A worrisome pop-up ad that has me scared. What should I do?

[Android Central Question]

I got a pop-up saying if I didn't download a really sketchy looking virus protection app my phone would be locked. I immediately deleted my browser history but what should I do?

 

[Mooncatt]

Close and ignore those warnings, as they are designed to trick you with fear. It's no different than if a random stranger came up to you on the street and told you the same line.

You did the right thing, and may be a good idea to avoid that site in the future.

 

[Killie_Jones]

Close and ignore those warnings, as they are designed to trick you with fear. It's no different than if a random stranger came up to you on the street and told you the same line.

You did the right thing, and may be a good idea to avoid that site in the future.

So are you 100% sure my phone wont be locked?

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

So are you 100% sure my phone wont be locked?

I'm sure they are, and I am too.

 

[Killie_Jones]

I'm sure they are, and I am too.

I can't say I'm not still the tiniest bit paranoid, but thank you so much

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

I can't say I'm not still the tiniest bit paranoid, but thank you so much

Understandable, but you should just be happy with yourself that you didn't fall for it.

 

[Killie_Jones]

Understandable, but you should just be happy with yourself that you didn't fall for it.

Haha, I did come close. Thank you

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! This may be helpful information:

“I’ve been hacked” - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com
[GUIDE] How To Avoid Malware - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com

 

[gomezz]

You should also think about which app or web site you were using at the time that triggered that pop-up and think about getting rid of that too.

 

[Killie_Jones]

Welcome to Android Central! This may be helpful information:

“I’ve been hacked” - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com
[GUIDE] How To Avoid Malware - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com

So my phone shouldn't become locked, correct?

 

[Killie_Jones]

You should also think about which app or web site you were using at the time that triggered that pop-up and think about getting rid of that too.

Okay, thank you

 

[Mooncatt]

So my phone shouldn't become locked, correct?

Welcome to the forums and correct. It's rather hard to get malware on Android. Malware can only be installed if you intentionally install an infected app, which is why those pop-ups try to trick you. They can't do a drive by scan of your entire phone in seconds to know if you have any infection, so they play an animation to make it look like they are doing so. They end it by telling you there's an infection that only their random antivirus app can cure. When the victim downloads the app and approves the installation, that app is what actually holds the malware and delivers the infection.

 

[B. Diddy]

So my phone shouldn't become locked, correct?

It won't get locked. Just don't tap any links in those bogus popups.

 

[Killie_Jones]

Welcome to the forums and correct. It's rather hard to get malware on Android. Malware can only be installed if you intentionally install an infected app, which is why those pop-ups try to trick you. They can't do a drive by scan of your entire phone in seconds to know if you have any infection, so they play an animation to make it look like they are doing so. They end it by telling you there's an infection that only their random antivirus app can cure. When the victim downloads the app and approves the installation, that app is what actually holds the malware and delivers the infection.

Thank you

 

[Killie_Jones]

It won't get locked. Just don't tap any links in those bogus popups.

Okay. Thank you