{"id":9831,"date":"2018-12-17T13:00:42","date_gmt":"2018-12-17T21:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/?p=9831"},"modified":"2023-03-21T20:58:01","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T03:58:01","slug":"how-to-purify-your-device-after-clicking-a-phishing-link","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-purify-your-device-after-clicking-a-phishing-link\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Rid of Viruses on iOS &amp; Android"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you think of viruses, it\u2019s easy to pigeonhole them to desktop computers. After all, they were the bane of the new millennium. Does anyone remember MyDoom, the mass mailer virus responsible for distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks throughout 2004?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The point is, for a long time<strong> your computer was the only device you needed to worry about <\/strong>when it came to viruses and other malware, but not anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>But smartphones have made way for clever, more intrusive malware<\/strong>. Spyware, trojans, rootkits, and more are <strong>just as dangerous for mobile devices as they are for PCs<\/strong>. We constantly download apps, pictures, and files to our phones. We check our emails and access sensitive accounts like banking or medical records on public networks, without a second thought.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, how do you protect yourself against malware and what do you do if it\u2019s already on your mobile device? Keep reading to discover ways to<strong> prevent malware from crippling your system<\/strong> and how to<strong> get rid of viruses on your iPhone and Android<\/strong> devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #d5dde3; padding: 15px; border-radius: 10px; width: 500px;\">\n<h4>Table of Contents<\/h4>\n<a href=\"#get\">Yes, Your iOS &amp; Android Devices Can Get Viruses\n<\/a><br>\n<section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#susceptible\">Which OS is More Susceptible to Viruses?<\/a><\/section>\n  <section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#tell\">How Can I Tell if My Device Has a Virus?<\/a><\/section>\n<a href=\"#preventative\">Preventative Maintenance \u2014 How To Avoid Viruses\n<\/a><br>\n  <section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#trusted\">Only Download Apps From Trusted Services<\/a><\/section>\n  <section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#reviews\">Pay Attention to User Reviews &amp; Download Numbers<\/a><\/section>\n  <section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#install\">Install A VPN\n<\/a><\/section>\n  <section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#permissions\">Check Permissions Requests &amp; Data Practices<\/a><\/section>\n  <section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#suspicious\">Don\u2019t Open Suspicious Emails<\/a><\/section>\n  <section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#regularly\">Update your OS &amp; Apps Regularly\n<\/a><\/section>\n  <section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#sensitive\">Use Caution Accessing Sensitive Accounts On Public Wi-Fi<\/a><\/section>\n  <a href=\"#infected\">What to Do if Your Device Is Already Infected<\/a><br>\n<section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#delete\">Delete Suspicious Apps<\/a><\/section>\n  <section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#clear\">Clear App Caches &amp; Browsing History\n<\/a><\/section>\n  <section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#perform\">Perform a Complete Power Down\n<\/a><\/section>\n  <section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#restore\">Restore Your Device From a Safe Backup<\/a><\/section>\n  <section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#factory\">Restore Your Device to Factory Settings\n<\/a><\/section>\n<a href=\"#stop\">Stop Putting Your Phone at Risk<\/a><br>\n  <a href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a><br>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"get\"><strong>Yes, Your iOS &amp; Android Devices Can Get Viruses<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In February 2022, researchers at Proofpoint noticed a 500% spike in malware delivery attempts to mobile devices in Europe alone. But honestly, <strong>the problem is global. Plenty of mobile malware options are available to cybercriminals<\/strong>, including spyware, trojans, rootkits, ransomware, and logic bombs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/yayU2S3P_GPnDW9JLqUdrZXH_lhyTfmRcf6zSWlEmLYY-iHwpmIpFnzQJWSlzTs5f-QW2iKJmww5tcGL6qh1c8hh3NedI8ec8ki3Ky-090oLv9eRbUg5i6nQDRHaoDuRN7oRedDVPul4JrnSgdQrems\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Your computer isn\u2019t the only device you risk getting a virus on, mobile malware is on the rise.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each type of malware is disruptive in its own way, and <strong>many mobile varieties put your device in serious jeopardy<\/strong>. I find the logic bomb the most alarming, as it\u2019s programmed into software or systems by someone during development.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Logic bombs have a practical, ethical use as a fail-safe to secure data if an unauthorized individual accesses a network, system, or device. When jilted developers use it as malware, the intent is to cripple a device or system for some gain \u2014 whether personal or financial.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"susceptible\"><strong>Which OS is More Susceptible to Viruses?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Android users may have more freedom <\/strong>to sideload apps and download third-party app stores, <strong>but it generally makes them more susceptible to malware<\/strong>. Sure, the ban on side loading when using iOS is annoying, as is the fact you can only download apps from the Apple App Store.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But these precautions are in place (at least in part) to protect you from malware and viruses. <strong>iOS\u2019s App Store and Google Play Store say they perform quality control on all apps, but many backdoor apps still make it through<\/strong>, mostly because a lot of cybercriminals design them to work as intended. Under the guise of a weather app or wi-fi finder app that does exactly what it says, malicious parties can also add a backdoor for themselves, a backdoor that doesn\u2019t have to be used until way after you install the software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you get too excited, <strong>your iOS device isn\u2019t immune to malware<\/strong>. Just because it\u2019s less likely to get a virus, it doesn\u2019t mean you aren\u2019t at risk. You still have email and SMS malware to contend with, in addition to the buggy or dodgy apps sneaking by quality control during the vetting process.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Many iOS users perform jailbreaks on their phones<\/strong>, allowing them to download and use software otherwise unavailable to the system. What you may not realize is <strong>this also makes your iOS device more vulnerable to malware<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tell\"><strong>How Can I Tell if My Device Has a Virus?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Devices with virus or malware infections are sometimes easy to spot. One of the main indicators is <strong>unexplained data usage<\/strong> when you haven\u2019t increased your screen time, or <strong>random pop-ups when you aren\u2019t using a browser<\/strong>. Let\u2019s take a look at more <a href=\"#infected\">alarm bells signaling an infected device<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mysterious apps<\/strong>: Unfamiliar apps you know you didn\u2019t install can be a sign of trackers or other spyware.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bill increases<\/strong>: Some malware sends messages to premium services, which can be charged to your account (especially if you have a limited data plan).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Worse than usual performance<\/strong>: In addition to a device being outdated or cluttered, uninvited malware can be a reason for depleted resources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Battery issues<\/strong>: In relation to the above point, an overly hot battery or one draining quickly could be a sign your device is infected with malware.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Crashing apps<\/strong>: Apps do crash once in a while, but an app constantly crashing is buggy.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=viruses_iphone_android\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\"> Protect Your Phone<\/button><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"preventative\"><strong>Preventative Maintenance \u2014 How To Avoid Viruses<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of worrying about how to get rid of viruses on your iPhone and other mobile devices after the fact, <strong>get proactive<\/strong>. Exercise caution and perform some, or all, of the preventative maintenance options below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"trusted\"><strong>Only Download Apps from Trusted Services<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ve likely heard most malware comes from app stores, whether official or third-party. While this is true, the risk of malware is higher with unvetted app sources. You can find third-party app stores with vetting processes, but whenever possible <strong>only download apps from official app stores<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019ll never get malware from these sources, but <strong>downloading from a vetted source decreases your risk<\/strong>. You can also keep these general rules in mind when it comes to downloading from trustworthy sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Never download apps from sites without SSL (Hint: The URL will contain https:\/\/).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Never click a link to a download or URL from an email if the source isn\u2019t verified\/known to you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Never click on third-party apps on other websites \u2014 always download from the source\/developer website and only if it uses SSL.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"reviews\"><strong>Pay Attention to User Reviews &amp; Download Numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apps with higher download numbers have been tested by more ordinary users like you and me. While magazine and site reviews are excellent resources, <strong>it\u2019s more comforting knowing other everyday users like and trust an app<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just keep in mind <strong>not every five-star review denotes value, and not every two-star review means an app is buggy<\/strong>. It may be hard to believe, but some people get paid to write rave reviews on new apps. Conversely, review \u2018trolls\u2019 exist solely to discredit an app or service \u2014 and are also paid to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While looking through reviews, don\u2019t worry about things like perfect grammar, spelling, or punctuation. Instead, look for value. <strong>A valuable review will always have both positive and negative aspects<\/strong> of an app or service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"install\"><strong>Get A VPN<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A VPN <strong>hides your online activity from prying eyes, providing a secure connection<\/strong> \u2014 even over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/wifi-vpn\">public Wi-F<\/a>i networks like hotspots. VPNs also use ultra-secure encryption methods to mask your traffic, so if a cybercriminal does intercept your data, it\u2019s unreadable. When you connect to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/vpn-server\">VPN server<\/a>, your true IP address is hidden, making your activity harder to track.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A premium VPN like <strong>PIA uses some of the best AES encryption methods. <\/strong>Whether you stick with default 128-bit or go for military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, <strong>your encrypted data is unreadable<\/strong>. We also use RAM-only servers to ensure your session data is never stored.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The PIA MACE blocker prevents <strong>access to sites known for hosting malware<\/strong>, so you can browse confidently. The list of known malicious sites is <strong>updated as new threats appear <\/strong>to provide the most up-to-date security protection available. Preventing viruses on iOS and Android is easier than ever with PIA \u2014 for just a small fee, you can include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/antivirus\">antivirus protection<\/a> in your plan.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #d9d2e9; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <h3>How to Install PIA on iOS &amp; Android Devices<\/h3><br>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: none\">\u2705 <strong>Step 1:<\/strong> Download the PIA app for your device.<\/ul>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: none\">\u2705 <strong>Step 2:<\/strong> Install the VPN and connect to a server.<\/ul>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: none\">\u2705 <strong>Step 3:<\/strong> Enjoy secure access to the internet anywhere.<\/ul>\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=viruses_iphone_android\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\"> Get PIA VPN<\/button><\/a>\n <p><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"permissions\"><strong>Check Permissions Requests &amp; Data Practices\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apple App Store and Google Play Store have made it much easier to review important privacy requirements like data practices and permissions requests. Follow the instructions below to <strong>find and check permissions requests and data practices for iOS and Android<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #93c47d; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <p>How to Check Data Practices &amp; Permissions on Android<\/p>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/GEAcO0yoDF6we13o9KLjqL6rwApoWMB2eP5A-9sMNs1mrRWo9CFHw69WLDpFWbEXtF9XhORGhdsZdMXwhPIpMBbL9qLMiEAkQPx4sbvJBcs3uNWjMk2_EDlVJwEB1OGLHtYqzm7GWJoVtgtHwm1T8Rk\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">It\u2019s easy to find data safety and app\u00a0permissions for Google Play Store apps.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <li>Open <strong><em>Google Play Store<\/em><\/strong> on your Android device and <strong>click on the app you want to install.<\/strong><\/li><br>\n  <li>Scroll down to <strong><em>Data Safety<\/em><\/strong> to see what type of data the app shares and collects.<\/li><br>\n  <li>Once you\u2019ve read through, <strong>click on the blue<\/strong> <strong><em>See details<\/em><\/strong> link beneath data collection practices.<\/li><br>\n  <li>In the <strong><em>Details<\/em><\/strong> window, scroll down to <strong><em>App permissions<\/em><\/strong> and<strong> click on the blue <\/strong><strong><em>See more<\/em><\/strong> link to review the permissions the app requests<\/li>\n <p><\/p><\/div> <br><br>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #f9cb9c; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <p>How to Check Data Practices on iOS<\/p>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/J1i7lU204o3vAtSD7fUcHA2nn0orxcn-_wb86UAck-XXG7i4dXQjv_ZbpmiBgiccIDonrtmRvvt9SFJidI0ePsAEzN0X_UPWaKex1eJcEZSeiuIC4IX6r1-qm01Ggl723C5AYIoP4_F2NGZNFAz9_Lc\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">iOS provides in-depth information about the types of data apps collect and use.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <li>Open the <strong><em>Apple App Store<\/em><\/strong> on your iOS device and <strong>click on the app you want to install.<\/strong><\/li><br>\n  <li>Scroll down to <strong><em>App Privacy<\/em><\/strong> to see what data the app collects and uses.<\/li><br>\n  <li>Once you\u2019ve read through, <strong>click the blue <\/strong><strong><em>See Details<\/em><\/strong><strong> link<\/strong> directly to the right of App Privacy for more information.<\/li><br>\n  <li>Permissions are currently only accessible after installing the app. The following directions show you how to check and alter app permissions on iOS:\u00a0<\/li><br>\n <li><strong><em>Settings<\/em><\/strong> &gt; <strong><em>Privacy <\/em><\/strong>&gt; <strong>Select the app<\/strong> you want to check permissions for &gt; <strong>Turn permission off by toggling the button next to it.<\/strong><\/li>\n  \n <p><\/p><\/div> <br><br>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"suspicious\"><strong>Don\u2019t Open Suspicious Emails or Texts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If you haven\u2019t signed up for a promotional email, text, newsletter, or notification<\/strong>, or entered an online contest for a store or app,<strong> don\u2019t open<\/strong> it. If you must open it out of curiosity (been there) <strong>don\u2019t click on any of the links<\/strong> it contains, as you\u2019ll only receive more spam and potentially something worse \u2014 like malware or a virus.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Luckily, most of these emails and texts make it easy to spot a potential threat. Look for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Emails from major retailers like Amazon, Temu, or Home Depot from unusual addresses, like Gmail accounts (usually, they\u2019re do-not-reply).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Email or text alerts from unverified senders (they could be spam).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Notifications you won $1 million but need to pay $500 to get it, or are asked for any amount of money to get a prize.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Urgent language in all caps like \u201cACT IMMEDIATELY or IMPORTANT READ NOW\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Massive spelling errors and unusual greetings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Texts or emails from major government offices like the IRS, SSA, or FBI requesting information (these offices won\u2019t text or email you asking for PII).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A sudden text from your bank or credit card claiming fraudulent activity (this is a situation where it\u2019s better to just call your financial institution if you\u2019re unsure).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any text or email requiring you to call immediately or face account suspension, then asking you to pay through an untraceable form of payment like a gift card or by mailing cash.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some of these tell-tale signs are more like gigantic bonfires, but <strong>you\u2019d be surprised just how many people are affected by spam links<\/strong> and how big the problem is. According to statistics from 99FIRMS, <strong>Gmail alone blocks well over 100 million phishing emails a day<\/strong>. Worse yet, 94% of all malware is delivered via email.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avoiding emails from unknown senders is a major step in preventing malware from getting on your iOS or Android device, but what if you already clicked on a suspicious link? No worries, we know <strong>what to do if you clicked a malware link<\/strong>. Check out a few of these easy fixes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: none\">\ud83d\udd12 Delete the email and clear your email trash immediately.<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: none\">\ud83d\udd12 Clear temporary device files and browsing history.<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: none\">\ud83d\udd12 Run a system health check and follow recommendations.<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: none\"><li>\ud83d\udd12 Power your phone down and turn it back on (not a restart)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"regularly\"><strong>Update your OS &amp; Apps Regularly<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most major mobile devices and apps provide regular updates to fix security issues and glitches in the software. <strong>Keeping your system and apps current is one of the best ways to reduce your risk<\/strong> of getting viruses and spyware.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sensitive\"><strong>Use Caution Accessing Sensitive Accounts On Public Wi-Fi<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s always better to <strong>access accounts containing sensitive personal information over a private network connection<\/strong>. This includes banking, shopping, medical, and insurance services among others. Access to your home network is limited to those you allow to use it, especially if you make it private by requiring a password or code for access \u2014 you control the traffic flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured<\/strong> and anyone with a Wi-Fi-enabled device can connect to them, so <strong>you have no control over who could be watching<\/strong>. If you absolutely must access these accounts over public Wi-Fi, or while using your mobile network, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=viruses_iphone_android\"><strong>use PIA<\/strong><\/a> to protect yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=viruses_iphone_android\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\"> Stay Safe on Public WiFi<\/button><\/a>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"infected\"><strong>What To Do If Your Device Is Already Infected<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>First, don\u2019t panic<\/strong>. You don\u2019t need to replace your phone right away \u2014 in many cases it\u2019s still salvageable. <strong>Simple security checks, maintenance, and other quick fixes can remedy most malware infections<\/strong> \u2014 but where to start? We\u2019ve got you covered with helpful tips showing you how to get rid of viruses on your iPhone and other mobile devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"delete\"><strong>Delete Suspicious Apps<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you don\u2019t remember installing an app, you probably didn\u2019t. <strong>When you find suspicious apps <\/strong>you know didn\u2019t come pre-installed on your iOS or Android device, or you didn\u2019t download, it\u2019s better to just <strong>uninstall them<\/strong>. Don\u2019t worry if you accidentally delete an app you need, a factory reset will bring it back \u2014 it\u2019s better to be safe than sorry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"clear\"><strong>Clear App Caches &amp; Browsing History<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You don\u2019t need to clear the app cache for every app on your device, just the apps you use regularly. Aside from clearing up space on your device, which is never a bad thing, <strong>clearing your app caches and browsing history<\/strong> <strong>can fix many malware-related issues<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It can rectify loading issues on websites, helps your device run at optimal levels, and potentially fix problems with apps freezing. Luckily, <strong>it only takes a few simple steps on both iOS and Android<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #f9cb9c; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <p><strong>iOS Instructions<\/strong><\/p>\n  <p><strong>Apps<\/strong>: <em>Settings<\/em> &gt; <em>Apps <\/em>&gt; Click on an app &gt; <em>Storage<\/em> &gt; <em>Clear Cache<\/em> &gt; Repeat for each app<strong>Safari<\/strong>: <em>Settings<\/em> &gt; <em>Safari<\/em> &gt; <em>Clear History and Website Data<\/em> &gt; Confirm<\/p>\n  \n <p><\/p><\/div> <br><br>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #93c47d; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <p><strong>Android Instructions<\/strong><\/p>\n  <p><strong>Apps<\/strong>: <em>Settings<\/em> &gt; <em>Apps<\/em> &gt; Click on an app &gt; <em>Storage<\/em> &gt; <em>Clear Cache<\/em> &gt; Repeat for each app<strong>Chrome<\/strong>: Open <em>Chrome<\/em> &gt; Click the <em>Menu button<\/em> (three vertical dots) &gt; <em>History<\/em> &gt; <em>Clear browsing data<\/em> &gt; <em>Advanced<\/em> &gt; Choose <em>All time<\/em> from the <em>Time range <\/em>dropdown menu &gt; Select what you\u2019d like to delete &gt;<em> Clear data<\/em> &gt; <em>Clear<\/em><\/p>\n  \n <p><\/p><\/div> <br><br>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"perform\"><strong>Perform a Complete Power Down<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A restart isn\u2019t the same as a complete power down, and <strong>sometimes simply powering your device on and off is enough to resolve the issue<\/strong>. To power off your Android device completely (for most OS versions), hold the power button until a <em>Power off<\/em> icon appears on the screen, then press it. On newer Android devices like the Galaxy S22, powering off the device is a bit different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #93c47d; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <p>How to Power Off Newer Android Devices<\/p>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/NPhBhomsndVhlstcpDCzGsmCeKzF0RsiqcqEF522YO5-kvpNkzVGiw05kyw-72ZQj8xDsx7Vpd6QQeGfQt9A_ZFHpowIN9opadP4R5nxu5SXpjIDcobDrrMlcEHf_nS2ZI8iMSDYSQHYKf8ZBLQJzIo\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Several newer Android devices like the Galaxy S22 don\u2019t use a physical button to shut down.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <li>Use your finger to <strong>pull down on the top of your device screen until you see a menu<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li><br>\n  <li>Then<strong> pull down from the top one more time<\/strong><\/li><br>\n  <li>You\u2019ll see a <strong><em>Power <\/em><\/strong><strong>icon<\/strong> in the upper right corner next to the <em>Settings <\/em>icon<\/li><br>\n  <li><strong>Click on the <\/strong><strong><em>Power <\/em><\/strong><strong>icon<\/strong><\/li><br>\n  <li>When prompted, <strong>click on the <\/strong><strong><em>Power off <\/em><\/strong><strong>icon<\/strong> to shut your device down<\/li>\n\n  \n <p><\/p><\/div> <br><br>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For iOS devices, hold the power button<\/strong> until you see a <strong><em>Power button<\/em><\/strong> toggle switch saying<strong> <\/strong><strong><em>Slide to power off<\/em><\/strong>. Slide it to the right, and <strong>wait for the device to shut down<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both iOS and Android give you the option to restart your device in<em> Safe Mode<\/em> as well. However,\u00a0 the process varies by the OS version you\u2019re using, so it\u2019s best to check with the manufacturer to get the specific method for your device and OS.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Using safe mode is an excellent option for more in-depth virus and malware removal,<\/strong> without allowing the harmful software to damage your device further. This is because<strong> safe mode only uses the resources necessary for the device to function<\/strong> and nothing else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"restore\"><strong>Restore Your Device from a Safe Backup<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do you remember the last time your iOS or Android device worked properly? If so, and if you created backups, <strong>you can reset your device to a safe restore point<\/strong>. Restoring from a backup is usually effective for smaller glitches, trackers, and spyware. However, a total factory reset is better for removing a full-blown virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"factory\"><strong>Restore Your Device to Factory Settings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A factory reset <strong>wipes your phone completely, leaving only preinstalled device software.<\/strong> You will need to re-add everything, including your account information, contacts, and apps.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Before you perform a factory reset, back up your contacts and account passwords<\/strong> to a secure storage solution (e.g. Google Drive or iCloud) to make it easy to transfer them to your device again. <strong>Don\u2019t back up apps<\/strong>, as you can always download them again. Besides, you could end up reinstalling the problem app in the process, so bulk downloading isn\u2019t the best idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #f9cb9c; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <p>How to Perform A Reset on iOS Devices<\/p>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/ftPkoJQ68KHmPVF2sHs0KYera75Ynqi46UXwOV3rG3vvp3GvoJVuiL6qMITpsBuTXMlgfvXu96sY2zjpMWvfNSzI2JYy6vtZNl89ZW_ewmXGRJXCDeRmQKlPCxHjSW1QXRZLV62uz11d_2YNXO0ggDc\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A complete reset restores your iPhone to factory settings.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <li>Open <strong><em>Settings<\/em><\/strong> and click on <strong><em>General<\/em><\/strong><\/li><br>\n  <li>Scroll to the bottom of the window and click on <strong><em>Transfer or Reset iPhone<\/em><\/strong> (or iPad)<\/li><br>\n  <li>Click on the blue <strong><em>Reset<\/em><\/strong><strong> link<\/strong> at the bottom of the window and follow the prompts<\/li>\n\n  \n <p><\/p><\/div> <br><br>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #93c47d; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <p>How to Perform A Reset on Android Devices<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/bQD069FKa55UnVHaySJdxry9iG_NcYhPmwspjKCVubXVMqWeiKjOc_vKz9uyryO0BreeeCFajsfX3HuzovL-QmXqjcoe6Nyse2LUoO7BsECILJnfO0IcD-vw-KjSy-cdu9HwQdiaOHwxIgrNyVZxwBo\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">After you reset your Android phone, you\u2019ll have a clean slate.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <li>Open <strong><em>Settings<\/em><\/strong> and click on <strong><em>Accounts and backup<\/em><\/strong><\/li><br>\n  <li>Under <strong><em>Looking for something else<\/em><\/strong> click on the blue <strong><em>Reset<\/em><\/strong> <strong>link<\/strong><\/li><br>\n  <li>Click <strong><em>Factory data reset<\/em><\/strong> and follow the prompts<\/li>\n\n  \n <p><\/p><\/div> <br><br>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"stop\"><strong>Stop Putting Your Phone at Risk<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>We subject our mobile phones to a lot of abuse<\/strong>, including crowded pockets and purses, clumsy handling, spilled drinks, and greasy fingers. Still, it isn\u2019t the worst way we put our device security and functionality at risk.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clicking<strong> suspicious links and downloading apps from third-party app stores<\/strong> <strong>is more of a risk <\/strong>to phones than a temporary dunk in a water puddle. At least the puddle won\u2019t hijack your device and hold it for ransom \u2014 potentially stealing your data for later use in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taking time to perform preventative maintenance like installing PIA VPN, using antivirus software, and updating iOS and Android devices regularly can go a long way in protecting your device from malware. We offer antivirus protection as an add-on to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=viruses_iphone_android\"><strong>protect your iOS and Android from viruses<\/strong><\/a>, and PIA MACE to safeguard against malicious sites while browsing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=viruses_iphone_android\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\"> Get Private Internet Access<\/button><\/a>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"faq\"><strong>FAQ<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1679378526826\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can smartphones get viruses from websites?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. <strong>Any device you connect to the internet and use to access a website can get malware like viruses or spyware<\/strong>. Downloading questionable apps from a site or clicking on a suspicious link within an email or site while using your mobile phone increases the likelihood of an infection.<br><br>To lessen your risk, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=viruses_iphone_android\"><strong>download PIA VPN<\/strong><\/a> for iOS or Android. Our all-in-one blocker MACE also prevents you from even accessing websites known to harbor malicious software and stops trackers and other spyware before it infects your device.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1679378574267\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can iPhones get viruses from spam messages?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes.<strong> <\/strong>While<strong> it\u2019s less likely for iOS devices than Android<\/strong>, you can still get viruses if you click on links in spam messages or emails. Your iOS devices aren\u2019t the only ones at risk \u2014 any mobile OS you open suspicious messages on can get a virus if you aren\u2019t careful.<br><br>Use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/download\/ios-vpn\">PIA VPN for iOS<\/a> to help <strong>reduce your chances of getting a virus while accessing your email account <\/strong>or using unfamiliar websites on Safari. Protect yourself from data snatchers invading your iPhone by hiding your true IP address and using military-grade AES encryption to mask your traffic.\u00a0\u00a0<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1679378593091\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">How can I tell if my phone has a virus?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\"><strong>Apps loading slowly or constantly freezing<\/strong> and an overheating or <strong>easily drained battery,<\/strong> are two of the most noticeable indications your phone has a virus. For more ways to tell when your phone has a virus, check out <a href=\"#tell\">How Can I Tell if My Device Has a Virus<\/a>.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1679378606355\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">How do I get rid of viruses on my iPhone?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\"><strong>Major malware infections like viruses usually require a factory reset<\/strong> to ensure all of the harmful software is removed from your iPhone. A reset restores your device with only the software required for operation and factory pre-installed apps, essentially making it a blank slate. If you\u2019re dealing with less invasive malware check out other effective <a href=\"#infected\">ways to rid yourself of viruses<\/a> on iOS and Android above.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dealing with a buggy phone that freezes? You could have a virus. Learn how to get rid of viruses on your iPhone and Android devices and prevent them in the future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":73,"featured_media":23617,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1,845],"tags":[642,1218],"class_list":["post-9831","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-guides","tag-phishing","tag-phishing-attack"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.9 (Yoast SEO v26.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Get Rid of Viruses on iOS &amp; Android<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Phone freezing or acting up? You may have a virus. Learn how to remove viruses from your iPhone and Android and prevent them in the future.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-purify-your-device-after-clicking-a-phishing-link\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Get Rid of Viruses on iOS &amp; Android\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Phone freezing or acting up? You may have a virus. Learn how to remove viruses from your iPhone and Android and prevent them in the future.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-purify-your-device-after-clicking-a-phishing-link\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"PIA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/privateinternetaccess\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-12-17T21:00:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-03-22T03:58:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ios-android-virus-malware-PIA.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"853\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kristin Hassel\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@buyvpnservice\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@buyvpnservice\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kristin Hassel\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"17 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-purify-your-device-after-clicking-a-phishing-link\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-purify-your-device-after-clicking-a-phishing-link\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Kristin Hassel\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/286e5fb351ecd2ce551e5fb44b547dee\"},\"headline\":\"How to Get Rid of Viruses on iOS &amp; Android\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-12-17T21:00:42+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-03-22T03:58:01+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-purify-your-device-after-clicking-a-phishing-link\/\"},\"wordCount\":3597,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-purify-your-device-after-clicking-a-phishing-link\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ios-android-virus-malware-PIA.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"phishing\",\"phishing attack\"],\"articleSection\":[\"General Privacy News\",\"Guides\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-purify-your-device-after-clicking-a-phishing-link\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-purify-your-device-after-clicking-a-phishing-link\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-purify-your-device-after-clicking-a-phishing-link\/\",\"name\":\"How to Get Rid of Viruses on iOS & Android\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-purify-your-device-after-clicking-a-phishing-link\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-purify-your-device-after-clicking-a-phishing-link\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ios-android-virus-malware-PIA.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-12-17T21:00:42+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-03-22T03:58:01+00:00\",\"description\":\"Phone freezing or acting up? 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Downloading questionable apps from a site or clicking on a suspicious link within an email or site while using your mobile phone increases the likelihood of an infection.<br\/><br\/>To lessen your risk, <a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=viruses_iphone_android\\\"><strong>download PIA VPN<\/strong><\/a> for iOS or Android. 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