How do i check my andriod tablet for Viruses

Coveredinbees!!!!

I have a galaxy tab3 and whilst using it a virus warning came up on the screen. I have only ever downloaded from the play store and I'm not even sure what would be able to report that there is a virus on it anyway. How do i check it for malware and viruses?

bod1467

It probably wasn't a virus warning ... it was an advert pretending to be a virus warning, to try and get you to buy and install the advertised app. (And the advertised app is probably more of a threat in itself).

AndyPix

You don't need to check it for viruses because they don't exist on phones and tablets.
You can get malware however, even from the play store, secretly bundled with some crappy app like a "battery analyser" or some other such rubbish.


As bod1467 correctly suggests, what you saw will have been a cleverly crafted website that "popped up" a phony message on your device, or indeed an advert designed to look like a legitimate message from your device.


Never click the OK button on them, and certainly never download anything that it directs you to.


You definitely do not need any kind of anti virus software on a phone or tablet. It is snake oil pure and simple

JJ_Egan

As above .
Avast and Kaspersky both do a Android AV version and so does Malwarebytes .
They would at least put your mind at rest .

poppellerant

Based on my own experience on not being able to remove a virus from a Hudl 1, I would recommend factory resetting the tablet if you think you have malware or a virus on it. If the symptoms persist, reflash the image with a stock image.

In the end I had to reflash the Hudl to completely get rid of the virus.

KxMx

As others have said it's likely a scam advert.

However since viruses and malware evolve all the time, I do not subscribe to the advice that AVs are simply not needed, ever.

I have Avast on tablet & phone.

Terry98

I had a similar warning to the OP on a new Smart Ultra 6 phone I bought a couple of weeks ago.

In the middle of searching to find out how I could get rid of the Vodafone logo on the unlocked phone I got a virus message and was directed to an app store to download a program. Needless to say I did not do it.

However I downloaded Avast and Malwarebytes for Android but they both reported nothing. I also did a factory reset just to be certain!

JJ_Egan

In the middle of searching to find out how I could get rid of the Vodafone logo

That would require rooting ( voids warranty ) and flashing unbranded firmware .

AndyPix

JJ_Egan wrote: »

That would require rooting.

And THEN you CAN get Viruses on your device also ..

Terry98

Yes, the more I looked into it the more I decided to leave it as it is.Quite a few people have trouble rooting it.

It's a great phone for the price.I have deleted the Vodafone apps and I can wait for Marshmallow.

I don't switch the phone off that often so don't see the Vodafone logo all that much!