‘Delete the app’ say experts who warn to check for 8 signs that a criminal is recording everything you type on your Android phone

CYBERSECURITY experts have urged Android users to remove malicious apps from their phones or risk losing money.

In a new blog post, cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has warned smartphone owners about malware that could attack their devices.

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Malware is malicious software specifically designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system.

And Android smartphones are one of the biggest targets for cybercriminals when it comes to malware.

This is due to Android software containing open source software that is easier to infiltrate than, say, iOS.

“Compared to Apple’s App Store, Google’s Play Store has less rigid security measures,” Kaspersky said.

“In addition, Android users can download applications from various sources on the Internet. This creates an environment where cyber attacks are possible,” it added.

One of the biggest ways hackers put malware on Android devices is through malware-laden apps.

These malicious applications include programs like Trojans, adware, spyware, etc.

The goal of such software is to attack your device, steal your data and eventually hack your banking information.

Some of the data that could be stolen includes your photos, texts, and even what you type in real time.

Another goal of malware is to spread malicious programs to other devices and users.

SIGNS OF MALWARE ON YOUR DEVICE

To help users stay away from malware, Kasperksy shared some signs that indicate it might be lingering on your device.

• You start noticing a lot of pop-ups or inappropriate ads while browsing the internet
• Your battery seems to be draining much faster than usual
• You see apps on your device that you don’t recognize
• Your phone lags, crashes frequently, or shows repeated error messages
• Your phone cannot shut down or restart properly
• The phone does not allow you to remove the software
• Contacts say they received messages from you that you didn’t send yourself
• You have noticed a decrease in your mobile account balance

HOW TO STAY SAFE

For starters, it’s important to keep your device up-to-date at all times.

You should also avoid installing apps from unofficial Android stores. If you notice apps on your device that you haven’t installed, delete them.

“Removing apps you think are malicious can be tricky,” Kaspersky said.

“Sometimes it’s enough to remove app permissions and delete the app,” it added.

However, sometimes you’ll need to download a legitimate anti-malware service and remove them that way, or factor reset your device.

Furthermore, you should never download anything from strange pop-ups.