Random app keeps trying to install

[PJ Kings]

I have a Nvidia Shield Tablet; android version 5.1.1
Over the past few days random apps have been trying to install again and again.

I did not download the apps in question. They are instagram and Line, however I don't believe they are authentic as they are from an unknown source. Blocking instillation from unknown sources has prevented these from installing on my device but they keep appearing and attempting to install themselves.

I've located the apk files in question in the dowloads folder, under a folder labelled Silence; and I'm able to delete them. Then a few hours later, while my tablet is inactive, the folder reappears, and attempts to install them again.
I've run AVG mobile, and Lookout scans, which have presented no concerns.
I've searched online but phrases such as line.apk silence and app installing, are not getting me any results on this matter.

Any direction on this matter would be appreciated.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! That's very suspicious. You may want to do a factory reset.

1. First, make sure your important data is backed up or synced.
2. Go to Settings>Backup & Reset and uncheck Automatically Restore.
3. Do the Factory Reset.
4. After finishing the Setup Wizard, go immediately to the Play Store, and stop any automatic app installations that might be occurring.

Now see if the automatic downloads persist. If not, reinstall your apps one by one, and keep an eye out for that behavior again.

 

[PJ Kings]

Seems like a factory reset is a bit of a pyrrhic victory, I'd rather avoid that until it's a last resort.

I've recently blocked installation of apps from unknown sources (at least this stopped the app from starting to install rather than asking for permissions when it had already started installing), but I was still receiving notices that it was trying.
Automatic updates have always been blocked.

So far I've cleared the cache for my chrome browser, and deleted a few recently installed free apps. Obviously I deleted the "silence" folder once again.
I've left Lookout on my device.
So far today it has not reappeared. So perhaps it was an app pushing spam to my device. Will update later.

 

[B. Diddy]

Seems like a factory reset is a bit of a pyrrhic victory, I'd rather avoid that until it's a last resort.

Right, but my concern is for some sort of malware. I agree with you--no legitimate app or service would automatically download Instagram or Line, so I share your concern that they could be malicious versions. Hopefully what you've done will keep it under control, but if it rears its head again, I'd really consider the factory reset.

 

[Shockerty]

I have had exactly the same issue on my Note 4. New folder at Downloads/Silence with Instagram and Line APKs. I have had Line trying to install itself multiple times in the last couple of days. I have also had Google Play open up randomly at a game, "Super Fighter:aircraft war" in the same time period at about the same frequency.

I've deleted the Silence folder, updated Avast and scanned everything which has not brought anything up. Also switched unknown sources off. I'll check in if it happens again, or if I go a few days in the clear. Anyone else getting this issue?

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Paul Murray4]

Hi, this happened to me on my oneplusone - I followed the helpful advice of the original poster and it seems to have stopped (for now)...I had recently installed a 3d tennis game and 2 'abs in 30 days' type apps which I have now removed. I'd never had this before installing them so it must be related in some way? Either of you installed anything in particular recently? I use avg pro which picked up nothing!!

 

[Nethao Simonsquest]

Have the same issue since a couple week i got a galaxy s4
LIne instagram and other trying to install everytime .....got anything working other than factory reset?

 

[Adam Davidson]

I've been having this exact problem. I even restored my phone a few days ago, and I got it back again. I'm sure it's one of my apps, but I have no idea which.

Maybe we can compare app lists, find any that may overlap and go from there. I'm having the exact same apps bother me.

 

[Pixstrad]

Registered just to post here, because this is the only place online I've been able to find via searches where other people are having the exact same issue.

I have a Nexus 4. Things I have done:
-Factory reset
-Installing a new ROM
-A COMPLETE /data/ and system wipe, with installation of a brand new ROM (CM12)

The Silence folder and Line.apk persist. If I sleep my phone and then unlock a few minutes later, Line tries to install.

This is DEFINITELY some sort of malware and apparently it's embedded into the phone somehow - even after a full wipe via TWRP, I have the same issue.

Anyone who has any insight into this, I would greatly appreciate it, as this is frustrating beyond belief. The ONLY apps I have installed right now aside from system apps are Bitdefender, Cell Trap, Chrome, OneBall, and SMS Backup & Restore.

 

[Paul Murray4]

Me again. This had never happened to me until I downloaded (from the play shore might I add) the apps I listed earlier. I deleted my chrome cache, deleted the silence folder and removed these 3 apps that I had installed and now the silence folder has not returned and 'line' is no longer coming up trying to install all of the time. Of course this does not mean the issue is 100% sorted..but it could be! I joined here to discuss this as there was nothing else on Google about it so this must be a relatively new thing. I did not want to have to do a factory reset - and some have mentioned that even that doesn't stop this!! - but mine is behaving at the min after the steps mentioned before.

 

[Shockerty]

Line tried to install again this morning and the Silence folder came back. I deleted it again and it hasn't come back yet. I'm still getting that random game coming up in Google Play though. Anyone else seeing that? I should note Instagram has never come up to install itself (though the APK was in Silence), but I do already have it installed (legit) from a while ago.

I think Fallout Shelter is the only app I've installed in the last week or so. I'm running vanilla Android 4.4.4 on a rooted SM-N910F. Been meaning to update for a while... looks I'll be doing it this weekend with as deep a wipe as I can. Any suggestions?

 

[Shockerty]

Further to my last post, I just found a duplicate install of Instagram in my Application Manager which was <2mb and on V1.0. So that's been uninstalled!

 

[Ollie_Tregelles]

I have a Nvidia Shield Tablet; android version 5.1.1
Over the past few days random apps have been trying to install again and again.

I did not download the apps in question. They are instagram and Line, however I don't believe they are authentic as they are from an unknown source. Blocking instillation from unknown sources has prevented these from installing on my device but they keep appearing and attempting to install themselves.

I've located the apk files in question in the dowloads folder, under a folder labelled Silence; and I'm able to delete them. Then a few hours later, while my tablet is inactive, the folder reappears, and attempts to install them again.
I've run AVG mobile, and Lookout scans, which have presented no concerns.
I've searched online but phrases such as line.apk silence and app installing, are not getting me any results on this matter.

Any direction on this matter would be appreciated.

I have had the same issue. Do you have an app called "one ball" installed? It's a game and all my issues started after this install, stupidly I didn't read the reviews which suggestalware in them. I have installed the app and will be deleting the folders you have mentioned. I'll let you know if this resolves the issue for me without a reset. I have reported the app and messages the developer asking them to remove the app.

Hope this helps.

 

[Ron75]

I have the same issue with 'Line' trying to install. Narrowed it down to an app that was installed called pixel wars. This app was installed on an S6 and an HTC, both devices ended up with the same issue, a silent file containing Instagram and Line. I have since deleted the app and the files

 

[Pixstrad]

I have removed OneBall from my phone and the annoyances completely stopped. I encourage those of you experiencing this issue with OneBall to report the app. I actually found out that OneBall is a clone, level-for-level, of another game anyway. Just uninstall it and report this for exploiting the power of the Play Store for whatever personal gain he's getting from unsuspecting people installing this stuff.

 

[Shockerty]

No issues today after uninstalling cloned Instagram last night. I forgot... I had also installed Pixel Wars which seemed legit, although wasn't hooked and uninstalled from phone (and brain it seems) after a couple of levels.

Anyway this seems to have fixed it. I'll keep watching this thread and let you all know if anything else that seems related rears its head.

 

[atominvention]

I experienced it on one of the phone in my company, it turns out one malicious app has some kind of privilege to active the auto app install.
I haven't look into the issue but I think disabling the install app outside google play option will prevent apks installing?

 

[Nethao Simonsquest]

mine is fixed ive done the factory reset and everything works fine now

 

[edmon cruz]

About a month ago I had installed a game from the same company as pixel wars and had Uninstalled it however the silence foldar has come back

 

[Android4Life55]

About a month ago I had installed a game from the same company as pixel wars and had Uninstalled it however the silence foldar has come back

Same here this time I have no apps from that company and it tries to install an app called oAo. Help needed urgently, deleting it doesn't work.