Can any malware hack phone?

[Android Central Question]

Can any malware file hack our gallery photos
I'm using Oppo CPH1909
Android 8
recently avast detected one file as malware in my download folder
so I'm just worried

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! False positives are relatively common with antivirus apps. Which file did it detect?

In the meantime, read these:
“I’ve been hacked” - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com
[GUIDE] How To Avoid Malware - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com

Please register on this forum, which will allow you to engage in discussion more easily, as well as post images. https://forums.androidcentral.com/ask-question/409154-join-android-central-community.html

 

[Leonsukh Gill]

I am using Oppo CPH1909 with Android 8. Recently avast detected one file as malware in my download folder.so I'm just worried can any malware file being in our phone hack our personal gallery photos and send to any hacker no apps installed were found malicious but one file was detected as malware by avast mobile. Guide please should I be worried or not

 

[B. Diddy]

Duplicate threads merged. Please see my initial response.

 

[Leonsukh Gill]

i'm new
can i get answer to my question please?

 

[Mooncatt]

It's rather hard to truly hack into a phone, especially remotely. Android is designed so that the user has to approve an app installation for an infection to take hold. I.e. Many malware providers try to trick you into thinking you're infected with a browser popup, and only their antivirus app (which is actually the virus itself) can fix it. You download their app and approve the installation, and now you're really infected.

One thing you could maybe try is doing a Google search of the the malware name Avast is showing in its results, then see if it even makes sense compared to your photo file. If you know that you got the file from a trusted source (I.e. You took the photo, downloaded it from FB. Etc), then it's most likely a false positive.

 

[Leonsukh Gill]

No installed app was found suspicious but only one file in download was detected as malware
Unfortunately Avast is not showing the name of file it deleted it only shows one problem found
i also forgot the name of file
Is there any way to know which file it deleted?

 

[Mooncatt]

Is there any way to know which file it deleted?

I personally don't run antivirus on my phone, and it generally isn't recommended. Not only due to false positives and low infection rates, but also because they tend to be resource hogs. My best guess would be to run another scan and see if the file name pops up again. Any half legit AV program should at least point to the specific file(s) in question, or tell you the name of the suspected malware (in cases where it is different from the file name shown in a regular file explorer).

 

[Leonsukh Gill]

just clear my doubt please can any malware file hack my ANDROID phone
I just want to know this

 

[B. Diddy]

i'm new
can i get answer to my question please?

I did respond to your question by asking which file it detected, but you only later mentioned that you forgot the name of the file.

Avast doesn't have a log of its recent actions?

 

[B. Diddy]

just clear my doubt please can any malware file hack my ANDROID phone
I just want to know this

Of course, there's certainly malware out there -- but as we've already said, it's pretty hard to get if you follow common sense safety practices. Do you habitually do things that put you at risk for malware, such as those things that I mentioned in my previous link? If not, then the risk of malware is extremely low. But if you do risky things, then your risk is higher.

 

[Leonsukh Gill]

they do have activity log but the name is not shown by activity log so I'm just concerned
but I do remember the name include"download" in it I don't remember full name

 

[Leonsukh Gill]

my google play protect was on from the start

 

[Leonsukh Gill]

but one file was detected as malware not any app still there's a chance of hacking??

 

[B. Diddy]

If the file was in your /Download folder, and if you never opened that file, then you're fine, since downloaded malware files typically have to be opened in order to execute.

So, do you do any of the risky things I mentioned before? If you don't, then you can be even more reassured.

 

[Mooncatt]

just clear my doubt please can any malware file hack my ANDROID phone
I just want to know this

There's a possibility of ANY computerized device to be hacked. Android, iOS, PC, even custom devices have some potential risk.

With Android, there's probably a 99.9% chance that you will NOT be infected by anything. The problem is, a lot of people want/expect 100% safety from malware, and assume that .1% possibility means 100% probability. Just because it's impossible to give a straight up yes or no answer doesn't mean you should jump to the worst possible conclusion and get yourself worked up over it. Give this article a read. It covers this in more detail, and will hopefully dispel some of your fears.

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3411440/android-security-scares.html

You may also want to just uninstall Avast and not worry about anti-malware apps. It sounds like it will do nothing but have you in a constant state of worry.

 

[B. Diddy]

I heartily agree with Mooncatt. However, I would still say that if you engage in risky behavior (like sideloading apks instead of installing apps from trusted sources like the Play Store, frequenting shady websites like porn or gambling, or habitually tapping on any link that shows up in a browser popup ad), then the chance of malware really does go up. That's why I keep asking about this.

 

[anon(10753934)]

Exactly B.Diddy even basic use of our phones some Stuff is risky like you said ,Gambling & Porn. Know where i got a lot of mine in the past.

 

[anon(10753934)]

just clear my doubt please can any malware file hack my ANDROID phone
I just want to know this

Its software connected to the internet so unfortunetly yes. All licenses used have disclaimers covering this though it doesnt say your not 100% safe ever and no one can ever keep your tech safe 100%. That wouldnt go down well lol . Dont stress if you have nothing genuinely sinster or sickening when i say that i mean grossly wrong,Highly highly illegal and need catorgorie of wiped to star dust. Your usually fine ok B.Diddy says it all the time a bit of understanding with dont do stuff that has it everywhere & if you are dont whine. Old saying before this new industrial rev always someone bigger stronger faster.