The Samsung Tablet devices run on the Android operating system and they are susceptible to virus infection. Viruses could get in through several ways, but most importantly, they cause harm to you and the device. The malware could be a targeted attack from cyber criminals to steal your data stream.
This article highlights how important it is to use virus protection. In this post you will learn several things you can do to keep your Tablet protected from such threats.
Is it Possible for My Samsung Tablet to Get a Virus?
As a precautionary move, it is advisable that you avoid downloading and uninstall apps that are not from the official Google app store. However, to check for virus infection, you must use the Smart Manager Application on the device.
Here are the steps to making use of the Smart Manager Application:
- Step one: Open up the menu area and locate “Apps”
- Step two: Click on the option that reads “Smart Manager”
- Step three: Tap in security to view the last time the device was scanned. This would be shown at the top right area of the screen.
- Step four: Here, try a new scan by clicking on the “Scan Now” button
At the end of the scan, it would show if there is a problem or possible virus, and then you can adopt a solution.
How to Know When there is Malware on your Samsung Tablet
Once there is malware on your Samsung Tablet, there are certain signs to expect. This serves as a way for you to identify if the Tablet has been infiltrated by attackers. Here are the signs to look out for:
- Excessive data consumption: Once there is an app on the tablet that is malicious and running in the background, it could affect your data consumption. If your data is being consumed faster than usual, then it is a possibility that your device is infected. However, it could be that there are just many open apps, and they can be solved by closing the apps that are not in use.
- The frequent crashing of apps: Malware on the Tablet could affect the operation of the device on a more critical level. Sometimes it involves the process of apps on the device and causes them to crash unexpectedly and when in use. Note, it is okay for apps to crash once in a while, but it could be a reason when it becomes persistent and without any notable reason.
- Interruptive Pop-ups: Ads are typical when you visit specific sites, but when it begins to show up on the Tablet even when the browser has been closed, then it could be a virus. The adware could cause further harm and then make the phone hardly functional in the long run.
- Increased phone bill: Viruses that are in the form of a trojan can trigger certain features. These features make it possible for high-rate text messages going out of the device, which has its consequences. Automatically, this constitutes more in terms of phone bills and most likely a sign of a virus.
- Quick battery drainage: Once the tablet has been purchased, there is an estimated battery life with every full charge. However, with time the battery health is expected to depreciate with time. When a virus gets into the device, it could cause an unusual level of drainage that does not match up with the original battery health. So, if the drainage level is not caused as a result of old age, then it is most likely a virus.
- Overheating: Mobile devices like your Samsung tablet shouldn’t get excessively hot ordinarily. Thus, if your device is overheating, it could be the background apps that are running over time due to malware and other malicious activities and processes running in the background.
- Unfamiliar apps: Malware can be present on your device due to a rogue application install or if you click a link in a malicious SMS text message. If you don’t remember downloading a particular app, it is most likely a virus, and you should delete it.
Note, always check out for these signs on your Samsung Tablet and then determine if it’s a virus or not.
How to Protect your Samsung Tablets from Viruses
Viruses can be prevented from getting into your tablet if the necessary precautions are taken. Here are some things that can help prevent a malware intrusion, check them out below:
Make use of a security software
The easiest way to get a virus on any device is through the internet, and as long as your tablet has access to the internet, it is at risk. Therefore, it is important to have reliable security software installed on your device to protect against these viruses.
Proper security software would come with a range of features that are designed to offer protection to devices. They are made to identify online threats and possible malware attacks while actively ensuring they do not get into the device. Check out the range of reliable options that can work on your device.
Install available software updates
Irrespective of the device that you are using, there are always software updates provided. It is advisable that once they are available, you instantly get to install the updates as they are designed to get rid of bugs discovered on the previous version.
Ensure to check for updates by following the steps below:
- Step one: Scroll down with two fingers from the top of the screen and then click on the “settings” icon.
- Step two: Once opened, swipe down and then locate the option that says “Software Update” or “System Updates.” The name is reliant on the Samsung tablet that you have.
- Step three: Check for any available system update, and if available, click on” Download and Install.” If the search shows there is an update on some devices, it may begin downloading by itself, but others would require that you tap on “Download now.”
- Step four: Wait for the download to be completed and then go ahead to follow the on-screen instructions for the updates to be installed.
Note, it is possible to set the updates to run automatically on your Tablet once they are connected to a Wi-Fi network. Only when the auto-update feature has been turned off, you would need to follow the process above. Also, certain features would be restricted once the update has started- it would be impossible to make calls, check out files, or even emergency services.
In all, this should keep the device running smoothly and keep the security level updated from possible malware threats.
Verify the apps you install
Installation or downloads from the internet has proven to be a frequent source for malware to get into devices. In this regard, you must use discretion before downloading any app from the internet.
As a rule of thumb, we would suggest that you only downloaded apps from the Google Play store on your Samsung Tablet. Certain providers may suggest you download from their website online due to being unavailable on the Google Play store; this is something that you might want to avoid. The apps may have been taken off the Google play store due to previous users’ possible security threats and reports.
Also, even apps that are still on the Google play store may pose security threats and have been undiscovered. One way to avoid such is by reading reviews and ratings just underneath the download area of the app. Check for privacy policies and know what kind of information the app would have access to.
Use a lock on the device.
It is possible to lose your Samsung tablet in theft or other situations, and this creates an opening for a breach. Cyber criminals often seek out information from devices after they have been stolen and one way to achieve this is by infecting the device with targeted malware. This enables a phishing process that then allows for the unauthorized use of your information.
In such cases, the protection that serves is the password encryption placed on your Samsung Tablet. Apart from the password encryption feature on the Samsung device, there are other password managers that you can try out for extra security.
Be on guard for Smishing.
Apart from the virus links that are included in emails, there are other ways to get the virus onto a device. Some hackers now make use of SMS phishing scams to get these targeted malware on a device. If it’s an email or a text, ensure that it is from a recognizable contact and don’t just open any link sent in these messages.
Avoid jailbreaking the Tablet.
Often, people love to root or jailbreak their devices for certain access that is restricted originally; however, this could pose a threat. The freedom it brings takes away the restraints but also removes the warranty on the device. Certain features built into the phones would no longer work and make it easier for viruses to get into the device.
Install a VPN
VPNs can do more than just change the location of your IP address; they can also serve as protection from security threats. For example, the NordVPN comes with a mobile app that includes a CyberSec feature to block dangerous websites and pop-ups from infecting your Tablet. So, check out for available VPN providers that have similar cybersecurity features.
To learn more about VPN’s and how to choose one check this article out
What are the Possible Mobile Threats for my Samsung Tablet?
There are certain ways that malware and other unauthorized activities can be initiated on your Samsung Tablet. Here are some of them to look out for:
Data Leakage
Malicious mobile apps can cause data leakage if installed from sketchy developers and third-party app stores. This is one source of problem for those making use of the Samsung Tablet. Instead of granting broad permission, it is important to read the terms and the access you would be giving out.
Also, the data leakage could be a result of a hostile signed mobile app that makes use of malware in its activities. It makes use of a distribution code that functions well on android devices like the Tablet. The movement of data by these mobile apps happens in a seamless way that makes it harder to identify as malware affecting the device.
Thus, to prevent such problems, we have reinforced the need to properly review the permission you give to any mobile app on your Tablet. Stay clear of any of the apps that require more information than is necessary for its operation.
(link to mobile security articles)
Unsafe Wi-Fi connections
It is okay not to want to burn through your mobile data and thus feel the need to connect to any available Wi-Fi. However, this is one easy way to get hacked through viruses sent over the connection. The security risk of these Wi-Fi connections could get to not just the functionality of your phone but cause personal information to be stolen in transit. It suggested that you stick to your mobile data in public. If you are going to use public Wi-Fi then ensure it is over a VPN.
Network Spoofing
Hackers have a way of setting up fake access points that imitates a Wi-Fi network, but they are actually traps. These traps are usually set up in areas that have high traffic on a regular basis, like libraries, airports, restaurants, etc. The criminals involved in the spoofing usually name the Wi-Fi connections with familiar names that seem harmless.
In more elaborate cases, the spoofed network usually requires the users to create an account by inputting their account credentials. Because it is more convenient for people to fill in the same email and password in almost all their accounts, this makes it easy for them to get into your other accounts.
So, even when you connect to a Wi-Fi in public, always ensure that you do not fill in your personal information.
Spyware
Despite the threats that malware poses to your Tablet by sending out your personal information to cyber criminals, there is another critical threat to consider. Spyware is one that is installed by familiar people and not just cyber criminals that you haven’t met.
It could be a spouse, employers, co-workers, etc., that are trying to track your activities unauthorized.For these kinds of activities, you can make use of the antivirus to clean through the system.
What are the Antivirus tools that work with a Samsung Tablet?
Here are virus protection options that you should check out for your Samsung Tablet:
- Bitdefender Mobile Security: As one of the top sources of mobile security, it has remarkable features that are needed for your Tablet. The antivirus is easily accessible and barely has an impact on the normal running of the device. Also, it has an unlimited VPN option that can offer you extra security to encrypt your internet traffic.
- Norton Mobile Security: The design of this protection system has a flawless malware detection capacity that knocks out the competition. You can try this out as it not only offers protection from threats but has an intuitive design as well.
- Avast Mobile Security: The Avast antivirus system already has a reputation as it is a popular choice for a lot of mobile users. It comes with different features that are free and allows you to get the premium at an affordable rate. Yet, you may want to be cautious as it comes with a lot of ads on its own.
- Cylance: This is a mobile anti-virus tool that utilizes machine learning to protect your device. The tool blocks most malware by analyzing signatures and unusual behaviour patterns to block unauthorized apps and network connections on your device.
- Google Play Protect: The Google Play Protect is the virus protection that is built into the device ordinarily. It has a limited impact on the running of the tablets while adopting an anti-theft tool for emergencies.
This tool will scan the apps that you download from the play store before it actually makes it on your device. If the app is found to be malicious then it wont download.
Conclusion
It is important to protect your Samsung Tablet from possible security threats as they can affect the device in different ways, not to mention the user’s personal information. Some could cause the device to overheat, on another occasion cause excessive use of data, allow adware, and worse. Thus, you would need to protect the Tablet from these virus infiltrations through antivirus or any other recommended means.
In this post, we covered all the possible ways that your Samsung tablet could get a virus, as well as how to detect a virus. With this article you have learned how to secure your Samsung tablet.
My hope is that you can stay secure from the various cyber threats and protect the sensitive information of you and your loved ones!
