Just a few moments ago, my mobile antivirus (Avast) has been detecting a trojan infection on my mobile. I was not aware of installing any unusual application other than the cleaning tool to reclaim more space to my already depleted microsd card. In the process, I think I have chosen the wrong application and in the process had encountered a trojan, a program that looks harmless until it bites later on.
The cleaning app is not a problem at all, but the bundled "privacy guard app". I can say that it was bundled because I did not remember downloading it. This app mimicked the legit app LEO Privacy Guard and it copied it's logo as well.
The problem begins
Avast antivirus keeps on detecting it and flashing a notice to uninstall it. What makes it real annoying is I have uninstalled it many times then after 2 to 3 minutes on every uninstallation, it reinstalls itself. Avast antivirus detects it and tells me to uninstall again. I was thinking a false positive and installed AVG but the same result and warning persisted.
Can't find a solution even on google
I have googled for a solution on how to uninstall it but all it is showing was the legit application LEO Privacy Guard. It seems like this infection is new as I have not encountered anyone with the same problem as I have.
Temporary solution
At the time of this post, I am not yet not able to get rid of it, but I managed to stop it from installing itself by disabling USB debugging. Access this going to Settings>General>Developer Options>Untick USB Debugging. This feature is off by default, I just let it on because I usually connect and transfer files to my laptop. It proved that this is not really a good idea to always set to on.
If you do have a tip on how to remove this, then it would be much appreciated!
The fake Privacy Guard application stopped to automatically install itself after 3 days. I did not do anything special but I have added another internet security in my system. Although Kaspersky did not detect anything suspicious after the first scan, the rogue application did not manage to appear in the scan results even after using AVG and Avast with the USB debugging on!
The cleaning app is not a problem at all, but the bundled "privacy guard app". I can say that it was bundled because I did not remember downloading it. This app mimicked the legit app LEO Privacy Guard and it copied it's logo as well.
The problem begins
Avast antivirus keeps on detecting it and flashing a notice to uninstall it. What makes it real annoying is I have uninstalled it many times then after 2 to 3 minutes on every uninstallation, it reinstalls itself. Avast antivirus detects it and tells me to uninstall again. I was thinking a false positive and installed AVG but the same result and warning persisted.
Can't find a solution even on google
I have googled for a solution on how to uninstall it but all it is showing was the legit application LEO Privacy Guard. It seems like this infection is new as I have not encountered anyone with the same problem as I have.
Temporary solution
At the time of this post, I am not yet not able to get rid of it, but I managed to stop it from installing itself by disabling USB debugging. Access this going to Settings>General>Developer Options>Untick USB Debugging. This feature is off by default, I just let it on because I usually connect and transfer files to my laptop. It proved that this is not really a good idea to always set to on.
If you do have a tip on how to remove this, then it would be much appreciated!
Update: 14.May.2015
The fake Privacy Guard application stopped to automatically install itself after 3 days. I did not do anything special but I have added another internet security in my system. Although Kaspersky did not detect anything suspicious after the first scan, the rogue application did not manage to appear in the scan results even after using AVG and Avast with the USB debugging on!
Hi I also have the same issue and I have another issue of Time Service and Monkey Test
ReplyDeleteI am using Huawei Honor 3C
Hi I also have the same issue and I have another issue of Time Service and Monkey Test
ReplyDeleteI am using Huawei Honor 3C
Hi I also have the same issue and I have another issue of Time Service and Monkey Test
ReplyDeleteI am using a10 qurdcore
In my case, the fake Privacy Guard icon showed up unexpectedly on the launcher. When I tapped on it, Android asked if I wanted to install it (I allowed unsigned apps). I didn't, of course.
ReplyDeleteI used APK manager (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ljmobile.apk.manager) to find and delete the suspect APK. It has not shown up since.
I cant uninstall privacy guard, how do i uninstall?
ReplyDeleteI was able to use ES File Explorer. I clicked on Apps, then I clicked on the Privacy Guard Icon, and tried to delete it. It took me to a spot in my phone where I could deactivate it, then went back and deleted it out of ES File Explorer. So far, it has not tried to reinstall. Hope this helps!
Deleteits true.. ES File Explorer can deactivate Privacy Guard.. yeaayyyy!!!
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