of viruses.

How to find out if there are viruses in the system using online services

The easiest way to quickly find out whether there is malware on Android is to check the device using online services designed for this purpose. They allow you to scan your device in real time. To do this, you need to select files and start the scanning procedure with the corresponding start button. After some time has passed, the scanner will display the results. Good online antiviruses include ESET Online Scanner, Kaspersky Online Scanner, VirSCAN. Some services assume automatic removal or quarantining of the virus, while others only detect it, and then you will have to remove it manually.

How to avoid problems and save the system

Antivirus services are not always able to cope with a pest that has settled on Android. In cases where you cannot get rid of the problem after scanning your device, you can eliminate the threat yourself.

Removing viruses using root rights

How to clean your tablet from viruses in safe mode

If you cannot get rid of the virus program as usual, you can try doing it in safe mode, since in this case only basic system functions will be launched without third-party applications. Typically, safe mode is activated by the power button, which is held until the corresponding message appears, suggesting that the device enters this state, after which it is necessary to confirm the action. In safe mode, you need to scan the system with an antivirus or delete infected files yourself if you have root rights and already know the location of the source of the problems. To return to normal state, the device must be rebooted.

How to remove a virus from a tablet via PC

It is possible to remove a virus from Android via a computer using a PC antivirus program or using a file manager for Android devices. If after diagnostics by the defender it was not possible to cure or eliminate the virus software, you can use Android Commander. By running it on your computer, you can access the device’s information and perform various operations with them (move, copy, delete, etc.), for maximum access you will need to obtain root rights and activate USB debugging (“Settings” - “System” - “Developer options”). Next you need to do the following:

• Connect the device to the PC like a USB drive;
• With root rights, open the Android Commander manager, in the right part of the window the system elements of the connected device will also be displayed;
• Find the virus executable file and eliminate it. Copying it to a PC and scanning each folder separately with an antivirus can help with this.

Extreme measures

If the tried methods did not work, there are guaranteed, but extreme ways to get rid of virus software on a tablet or other Android device:

• Return to factory settings. You can get to the option using the system menu; if access to the system is not blocked by a virus, it is located in the personal settings in the backup section;
• Hard-reset via Recovery mode will help when access to system functions is blocked. This mode is entered differently depending on the device model (holding the volume key or a special button). In the Recovery menu, select the option “wipe data/factory reset” or “factory reset”;
• Reflashing the device. The method involves reinstalling the Android system, similar to Windows, to implement it.

All these methods allow the device to return to its original state, as when it was purchased, and all user data will be deleted along with the viruses. Before any of the procedures, it is better to copy important data to another medium.

How to protect your system from malware

• Install anti-virus software on your device;
• Periodically run a system scan for viruses;
• Update the system as official updates are released;
• exclusively from trusted resources, while still checking it for infection;
• Do not download unofficial firmware and “cracked” applications;
• Do not connect your device to other suspicious devices, either via Bluetooth or directly.

Not all people resort to using an antivirus on their PC or laptop. Automatic computer scanning consumes quite a lot of system resources and often interferes with comfortable work. And if suddenly your computer starts behaving suspiciously, you can analyze it for problems online. Fortunately, today there are enough services for such verification.

Below we will consider 5 options for analyzing the system. True, it will not be possible to carry out this operation without downloading a small auxiliary program. Scanning is carried out online, but antiviruses require access to files, and doing this through a browser window is quite difficult.

Services that allow scanning can be divided into two types - system and file scanners. The former check the entire computer, the latter are able to analyze only one file uploaded to the site by the user. Online services differ from simple anti-virus applications in the size of the installation package, and do not have the ability to “clean” or remove objects susceptible to infection.

Method 1: McAfee Security Scan Plus

This scanner is a quick and easy verification method that will analyze your PC for free in a few minutes and assess the security of the system. It does not have a malware removal function, but only notifies you when viruses are detected. To start scanning your computer using it, you will need:

The program will begin scanning and then display the results. Click on the button "Fix Now" will redirect you to the purchase page for the full version of the antivirus.

Method 2: Dr.Web Online Scanner

This is a good service with which you can check a link or individual files.

In the first tab you are given the opportunity to scan the link for viruses. Paste the address into the text line and click " Check".

The service will begin the analysis, after which it will display the results.

In the second tab you can upload your file for verification.

1. Select it using the button "Choose file".
2. Click "Check".

Dr.Web will scan and display the results.

Method 3: Kaspersky Security Scan

Kaspersky antivirus is capable of quickly analyzing a computer, the full version of which is quite well known in our country, and its online service is also popular.

In the next window you can see additional information about the problems found by clicking on the inscription "More details". And if you use the button "How to fix everything" the application will redirect you to its website, where it will offer to install the full version of the antivirus.

Method 4: ESET Online Scanner

The next option for checking your PC for viruses online is the free ESET service from the developers of the famous NOD32. The main advantage of this service is the thorough scanning, which can take about two hours or more, depending on the number of files on your computer. The online scanner is completely deleted after finishing work and does not leave any files behind.

ESET Scanner will update its databases and begin analyzing the PC, after which the program will display the results.

Method 5: VirusTotal

VirusTotal is a service from Google that can check links and files uploaded to it. This method is suitable for cases when, for example, you have downloaded a program and want to make sure that it does not contain viruses. The service can simultaneously analyze a file using 64 (currently) databases of other antivirus tools.

1. To check a file through this service, select it for download by clicking on the button of the same name.
2. Next click "Check".

The service will begin analysis and display results for each of the 64 services.

To scan a link, do the following:

1. Enter the address in the text field and click on the button "Enter URL."
2. Next click "Check".

The service will analyze the address and show the results of the verification.