Digital Security: A malware in your phone

 I think my telephone has a type of malicious software that makes me believe that my cell has a virus. Sometimes, it will fool me into believing that my security measures are old. In turn, they offer new updates for my security settings. So I do not know what to do

That sounds incredibly frustrating and stressful! It's very likely that you are encountering a common type of online scam, often called scareware or a fake virus pop-up.

These pop-ups are designed to mimic legitimate system warnings, tricking you into believing your phone is infected or outdated. Their goal is usually to get you to:

1. Download and install malicious software (the "new security update") that is actually malware or adware.

2. Provide personal or payment information to "fix" the non-existent problem.

Here is what you should do and what you should NOT do:

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Immediate Action: Do This

1. DO NOT click on the pop-up, link, or "update" button. This is the most important step. Do not interact with the warning message itself.

2. Close the affected app or browser tab.

   • If it's in a web browser (like Chrome or Safari), close the specific tab that is showing the warning.

   • If you can't close the tab, try closing the entire browser app.

3. Clear your browser's history and website data. This can often remove the persistent pop-up.

   • For Android (Chrome): Go to the Chrome app's settings $\rightarrow$ Privacy and Security $\rightarrow$ Clear browsing data.

   • For iPhone (Safari): Go to Settings $\rightarrow$ Safari $\rightarrow$ Clear History and Website Data.

4. Check your downloaded apps (especially if the pop-up started after installing a new app).

   • Look for any apps you don't recognize or that you recently installed. If you find one that seems suspicious, uninstall it immediately.

What NOT to Do

• Do NOT enter any personal information (passwords, credit card numbers, etc.).

• Do NOT call any phone numbers listed in the warning.

• Do NOT download any "scanner" or "cleanup" app that the pop-up tells you to install. Only download apps from the official Google Play Store or Apple App Store, and stick to known, reputable security brands.¹

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General Security Tips

• Keep your phone's Operating System (OS) updated. Install official updates from Apple or Google as soon as they are available. These official updates are your main security measures.

• Only download apps from your phone's official app store.² Apps outside of the Google Play Store or Apple App Store are much riskier.

• Enable Pop-up Blocking in your browser. Most mobile browsers have this feature in their settings.

• Install a reputable anti-malware app from a well-known security company (like Avast, Malwarebytes, or Norton) for an extra layer of protection, particularly if you are on an Android device and are concerned about residual malware.

If the problem persists after clearing your browser data, you might need to check your phone's notifications settings for your browser, as sometimes these scams use push notifications to keep appearing.

Would you like specific instructions on how to clear your browser history or check your app list for suspicious downloads for your specific type of phone (Android or iPhone)?

Websites with more information:

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