'! HOT APPS !' app Randomly Appeared on my Phone

[homer119]

Hi all- first time posting, but have read countless threads on here.

A random app titled '! HOT APPS !' appeared on my AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 2 running 4.1.2

I never downloaded the app, and I am also unable to remove the app through the phones Application Manager as the app does not appear on the list under Downloaded/Running/All.

When I try to open the app a black screen appears then instantly disappears.

Screen shot: http://i.imgur.com/ScGcauH.png

Any ideas?

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Sounds like some kind of malware. Have you recently installed any apps, especially from sites other than Google Play? There's generally a higher risk for malware if you rely on relatively unknown app stores, or if you download an .apk installer file directly from a website and install it on your phone.

What happens if you press and hold the Hot Apps icon? Are you able to drag it to the trash can, or does an option for "App Info" come up? If so, try removing it, or examining the app info.

I would install a good antivirus app like Lookout or Avast and run a full scan.

 

[homer119]

Hey B.Diddy!

-My phone is not rooted, not sure if that changes anything
-Dragging the app to the trash has no effect
-No option for app info comes up when I hold it
-I scanned with TrustGo Ad Detector with no results

I am somewhat paranoid of logging back into my Gmail account with this app.

 

[B. Diddy]

Have you actually scanned with an antivirus app? TrustGo Ad Detector only looks for ad networks (which usually put spam ads in your notification bar). TrustGo should also have an antivirus scanner--might be a separate app. Make sure you scan with one of those.

Might be interesting to see what happens if you start the phone in Safe Mode, which doesn't allow any other app besides stock apps to function on startup. Follow these instructions: Samsung Galaxy Note: Enable Safe Mode - Technipages

 

[homer119]

Hey some updates:

-Lookout says 'All installed apps are safe' after a scan
-Safe mode causes the app to disappear

What makes me uneasy is the app in question has no functionality (that I can see).

Any more tips?

 

[B. Diddy]

Start uninstalling apps starting with the most recent ones that you've installed, and see if the icon goes away.

 

[homer119]

Ladies and gentlemen (B.Diddy mostly) I present to you, the app which created the spam....

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...ilicit.istanbul.metro.hd&hl=en&token=3CxK3Dsr

That *******.
Thanks B. Diddy, really appreciate the 1v1 help.

 

[homer119]

Also, don't take this the wrong way, but I waited on line for the first iPhone and had it since I switched to the Note 2.

Needless to say I am excited for the new iPhone. This phone and I never really meshed.

 

[B. Diddy]

Also, don't take this the wrong way, but I waited on line for the first iPhone and had it since I switched to the Note 2.

Needless to say I am excited for the new iPhone. This phone and I never really meshed.

Oh well, to each his own! Maybe there will be an Android phone down the line that will mesh with you ...

 

[patruns]

Ladies and gentlemen (B.Diddy mostly) I present to you, the app which created the spam....

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...ilicit.istanbul.metro.hd&hl=en&token=kYSvV59d

That *******.
Thanks B. Diddy, really appreciate the 1v1 help.

Based on the reviews I see you were not alone. Suggest you report this malware to Google so they remove it.

 

[hpmini2009]

Hi all- first time posting, but have read countless threads on here.

A random app titled '! HOT APPS !' appeared on my AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 2 running 4.1.2

I never downloaded the app, and I am also unable to remove the app through the phones Application Manager as the app does not appear on the list under Downloaded/Running/All.

When I try to open the app a black screen appears then instantly disappears.

Screen shot: http://i.imgur.com/ScGcauH.png

Any ideas?

Change auto updates in Google Play Store in settings in Google Play Store app

Posted via Android Central App

 

[patruns]

Change auto updates in Google Play Store in settings in Google Play Store app

Posted via Android Central App

How would that help and where did it say he had that enabled?