RAT Malware – How To Detect and Remove RAT Malware or Virus From An Android Phone to Clean and Restore Data
RAT Malware, short for Remote Access Trojan, is a specific type of malware that gives a hacker remote access to an infected device. When an Android phone is infected with RAT Malware, a hacker can steal information, download more malware to your phone, and infect other devices connected to the same network.
RAT Malware gives hackers the ability of covert surveillance or the ability to gain unauthorized access to a device. Hackers gain a backdoor into the phone with unfettered access, including the ability to monitor user behavior, change phone settings, browse and copy files, use the data connection to send stolen data or spread more malware.
Android phone malware is especially dangerous because the hacker gains access to the Android phone at the highest level. When a phone is infected with RAT Malware the camera, keypad, and file system may be accessed anytime remotely. RAT Malware can behave like a key logger recording all keystrokes and information sent from the phone. All data from the phone can be recorded and sent back to the hacker including usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, banking credentials, and the contents of any messages.
How is RAT Malware Spread to an Android Phone?
Like other malwares, RAT Malware is spread through phishing emails, scams, and social engineering. Victims are encouraged to click on links and download files which launch the cyber attack. Once an Android phone is infected, malware often downloads a package that helps it spread to more devices sharing the same network. If you use public WiFi you make your device susceptible to a cyber attack and can bring it back to your home network.
Maybe you received a RAT Malware email telling you that malware has infected your Android phone and the hacker is demanding to be paid in Bitcoin to avoid contacting all your contacts with an ugly message. Paying is no guarantee that your device will be cleaned. It’s possible that your Android phone was not actually infected with anything, but clicking on the link in the RAT Malware blackmail email to pay the ransom can initiate the download.
Signs You Have an Android Phone Infected with RAT Malware
- Android Operating System Errors – Updates won’t install or an operation did not complete
- Android Apps Keep Crashing
- You are Seeing Pop Ups
- Android Phone Responds Slowly
- You Notice Data Usage Spikes on Android Phone
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What is RAT Malware?
Anything unwanted app or file that can harm your devices or steal your personal information is malware. RAT Malware is a genre of malware that allows the hacker to remote control the Android phone or other infected device. Viruses are a type of malware.
The best protect is to use a quality antivirus app to protect your phone and laptop.
How to Check for RAT Malware
Often malware is designed to be persistent and loads even if you reboot the phone. Look at the apps that are running on your Android phone to see if any suspicious looking apps are active. Read our post on how to look for spyware to see how to get into your app settings and data usage. RAT Malware may establish network connections into or out of your phone.
Like real rats, RAT Malware never travels alone. RAT Malware comes bundled with Trojans and spyware.
Typical Rat Malware Names
- SubSeven
- Back Orifice
- ProRat
- AndroRAT
- GimmeRat
- DarkComet
- VorteX RAT
Andoird RAT Malware Examples
- We have Installed One RAT Software Virus
- Malware Rat Email Password
- We have Installed One RAT Software Virus from Windows
- Ghost RAT Malware
- Dark RAT Malware
- Gravity RAT Malware
- Revenge RAT Malware
- Hero RAT Malware
How to Remove RAT Malware on Android Phone
Read our post on how to look for spyware to see how to get into your app settings and data usage.
First go to an uninfected phone or laptop and change ALL usernames and passwords that were used or synced with the infected Android phone. Remember that web browsers like Chrome and Firefox can sync accounts across multiple devices. So, if your phone’s web browser chares the same Google account on another devices, those passwords are compromised and should be changes.
To remove RAT Malware from your Android phone, perform the following steps
- Go to settings and tap on Data to see which apps are using the most data
- Go to your phone settings and taps Apps to find suspicious apps
- Manually clear data and cache for any unwanted apps
- Tap Force Stop and uninstall malware apps
- Uninstall and reinstall all web browsers infected Android RAT Malware
If this does not work, then download and install a reliable virus remover and cleaner to get rid of malware on your Android Phone. Some antimalware apps may not be able to detect its, so you may have to use several.
It may be necessary to factory reset your phone.
Android RAT Malware- Restore Encrypted Files and Data After Ransomware Removal
If you need to recover files and data encrypted by ransomware virus use a recommended data recovery software to help restore files and data.
Monitor credit reports and bank statements carefully over the following months to spot any suspicious activity to financial accounts.
How to Prevent RAT Malware
Never click on or download anything from within an email unless you are positive you know the sender, the sender’s address email is legit, and you were expecting something. If you don’t know how to tell a phishing email from a real one – read our guide on how to detect a phishing email. It’s FREE!
- Don’t ever install apps, files, spreadsheets, or unpack any zipped file at the urging of email senders, unknown parties, or phone calls
- Keep your devices up-to-date by patching the operating system and all apps with the latest security updates. If you wait to switch to the latest secure version of the Android operating system, you leave your Android device vulnerable to RAT Malware. Update as soon as you can
- Don’t root your Android phone. Although this will allow more control over what apps are on your device, it leaves it open to hackers and RAT Malware
- Update Malware and Virus Protection apps. To protect against RAT Malware your antivirus app needs the latest dictionaries to know how to detect and block malware. Keep your virus protection updated. If you don’t have an antivirus app, try this one
- Only purchase apps through the official Google Play store. Even then, make sure the app is official and looks professional
- Check for app reviews. Are they positive? If other users are leaving advice to avoid the app, then you may want to reconsider before downloading anything
- When installing any app, even official ones, do not give the app more permissions than it needs. For example, a flashlight app does not need to access your phone contacts. If the access the app is asking for at installation seems wrong, it is probably scamming information from you and sending it back to the mothership
