Mobile devices are treasure troves of valuable personal and financial data. Unsurprisingly, this makes them desirable targets for malicious attacks. The signs of infection are usually subtle, but if you’re observant and cautious enough, you’ll catch these symptoms.
When a device is infected, acting quickly is the most important step for a threat to be contained and dealt with. Here’s what to look out for, and what steps to take to return your device to normal.
Telltale Symptoms
The following are the most common symptoms to look for. A single one doesn’t necessarily mean that the device is infected. For example, sluggishness might happen due to it getting older or after an update.
That said, several symptoms are more likely to indicate infection, unless you aren’t using NordVPN next gen antivirus app to detect them.
Slow performance
The device isn’t as responsive as it once was. Apps and webpages take longer to load, scrolling is choppy, or the device freezes outright. Malware is often resource-heavy. It hogs CPU power, memory, and storage, impairing normal functionality.
High data usage
Spikes in data usage may also indicate that malware is sharing information or communicating with its creators. Unless you’re on a fixed data plan or don’t pay attention to data usage, you might miss this symptom altogether.
Sudden battery drain
Much shorter battery life is another strong indicator, especially if you’ve been using the device normally and haven’t installed new games or other apps that drain the battery more than usual. Malicious apps can perform a variety of tasks, from communicating with attackers’ servers to downloading things or collecting data in the background. All of these strain the battery.
Overheating
It’s common for devices to feel warm when in use, especially when playing games that need a lot of processing and GPU power. However, they usually quickly cool down when idling. If the device is warm or hot to the touch, even if you haven’t used it for a while, it may mean that malicious apps are using its resources to conduct strenuous background tasks.
Pop-up ads everywhere
It’s normal to see ads in browsers, and many phones also now display them when accessing app stores or settings. Some malware injects malicious code that makes pop-up ads appear far more aggressively. They might start showing up on your lock screen or after opening unrelated apps.
The nature of these ads is also usually different. Rather than the things you’re used to seeing, they may promote sketchy websites or questionable practices.
New unknown apps
Seeing apps you didn’t install or duplicates of popular ones is an immediate cause for concern. Any app that suddenly appears warrants scrutiny. Doubly so if it asks for broad permissions, especially if these have little to do with the app’s supposed functions.
Getting Rid of the Infection
Once you’re reasonably sure the device is infected, you can take the following steps to address the issue, as well as apply appropriate precautions that will prevent future infection.
- Install and use a VPN extension whenever you connect to free public Wi-Fi to maintain privacy and prevent drive-by malware downloads.
- Remove any apps you think are suspicious.
- Update your system, apps, and browser.
- Clear old browsing data.
- Change the passwords of accounts you suspect might have been affected.
- Refrain from visiting sketchy websites or downloading apps from unsanctioned sources.
- Continue to monitor accounts for suspicious activity.
Conclusion
Staying alert to the signs above goes a long way. If something feels off about how your device is behaving, trust that instinct and investigate rather than dismiss it. The sooner you catch an infection, the less damage it can do — both to your device and to your personal data.
Prevention, though, is always the better approach. Sticking to trusted app stores, keeping your software updated, and avoiding sketchy websites or public Wi-Fi without a VPN are habits that drastically reduce your risk. A little caution in your day-to-day routine is far less of a headache than cleaning up an infection after the fact.
