The increasing usage of smartphones has made Android the most popular operating system in the world with over three billion active devices. Android smartphones are susceptible to various cyber threats and virus attacks. In order to safeguard your personal information and prevent malware from damaging your device, it is extremely essential to run an antivirus scan regularly. An antivirus scan ensures that your device is not infected by any virus and keeps your smartphone running smoothly.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Run An Antivirus Scan on Android
An Android operating system is highly prone to malware attacks and viruses. Thus, running an antivirus scan becomes crucial to ensure the safety of your device and to get an uninterrupted service. Some of the reasons why this is important are:
- Android devices are not immune to malware attacks- Malware have the capability to access your personal data and other important documents on your Android phone without your knowledge.
- Viruses can carry out serious damage to your phone- A virus infected phone might be caused to crash, and the user would lose all the files and data stored in the device. It could also block the user from accessing certain apps and even steal personal and banking information from the phone.
- Security threats can cause financial loss- Malware and viruses on your Android phone have the capability to steal your personal details, banking credentials, and misuse them to create financial transactions that could lead to further financial loss.
Therefore, it is extremely essential to run an antivirus scan to ensure that your phone is safe and secure.
Method 1: Via Pre-Installed Antivirus App
Most Android smartphones already have a pre-installed antivirus app, and it can be used to scan your phone for malware and viruses. Below is the step-by-step guide on how to use it:
- Open the antivirus app on your phone.
- Click on the ‘Scan’ button.
- Wait for the antivirus to scan your phone.
- After scanning is complete, it will show the result of the scan on your phone screen.
- If there is any malware or viruses found on your phone, delete them right away.
Pros:
- Pre-installed antivirus apps come free with your phone and do not require any download.
- It’s easy to use since it does not require any additional download and installation.
Cons:
- Sometimes pre-installed apps may not be updated regularly hence may miss out on the latest malware and virus infections.
- Pre-installed apps are sometimes not as powerful as their counterparts which you can download from the app store.
Method 2: Using Google Play Store
Apart from pre-installed antivirus applications, one can download an antivirus app from the Google Play Store. Here is how to scan the Phone using an antivirus downloaded from the Play Store:
- First, download the antivirus app from the Play Store.
- After installation, open the app and allow it to run the initial scan.
- The app will take you directly to the Scan screen. Click on the ‘Scan’ button.
- Wait for the scan to complete.
- The scanning time depends on the number of files you have on your device. During the scan, the app thoroughly checks all the files—internal and external storage folders on your device.
- After the scan is complete, the app will give you a detailed report of any detected dangers and risks.
- If there is any malware or viruses found on your device, you can delete them right away.
Pros:
- Antivirus apps from the Play Store are updated regularly to cover the latest malware and virus infections.
- They are readily available in the Play Store making it easy to download.
Cons:
- Some antivirus apps come with ads and may be intrusive hence detracting your scanning experience.
- Downloading and running different antivirus apps consume memory resources, making your device run slowly.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Antivirus Software
Another way of scanning your Android device is by using third-party antivirus software. Here is how to scan the Phone using third-party antivirus software:
- First, download the antivirus software on your device.
- After installation, open the app and allow it to run the initial scan.
- The app will take you to the Scan screen. Click on the ‘Scan’ button.
- Wait for the scan to complete. This could take several minutes.
- After the scanning is complete, the app will check your device for malware and viruses.
- Any detected malware or viruses will be reported and deleted.
Pros:
- Third-party antivirus software offers more advanced features to help identify and remove malware.
- Provides a wider range of protection for your device and can help catch threats that other apps may miss.
Cons:
- Some third-party antivirus software may require payment for full features.
- Antivirus software downloads may not be as secure as others and could install malware rather than protect against it.
Method 4: Factory Resetting Your Android Device
Another approach one could use if their device is heavily infected with viruses and malware is by factory resetting. Below is the step to factory reset android device:
- Open the settings on your device.
- Scroll to ‘System’ and click on it.
- Click on ‘Reset’ under the factory reset tab.
- Select the option to ‘Erase all data (factory reset)’.
- Enter the device’s password/pin pattern to confirm the action and the factory reset will be initiated.
Pros:
- The factory resetting process can wipe out viruses or malware that can’t be removed by a standard scan.
Cons:
- Content and data stored on the device is lost without a backup.
- Factory resetting is a radical measure and should only be used as a last resort.
What to Do If You Can’t Run An Antivirus Scan on Android
If you can’t run an antivirus scan on your Android device, you can try the following fixes:
- Check if your device is updated with the latest software and firmware version.
- Reboot your phone and run an antivirus scan again.
- Clear often-used apps; this will create significant space on the device hence increasing its speed.
- If you are still unable to run antivirus scans on your device, take it to an authorized service center.
Bonus Tips
- Do not download apps from unknown sources or untrusted sites.
- Avoid jailbreaking or rooting your device; it increases the vulnerability of your device to infections.
- Do not use public charging stations, they can be used to copy your data.
5 FAQs
Q1: Can I use more than one antivirus app on my Android device?
A: No, it is not advisable to have more than one antivirus app on your device. Running more than one antivirus app will lead to interference that could damage the performance of the device.
Q2: Does running an antivirus scan drain my phone’s battery?
A: Yes. Antivirus scans consume battery since they require the phone to run intensive scans on memory and storage.
Q3: Is Android more prone to attacks than iOS?
A: Yes, Android devices are more prone to attacks than iOS since the Android platform is open-source, making it more exposed to security threats.
Q4: Can antivirus apps protect my Android device from all types of viruses?
A: Antivirus apps can help catch and protect Android devices from different types of viruses, malware, and other virus threats. However, some viruses may still penetrate through some antivirus apps.
Q5: Should I continue using my phone when running an antivirus scan?
A: It is recommended to avoid using your phone when an antivirus scan is running; this helps in optimizing your phone memory and ensuring the scan is completed faster.
Final Thoughts
Antivirus scans are a vital tool that can ensure the security of your Android device. The best practice is to frequently scan your device to identify and eradicate any malware and viruses. As such, it is recommended that Android users adopt any of the discussed methods to fix any faults uncovered with their device’s antivirus.