spyware – PSafe Blog

Here’s How Android Users Can Detect Spyware

PSafe Newsroom — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 15:00:54 +0000

There isn’t a lot of talking done on a cell phone these days. Having a little computer that’s small enough to go with you anywhere makes it far easier to text, send messages via Facebook or email, or play games. But with all that power comes a price: the chance of picking up spyware on your Android cell phone. Click here to run a Full Virus Scan and check for any security threats on your smartphone:

It doesn’t take very long to use the Full Virus Scan. If you are short on time though, the DFNDR app also has a quick Security Scan feature. Use it when you need peace of mind but can’t wait around for a large-scale scan of your phone.

How to Find Spyware on Your Smartphone

The best thing you can do is to make good use of your DFNDR app. It has built-in antivirus and spyware protection — but you have to use it regularly to stay protected. The Full Virus Scan is simple to use yet oh-so-powerful. It can scan your entire phone, including the SD card, for malware.

Click the button above or else open your DFNDR app. Click on the “Tools” option, and then head to “Full Virus Scan.” When the scan is complete, it will display a report so you can see how your phone is doing — and if it has detected any spyware in your cell phone. Use the app every time you download a file from the Internet or install a new Android app. It will help keep you safe from the prying eyes of thieves.

Other Signs of Malware on Your Phone

What are other ways you can tell if your phone has picked up any malware? Look for unusual shutdowns and startups, lights flashing, or if your phone is making odd sounds when you aren’t using it. Are you receiving odd text messages of codes and/or symbols that aren’t from your mother? If so, it could be the sign of a malware infection.

Is your battery suddenly using a lot of power? Is it draining constantly and not holding a charge for as long as it did? Spyware apps, especially those that run all the time, take a toll on your phone’s battery life. They also consume more data. If you haven’t been surfing the web as heavily, yet your data shows a lot of resources being used, you should run a virus scan immediately.

3 Spyware Red Flags to Consider Before Clicking

PSafe Newsroom — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 14:30:14 +0000

Spyware is a type of malware that’s installed onto your operating system without your knowledge. It’s usually designed to “spy” on you and steal your information — your passwords, your Social Security number, and the like — but it can also be used to track your whereabouts in some cases. Spyware can be a big problem on smartphones. Use Full Virus Scan to check for and eliminate spyware and other types of malware from your phone. Click here to run a scan of all your files and programs for all types of malware:

Spyware is designed to trace you, but how is it installed in the first place? Often, spyware is downloaded onto your system as a piggyback to a program you choose to download. Spyware can also be downloaded when it masquerades as free security software. In other words, you can prevent spyware by making sure you’re careful about what programs you’re downloading. The following are three red flags you should pay attention to when downloading a program.

An anti-malware program overestimates the number of viruses on your device.

Familiarize yourself with PSafe’s malware scanning. Antivirus services will never send you pop ups when you’re browsing a website and then tell you that your computer or device is infected with dozens of viruses. If an anti-malware site pops up and tells you your computer is infected with more than one or two viruses, you can be sure that the program would download spyware onto your system.

An email suggests you download the program.

Often, an email that asks you to download a new program is spam. Because most email providers have anti-spam measures in place, reputable companies don’t use emails to advertise their products.

The program doesn’t have a legitimate end-user licensing agreement.

While most people don’t read these end-user licensing agreements (EULA) before installing programs, sometimes these EULAs describe their intentions clearly in the end licensing agreement. For example, one EULA said that the user’s computer was the company’s property after the program download and said it would disable the user’s ability to un-download the program. Read the EULA: it might tell the truth.

These are some of the biggest markers that a program may download spyware onto your device. As always, be cautious when clicking links and adding new programs, and you’ll be much more likely to keep your system protected from threats.

Watch out for Pegasus, the “Total Takeover” Mobile Spyware

PSafe Newsroom — Sat, 13 May 2017 14:00:55 +0000

Back in 2016, a debilitating spy software called Pegasus started being downloaded onto Apple users’ operating systems. Recently, a version of the Pegasus — now called Chysaor — was discovered on Android operating systems. The development of this software continues to prove that malware, spyware, ransomware, and other threats to your privacy are constantly evolving. That’s why it’s so important to regularly run a Full Virus Scan with DFNDR. While a Security Scan is effective, a Full Virus Scan offers even more complete protection of your phone files and programs:

If the hackers behind Pegasus — a heavily publicized piece of spyware — are bold enough to design new spyware to attack Android systems, imagine what other cybercriminals might be cooking up. After you run your virus scan, read on to learn about how to protect yourself from spyware that operates like Pegasus.

Pegasus Spyware

Pegasus — designed to be a mobile spy on vulnerable information — was developed by an Israeli company that sold it to governments for “lawful interception.” The software has a lot of functions: it can read text messages, trace your phone’s locations, track calls, and monitor communications in popular programs like WhatsApp and Skype.

The spyware was discovered when a human rights defender named Ahmed Mansoor was sent an email that told him to click on a link. He found the link suspicious and sent it to be investigated. Pegasus spyware was then discovered — if Mansoor had clicked on the link, Pegasus would have been automatically downloaded onto his phone.

After the discovery, Apple released updated software that fixed the vulnerability Pegasus was attacking.

Chysaor Spyware

Not long after, Google found information that the Android version of Pegasus spy software — Chysaor — had found its way onto operating systems. Before the spyware could wreak havoc, Google found a way to protect users.

Protecting Yourself from Mobile Spyware

Luckily, Google stopped Chysaor before it could reach epidemic status. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing for you to do when faced with a potential threat. First, there are very few ways for malware to be downloaded onto your phone if you don’t click on a link or other feature that downloads it there. That’s why you should never click on a link that looks suspicious or one from which you don’t know the sender.

The best way, however, to ensure you’re protected from spyware is to run regular virus scans. Even if you click on a malicious link, PSafe can still clear your phone of threats.

Is There Spyware on Your Android? Here’s How to Kill It!

PSafe Newsroom — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 20:36:26 +0000

The idea of spyware on a phone sounds foreign to some — but when you consider that your smartphone is essentially a very compact computer, it begins to make more sense. Not only is your phone a mobile computer, it also holds your most important usernames, passwords and data!

This pocket-sized computer is vulnerable to the same viruses and spyware as your PC or laptop. In fact, it may even have spyware on it right now!

How to Detect Spyware on your Phone

Luckily, it is possible to detect—and remove! (we’ll tell you about that later)–spyware from your phone. Here’s a few tips to get you started:

1. Be on the Lookout for Odd Behavior

Odd behavior, like randomly shutting down, suddenly running slow and peculiar noises are giant red flags when it comes to spyware.

2. Battery Use

Another big red flag is if your phone suddenly starts consuming its battery charge significantly faster than normal. While phone batteries degrade over time naturally, this process is usually gradual. If you experience a sudden drop in battery performance, you may have spyware or tracking software running in the background.

3. Unexplained Data Usage

If your phone is suddenly using more data than normal (without you having used more data-consuming apps than usual), then spyware may be sending data back to another source.

4. It Takes a Long Time to Shut Down

Spyware programs can cause delays in shutting down your phone. If your Android device doesn’t shut down quickly (which they normally do if they’re updated on their software) it may be a sign that the spyware is fighting the shutdown.

5. Strange Apps

If there’s an app (or apps) on your phone that you don’t recognize and don’t remember downloading—they could be spyware. Don’t open them though; remove them with the right software (see below).

6. Slow and Hot

Should your phone suddenly run slower or hotter (especially when it gets warm while not in use), this could be a sign of spyware too.

How to Kill the Spyware—Safely!

Luckily, there is software you can install on your phone that will detect and remove the spyware…in a safe manner—because if you aren’t sure how to remove it, you could trigger a malware attack. Try our Antivirus app to find and kill any and all spyware in your phone!