The Download
- One way to tell if your phone has a virus is if it includes apps you don’t remember installing.
- Phone viruses can also make the device glitchy, display ads, and increase data usage.
- Apps, attachments, and infected websites are usually to blame.
This article explains what to look for if you suspect that your phone has a virus. It also covers the types of viruses that end up on phones and provides tips for preventing an infection.
Does My Phone Have a Virus? What to Look For
Here are a few clues that your phone has been infected by a virus:
- There are apps on your phone that you didn’t download. Check your app list to see if there are any there that you don’t recognize.
- Your phone crashes regularly. If it happens once and there are no other symptoms, a virus may not be the issue. But if it starts happening frequently, a virus could be the cause.
- Your battery drains much faster than usual. If you’re using your phone as you normally do, but you run out of juice more quickly, that’s another likely sign.
- Data usage increases with no logical explanation. If your mobile bill shows much more data use than usual, and you’re using your phone as you normally do, a virus is likely the reason.
- You get additional texting charges on your bill. Some malware sends text messages to premium numbers, driving up your charges.
- You get more pop-up ads than usual. A virus can cause pop-up ads to become even more common and annoying.
How Did My Phone Get a Virus?
The most common way phones get viruses and other issues is through apps, email attachments, text messages, and even nefarious websites.
What Kinds of Viruses Do Phones Get?
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what kind of virus your phone may have, since no matter the type, it will need to be addressed. But, it’s likely one of those listed here.
- Adware: Creates ads with links to web pages or apps that can cause damage or security breaches
- Malware: Takes over certain phone functions to steal personal information, send text messages, or perform other problematic actions
- Ransomware: Locks files or apps, then demands money from the user in exchange for unlocking them
- Spyware: Monitors the user’s phone activity for malicious purposes
- Trojan Horse: Attaches itself to a legitimate app, then interferes with the phone’s operation.
In addition to limiting your phone’s functionality, viruses can cause more serious damage in your life by deleting data, gathering private information, or making (or attempting to make) unauthorized purchases.
How Can I Prevent Phone Viruses?
There’s a lot you can do to prevent your phone from getting a virus.
- Stay up to date. Always agree to operating system updates. Additionally, download and install a reputable antivirus app for your phone, such as these virus scanners for Android. In addition to detecting viruses, they can protect your phone from getting them in the first place.
- Use approved apps only. Be sure to only download approved apps from Google Play for Android devices and the App Store for iOS devices. To make sure you’re getting a quality app, read the reviews and check out the developer’s website.
- Be inbox-savvy. Use the same email hygiene you employ when looking at messages on your computer. Be wary of attachments, and only open those from trusted sources. Use the same level of caution with links embedded in a message. And be wary of messages that look like they’re from companies you do business with.
- Beware of phishing schemes. Many scammers send fake emails that look like they’re from legitimate companies. The emails often feature the telltale signs of slightly-off email addresses, poor grammar, and requests for you to “update your credit card information” or other phishing scams.
- Monitor texts. Maintain the same level of skepticism regarding text and social media messages, as well as ads.
- Trust your gut. If something seems “off” about any activity you’re doing on your phone, take a step back and ask yourself if proceeding is worth losing your phone’s functionality or some of the data it holds.
A Word About Viruses on iOS
The claim “iPhones can’t get viruses!” isn’t exactly true. Any iOS device is a computer, and any computer can get a virus.
However, if you haven’t jailbroken your iOS device, the chances that you have a virus are low. If you search the App Store, you won’t find any legitimate apps with the title “antivirus” (other than maybe a game or two).
Apple’s iOS is designed such that App A can’t interfere with the space where App B is working. That goes for the entire operating system, so an app can’t search your iOS device for viruses because apps can’t reach every space.
However, it is possible to download an app from the App Store that does more than it claims. Pay attention to the privileges any app requests. For example, most games don’t need access to your photos, camera, or microphone.
What a Computer Virus Actually Is
A virus self-duplicates after the device gets infected and then destroys data or tries to send itself to another device. Smartphones can get viruses, but they are rarer than other issues.
FAQ
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How do I get rid of a virus on my phone?
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How do I protect my phone from hackers?
Avoid using unfamiliar Wi-Fi or connecting to Bluetooth devices you don’t recognize. If you think your phone has been hacked, restart in Safe Mode and remove any apps you don’t recognize.
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