What exactly is adware on a phone and how do I remove it?
Adware is unwanted software that displays intrusive ads on your phone, often slowing performance or redirecting you. It usually installs alongside other apps.
To remove it:
- Identify Suspicious Apps: Look for recently installed or unfamiliar apps around when ads began appearing.
- Uninstall Them: Go to Settings > Apps and uninstall any suspicious applications.
- Run a Security Scan: Use a reputable mobile security app (like Malwarebytes) to scan and remove threats.
- Clear Browser: Clear your browser’s cache/data; remove unfamiliar extensions.
- Factory Reset (Last Resort): If issues persist, a factory reset cleans your device (backup first!).