Samsung S4 downloads random files when browsing the web (is it malware?)

[Rashad P]

I've been dealing with this problem for about a month. My Samsung Galaxy S4 running Jelly Bean 4.2.2 downloads random files, not applications. I've been able to pinpoint that the files download while I am browsing the web whether it is Google Chrome or the native browser.

The files all have the same format, and when clicked on, I cannot open them. They look like this and show up in the Notification Pull Down Menu, but are not housed anywhere else on the phone:

st (1)
st (2)

and so on...

I'm already at st (48)....

so apparently there's been that many instances of this.

I've used Avast and Lookout to run full scans, and even looked at downloading some Malware applications, but nothing helps. I found a threat with a scan on Lookout after Avast was unable to identify it. I removed the threat, and still getting the random file downloads. Please Help!

 

[anon(469638)]

I have the same questions.

I simply deleted them and haven't seen them for a couple days.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Rashad P]

Yup - I delete them as well - they still come back though so to me that would suggest there is a larger problem I'd like to fix altogether.

 

[MrSmith317]

Yes you likely have some form of malware. If you're not seeing it anywhere else, back up your browser favorites etc then reset the browser to default in settings -> Applications -> browser -> clear data. If it comes back then you likely have a system infection. I doubt it will be there but if it is you'll likely need to reset your phone to default.