People can hack smartphones and do other bad things to them, even though they are useful. A virus or malware can get into your personal files, hurt your phone, or even steal your data. To stay safe and make sure your phone works well, make sure it doesn’t have any bugs on it. This guide will show you how to use your phone’s settings to look for bugs and list some of the best security apps for both Android and iPhone.
Table of Contents
Signs Your Phone Might Have a Virus
Before you get into the detailed steps, you should know how to spot a possible bug. You can tell if someone has gotten into your phone by these signs.
- You may be using a lot of data without doing much online if your data use goes up quickly. This could be a sign that a dangerous app is running in the background.
- When your phone gets a virus, the battery can die much more quickly than usual. If your phone’s battery life has dropped a lot, it might be because of a bad app.
- Slow Performance: If your phone’s performance drops a lot, like when apps take a long time to open or the device freezes a lot, you might have a virus.
- Strange Apps or Pop-ups: If you find apps or pop-ups on your phone that you didn’t install, it’s a clear sign that it may be hacked.
Checking for Viruses in Your Phone’s Settings
If you look in your phone’s settings, you can often find and fix issues that are caused by bugs or malware.
For Android
Looking at the permissions for apps
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Notifications and Apps.
- Pick Take a look at each of your apps and their permissions one by one.
- You might want to get rid of or remove those rights from an app if they don’t make sense.
Reviewing Installed Apps
- Go to the settings.
- Pick out the apps and notifications.
- Choose Check out the list of loaded apps to see all of the apps that are there.
- Get rid of any apps you don’t know or trust.
Clearing Cache and Data
- Open the settings.
- Click on “Store.”
- Pick “Cached data” and click “Clear” to get rid of any malware that might be there.
For iPhone
Looking at App Permissions
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down to see a list of all the apps you’ve put on your phone. You can click on each one to see what it needs.
- If the app’s access looks sketchy, change it.
Reviewing Installed Apps
- Open the Settings app.
- Press on Main.
- If you choose iPhone Storage, you can look through the list of apps.
- Get rid of apps you don’t need or know how to use.
Resetting Settings
- Open the settings.
- Go to General.
- Simply go down and click on “Reset.”
- You won’t lose any info if you choose “Reset All Settings.”
Best Antivirus Apps for Android
Google Play has a lot of security apps that can help keep your phone safe from hackers and other bad software.
With Avast Mobile Security, you’re fully protected. It has features like web safety, app locking, and checking for malware. It has a VPN built in to keep your information even safer.
Bitdefender Mobile Security: This app finds malware very well and has several useful features, such as VPN, anti-theft, and account safety. It won’t slow down your device because it’s small and light.
When it comes to security, Norton is known for having strong tools that protect users from malware, web risks, and Wi-Fi attacks. Also, it keeps your name safe.
With the McAfee Mobile Security app, you can protect your phone from theft, lock it securely, and stay safe on Wi-Fi. The app also lets you check the privacy of the apps you’ve opened.
Best Antivirus Apps for iPhone
It’s not as common for viruses to hit iPhones, but having an antivirus app can still make you feel safer.
Lookout: There are tools on Lookout that keep your privacy and safety safe. It has a Wi-Fi scanner, system advisories, and a function that sounds an alarm if it is stolen.
Avira Mobile Security: This app can help you stop theft, keep your information safe, and block calls. You can also use the privacy tool and network sniffer that come with it.
McAfee Mobile Security: McAfee full safety with features like backing up media, protecting against theft, and a safe VPN. It also scans the computer for security issues.
Norton Mobile Security keeps your computer, the web, and your Wi-Fi safe. It also keeps an eye on the dark web to make things even safer.
Conclusion
Your safety and the phone’s performance need to make sure it doesn’t have any viruses or other bugs on it. Use a good security app and check your phone’s settings to keep it safe from possible threats. For your safety in a world that is becoming more and more digital, protect your phone. It doesn’t matter if you have an iPhone or an Android.
Moreover, you can also check out our detailed guide on How to Check if There Is Any Virus on Your iPhone? Learn how to remove the Safari virus quickly and easily! or How to Remove Malware From Chrome? Five Best Antivirus Apps!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I tell if my phone has a bug?
If your battery dies quickly, your phone runs slowly, or you keep getting strange apps or pop-ups that won’t go away, it could be a virus. As long as you regularly watch how your phone works, you can find issues early.
What should I do if I think an app on my phone is not safe?
Get rid of an app right away if you find one you didn’t put on your phone or that doesn’t work right. Also, make sure your apps have the right permissions and clear your phone’s cache to get rid of any malware that is still there.
Should iPhones have apps that keep them safe?
It’s less possible for viruses to get into the iPhone because its ecosystem is closed. But having an antivirus app can make you safer and give you more peace of mind, especially when it comes to phishing threats and networks that aren’t safe.
Besides antivirus apps, what other ways are there to make my phone safer?
Keep the software on your phone up to date, don’t download apps from sources you don’t trust, use two-factor authentication, and be careful with links and files in emails and texts to shield it.
What should I do if these steps don’t make my phone work again?
After doing these things, if your phone still acts funny, you might want to try a complete reset. You should make a backup of your important files first because this will delete everything on your phone. The company that made your phone or a good expert can help if the problem doesn’t go away.