'; var adpushup = adpushup || {}; adpushup.que = adpushup.que || []; adpushup.que.push(function() { adpushup.triggerAd(ad_id); });
Around 73% of all mobile users have Android devices. With such a large user base, Androids have become a prime target for cyber attackers to spread their malware quickly in user's devices. Furthermore, since everyone around us saves all their information in an Android device in one form or the other, for cyber attackers, Android has become their primary bank for stealing all the data. Hence, people are always searching for ways to remove these malicious viruses from their phones. The most common way that any average person follows is factory resetting their Android device.
Does Factory Resetting Actually Remove Viruses?
Does Factory Resetting work, and if yes, what are the risks involved in it and how much data is lost, and all such doubts will be cleared in this article.
In simpler terms, factory reset (or Hard reset) means that the system will automatically reset back to the factory model. It will change all the settings to default, which comes when we buy the new android deviceand all the data stored in it gets cleared from the device's memory.
The data includes contacts, emails, images, applications, browsing history, all stored id's and passwords, basically everything, and most of the time, the deleted data is not recovered.
Advantages of Factory Resetting
Some of the advantages of factory resetting an Android device are as follows −
Since it resets the phone, it can improve the device's performance.
It also removes the viruses which are not disguised in a rooted partition of the device and hence unblock all the applications that were previously blocked due to the virus and remove all the persistent errors occurring in the device
It also solves other problems like frequent pop-ups and phones getting hang or lagging while opening multiple applications simultaneously.
Disadvantages of Factory Resetting
Along with advantages, also comes disadvantages too which are as follows −
It will permanently delete all the data from the device, no matter how important or sensitive it is.
Data that is deleted cannot be recovered if backup for it does not exist.
Not all malware and viruses can be removed by resetting a device to factory mode; that is, it cannot remove a few viruses or malware stored in the rooted partition of the device through this method.
Also, it's essential to note that if you back up all your data from the infected device, then there is a high possibility that your backup files have viruses stored in them. In addition, they might return to your device once you transfer and synchronize your phone so, it's advised to not take back up of every file or else factory resetting your phone would go useless.
Why Do Some Viruses Go Undetected in Factory Resetting?
There are some viruses that cannot be detected during the factory resetting and cannot be deleted through this method. There are a few malware that enter the device getting embedded into the application which the user downloads. Immediately after the installation is complete, these viruses activate and gain root access to the device.
As a result, system registries are modified, and removing them becomes impossible even through Factory Reset. They can be removed by other methods like installing anti-malware and anti-virus on one's device and then scanning through it regularly and keeping those applications up to date to not allow any security loopholes for the virus to enter.
FAQs
Factory resets remove most viruses
Can Android malware survive factory reset? ›
Does Resetting Your Phone Help With Viruses? Yes. Performing a factory reset on your mobile device can help combat viruses by removing infected files and curing malware infections — but it won't always be enough to completely remove all malicious software from your phone.
Can viruses stay after factory reset? ›
Can a virus survive a reformat? Most viruses will be removed by reformatting your drives, but some viruses can infect your boot partition, meaning they'll survive the reformatting process. Thoroughly scanning your device with an antivirus before and after reformatting can help ensure all threats are removed.
How do I permanently remove a virus from my Android phone? ›
How to get rid of a virus from an Android phone
- Clear your cache and downloads. Open Settings, go to Apps & notifications, and select Chrome. ...
- Restart your Android device in safe mode. ...
- Find and remove malicious apps. ...
- Activate Google Play Protect. ...
- Install anti-malware software.
The factory reset solution may not always work. Since viruses are steadily evolving and hackers are looking for ways to invade phones, some malware can avoid detection. These events are rare, but you should know about them in case they infect your device.
Does Android have a built in virus cleaner? ›
Android's primary native defense against malware is Google Play Protect. This security suite comprises various elements, including the Find My Device utilities, but a significant aspect is its malware-scanning capabilities. Every Android device equipped with the Google Play Store automatically features Play Protect.
Does factory reset get rid of trojan? ›
It's the nuclear option, but it works, except in some very rare cases. Each year, viruses become more sophisticated, and cybercriminals are finding new ways to infect unsuspecting devices. So, you may encounter trojans and rootkits that can survive a factory reset, but it's relatively rare.
Is it possible to wipe out all viruses? ›
Some computer viruses and other unwanted software reinstall themselves after the viruses and spyware are detected and removed. Fortunately, by updating the computer and by using malicious software removal tools, you can help permanently remove unwanted software.
How to remove malware in Android? ›
How Do I Completely Remove Malware from Android?
- Step 1: Immediately Turn Your Phone Off Before Performing Some Research. ...
- Step 2: Turn the Phone On in Safe Mode or Emergency Mode. ...
- Step 3: Go to Device Settings to Locate the Malicious App. ...
- Step 4: Uninstall the Infected Application. ...
- Step 5: Opt For A Factory Reset.
The best Android antivirus apps for 2024
- Bitdefender Mobile Security. ...
- Norton Mobile Security. ...
- Avast Mobile Security. ...
- AVG AntiVirus Free. ...
- Trend Micro Mobile Security. ...
- McAfee Mobile Security for Android. ...
- Sophos Intercept X for Mobile. ...
- AhnLab V3 Mobile Security.
How to determine if your phone has malware. If you suspect that there's malware on your Android device, download a reputable antivirus from the Google Play app store and run a deep scan. If the antivirus finds anything, it will likely prompt you to quarantine, block, or delete the infected files.
How do I block all viruses on my Android? ›
Download a reputable security app like Avast Mobile Security from the Google Play Store, install it, and run a full system scan. Then follow the on-screen instructions to wipe your phone clean of any malware detected.
Is there any disadvantage of factory reset? ›
You won't lose your user-created files and photos however if you choose that option. Is it bad to factory reset your Android device often? Whenever the functioning of your cellphone deteriorates, individuals usually advise to factory reset your device. But, performing a factory reset frequently can damage your phone.
Is a factory reset enough to wipe Android? ›
A factory data reset erases your data from the phone. While data stored in your Google Account can be restored, all apps and their data will be uninstalled. To be ready to restore your data, make sure that it's in your Google Account. Learn how to back up your data.
What should I delete before factory reset? ›
Before performing the factory reset, we recommend that you remove all applications from your device; that's right, you should even delete VPN apps if you're going to sell your device. So before you trade away your device, make sure that you follow these steps to carry out a factory reset and wipe it completely.
Can malware survive system restore? ›
Using a Windows restore point or restoring a backup using Image Recovery or a backup tool can help remove viruses. However, System Restore can still leave your PC infected, while backup recovery will lose personal data.
Can factory reset remove fileless malware? ›
Resetting your device to factory defaults wipes out any remaining fileless malware pieces. Since this deletes all your data, make sure to back up all files before you reset the system. Use professional anti-malware software to identify fileless malware and eliminate it.
Can malware be removed from Android? ›
If you continue to notice signs of unsafe software, you may choose to take one of the following steps: To help remove harmful software from your device, you may want to reset your Android device to factory settings. To learn more about how to remove harmful software from your device, contact your device manufacturer.
Does factory reset harm Android? ›
It's important to note that a factory reset does not affect the phone's firmware or operating system itself. It only removes user data and settings. If you're experiencing software-related issues, a factory reset can sometimes help resolve them by eliminating any conflicting configurations or corrupted data.
