how do I lock unknown sources button, it keeps turning its self on

[tonyrushton2000]

STK phone, android 5.1 . I have Norton anti virus which is telling me to uninstall lots of apps. When I close the unknown sources button to off . within a minute it changes back to Allow unknown sources. how do I stop this and lock that button.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Does this happen in Safe Mode as well? On most Android devices, while powered on, press and hold Power until the Power Off menu appears. Press and hold the Power Off selection until the Safe Mode prompt appears. Tap OK.

 

[tonyrushton2000]

yes it was happening in safe mode, I have now taken SD card out and done factory reset with no backup, I have had wiwi off and data off, it seemed ok, then I copied some pics to my computer. an app came in from some where, and the allow unknow sources, was on again

 

[B. Diddy]

Do you mean that an app downloaded and installed without your knowledge or permission?

 

[tonyrushton2000]

Yes , Apps are downloading and installing without my knowledge or permission. I have done several Factory resets. The phone works fine until I turn on WIfi, then before I can get Norton loaded I have lots of unwanted apps the phone crashes, and the unknown sources button changes to allow every time I turn it off. I cant use phone with data on because it uses all my monthly allowance.

 

[B. Diddy]

It sounds like there might be some sort of malware installed to the root. This can be difficult to get rid of, and usually requires reinstalling a clean copy of the firmware. That, in turn, usually requires the phone to be rooted (and you also have to find the firmware, which isn't always easy).

 

[tonyrushton2000]

Thanks. yes I will work on that assumption. I cant be the only one with this problem. I will search for solutions based on that. If I do find the answer I will post it back on here.

 

[mgwanderer]

Did anybody find an answer to this as my phone is doing exactly the same

 

[Gayle Lynn]

Malware authors go after companies like Norton, Kaspersky, and have learned how to avoid detection and stay silent and hide.

I would try reaching out to Norton. Not fan but they have solid expertise.

Do you by chance hopefully have a true backup phone?

Also, attacks on routers have stepped up last year. Cellular is safer. Did you try without wifi but allow cellular?

 

[mgwanderer]

Thanks very much, that seems to have helped, with the wifi turned off my unknown sources button stays turned off and even when my wifi is now turned back on (I hope lets see in the morning)

 

[Gayle Lynn]

Curious if you use Norton, it another VPN.
Norton App lock? Don't know if it works well but might.

Getting everything secured and in place first.

Make sure your router is up-to-date and has a strong password - and not vulnerable to the DNSChanger and other hacks.

For browsing web I've settled on Ghostery, Bloch's ads and fastest I've seen

 

[Mauricio Leyes]

Thanks. yes I will work on that assumption. I cant be the only one with this problem. I will search for solutions based on that. If I do find the answer I will post it back on here.

I got this virus while trying to root my phone (my bad) and since it's chinese spreadtrum, it does not have original fw posted nowhere I know, and I have tried to flash other fw with no success.
The only solution I've found so far was to use ES app locker to lock: FotaProvider, DownloadManager and PackageInstaller... So far unkwnown sources is not turning itself back on and not downloading apps after restarting phone or enabling data or wireless.