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HummingBad malware: How to check if your Android device is infected & how to fix it
HummingBad malware has been discovered on over 10 million Android devices across the globe. The malware is able to take root on your device and can then collect personal data, install fraudulent apps and generate fraudulent ad revenue.
The majority of the Android devices infected with HummingBad are in China and India, but there are also hundreds of thousands of victims in Turkey, Russia, Mexico and approximately 288,800 devices in the U.S.
We look at how you can check whether your Android device is infected and what you can do if you have the HummingBad malware.
Is your device one of 10 million infected?
To check whether your Android phone or tablet is one of the 10 million infected you can download one of the various software security apps that are available. The app will be able to detect whether your device is infected with HummingBad malware and if the news is bad then you can take the necessary steps to get rid of it.
Software security apps include Lookout Security & Antivirus from Lookout Inc.; ZoneAlarm Mobile Security from Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.; Mobile Security & Software from Avast Software; AVG Antivirus from AVG Technologies; 360 Security – Antivirus Boost from Qihu 360 Software Co. Ltd.; and Avira Antivirus Security from Avira Operations GmbH & Co. KG.
How to rid your device of HummingBad?
If you are one of the unfortunate victims of HummingBad malware it is possible to get rid of it, but it does mean you will have to perform a factory reset on your Android phone or tablet.
- Create a backup of the data and content on your phone or tablet.
- On your infected phone or tablet, tap on Settings > Backup and reset > Factory Data Reset. The location of Backup and reset will differ on various Android phones and tablets, but it will be relatively easy to find.
Note: A Factory Data Reset will delete all installed apps, passwords, software, accounts and other personal data. It is therefore very important that you make a backup of your phone or tablet.
- Tap Reset phone or Reset device. Your device will reboot in Recovery mode and will start wiping your infected phone or tablet.
- Once your phone or tablet reboots you can start the setup of your HummingBad-free device.
Source: Cnet
Image credit: Daniel Sancho; Flickr
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