Malware, or malicious software, is a piece of code, file, or software that can gain entry into your device and funnel your personal information to malicious entities. It can even plague your device with ads where they don’t need to be and drain the battery quicker than usual. Malware usually infects your system through apps or files downloaded from unverified and suspicious sources. In this article, we bring you the top 7 ways to remove malware from Android and iOS devices.
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Table of Contents
Delete any suspicious apps
Malware creeps into your phone through apps downloaded from suspicious sources (usually outside the Google Play Store and App Store). Google’s app market heavily regulates the apps on its platform. Apps with expired or insufficient security certificates get taken down very quickly. Furthermore, Google Play Protect runs a final safety check on an app before it is downloaded to your device. Not all app markets employ these stringent safety measures, which leaves the door open for malware to gain access to your system. If you notice malware on your device, the first thing you should do is remove any suspicious apps you may have downloaded from shady sources. Removing the source app can remove malware on your Android or iOS device.
Here’s how you can remove an app on Android
Step 1: Go to Settings and select Apps.
Step 2: Select the app your want to uninstall.
Step 3: Select ‘Uninstall’ from the menu at the bottom of your screen.
You can also tap and hold an app icon in the app drawer and select ‘Uninstall’ to remove it from your device.
Here’s how you can remove an app on iOS
To remove an app on your iPhone, simply touch and hold the app on the home screen and tap the ‘Remove App’ option. Select ‘Delete app’ to remove it from your iPhone. You can carry out the same process in the app library to remove any particular application from your iPhone.
Update the OS
With every iteration, your phone’s software is better equipped to handle malware and other malicious entities. Even a small security patch can get rid of the malware plaguing the previous version of the OS. Usually, malware is designed to target old versions of an OS which do not receive any security updates.
Update your Android device
To update your Android phone’s software, go to Settings>Software Update>Download and Install, and check for new updates. If you see any pending updates, download them on your device.
Update your iOS device
To update iOS to its latest version, go to Settings>General>Software Update and download the update. Once installed, restart your iPhone and check if the malware is infecting the system.
Perform a factory reset
A clean wipe of your device will get rid of all the data on it and restore it to the condition it came in when you purchased it. Performing a factory reset is a last-ditch effort which should only be reserved for when the malware has spread to other areas of your device. If uninstalling the source of malware doesn’t fix the issue, a factory reset should be your next move.
Here’s how you can perform a factory reset on an Android device
Step 1: Go to Settings, scroll down and select General management.
Step 2: Tap on ‘Reset.’
Step 3: Select ‘Factory data reset.’
Step 4: Scroll down and tap on ‘Reset.’
Here’s how you can reset your iPhone
Step 1: Go to Settings and select General.
Step 2: Scroll down and select ‘Transfer or Reset iPhone’.
Step 3: Tap on ‘Reset’.
Step 4: In the following window, select ‘Reset All Settings’.
Step 5: Enter the Pin and confirm your selection.
Protect your smartphone with a security app
There are tons of security and anti-virus apps that will guard your smartphone against any harmful virus, malware, and other malicious entities. These apps perform routine checks on your device, scanning them for any suspicious files or activity. On top of that, a good security app also scans any file or app your download on your device from third-party sources. McAfee, Norton, and AVG are some antivirus and antimalware protection apps that you can download on your device right now to guard against any malicious activity.
Frequently asked questions
What is malware?
Malware (or ‘malicious software’) is a piece of software that is designed to harm your device and carry out malicious tasks like stealing your personal information or gaining unauthorised access to your system.
How do I remove malware from my phone?
The best way to remove malware from your phone is by deleting any suspicious apps that may have brought it in along with them. You can also perform a factory reset on your device if the malware has spread across the system.
How do I protect myself against malware?
The best way to avoid malware is by avoiding any suspicious third-party app stores and app markets. You can also download a security app like McAfee and AVG on your device to protect yourself against malware.
Read Also: Best Way to Transfer Data from Android to iPhone After Setup
Conclusion
These are the top 7 ways to remove malware from an Android or iOS device. To avoid malware from infecting your device, make sure you don’t download apps from unverified or suspicious sources. Oftentimes, modded apps carry a lot of malware with them, which can plague your device with ads and funnel your personal information.
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