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Bizzare problem

M

minuvweyna

Lurker
I have an HTC One S, which started downloading and installing random apps from the Play Store last night. I downloaded Avast, hoping it might clear what I can only assume is a virus (I've not downloaded any apps or done anything other than browse facebook or the Guardian for a while, so no idea where I'd have picked one up). I've run the android update, which became available a couple days ago, as it seemed to have stopped, but now today it is back to downloading random crap from the Play Store.

The only way I seem to be able to stop it doing this is to turn off wifi and mobile data. I've set the Play Store to only download over wifi, but it still downloads over mobile data if the wifi is off.

Help! I'd like to be able to use the internet on my phone, but at this rate I'd have to give up using it that way, as it would run through my data in a morning, I'd think! Plus I'm getting rather sick of having to uninstall loads of gambling, game, notebook and other random stuff I don't want.

Thanks for any advice.

Elle
 
it does appear to be a virus, though i cant say how to eliminate it. and on a side note, i have had issues with avast security wise before.
 
minuvweyna said:
Is there a better anti-virus to try? I just grabbed Avast because I had heard of them.
Click to expand...
i tried norton, but even on the android, there still resource hungry
theres another one with a green shield that was pretty good, but i cant remember the name. ill research, run a few tests, and get back with you. hopefully some other members here can help you. i gave up on antivirus when i started doing regular nandroid backups. something goes wrong, i just wipe and restore lol. also if you have not rooted your phone and flashed clockwork, i highly suggest it. you could easily download the stock rom (if avaliable), wipe, and reinstall it squeaky clean, which is the easiest fix i can think of at the moment.
 
It's not a virus, they don't exist on Android in the traditional sense :)

It sounds like you've downloaded an app that uses some nefarious advertising mechanism to install shortcuts (not apps) on your home screen.

What have you downloaded recently? Anything immediately before this issue started happening?

Have a look here: http://androidforums.com/showthread.php?p=4602115

That thread should give you some tips on finding out the app that's causing it.
 
I've not downloaded anything recently (not for a month or so). The thing that seems to have stopped it is disabling the play store, which makes me think it's actually really downloading things.

I'm figuring a factory reset is the only option. Then reinstall only the most basic apps and hope I don't "catch" it again.

Starting to miss the days of the basic phone - this seems more hassle than it's really worth to read a little news and check facebook during my morning commute...
 
If a device is causing more trouble than its worth then definately get rid of it mate but tbh, what youre describing is very very rare (1st time ive ever heard of it) and a factory reset and/or a reflash will fix it. Have you only installed apps downloaded from Play Store? (Android wont 'catch' malware by browsing websites, you would have to actively choose to download and install a dodgy app)
 
Your phone should have a factory reset function.
You can also do it at start up with button sequence. Check the net for how.
 
Since a reset would do that anyway, I’d just uninstall everything that’s been installed – one of them opened the door for the trash. Then reinstall them one by one, checking as you go along. I also recommend AppBrain Ad Detector to help detect enemies. But I don’t recommend an AV app, unless you have more room than you know what to do with.
 
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