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Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/1481697
• unexplained billing charges (which may include increased data usage charges as a result of the malware chewing up your data) • unusual pop-ups, and • the device overheating unexpectedly. If you do suspect a virus has infected your device, there are some steps you can take. First, to prevent further damage you’ll need to remove the malware. Here are some simple troubleshooting steps: 1. Use a reliable antivirus app to scan your phone for infections. Some reputable vendors offering paid and free protection services include Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, McAfee or Norton. 2. Clear your phone’s storage and cache (in Android devices), or browsing history and website data (in Apple devices). 3. Restart your iPhone, or restart your Android phone to go into safe mode – which is a feature on Android that prevents third-party apps from operating for as long as it’s enabled. 4. Delete any suspicious or unfamiliar apps from your downloaded apps list and, if you’re an Android user, turn safe mode off once the apps are deleted. As a last resort, you can back up all your data and perform a factory reset on your phone. Resetting a phone to its original settings will eliminate any malware. Protecting your phone from infection Now you’ve fixed your phone, it’s important to safeguard it against future viruses and other security risks. The mobile security apps mentioned above will help with this. But you can also: • avoid clicking unusual pop-ups, or links in unusual text messages, social media posts or emails • only install apps from authorised app stores, such as Google Play or Apple’s App Store • avoid jailbreaking or modifying your phone • check app permissions before installing, so you’re aware of what the app will access (rather than blindly trusting it) • back up your data regularly, and keep your phone software updated to the latest version (which will have the latest security patches). Continually monitor your phone for suspicious activity and trust your gut instincts. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.