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How to Check for Spyware on Your Android Device
Many of us store crucial data on our mobile devices, like photos, credit card numbers, and banking passwords. This convenience, however, comes with risks, as Android devices can be infected with spyware.
Spyware can steal your private information secretly and forward it to malicious third parties for exploitation. So what exactly is spyware, how does it get into Android devices, and how can you spot it on them?
What's Spyware, and How Does It Infect Android Devices?
Spyware is malware designed to sneak into devices, steal data, and share it with third parties. It typically camouflages itself as a regular program, aiming to collect info like your online activities and personal data. Malicious actors have various motives for stealing your data, including impersonation, blackmail, and data resale.
There are different kinds of spyware that can enter your Android device, each designed to track specific data types. The main groups of spyware include sound and video recording spyware, password stealers, keyloggers, info stealers, cookie trackers, and banking trojans.
Spyware might enter your device if someone intentionally installs it, or through unsafe downloads. You probably unknowingly got spyware by installing a malicious app disguised as a helpful tool, say, a registry cleaner. Clicking on pop-ups and links in suspicious emails and websites can also introduce spyware onto your device.
: Must Watch: Android Phone Replaces The PC [ColdFustion] (Viral Tech)
How to Check for Spyware on Android
Signs that your device might be infected with malware include your phone overheating, its performance slowing down, faster battery and data drain, persistent pop-up ads, and the presence of unrecognized apps. Common spy app names include mSpy, XNSPY, CocoSpy, and Hoverwatch.
Spyware often vanishes from the home screen after installation to stay hidden but continues running in the background. Here are ways to check for spyware on Android.
Check for Unknown Apps
A simple way to check for spyware is by reviewing all the apps installed on your Android device. Here's how to check for unrecognized apps via Android safe mode.
- Press and hold the power button to see the power off option.
- Press and hold the Power off button until the Safe mode option appears, then tap on it.
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- After your device restarts, go to Settings > Apps. Browse the app list, checking for any apps you don't recognize.
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- If you find an unfamiliar app, tap it and hit Uninstall to remove it. Then, reboot to turn off safe mode.
While searching for unknown apps, remember that some system apps might also appear in Settings. If unsure, consider searching the app's name online to check for any reported issues.
Check for Apps With Admin Privileges
Admin privileges grant apps access to system functions and settings, including data erasure. Follow these steps to find apps with admin privileges.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on Security and privacy > Other security settings > Device admin apps. Toggle off admin privileges for any unknown apps, or those that you don't trust.
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Run an Anti-Spyware Scan
If you can't find the spyware manually, consider scanning your Android device using a reputable antivirus app like Avast. Here's how to use the antivirus app.
- Install Avast Mobile Security from the Play Store.
- Tap on START SCAN to run a malware scan.
- Tap on RESOLVE to remove malware, including spyware.
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If all the above methods fail, and you think you might be infected, consider factory resetting your Android device to remove spyware. Remember, though, this erases all your data, so back it up first.
Protect Your Android Device From Spyware
If your Android device displays sudden unusual behavior, like sluggishness, battery and data draining quickly, and overheating, it might be infected with malware, like spyware.
Spyware is designed to be hard to find and operate unnoticed, but there are ways to detect it. There are several quick and easy ways of checking for spyware on your Android device, including running an anti-spyware scan, checking for unknown apps, and reviewing apps with admin privileges.
