How to check Android for viruses via computer (PC)

Let's see how you can check and remove viruses on Android through a computer and an antivirus program on it. This kind of thing is needed if you are not sure that your antivirus on your phone works correctly or the virus itself prevents you from installing an antivirus on it.

This article is suitable for all brands that produce phones on Android 9/8/7/6: Samsung, HTC, Lenovo, LG, Sony, ZTE, Huawei, Meizu, Fly, Alcatel, Xiaomi, Nokia and others. We are not responsible for your actions.

Finding and removing Trojans

The most common type of viruses on Android devices are spyware applications, which are popularly called “Trojans”. They anonymously collect information about the owner of the tablet or smartphone (mail addresses, bank card details, passwords, etc.) and then forward it to a specific server.

The main sign of the presence of a Trojan program is considered to be a decrease in the performance of the gadget (this is especially noticeable on weak devices) and increased traffic consumption on the Internet.

To remove a Trojan from an Android device, use the following steps:

• We enable USB debugging on the gadget. This function is located in the “For Developers” section. In some models this section is hidden. To make it visible, you need to go to the “About phone” menu and click on the build number 5 – 6 times.

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• We connect the device to the computer using a USB cable. In the switching settings, select the “Media Transfer Protocol (MTP)” method. In older versions of the Android system, this mode may be called “Storage Mode”.

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• If everything is done correctly, the new storage will appear on the PC in the “Devices and Drives” menu. Now you should run an antivirus program on your computer.

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• For example, when using ESET Smart Security antivirus, open the “PC Scan” menu in the program settings, then “Removable media”.
• Click “All disks”, thereby starting the scan.

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• If malicious objects are detected, we delete them.

How to check Android for spyware

Avast

This antivirus has become one of the most popular in the world. There is a paid and free version. To scan an Android device via a PC, the functionality of the free version is sufficient.

Instructions for Avast antivirus:

How to scan a smartphone with an antivirus installed on a computer

If you care about the security of your smartphone running Android , then you probably use one of the popular anti-virus programs on it like Dr.Web Light or Kaspersky Internet Security . Although, to be honest, mobile antiviruses for Android are almost useless. Not because they are fundamentally unable to detect a threat, but because, firstly, Android itself has a much more effective security system.

Than the same Windows, secondly, all applications and games installed from Google Play are carefully checked.

Publications by companies specializing in computer security about a huge number of malware that are personally targeting your gadget are often nothing more than intimidation of the user in order to convince him to purchase a paid version of an antivirus product from a particular company, hidden or explicitly advertised in the publication. In general, if your smartphone is not rooted, and you do not install everything on it from incomprehensible sites on a “just so it is” principle, you, by and large, do not need an antivirus.

If doubts about the presence of malware on your smartphone still haunt you, which prevents you from scanning it with the antivirus installed on your computer. Although wait, many have tried to do this, but to no avail, the antivirus simply does not see the device connected via USB , even with debugging enabled. Moreover, the connected smartphone is not detected either in the Disk Management snap-in or in Diskpart . Many context menu options are also unavailable for files and directories of the connected device - archiving, sending to other applications, etc.

The reason for this is very simple. When connected to a computer, mobile gadgets are defined not as external drives, but as media devices without a letter, with limited access rights. To access the file system of a smartphone or tablet from a computer, the device must be connected as a network drive, which will help us with the free WebDAV Server , which can be installed from Google Play.

After installing the application, launch it and click the “Start” .

This will start the server and generate a local IP address, usually https://192.168.0.64:8080.

After that, right-click on the “Network” on the Explorer navigation bar and select the “Map network drive” .

In the window that opens, select a letter for the network drive and enter issued by WebDAV Server “Folder” .

Click "Done" to connect.

As a result, the gadget connected to the PC will be identified as a network drive with a letter, and you will be able to scan its contents with an external antivirus, with the exception of those areas that are protected by Root .

General rules for protecting your tablet or smartphone from viruses

The following tips will help protect your Android device from viruses in the future:

• Keep track of what information is offered to you on websites and in letters.
• Use an antivirus.
• Don't root it.
• When choosing an application, pay attention to the number of downloads and reviews.
• Download applications only from the Play Store.

If your mobile device does not have an antivirus, then it is worth installing it to regularly check the gadget for viruses.

How to check Android for viruses via computer (PC)5

TOP 3 applications for checking your smartphone:

The easiest way to check Android for viruses is to download an antivirus application, of which there are plenty on Google Play. The method works on Samsung, Xiaomi, Meizu, Honor, Huawei and other smartphones, regardless of the manufacturer. Although some firmware has a built-in antivirus, we still recommend using third-party applications.

The most important thing in this matter is to choose the right antivirus software, because many of them are rarely updated, leak viruses, or are too resource-intensive. Next we will talk about the best and free antiviruses.

Virus scanning with Google Play Protect

The user can download a special antivirus program from Google - Google Play Protect. It is very popular and accessible to everyone. The work goes on in the background, it is built into the system.

As soon as an object is detected, it is automatically deleted.

In order to use it, you need:

1. Download the defender in Plat Market;
2. After that, add your account to it;
3. Enable background protection.

Software

You can find a lot of software on the Internet aimed at combating malicious code. But here you need to be extremely careful. Some programs may themselves be carriers of viruses and further aggravate your situation.

Experts unanimously advise installing only proven and reliable software from well-known developers. There are not so many of the latter, so the choice, in fact, comes down to just three venerable laboratories - Kaspersky, ESET and Dr. Web".

As a comprehensive and reliable solution to combat the above threats, a good half of advanced users recommend using Kaspersky products and Internet Security in particular. This antivirus will completely save you from problems and properly clean your tablet from malicious code. It works slowly, sometimes it freezes completely, but it does its job as it should.

As for the ESET product, it also does a good job of detecting and eliminating major threats. But a good half of users label him paranoid and alarmist. The antivirus guard works almost on its own, making the user nervous with or without reason. Nevertheless, ESET products, in addition to being good, also quickly cope with the task.

Antivirus solutions from Dr. Web" are also good, but sometimes they miss the banner type of malicious code. There are no complaints about the detection of other types of threats. In addition, products from “Dr. Web" work surprisingly quickly and practically do not load the system. A good half of users note the stability of the system during background scanning, while ESET and Kaspersky load the OS to the fullest and are gluttonous for RAM.

Memory Scan

After all the manipulations described above, the memory of the smartphone connected to the PC will be available for viewing through a file manager and other programs. Having launched the previously installed antivirus, you need to scan the device. To do this, just specify the path to the external storage device - phone memory.

After some time, the scan will be completed, as a result of which a list of detected threats will be displayed on the monitor. As a rule, they are automatically deleted from the phone's memory or quarantined.

If your Android device suffers from programs that are not amenable to the usual removal procedure, you need to use the previously mentioned Android Commander. Using this application, you can control all software installed on your smartphone via your computer. In a special window, you can delete any hidden folders, but here you need to be careful not to affect system files.

Mobile security applications

Smartphones with Android OS are the most common on the planet. It is precisely because of its enormous popularity that this operating system most often becomes a target for infection by virus software. To ensure complete protection and forever forget about checking your smartphone for viruses through your computer, you need to use mobile antiviruses.

They provide 24/7 protection against all kinds of threats . Not only from viruses: for example, from currently popular “miners” that use device resources for their own needs. The presence of such a program will also help maintain the confidentiality of many data. You can enter passwords into a local database, and the system will automatically warn you when they are entered on an unverified and dangerous site.

There were some shortcomings. Many of the applications do not support the Russian language, as they are developed by foreign companies. And also, most often they are distributed through a paid subscription or have built-in (verified and safe) advertising.

Avast Mobile Security

Avast is an international veteran of antivirus software. No one was surprised when a mobile version of a popular and effective antivirus appeared. Even though this application is free, its functionality is simply enormous.

Avast can block unwanted calls and protect against spam . The most notable feature is the anti-theft function. If the phone is lost or stolen, the owner can activate it from another device, and all data on the lost gadget will be erased or preserved making it impossible to hack.

Another useful feature of this antivirus is the application blocking mode . That is, the user will be able to set a password for any application he uses, for example, instant messenger or online banking. This will prevent malware from accessing this data.

AhnLab V3 Mobile Security

This South Korean antivirus product is not so popular, but has already managed to win the attention and recognition of experts for its capabilities. It is distinguished by its high efficiency in finding and eliminating dangerous programs. And because it works great on old and low-power smartphones and cell phones.

But these are not the only useful and interesting features. The antivirus gives the user the opportunity to create hidden galleries for photos and pictures, clear browsing history and activity in browsers and applications. It also has an analogue of the “anti-theft ” function, which includes an alarm for a smartphone, tracking its location, blocking access and erasing data.

This antivirus is distributed through a paid subscription, but users can test all the functionality of the program in a ten-day trial mode.

Method 4: Google Play Protect

Android OS has built-in anti-malware protection - Google Play Protect. This is a passive antivirus, the quality of which leaves much to be desired, as confirmed by the results of AV-Test. At the same time, the system is regularly improved, and with it the benefits.

Google Play Protect works in the background. If the Internet is available, installed applications are checked once a day. A similar check is performed during the installation of the program via Google Play. If malicious code is detected, the installation will stop. In practice, this rarely occurs or does not happen at all.

To use Google Play Protect, you just need to add a Google account to your mobile device. Then go to the application store. Call up the hidden panel on the left and select “Play protection”. Information about the current status of the device will appear in a new window.

How to remove a virus from Android?

To remove a virus from a phone or tablet, you must first check it using one of the methods suggested above. It is advisable to use special applications from the Play Market for this - these programs are most likely to detect threats on a smartphone.

If a virus is found, you need to do the following (depending on the scanning method):

• Mobile antiviruses usually automatically delete infected files. When a suspicious document is detected, the program notifies the owner of the gadget and asks him to decide what to do. For example, ESET antivirus gives you a choice: delete the file or leave it untouched. To clean, click “Remove”.

• When scanning via a PC (using Malwarebytes), after the scan is completed, you need to click “Quarantine selected objects” to get rid of viruses. If any of the suspicious documents need to be left on the phone, you will need to uncheck the boxes next to their names.

• Online scanning only allows you to find out whether a particular file is infected. The Android owner must manually remove such documents from the smartphone’s memory.

Security measures

You cannot be 100% sure that your device is pristine. Regular checks have never hurt anyone. It is recommended to scan all applications monthly to prevent system problems.

Take some precautions. They will help you avoid random third-party attacks:

• Install on your tablet computer only software from proven, reliable sources. For Android devices, the most trusted one is the official free app store Google Play.

• Under each specific application, users leave feedback about their use in practice. Take the time to check out a few of them. You should be wary of irritated statements about the frequent appearance of spam on the device after downloading new software.
• Check and clean your tablet regularly. Download and install a special antivirus program for various types of mobile devices. The following security programs have the best reputation - Dr. Web, Avast, Kaspersky (buy), Esed NOD. Update your antivirus utility periodically.

Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes is a utility that is used to find and remove malware, spyware, rootkits and advertising banners. The program has the ability to integrate the application into the context menu to scan files at the request of users, as well as the ability to analyze the system in real time.

The program is compatible with the Windows operating system (32/64 bit) and translated into Russian. A trial version is available for download, and a Malwarebytes license costs $40 for 1 year.

After launching the application, you need to go to the “Scan” section and select “Custom Scan”. This tool allows users to manually select partitions to scan.

Next, you need to click “Set up scanning”. A new window will open in which you need to check the section with the smartphone. On the left side of the window, users can configure device scanning settings. We also have the option to run a phone scan on a schedule.

To start scanning, you need to click the “Start scan” button. Once the process is complete, Malwarebytes will offer to remove or quarantine all detected malware.

• the ability to use the utility for free;
• convenient interface with Russian language support;
• a tool for running scheduled scans;
• View detailed scan reports on your PC and other devices.

• There is no function to improve system performance.

Infection methods

Attackers use different methods to force the user to download virus software on their own, attracting with “free cheese” or fueling interest in other ways, so the most common infection is as a result of the actions of the device owner. Common causes of infection are:

• Lack of installed anti-virus software, old update databases;
• "Surfing" on sites. Exploring the depths of the Internet for different purposes, it is quite possible to catch an “infection”, while it is not at all necessary to visit resources with “18+” content; there are enough viruses on portals with completely harmless topics;
• Downloading software from dubious sites;
• Launching unknown programs from unofficial resources;
• Data exchange via open channels (Bluetooth, public Wi-fi).

Virus programs do not necessarily have the extension “.apk” and are registered in the downloads folder, where they are easy to find and neutralize. There are many modifications of viruses, the most insidious of them can hide under the guise of system processes and files, as well as useful applications, and it is difficult to find a well-disguised pest.

By the way, in most cases, the installed antivirus still warns the user about a possible danger, but not everyone can cope with the desire to download something if they already have it in mind and leave the page. In addition, security software often mistakes hacked applications for malware, so many people ignore the defender’s scolding and download the files anyway. Well, who wouldn’t want to get cracked programs for free with features that are only available in paid versions of the software? Many users sin by downloading unofficial applications and interesting “goodies”, risking bringing trouble to the device system, which is successfully exploited by attackers.

Often it becomes immediately clear to the user when the system has caught a virus, but in some cases the pest does not manifest itself at first. In addition, users are often not very attentive to what is happening in the device’s system, and by the time traces of sabotage are discovered, enough time will have passed for the virus program to achieve its goal. Let's figure out how to determine whether there is a threat from parasites and what to do if your Android tablet or smartphone still catches a virus.

Additional Information

• Unfortunately, there are viruses that over time eat into the file system of the device so deeply that it is impossible to eradicate them with any antivirus and it is better to prevent them from entering the device. They are called " worms " or " worms "
• They consume system resources, occupy RAM and load the processor to such an extent that the device begins to slow down catastrophically and overheat. You can get rid of them only by reinstalling the operating system
• Also, for a better and more in-depth scan of the device, you should scan it with several antiviruses, since they all have their own databases and one antivirus can detect an infection that another could not detect
• It is recommended to use Kaspersky Anti-Virus , Dr. Web and Eset Nod32

Administrator rights

Is the tablet still buggy, slow and takes a long time to load? More radical measures will be required. I recommend performing more serious manipulations that can find and neutralize hidden ransomware. The Android Commander utility can really help. It automatically transfers you to “superuser” status, giving you the right to work with basic software and perform deep scans. With its help, you can seamlessly copy, sort and move folders from Lenovo portable devices to your desktop PC.

1. In the market, find and install the Android Commander program on your PC
2. Connect the tablet via USB cable and activate storage mode
3. In the My Computer menu, find the third-party device
4. Scan it through your computer and destroy infected files
5. You can remove standard software that is detected by an antivirus program as malicious only using Android Commander
6. Clear clogged cache and browser data.

The right to deep administration can be a cruel joke for a novice user. In order to take full advantage of all the capabilities of the permitting utility, you must have sufficient knowledge in the field of using IT developments. In addition, this software may request Root rights on Android. All Samsung tablet holders can get them from the official Samsung website. For devices of other brands, for example Lenovo, there are many other universal utilities for obtaining Root rights. Why are they needed, you ask? In order to have full access to all main folders on the computer with the ability to change them.

How to check your phone for defects?

Here are two basic codes that can be used on most Android smartphones

: *#0*# (hidden diagnostic menu): Some smartphones come with a full diagnostic menu. From there, you can run a scan of at least some of the phone's hardware.

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Symptoms of a virus infection on an Android device

Virus programs manifest themselves in different ways, depending on their purpose, and if you observe one or more signs of their activity on your tablet or smartphone, you need to urgently take steps to get rid of the “infection.” The following phenomena can indicate the presence of malware on an Android device:

• System performance deterioration. The device slows down, starts up slowly, the response time to commands, including when launching applications, has increased significantly, lack of response to some actions;
• Slowness of the browser, low speed of downloading files;
• Spontaneous deletion of files from the device’s memory or their movement or editing. If it is noticed that photos, videos or other elements disappear, are found not where they were before, that is, actions are performed without user participation, it means that the device has acquired excessive independence precisely thanks to viruses;
• The appearance of unknown applications;
• Spontaneously making calls, sending messages;
• Withdrawing money from a mobile account for no apparent reason;
• Loss of funds from a bank account or wallets;
• Requests for access to the camera, memory or Internet connection, administrator rights, etc.;
• Blocking the launch of the OS of a tablet or other Android device, regular crashes, shutdowns and other system “glitches”;
• Blocking access to user data, individual elements or system settings;
• The appearance of pop-up windows, banners with advertising;
• Increased battery consumption.

If there is even the slightest suspicion of the presence of virus programs, or even the device “lives its own life,” you must immediately check it for viruses. Next, let's look at how this can be done.

How to protect yourself

Many users are interested in whether it is possible to create a virus on Android themselves. In order to do this, you must have an understanding of programming and knowledge of the operating principles of the operating shell. In addition, when deciding to create malware, do not forget that this is a criminal offense. But don't let viruses or malware scare you. On Android there are many applications to protect your device, so-called antiviruses, in addition, you can protect yourself using additional manipulations or precautions to ensure reliability, including data transfer via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.