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Android Red Alert Malware – How to Detect and Remove It

This article has been created in order to explain what is the Android Red Alert malware and how to remove it from your computer.

New malware for Android has been detected by malware researchers to perform series of unwanted activities on the Android devices that have been affected by it. The malware has further been reported to cause numerous different issues on the victim’s computer, such as steal important information from it and possibly install other malware on it. In addition to this, the malware has been reported to come in the form of an update and to slither completely unnoticed on the victim’s device. In the event that your device has been infected by the Android Red Alert malware, we advise that you read the following article to learn how to remove it from your device and protect it against future Android viruses as well.

Threat Summary

Name Android Red Alert Malware
Type Android Malware
Short Description May perform malicious activities while remaining undetected on Android devices.
Symptoms New files dropped on your pone’s flash memory.
Distribution Method Via applications uploaded on Google Play store, containing malicious JavaScript code.
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Android Red Alert 2 Malware – Infection

The Android Red Alert 2 malware infection is the type of malware whose primary purpose is to slither onto your android device without you even noticing it. To achieve it’s goal, the Android Red Alert 2 malware may use a variety of techniques, including apps, which while only seem to be legitimate, may contain malicious files, embedded directly among their system files. In addition to this, the malware may also be spread via advertisements and other ad-supported software, whose primary purpose is to deceive the victim into clicking on them, after which the malicious software may be automatically downloaded on their computers. The malicious files, related to this virus are reported to be slithered via different method on victims’ computers and among those the most reports have been received in association with fake updates:

Red Alert report 1
Red Alert report 2

Android Red Alert 2 Virus – Analysis

After the malicious files of the Android Red Alert 2 virus have been downloaded, the malware begins to perform it’s malicious activities on the victim’s PC. The way this happens is by triggering possibly a JavaScript code which may get the malware to obtain administrative permissions over the Android user.

This results in the Android Red Alert malware to begin with the malicious deeds on your computer. The main of those are believed to be:

  • Steal passwords of Google Accounts, associated with the infected device.
  • Obtain logins for social media and other apps (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
  • Obtain the keystrokes tapped by the victim.
  • Take screenshots of the infected device without the victim noticing.
  • Open or close apps on the infected device.
  • Download other malicious files while remaining unnoticed.

In addition to this, the malware has also been reported by TrendMicro to be able to intercept SMS messages for verification attempts to make it possible for the cyber-criminals to login using your device, but not only this, the Red Alert virus can also block such attempts on your phone, so you can only remain to wonder why you do not receive activation codes for your account. In addition to this, the malware has also been detected to be sold for around $500 on the black market, making it attractive as well as effective.

Remove Android Red Alert 2 from Your Android

For you to remove this malware, the Android Red Alert virus cannot be simply deleted, since it runs multiple different files which may deny you access to various different administrative settings on your device. The Red Alert 2 malware aims to remain persistent on your device and this results in the virus to have strategies that make it to come back on your device, even if you feel convinced you have removed it. What you can do is to follow the instructions provided below.

Ventsislav Krastev

Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.

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Preparation before removal of malware.

Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.

  • Turn off your phone until you know how bad is the virus infection.
  • Open these steps on another, safe device.
  • Make sure to take out your SIM card, as the virus could corrupt it in some rare cases.

Step 1: Shut Down your phone to win some time

Shutting down your phone can be done by pressing and holding its power button and choosing shut down.

In case the virus does not let you do this, you can also try to remove the battery.

In case your battery is non-removable, you can try to drain it as fast as possible if you still have control over it.

Notes: This gives you time to see how bad the situation is and to be able to take out your SIM card safely, without the numbers in it to be erased. If the virus is on your computer, it is espeically dangerous to keep the sim card there.


Step 2: Turn on Safe Mode of your Android device.

For most Android devices, switching to Safe Mode is the same. Its done by following these mini-steps:


1.Turn on your device and hold the power button until you see the following menu:


2.Tap on Safe Mode Icon to reset your phone to Safe Mode, like shown below:


3.When you turn on your phone, you will see the letters “Safe Mode” written on the side, bottom or other corners of the screen. Your phone will also be in Airplane mode. This will help avoid any viruses communicating with the hacker.


Step 3: Eliminate the App that Your Believe is the Virus

Usually Android viruses get masked in the form of applications. To eliminate apps, follow these mini-steps:

1.Swipe down from the top of your phone and locate the Settings symbol and tap on it.


2.When you open the Settings menu, you should be able to locate the control center of all your App Permissions. It should look something like the following:


3.Now if you know which the virus or adware app is, you should locate it and tap on it:


4.When you enter the app, you will see two options – to Force Stop it and to Uninstall it. Make sure to first Force Stop it so that your phone is safe from any tripwire tactics of the app that may destroy it an then tap on Uninstall to remove it.


5.Now if you are sure that the virus or adware app is removed, you can hold the Power button and tap on Restart:


Step 4: Find Hidden Virus Files on Your Android Phone and Remove Them


1.To find hidden files manually (In case you know where the virus files are), you can use Safe Mode to go to where your Files are actually located. Usually, this is a folder, named “My Files” or something approximate to this:

2.There you should be able to locate all of your files and all of the folders:

Simply locate the virus and hold-tap on the virus file to delete it.

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