Hacked, malware or virus attacks
How can my phone get hacked?
There are a few different ways that your phone may get hacked:
- Phishing or malware messaging that contain malicious links or attachments.
- Fraudulent websites that contain malicious links that download malware onto your device.
- Fake applications that masquerade as real apps.
How do I know if my phone has been hacked?
If you suspect your phone has been compromised check the following:
1- Run a security scan
Go to Settings > Security & privacy > More security & privacy > Security scan
Your phone will scan for malware and let you know if it suspects any potential issues.
2 - Poor Battery Life or Extreme Battery Usage
Open Settings > Battery > Battery usage and look for an unknown app or anything unusual.
3 - Check for Random Unwanted App Installs
Go to Settings > Apps > All apps and scroll through the list of apps on your phone.
Find anything you don't want, tap it, and select Uninstall
4 - Unusually High Data Usage
Go to Settings > Network and internet > Mobile network > App data usage
In general, no random app should use 5GB of data in a given month.
If you find anything suspicious touch the app and uninstall
5 - Unusual Pop-Ups and Ads
You should never click on weird pop-ups or ads that look suspicious.
If you are receiving pop-ups or adds, close your entire web browser and reboot your phone.
Click here to learn how.
6 - Apps or phone Keep Crashing
If your phone keeps crashing we recommend scanning your phone using Google Play Protect 
- Open the Play Store app
- Touch your profile icon
- Touch Play Protect
- Touch Scan
7 - Reset your phone
If you have tried all of the steps above and are still experiencing issues, you can attempt a factory data reset. Resetting your phone erases all data and restores it to out-of-the-box condition.
Before you reset
- Back up your data
Click here here for details.
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Make sure you have your security information:
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The username for a Google account on your phone. (Settings > Passwords & Accounts)
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The password for that Google account. If you've forgotten the password, you can reset it. Wait 24 hours before resetting the phone if you reset your password.
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If you set a screen lock, make sure you know the PIN, pattern or password.
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To restore your data after resetting, you'll need to enter security information. This shows that you or someone you trust did the reset and helps prevent others from using your phone without permission.
To erase all data and reset your phone:
- Go to Settings > System
- Touch Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset)
Tip: If you reset your phone because you suspect a third-party app is causing problems, when you set up the phone again, touch Set up as new. Restore one app at a time and use the phone for a while. If the phone has no issues, install the next app and retest.
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