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Konstantinos Tsoukalas

Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Wintips.org. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).

75 Comments

  1. alanecetz
    May 29, 2018 @ 11:51 pm

    Great info…
    I did every step in this article until the last step (step 5) solved my device problem with adware.
    Thanks a lot

    Reply

  2. Buchi
    October 14, 2017 @ 5:46 pm

    Great info, keep it up, please my android phone i.e Itel A12, all the files especially my songs and pics got cleaned up by a malware, please tell me how i can recover all those files.

    Reply

    • lakonst
      October 16, 2017 @ 10:05 am

      @Buchi: Connect your phone to your pc and try with the programs mentioned on this article to recover your files.

      Reply

  3. Alex K
    July 29, 2017 @ 10:53 pm

    Great info, very detailed and step by step, thanks a lot!!

    Reply

  4. Tyrrany of Antiviruses is better than The Freedom of Viruses
    June 9, 2017 @ 8:30 am

    Very good information! I was able to clean my phone. Thank you!

    Reply

  5. Ulrik Hansen
    May 31, 2017 @ 5:09 am

    Hi.
    After a factory reset. And after hours or day, after I reconnect to googleplay, I get the "unfortunately Google partner as stopped working" wtf? It happens with all the apps too.
    I can only keep it running for a few days before it crashes again. What happened???

    Reply

    • lakonst
      May 31, 2017 @ 9:14 am

      @Ulrik Hansen: See on your device's manufacturer support webbite for that issue.

      Reply

  6. Marcel Evans
    May 7, 2017 @ 9:09 am

    Great article… Many thanks!

    Reply

  7. Tony
    January 4, 2017 @ 9:53 am

    Hi i got a lenovo k note 3 not long ago i had a app just appeared on my phone home page 2048 since then any app i went on open ads so i backed up my files done a hard reset again no luck done a factory reset no luck now i cant even get in google acc and i keep getting messages unfortunately google has stopped and also safe center and others and another app has appeared called flyee also if i conect to wifi its says there is a problem with it will another factory reset in safe mode work please help me resolve the problem many thanks

    Reply

  8. Nurul
    November 28, 2016 @ 6:00 am

    Hi, my android infected by 5 malware : casioc, guo, jiu, xuang and UC News. I've tried to uninstall those malware in normal mode and it's deleted but when I tried to reboot my phone it comes again. Uninstall in safe mode it's the same, comes after reboot. Factory reset won't work either. It keeps coming after reboot. When I turn on my phone it says "Android is upgrading" "Optimized apps x of 5" and those malwares come again. I tried to install antivirus but all of it won't work. What should I do now??? I have a rooted Kitkat 4.4.2 device.

    Reply

    • lakonst
      November 28, 2016 @ 10:50 am

      @Nurul: 1. Go to Settings > Security > Device administrators. Tap the app that you want to remove and "Deactivate". Immediately shutdown your device.
      2. Start the Device and open Application Manager.
      3. Open the unwanted app and tap in order: Force stop > Clear cache > Clear data > Uninstall.
      Additionally you can try to use SD Maid to clean your device.

      Reply

  9. lucy.K
    November 17, 2016 @ 6:43 pm

    hello, i have BE TOUCH 3 (ulefone). the past few days, when i open google chrome, always opens a second tab named "www.lmuch.com ". even when i opened the browser witch the device had, still opens the same tab. i restored the factory settings and still have the same problem. i tried all the steps and i installed the programs that you suggested and the didn't detect anything, nothing has changed.
    what else can i do ???? please ….

    Reply

  10. Urmuz
    October 3, 2016 @ 8:04 am

    Hi, I think I have a virus in my Nexus 4: I cannot open some apps, the phone is closing or opening apps and, strangely enough, I can tap and open only the apps on the right and left side of the screen, nothing in the center. Do you know what could be wrong and how to fix this? Thank you.

    Reply

    • lakonst
      October 3, 2016 @ 9:38 am

      @Urmuz: Maybe the touch screen is damaged, but you can try to
      1. Clean you phone by using the above guide and after that, if the problem persists, then 2. backup you data and reset your phone to factory settings.

      Reply

      • Urmuz
        October 3, 2016 @ 10:35 am

        Thanks Iakonst. Unfortunately I can't access – in Safe Mode – the Settings menu in order to stop all the running apps, as my touch screen is blocked in the center. Any suggestion?

        Reply

        • lakonst
          October 3, 2016 @ 11:47 am

          @Urmuz: No…-> Backup your phone data and then reset your phone to factory settings.

          Reply

  11. Daniel
    September 3, 2016 @ 1:04 pm

    Thanks a lot. this helped a lot.

    Reply

  12. Rodrick
    August 31, 2016 @ 10:33 pm

    Thanks it helped alot

    Reply

  13. Ellis
    August 21, 2016 @ 2:09 pm

    I Had maxon click adware both in chrom and internet browsers and facebook apps on my android phones. Cleaning cache and data on all these apps and restart did not help. After installing norton antivirus, it found 3 apps that could cause a problem. After removing bad apps the problem was gone. Thanks to Norton

    Reply

  14. Wolf Baginski
    August 7, 2016 @ 9:25 am

    Malwarebytes seems to have worked well. I have seen other security software work well for a while, and there is a race between the crooks and the rest of us, and it stops working well. But this time, this one did the job. It picked out several apps I was suspicious of already, and reports them deleted.There is some very old security info on some pages. This one is still working.

    Reply

  15. Shawnda
    July 4, 2016 @ 11:43 am

    I have officially found the answer all my android people, find the internet icon in the apps and drag it to the top of the phone as if you were about to uninstall the app. Beside the uninstall option there is an app info option drag it there next tap on clear cache and clear data. Exit out and your internet is new again.

    Reply

  16. Jupiter
    July 2, 2016 @ 7:44 am

    If that malware application is included in your android's default system, then goodluck uninstalling them on root mode. And you've better find a much clean firmware then flash it yourself. :)

    Reply

  17. Yeap
    June 2, 2016 @ 12:54 pm

    sorry,type wrong, it is malware*

    Reply

  18. Yeap
    June 2, 2016 @ 12:50 pm

    Hi, I have scan many times with 'lookout' and 'malwarebytes' both of them show that my device is safe and no mareware.
    I also deleted cache,internet history,apk files and etc through 'CCleaner'. The 'Android player' is not appear and download automatically after i power off and power on my phone. I feel glad because the virus maybe removed.
    So, thanks for your help! :D

    Reply

  19. Yeap
    June 1, 2016 @ 6:46 am

    Erm,actually i cant even find the app… i dont know why the app ads is always show on my launch, and i have install many types of anti-virus app to remove them but still cannot detect those virus. I think that is not an app, but it is an ads that recommend their app…

    Reply

    • Yeap
      June 1, 2016 @ 9:43 am

      Ok, now i have download the system app remover and i found a system app called 'android player' that i have downloaded about 5 days ago…so suspicious right? But when i want to uninstall it at the system app remover, it shows 'no root permission'.. Can you help me to solve this problem please?

      Reply

      • lakonst
        June 1, 2016 @ 3:09 pm

        @Yeap: Go to Settings > Security > Device administrators. Select the app that you cannot uninstall and choose Deactivate -> OK. Then immediately shutdown (or remove the battery from) your device. Start your device again and uninstall the App.

        Reply

        • Yeap
          June 2, 2016 @ 5:52 am

          Thankyou for your reply;), i have already use an app called 'kingo root' to allow me to root and uninstall the system app (Android player), it works with the 'system app save remover'.The virus was gone.
          But in the next day (today), the AntiVirus scanner was scanned the 'Android player' and it shows that it is safe.. And i realised that the Android player was just downloaded today…so confuse>_< I dont know whether the Android player is safe or not now and why it download itself, i didnt do anything , but luckily the ads is not appear again..

          Reply

          • lakonst
            June 2, 2016 @ 9:05 am

            @Yeap: Maybe some other app on your device downloads the 'Android Player'. Also delete all Internet history and cache.

  20. Justine
    May 28, 2016 @ 10:00 am

    I have one malware this name as SystemFQAD. i cant uninstall it. I find the device manager but there no SystemFQAD there so i cant deactivate the app and uninstall it. please help me

    Reply

    • lakonst
      May 28, 2016 @ 1:16 pm

      @Justine: These types of Malware apps, secretly roots your phone and also infects the original version of Android's System files. In that cases is very difficult to remove the malware app(s) so try to:
      1. Restore your phone to factory settings (backup first).
      2. Root your Android phone and then remove the malicious app/files from "/system/app" folder by using an Android root explorer application (from your PC).

      Reply

  21. Srikanth
    May 27, 2016 @ 5:53 pm

    In my phone 20 malware are detected
    But i cant uninstall that apps…
    Am trying to uninstall its says uninstall unsuccessful…
    Pls help me….
    Am turn on the data then automatically apps are downloded and porn adds are coming…
    How to solve my problem please help me….any one…

    Reply

    • lakonst
      May 27, 2016 @ 6:18 pm

      @Srikanth: Close all open apps then follow Step 4 to clean Internet History/Cache & then run Malwarebytes (Step 5). Then uninstall Apps

      Reply

  22. Marticco
    May 24, 2016 @ 10:12 pm

    Can anyone tell me how to remove malware which have infected System files ( those files like 'com.android….'). I have tried Factory reset but the virus just won't go away. I heard flashing my phone would help. But I don't like taking risks so can someone give me a good guide for flashing my phone or some other method

    Reply

  23. Rez
    May 5, 2016 @ 11:01 pm

    I have less than 30 seconds to do anything on then phone before it locks. I went into safe mode and tried to deactivate the admin but it kept locking me out constantly turning off my screen. I installed both apps but the scan takes way too long and heats up my phone way too hot. Am I at the point of wiping it or should I go smash the thing and go buy a new phone.

    Reply

  24. Susie
    May 1, 2016 @ 2:52 pm

    I have a Samsung S3 Neo and for the last couple of weeks have been plagued with green hyperlinks and popup ads. I installed Malware bytes and scan daily but nothing has been found. Shall I install the CC cleaner app too?

    Reply

    • lakonst
      May 3, 2016 @ 9:56 am

      @Susie: Yes install CCleaner too. Also look at the installed apps and uninstall any unknown app.

      Reply

  25. El-Ghazali
    April 21, 2016 @ 3:44 pm

    WORKED LIKE A CHARM SAVED ME A FACTORY RESTORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply

  26. t
    April 12, 2016 @ 11:28 am

    mine is greyed out as well. i went to try to deactivate pornplayer but as soon as i do. the screen goes black and i cant ever click ok.

    Reply

  27. Pearl
    March 24, 2016 @ 12:45 pm

    Hi, i have two malwares in my phone named configNservice and smsmanager they won't disable they keep showing ads and keep installing apps. I did the factory reset but it came back. When I checked they were in launcher menu in settings but i can't delete it. Please help me if you can.

    Reply

    • lakonst
      March 24, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

      @Pearl: You reset your phone to Factory defaults and you still have problems? Probably you install a third party app that includes the malware.

      Reply

      • Ashraf
        March 27, 2016 @ 4:52 pm

        Can you tell us what do you meen by " third party app" ,and how to remove it

        Reply

        • lakonst
          March 28, 2016 @ 9:30 am

          @Ashraf: A third party app is an app that is not come pre-installed on your device.

          Reply

      • Donny Bullock
        April 7, 2016 @ 5:44 am

        Hi how do you factory reset and back up data because i tried every step and when i get to force stop i went to device admin deactivate the turn off phone and it didnt work im really mad that this happend when something comes up when my son is playing a game on my phone

        Reply

        • lakonst
          April 7, 2016 @ 9:28 am

          @Donny Bullock: 1.Login-in to your Google account and check if all your contacts are there. 2. Connect your phone to your PC and transfer your data to the PC. 3. Then read your phone's manual on how to reset your phone to factory settings.

          Reply

  28. Santosh s m
    March 18, 2016 @ 9:37 pm

    It is not showing stop or uninstall option

    Reply

    • lakonst
      March 19, 2016 @ 9:43 am

      @Santosh: At Device Administrators > Deactivate the app. (See note at step-3)

      Reply

  29. Casey
    March 18, 2016 @ 6:22 am

    When I deactivate the app from administrators it goes straight to the virus page. My app is called xxx video and all the bottons to uninstall and stuff are greyed out. Will it work if I just reset it to factory default. It is a Samsung galaxy tab 4 and I'm scared

    Reply

    • lakonst
      March 18, 2016 @ 5:43 pm

      @Casey: Yes, it will work when you reset your phone to factory defaults. (But first backup everything you needed).

      Reply

  30. Anthony
    March 11, 2016 @ 1:09 am

    Hello,

    I downloaded the Malware scanner in safe mode but can't find the app and so can't run it! How can I run it in safe mode?

    Thanks.

    Reply

    • lakonst
      March 11, 2016 @ 10:27 am

      @Anthony: You have to run the malware scanner in Normal mode. By default you cannot run a non-system (3rd party) app in safe mode. The only way to run a non-system app in Safe Mode is to have root access.

      Reply

  31. Thade
    March 2, 2016 @ 11:06 pm

    I was recently hit by a ransomware app and listed it has the phone numbers of 2 family members listed for "interrogation", should I be worried? Or am I overthinking it

    Reply

    • lakonst
      March 3, 2016 @ 9:44 am

      @Thade: Such messages usually are fake. If you haven't do something bad, you do not need to worry :P

      Reply

  32. Jake
    January 21, 2016 @ 6:50 am

    If you have this popping up when you open the internet browser up, clear the cache of internet and uninstall updates. Reopen it and it should be good to go.

    Reply

  33. Liam
    January 16, 2016 @ 2:49 am

    Very good info. I used it to get rid of ransomware three times before but cannot now.When I go to Device Administrators in my phone there is nothing to unclick other than permission for Google to access my phone in case of loss. A number of apps cannot be disabled nor can I change permissions. Any suggestions? note 3.

    Reply

    • lakonst
      January 16, 2016 @ 10:13 am

      @Liam: 1. Force Stop third party running Apps and then Uninstall them. 2. Clear the history from all browsers.

      Reply

  34. joe
    January 11, 2016 @ 4:26 pm

    when I try to deactivate the device administrator permission in safe mode it just starts the lockout screen. also can't reset phone because the option is greeted out by thr app. now what???

    Reply

    • lakonst
      January 12, 2016 @ 11:01 am

      @joe: Try to: 1. Deactivate 2.Force Stop the app and then uninstall it.

      Reply

  35. Kenneth
    December 27, 2015 @ 10:01 am

    Your article is lacking. I was looking for a way to start malwarebytes in safe mode. You didn't show that.

    Reply

    • Catherine
      January 6, 2016 @ 10:12 am

      Kenneth did you ever find…."How To Boot Your Android Device in Safe Mode? If not please go back to the article above ^…. Look under headings: …Ho To Remove Adware & Malware Apps from Android (Indcluding FBI Police Virus). …Press on the blue sentance that reads:… "How To Boot your Android device in Safe Mode…… Hope this helped!

      Reply

  36. dita
    December 25, 2015 @ 12:20 am

    Me too!!! I already did reset Factory settings and it's still there! How to remove it? Lookout couldn't either…

    Reply

  37. Aly
    November 6, 2015 @ 5:04 am

    I wish i can but there is no uninstall button. Force stop and turn off is the only thing i can do. Some says I need to root my phone to erase it but too scared to take the risk.

    Reply

    • Kayla
      December 11, 2015 @ 8:43 am

      I have the same problem did u end up figuring it out

      Reply

      • palash
        January 4, 2017 @ 7:50 am

        download 360 security

        Reply

    • Mein
      April 9, 2016 @ 4:52 pm

      Me too :( there are 4 apps which was downloaded automatically on my phone, i tried to uninstall it but only "Force Stop" and "Disable" were the options :((((

      Reply

      • lakonst
        April 11, 2016 @ 9:30 am

        @Mein: 1. Force Stop these apps. 2. Then deactivate the app in Settings > Security > Device administrators. 3. Uninstall the app.

        Reply

      • xxjayzon2134
        August 9, 2016 @ 4:02 am

        try to root

        Reply

  38. Aly
    November 5, 2015 @ 9:12 am

    Malwarebytes can't uninstall all the malwares it detected 9 threats all was unsuccessful when i click uninstall.

    Reply

    • lakonst
      November 5, 2015 @ 10:45 am

      @Aly: Uninstall them manually.

      Reply

  39. David
    October 13, 2015 @ 7:43 am

    I try to deactivate the app that I want to uninstall on my Galaxy tab 3. When I hit OK the virus screen comes back immediately. Any other things to try without doing the factory reset? Amy way you can help would be hugely appreciated.
    THANK YOU!!!!!

    Reply

    • lakonst
      October 13, 2015 @ 9:08 am

      @David: Have you performed all the step in this guide in Safe Mode?

      Reply

  40. eryc
    October 7, 2015 @ 1:11 pm

    Very useful to me .

    Reply

    • Connie
      June 13, 2017 @ 12:46 am

      Agreed! Step 3 was the BEST.

      Reply

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