Need Help to Remove Adware

[anandtapas]

An Adware has appeared in my phone ! Whenever I use an app that uses internet connection a window pops up at the bottom of screen and shows ads for Tata Sky, VolksWagen etc. (see screen shot attached). I tried McAFee security, Dr Web Lite, App Brain Ad detector, Air Push detector & Ad detector. None of these are able to detect which programme or service or app is causing this adware to throw up ads on my screen.

I tried to see running services which look suspicious and stopped them. But no use.

Can anybody help to detect and tell how to remove this adware. ( I prefer not to reset , update or repair phone to begin with). I mean is there a way in settings of phone to identify which piece of software is causing this and where it is ?

[Uliwooly]

don't use mcafee, get rid of mcafee

this ads are from an app, backup your phone, repair it with SUS, uninstall mcafee, don't install any app, see if you get this ads, if you don't add app by app until you find the culprit

fyi do NOT use antivirus, taskillers and/or battery defenders, you do NOT need them.

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[Uliwooly]

Update Service (SUS)

http://www.sonymobile.com/gb/tools/update-service/

http://www-support-downloads.sonymobile.com/Software%20Downloads/Update_Service_Setup-2.11.12.5.exe

Alternatives on How to backup Xperias

http://talk.sonymobile.com/thread/36355

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[anandtapas]

I have removed the Mcafe etc. and then further I tried an app called "Addons detector" This is good app scans phone and shows which apps are having inbuilt add ons or plug ins that throw ads or send ur phone data over internet.

So guys n gals beware when downloading free aps now all of them have multiple built in adware or some ware to send your data over internet. while downloading some free aps warn u of that. some dont

example free  astro says it has adware. The add on detector shows that astro has : AdMob, AdSense, Adwhirl, Cauly , Madhouse and Millenial plug ins !!!!!!!!!!:smileysad: A few days back this free app had only three plugins.

So what ? (1) paid apps wont have ads (2) Google Market Free apps invariably are now a days loaded with region specific adware or some nuisance ware

I am investigating further

[Uliwooly]

when you download an app ALWAYS check on the permissions it requires

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[anandtapas]

What permissions we should watch and then what should we do ?

[Uliwooly]

go to the market and download any app -> download -> accept & download this is where you can read the permissions.

there isn't much you can do about it, but to download another similar app

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[anandtapas]

ok ! Thanx ! I will watch that info .

[#9]

Hey uliwooly,

why is McAfee so bad?  I noticed that there was a ree trial version and installed it, just like I would use a virus scanner / internet protection software on my laptop.

Don't we need any kind of antivirus/malware detecter on a smartphone?

[Uliwooly]

you don't need a virus scanner this is not a PC, it creates connectivity issues

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