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Introduction: What is an Android Virus, What are the Symptoms and How to Protect Yourself
Many people are alarmed at the idea of malware on their mobile phone, and how they can protect themselves against it. Malware can often be used to steal information, install unwanted apps, or even take control of a person’s phone without their knowledge. While this is certainly a terrifying prospect, there are steps that you can take to protect yourself against it.
What is malware and what are the symptoms?
There is no such thing as an Android virus in terms of computer viruses on your phone. What you have to worry about instead are pieces of malicious software that can give hackers access to your phone in one way or another. Since they don’t have physical access to your hardware with which to infect it, they instead use software exploits that allow them to take control. In this sense, then, you can think of malware as a type of Trojan Horse program rather than a virus.
How to protect yourself against it? [as a consumer]
How to Identify a DFNDR Android Infection
The first step to protection is to recognize whether or not you have in fact become infected. Luckily, DFNDR is rather easy to spot. This particular virus can cause a number of issues, ranging from annoying pop-up ads and app crashes, to a complete inability to uninstall the virus. When dfndr is installed on your phone, it will usually come with a notification that will appear in the notification bar. If you click on this notification and attempt to uninstall the virus, you will be treated to a screen saying that “unable to uninstall.” It also appears on your home screen under the name “all apps” in the form of a banner app icon. It may also appear in the form of a fake Google Play app. If you move your finger over the “uninstall” button, you will notice that it doesn’t respond, and that it isn’t even an actual “uninstall” button.
The virus may also come with a variety of pop-ups and ads that will appear while you are using your phone. You may be forced to click on these ads or the screen may become unresponsive until the advertisement is clicked on.
What is the DFNDR Android App?
The dfndr android app is a malicious program disguised as a “security program.” In order to become infected with this virus, it is usually necessary for a person to download the program through another app. As long as you are not downloading sketchy apps from sketchy websites, however, this should not be something to worry about. You can prevent downloading sketchy apps by following a few simple steps.
The dfndr app is highly dangerous, as it is capable of reading people’s data and sending it to malicious individuals. This includes information about call logs, which can be used for tracking or eavesdropping purposes. The app also includes a keylogger , which allows the program to record people’s keystrokes(such as passwords). This can be used to gain access to accounts and passwords. The app also installs a protection layer(which is a form of virus protection).
DFNDR Removal Guide for Windows PC & Mac OS X Operating Systems
In order to remove the virus, you must first clean your phone from any infections it might have. This can be done by deleting all files that have been downloaded through sketchy websites, or may have been provided to you by sketchy people. Once this is done, there are a number of free anti-virus programs that can be used to remove the virus. These range from paid programs like the Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool, to free programs like Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. There are also options for paid apps, but many of these tend to be just as good as the free counterparts.
This removal guide was written by the DFNDR user who suffered from this infection, and is intended to provide instructions on how to delete the virus and restore their phone to a normal state.
As with most free virus removal guides, I would recommend that you backup your phone prior to attempting this. If you have done so already, then now would be an ideal time to try restoring back. If this isn’t possible, then you might want to start the process by deleting all files that may be infected. These can usually be found within “Downloads”, “Music”, and “Pictures”.
Backup options:
Kies Air: https://www.samsung.com/my/kies/
Samsung Smart Switch: https://www.samsung.com/us/support/smart-switch-app/
NANO Backup: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nanobackup.android&hl=en
Backup & Restore: http://www.sammobile.com/how-to-backup-restore-your-samsung-galaxy-s4/#comment_404088903
