Random Ads have started to appear on my android mobile for last couple of days. They would appear time and again throughout day irrespective of which application I am using.
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/82858/62362/img_201809…
When click on Opt out, it prompts me download application.
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/82858/62361/img_201809…
I am afraid it could be virus and steady my information. Can someone please assist how to get rid of these ads?
yeh you must've sideloaded an apk. Either delete the latest apps you installed. try an antivirus?
Or just factory reset…
Are you actually imagining that Google Play doesn't serve up malicious apps constantly?
Plenty of ways to get malware. Sideloading has a higher chance than from the play store.
Edit. Not me negging
Backup your data if it isn't already, do not backup apps obviously, and factory reset.
It sounds like your device has been compromised and there is no way to be sure it is clean unless you reinstall the operating system (factory reset).
problem is with reset as soon as he puts back in account details google play is going to re download the same apps again.
You can delete the apps you no longer want from Google Play or change the settings so it's not auto download or something
Using a VPN like Private Internet Access blocks Pop-Ups all together when in-use.
blokada, free & open source. tinker with the blacklist settings.
Ads, viruses, never ending reboots. Just Android features really.
I tried everything as suggest above by various users but in vain.
I guess I will have to just do factory reset which I was trying to avoid.
Any way to restore say from 1 Sep?
Unless you have a backup on that date.
Google need at least a rudimentary vetting process for the Play Store. The fact there is an abundance of adware issues, and a number of malware issues over the last few years is not good enough. Whilst I firmly believe that people should learn how to use devices safely so things like this are avoided, it should be a lot harder to run into these issues than it currently is.
No thanks, if I needed my hand held I'd buy Apple. The best thing about Android is the openness. I've had Android phones for a very long time and have had no malware ever, it's not hard to avoid, and restricting the play store would probably limit some of the more niche aps available.
I’m not saying that they need to restrict what’s available. Just that anything that is on the official Play Store should be malware free. Imagine the uproar if there were Trojans within (and promoted by) the Microsoft store. It’s not like they don’t have the money, expertise, or man-power to do it.
They can still allow side loading and installation from other sources for those than want to, thus not hindering your freedom (well, unless you actively want to install malware).
Don't factory reset unless you know what you are doing. eg. first time i did it I lost all my contacts. It will speed up a slow phone for awhile though. Problem is you will reload most your aps and one of them may be the problem. Having said that, it may be a standard pre-loaded ap. For example, Peel remote is a serial offender. Several months ago it added an ad display function that I think linked itself to low battery warnings. It came as standard on my phone so it would reload and reset itself to display ads on my phone if I factory reset. Android won't let me delete the ap. Just disable, which is useless as this seems to reset itself.
Another regular culprit is the supposed speed boasting and battery saving aps. Get rid of those if you have them.
It seems to be the apps that have in app ads already which start to take control and display ads outside the normal use of the app. Its probably not a virus or malware thing. To be honest, most of the time when people think they get these, its not.
Delete latest apps until it stops would the most obvious unless you installed an APK yourself.
Better hurry before your rooted