5 Signs Your Android Phone Is Infected With Virus

Bangalore: As Smartphone users, we have heard a bundle of cautions and dangers of Android malware. But the issue lies in how we could diagnose an infested device.

Here are five signs as listed out by Bitdefender that show whether your Android phone has been infested with malware.

#1 Enormous phone bills

If you have noticed, last year SpamSoldier malware had introduced an SMS botnet. This was designed with an intention to spread to other phones through SMS messages. There are other malware that takes the advantage of text messages, making users victims of enormous phone bills.

There are Trojans, which send SMS messages only at long intervals to avoid users from being suspicious. It’s better to keep a watch on your phone bills. At times mysterious subscription fees and phantom credit card charges show that something isn’t right.

#2 Data check

Most malware does not stick to phones. They want to spread or capture your phone’s data and transmit information elsewhere. You can find it if you closely notice for spikes on your data plan

But Android devices offer its customers a tool to manage data. You can find it in the settings menu; tap Data Usage in the Wireless & Networks section, which shows you how much data each app uses and even a user can set a limit by tapping the ‘set mobile data limit’ box and adjust sliders.

#3 Battery drain

Battery issues develop because malware usually perform its activities in the background, making your device work double time. If you notice your phone’s battery draining much faster than normal, it shows that it is up to some activities without your knowledge.

It is suggested to check for any unusual apps that you have downloaded before downloading the battery optimization app.

#4 Poor Performances

Bitdefender says that malware causes serious problems as it tries to read, write or even broadcast data depending upon the hardware specifications of your phone.

Users can check for this by going ‘through the settings menu, tapping on Apps, and swiping over to the Running section’, as said by the company. All the running apps will be displayed here along with the amount of RAM used. If your device is slowing down, just because too many apps, widgets and live desktops are running, then it’s not the malware that’s troubling you.

#5 Dropped calls and disruptions

Dropped calls or strange disruptions may reveal the existence of malware interruption. There might be many other factors that disrupt calls as well. Location and weather are some of them. 

It is however suggested that you narrow down variables and notice if the problem is consistent, before assuming whether it is a malware.

What’s next?

If you are seeing all or some of these symptoms, it time you download security software. There are many security suites for Android that will actually scan apps as they are downloaded. App reputation services also help you out to know whether the app is safe or not. Always keep a track of weird links and emails with attachments and SMS spam.

Most malware can be cleaned up in seconds and affected user files can be restored from a backup of your handset.