How to Address Potential malware Issues on Your Loved One’s Phone

In today’s digital age, smartphones have become essential tools, but they also come with vulnerabilities — especially if users are not vigilant. Recently, I encountered a concerning situation involving my mother’s phone that made me suspect it was infected with malware. Below, I outline the issues we faced and the steps we took to resolve them. This could be helpful for anyone who finds themselves in a similar predicament.

The Initial Discovery

The troubles began when I was using my mother’s laptop to check something and stumbled upon her internet history. To my shock, there were numerous adult websites she supposedly visited. Initially, I assumed that perhaps she had browsed these sites herself. However, my mother was very clear about not engaging in that activity and has always been open about such topics, making it unlikely that she was being dishonest.

Strange Behavior of the Phone

As I delved further into the issue, the situation took a bizarre turn. Shortly after using her phone, my mother returned to find it had automatically started playing an explicit ad. When I examined her Google search history, it revealed a search for “soft porn.” Alarm bells started ringing — this clear indication of unusual activity further convinced me that something was amiss.

Additionally, she articulated her frustration with persistent pop-up ads. When switching between apps, instead of landing on the intended application, she was repeatedly redirected to advertisements. This was unfamiliar behavior for any phone I had seen, raising my concerns about potential malware.

Troubleshooting the Issue

Knowing that my mother is not particularly cautious about downloading applications, I started contemplating the possibility that she may have inadvertently downloaded one or more malicious programs. Her device was cluttered with numerous files, making it challenging to pinpoint what to remove. A factory reset could be a last resort, but my mother was understandably reluctant to lose all her data.

Seeking Solutions

After discussing the matter with my family and receiving varied suggestions, I realized that understanding the specific model of her phone could assist in finding tailored solutions. My mother uses an Android device, specifically the LG V60 ThinQ.

I noticed that all the intrusive advertisements were appearing within Chrome, and at one point, her browser had amassed over 99 open tabs — a clear sign of an underlying issue. I took the initiative to clear the browser history and close those tabs.

A Positive Resolution

After gathering insights from the community, my mother ultimately decided to visit a Tech Support professional. To