Table of Contents
Introduction
The internet is a free playground meant for any type of users to come and do whatever they feel like. You will find kids playing games on it and also dangerous criminals that try to steal people’s information and money. This is why we always need to be cautious about which websites we choose to surf on.
You must be wondering how a person can steal someone’s information on the internet. Well, there are several ways that criminals can use to lure a person into giving them their personal details online without even making them suspicious; one of these malicious ways is by using what’s known as a virus.
One of the most common malware issues faced by users due to the internet is a phone virus. A virus is a program that replicates itself once it’s on a user’s phone and it can infect different applications on the host’s device. Getting a virus on your phone can lead to your personal information being stolen, applications and data getting corrupted, and sometimes a complete system failure.
How does a virus land on a user’s phone? The entertainment websites that we usually surf on contain cleverly hidden viruses which can automatically install themselves on our devices without being detected. Viruses can be tricky to deal with, but it’s not impossible to do so.
How Can You Avoid a Virus?
There are several ways for you to avoid viruses even though tracking them can prove to be troublesome. One of the first things you need to do when you get a new phone is to install verified antivirus software on it and to keep it updated.
Most antivirus software, apart from scanning your phone for viruses, also includes the capability of helping you throughout your browsing experience. You can add your antivirus software as an extension on your browser so that it can actively tell you which sites are safe and secure for you to surf and which ones aren’t.
You should also make sure that your operating system is up to date and is running the latest version. Older versions of operating systems are believed to be less secure when it comes to viruses compared to the newer ones. Furthermore, you should make sure that you avoid logging open wifi networks in public.
These public networks come with the risk of having a technical con-man who can easily use that connection to steal your personal information and infect your phone with viruses. Just make sure that you avoid anything online that looks fishy and also keep your passwords strong so that they’re harder to crack; this way, you won’t need to worry about your online security.
Signs That Your Phone Has a Virus
Your phone is the main victim of a virus, although a virus is specifically meant to steal your personal information. Your phone can get infected with a virus even if you don’t visit shady apps or open fishy emails.
One of the first signs of your phone being infected with a virus is finding apps that you never downloaded yourself; this can certainly point to the presence of a malicious code that installed the app itself.
Another common sign that most users can face is coming across an increased amount of ads on every app; if this is the case for you, take the necessary steps to rid your phone of the virus.
Other than software issues, viruses can also affect various other regions which will result in a decrease in the capacity of your phone. People that have had their phones infiltrated by a virus face the most common issue of faster battery drainage.
The malicious program is constantly operating in the background at an intense pace, which will cause your phone’s battery to run out much quicker than usual. You will also notice how your phone crashes regularly when you perform day-to-day tasks on it; this is also due to the replication of the virus on your mobile device and you should always stay alert so it does not go unnoticed.
How to Take a Virus Off Your Phone: 5 Easy Steps
If you have been experiencing any of the aforementioned signs of a virus taking over your phone, you have nothing to worry about. We have compiled five easy steps that you can follow to completely remove any sort of virus from your phone. Just keep reading!
Step 1: Go to Your Phone’s App Store
Just open your app store and find the most reliable antivirus software with good reviews. Once you have decided which app to go for, just go ahead and download it.
Most apps will have the scan option on the main page, but locate it yourself if it’s not there. Once you’ve found the scan button, press it and wait for the process to begin.
Step 3: Take a Breather While the App Scans
Wait for the app to fully scan your phone for the presence of any malicious software.
Step 4: Click on Resolve/Uninstall
If the app finds any virus on your phone after the scan, it’ll give you an option to uninstall the program or to resolve it. Choose that option and the app itself will help you eliminate the virus.
Step 5: Restart Your Phone
Once the risk has been eliminated, restart your phone to let everything settle back into place.
Final Thoughts
The majority of us have faced issues with viruses at least once in our lifetimes due to the bombardment of ads and secretly placed links in every website on the internet. You should make sure that you’re taking the necessary precautions to avoid viruses even if that seems like an impossible thing to do.
Make sure that your antivirus software is reliable and is updated frequently. Also remember to scan your phone every once in a while to make sure that it’s clean because, even if you don’t see the signs, you might fall prey to a virus. Stay safe!
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