Potential Virus Issue from Sketchy App

[gifttothecity]

Hello all,

I've had my Samsung Galaxy S3 for some time now without any problems. I've only ever downloaded apps from the Google Play store, and that has worked out well for me; however, my friend told me to try out the Fake-A-Call app because she has it on her iPhone and it made her laugh. Stupidly, I took her word for it and downloaded it right away. It made my screen shake and the app kept closing. I uninstalled it pretty much instantly and the problem went away for a couple hours, but returned a few times later that night. I checked the reviews for the app and a few mentioned that their antivirus software warned them that it was a threat/virus. That's when I started to worry/panic.

I ran avast, norton, lookout and AVG - all four said there were no viruses, but I decided to do a factory reset at this point, just to be safe. I'm quite the paranoid person

The shaking, freezing screen hasn't happened since the reset, but I still have a few questions:

1. What is the likelihood that there was a virus from the app and it is now on my SIM card? Should I get a new one as I wasn't able to reformat/clear the old one? I'm super worried about malware and malicious intent...

2. What anti-virus software is best for this type of thing - avast, AVG, norton or lookout?

3. Is there anything else I should do?

 

[gtbarry]

Like you I only download from the Play Store - with very rare exceptions being free app of the day from Amazon App Store.

In both cases, I read more than a dozen reviews for the app until I see a pattern. A pattern of good or a pattern of bad. And that decides it for me.

Then I read permissions and see if they make sense.

 

[gifttothecity]

Yeah, I'm definitely going to be reading the permissions more carefully next time...

Do you think I should be worried about anything coming from this incident? Or is it likely the factory reset took care of it?

 

[Samsung Use i]

I think the anti viruses said it was a virus because they don't protect your phone only from viruses but from ADWARE too.

Also the shaking seemed to be just force closes. Nothing hurtful.

And i would not worry anymore. I think your phone won't kill you while you sleep lol...

Don't panic over small things.. if you ran a bunch of anti virus, factory reseted your phone and it still infected then that is some strong virus..

Final point: YOUR GOOD BRO.DON'T PANIC

C:

 

[gtbarry]

I agree that you are probably good after the factory reset.

Anti-virus is good peace of mind moving forward for you. But I personally don't find it necessary. I know it's a little arrogant. But, there are safe guards in the Play Store, I trust the masses in the reviews and I believe I know what to look for in permissions. I could be wrong, but so far I have not been. But maybe that just means I am due.

Also, if you are on 4.3 - you can download one of the Permission Managers that utilizes App Ops (a function of Android 4.3). It allows you the ability to remove individual permissions per app.