随着人们从台式机转向移动设备，网络犯罪分子也随之而来。
今天，您的手机感染病毒的方式与您的计算机几乎相同，尽管计算机上病毒的警告标志(warning signs for a virus on your computer)可能略有不同。
Android手机更容易受到恶意软件的攻击，因为它们运行在开源代码上，也因为运营商延迟推出更新。这些更新通常包含对操作系统中的漏洞和错误的( vulnerabilities and bugs in the operating system)修复，这就是您需要额外保护层的原因。
如果您不确定您的手机是否有病毒或只是出现故障，我们将查看一些需要注意的迹象，以及如何有效地进行故障排除。
您的手机如何感染病毒(How Your Phone Can Get a Virus)
大多数病毒通过恶意软件进入手机，进而影响设备的性能。如果您从第三方应用商店或通过Google Play 商店(Google Play Store)安装了虚假的恶意应用，您的手机可能会感染病毒。
手机感染病毒的其他常见方式包括恶意网站、电子邮件附件，甚至短信。
无论您的手机有什么样的病毒或恶意软件，仍然需要解决它，因为它可能造成严重的损害。
手机上的病毒可能导致的一些已知问题包括删除您的宝贵数据(deleting your precious data)、收集您的敏感或个人信息以及进行未经授权的购买(unauthorized purchases)。勒索软件、间谍软件或特洛伊木马等其他恶意软件可能会干扰您手机的运行。
(Ransomware)众所周知，勒索软件会加密数据(encrypt data)，黑客可能会要求钱来换取解锁您的应用程序或文件。最终，网络犯罪分子会创建恶意软件来窃取您的信息(steal your information)、在暗网上(dark web)销售并产生收入。
警告标志您的手机有病毒(Warning Signs Your Phone Has a Virus)
感染病毒的手机会表现出某些行为，这些行为会在其性能以及其他内容（例如您的短信、购买等）中体现出来。以下是一些需要注意的警告信号。
1. 电池消耗比平时更快(1. Battery Drains Faster Than Usual)
手机电池耗电快(battery drains fast)的原因有很多。这些范围包括有缺陷的电池、运行资源密集型程序或在后台运行的应用程序。其他性能问题可能是由于手机正常磨损造成的。
如果您的手机感染了病毒，则会增加手机RAM的使用率，这会消耗大量能量，从而比平时更快地耗尽电池电量。该病毒可能隐藏在一个在后台偷偷消耗资源(using up resources in the background)的应用程序后面。
2.过热(2. Overheating)
您的手机有时可能会因各种原因而过热，例如在玩游戏或观看视频时。这是正常且相对无害的。但是，如果过热是一个长期问题，即使您不是在玩游戏或流式传输视频，也可能表明存在病毒。
病毒和恶意软件在后台运行时会迅速耗尽您的RAM ，从而导致您的手机过热。(RAM)
3. 数据使用量激增和不明电话费(3. Surge in Data Usage and Unexplained Phone Bills)
勒索软件等一些病毒可能只会限制您手机的操作，但还有一些恶意软件旨在窃取您的数据或进行未经授权的购买。
您可能不会立即注意到此类交易或数据丢失，因为当您正常使用手机时，恶意软件往往会在后台悄悄运行。如果您检查数据使用情况并发现来自未知应用程序的异常或突然激增，则可能是您的手机在后台运行了病毒或间谍软件。
一些病毒株(Some virus strains)试图通过网络传输数据、删除传入的消息或从您的手机发送付费短信，从而增加您的电话费。其他病毒被故意注入，通过发送带有有害链接和附件的垃圾邮件来感染您的联系人。
4.应用程序加载或崩溃的时间更长(4. Apps Take Longer to Load or Crash)
(Apps)由于存储空间不足、缺少更新或同时运行的应用程序过多，应用程序偶尔会崩溃。
但是，如果您注意到手机上的应用程序经常无缘无故地崩溃，则可能是病毒潜伏在其中。发生这种情况是因为病毒会破坏手机上的软件，导致应用程序反复崩溃。
5.您的手机经常滞后或崩溃(5. Your Phone Lags or Crashes Regularly)
如果您的手机运行速度比平时慢，这可能是由于手机缓存中存储的数据过多、后台运行的资源密集型应用程序(resource-hungry apps running in the background)或过多未使用的应用程序造成的。推送(Push)通知、实时小部件和后台同步也会导致明显的延迟。
虽然滞后可能是正常的，但如果您发现它经常发生，则可能是病毒或恶意软件占用了手机的资源并降低了您的手机速度。
6. 不熟悉的应用程序的存在(6. Presence of Unfamiliar Apps)
您的手机预装了许多应用程序(pre-installed apps)，其中一些您可能不知道。如果您注意到一个不熟悉的应用程序，或者您不记得在手机上安装了它，则很可能有恶意软件在未经您同意的情况下自动安装应用程序。
某些恶意软件（例如特洛伊木马(malicious software like Trojan horses)）往往会将自己附加到合法应用程序并在您的手机上造成严重破坏。
7. 弹出广告(7. Popup Ads)
弹出(Popup)广告可能不是恶意的，但它们肯定很烦人。值得庆幸的是，您可以使用广告拦截器扩展程序(use an ad blocker extension)来阻止浏览器上的此类广告。
如果您在手机上看到比平时更多的弹出广告，即使您的浏览器已关闭，这可能是广告软件。此类恶意软件的目标是数据挖掘或窃取您的个人和机密数据。
如何确保您的手机和数据安全(How to Keep Your Phone and Data Safe)
使用(Use)这些提示来防止病毒潜入您的手机：
- 在手机上安装信誉良好的防病毒应用程序。(reputable antivirus app)
- 始终打开来自受信任来源的电子邮件和附件。谨防(Beware)冒充合法公司官员或电子邮件地址稍有偏差的诈骗者实施的网络钓鱼计划。(phishing schemes by scammers)
- 保持您的软件和应用程序更新以修复错误和漏洞
- 监控(Monitor)您的文本、社交媒体消息和广告。
- (Use)如果您无法记住所有密码，请使用强密码或密码，并安装密码管理器。
- 切勿使用公共或不安全的 WiFi 连接(unsecure WiFi connections)。如果必须，请使用 VPN(use a VPN)保护您的身份并确保您的数据安全。
- 如果您在手机上看到任何不熟悉的应用程序，请进行在线搜索以了解它们是否合法。如果它们不是手机系统软件的一部分，或者您发现它们是假的，请卸载这些应用程序。
- 通过转到手机的Settings > Google > Security并选择Google Play Protect启用Google Play(Google Play Protect) Protect （步骤可能因手机品牌而异）。
- 请勿在Google Play Store之外下载任何应用程序，并使用Google Play Protect检查该应用程序是否合法。
- 注意应用程序克隆。此类应用程序类似于合法应用程序，可能会尝试窃取您的身份。
- 阅读细则以了解应用程序所需的访问权限类型，并检查应用程序开发人员的名称以确认它是官方应用程序。
保护您的手机免受病毒侵害(Protect Your Phone Against Viruses)
在手机被感染之前优先考虑设备的安全和数据保护是一个好主意。牢记这七个标志和保护手机的提示，您可以帮助防止病毒和恶意软件在您的设备上传播。
Do I Have a Virus On My Phone? 7 Warning Signs
Aѕ peoрlе swіtched from desktops to mоbile deviсes, so did cybercriminals.
Today, your phone can become infected with a virus in much the same way as your computer, though the warning signs for a virus on your computer may be slightly different.
Android phones are more susceptible to malware because they run on open-source code, and also because of the delays in carriers rolling out updates. These updates often contain fixes to vulnerabilities and bugs in the operating system, which is why you need an extra layer of protection.
If you’re not sure whether your phone has a virus or it’s just acting up, we’ll look at some telltale signs to watch for, and how you can troubleshoot effectively.
How Your Phone Can Get a Virus
Most viruses make their way into phones through malicious software, in turn affecting the device’s performance. If you installed a fake, malicious app from a third-party app store or via Google Play Store, your phone could be infected with a virus.
Other common ways that phones get viruses include nefarious websites, attachments via email, or even text messages.
No matter what kind of virus or malware your phone has, it still needs to be addressed because of the serious damage it could cause.
Some of the known problems that a virus on your phone can cause include deleting your precious data, gathering your sensitive or personal information, and making unauthorized purchases. Other malicious software like ransomware, spyware, or a Trojan horse can interfere with your phone’s operation.
Ransomware in particular is known to encrypt data, and the hacker may demand money in exchange for unlocking your apps or files. Ultimately, cybercriminals create malicious software to steal your information, sell on the dark web, and generate revenue.
Warning Signs Your Phone Has a Virus
A phone that’s infected with a virus manifests certain behaviors that show in its performance, and other things like your text messages, purchases, and more. Here are some warning signs to watch out for.
1. Battery Drains Faster Than Usual
There are many reasons why your phone’s battery drains fast. These range from a defective battery, running a resource-intensive program, or apps running in the background. Other performance issues could be as a result of normal wear of your phone.
If your phone has a virus, there’s increased use of your phone’s RAM and this can use up a lot of energy, thereby draining your battery much faster than usual. The virus is probably hiding behind an app that’s secretly using up resources in the background.
2. Overheating
Your phone may occasionally overheat for different reasons, for instance when gaming or watching videos. This is normal and relatively harmless. However, if the overheating is a chronic issue, even if you’re not gaming or streaming videos, it could indicate the presence of a virus.
Viruses and malware can use up your RAM quickly as they run in the background, causing your phone to overheat.
3. Surge in Data Usage and Unexplained Phone Bills
Some viruses like ransomware may simply limit your phone’s operations, but there are some more malicious software designed to steal your data or make unauthorized purchases.
You may not notice such transactions or data loss immediately because malware tends to run quietly in the background while you use your phone normally. If you check your data usage and find an unusual or sudden surge from unknown apps, it could be that your phone has a virus or spyware running in the background.
Some virus strains try to transmit data via the web, delete incoming messages, or send premium text messages from your phone thereby driving up your phone bill. Other viruses are purposefully injected to infect your contacts by sending spam texts with harmful links and attachments.
4. Apps Take Longer to Load or Crash
Apps crash occasionally, owing to inadequate storage, lack of updates, or too many apps running at the same time.
However, if you notice that the apps on your phone crash regularly and for no apparent reason, there could be a virus lurking within. This happens because viruses compromise the software on your phone causing apps to crash repeatedly.
5. Your Phone Lags or Crashes Regularly
If your phone runs slower than usual, it could be caused by excess data stored in the phone’s cache, resource-hungry apps running in the background, or too many unused apps. Push notifications, live widgets, and background syncs can also cause noticeable lag.
While lagging may be normal, if you find that it happens frequently, there could be a virus or malware hogging the phone’s resources and slowing down your phone.
6. Presence of Unfamiliar Apps
Your phone comes with a number of pre-installed apps, some of which you may not know. If you notice an unfamiliar app, or you don’t remember installing it on your phone, it’s likely there’s malware that’s automatically installing apps without your consent.
Some malicious software like Trojan horses tend to attach themselves to legitimate apps and wreak havoc on your phone.
7. Popup Ads
Popup ads may not be malicious but they’re certainly annoying. Thankfully, you can use an ad blocker extension to block out such ads on your browser.
If you see more popup ads than usual on your phone even when your browser is closed, it could be adware. The goal of such malware is data mining or stealing your personal and confidential data.
How to Keep Your Phone and Data Safe
Use these tips to prevent viruses from sneaking into your phone:
- Install a reputable antivirus app on your phone.
- Always open emails and attachments from trusted sources. Beware of phishing schemes by scammers posing as officials from legitimate companies, or email addresses that are slightly off.
- Keep your software and apps updated to fix bugs and vulnerabilities
- Monitor your texts, social media messages, and ads.
- Use strong passwords or passcodes, and install a password manager if you’re not able to remember all your secret codes.
- Never use public or unsecure WiFi connections. If you must, then use a VPN to protect your identity and keep your data safe.
- If you see any unfamiliar apps on your phone, do an online search to find out whether they’re legitimate or not. If they’re not part of the phone’s system software, or you discover that they’re fake, uninstall the apps.
- Enable Google Play Protect by going to your phone’s Settings > Google > Security and select Google Play Protect (The steps may vary depending on the make of your phone).
- Do not download any apps outside of Google Play Store, and use Google Play Protect to check whether the app is legitimate or not.
- Watch out for app clones. Such apps resemble legitimate apps and may try to steal your identity.
- Read the fine print to find out the kind of access permissions the app requires, and check the app developer’s name to verify that it’s the official app.
Protect Your Phone Against Viruses
It’s a good idea to prioritize the safety of your device and protection of your data before the phone gets infected. With these seven signs in mind and the tips to keep your phone protected, you can help prevent viruses and malware from spreading across your devices.
