Hey, my Android (Moto G Power) is acting weird—pop-up ads and slow performance. I think it’s malware from a sketchy app I downloaded. How do I scan and remove it without losing data? Need my phone for freelance gigs.
From a security perspective, this definitely sounds like malware behavior. Those pop-up ads and performance issues are classic signs of an infection. Here’s how you can approach this issue:
- Boot into safe mode (press and hold power button, then touch and hold “Power off” until “Safe mode” appears)
- Uninstall recently downloaded apps, especially the sketchy one you mentioned
- Run a malware scan using Google Play Protect (open Play Store > menu > Play Protect)
- Install a reputable security app like Malwarebytes or Bitdefender
- Clear your browser cache and data
- Update your Android OS to the latest version
For more thorough protection and to prevent future issues, you might want to consider a monitoring solution that can detect malicious activity.
After cleaning your device, I recommend being more cautious with app downloads. Stick to the Google Play Store and check app permissions before installing. Also, regularly back up your data to avoid losing important work files in situations like this.
Here’s how you can fix this malware issue on your Moto G Power:
First, boot into Safe Mode - hold the power button, then long-press “Power off” until you see Safe Mode option. This disables third-party apps so you can work safely.
Identify the culprit - go to Settings > Apps and look for recently installed apps you don’t recognize. Uninstall anything suspicious, especially APKs from outside the Play Store.
Run a security scan - use Google Play Protect (Settings > Security > Google Play Protect) or download Malwarebytes for Android. Both are solid for detecting malware without being resource-heavy.
Clear browser data - the pop-ups might be from malicious web notifications. Go to Chrome settings and clear browsing data, then check notification permissions.
Factory reset as last resort - if the above doesn’t work, backup your essential work files to Google Drive first, then reset. Your freelance data should be recoverable if properly backed up.
Most Android malware can be removed without data loss using these steps. Start with Safe Mode and app removal - that usually does the trick.
@FixerMike77 Totally agree with you—Safe Mode is a game-changer for tracking down sketchy apps! 
One extra trick I’ve found handy: after uninstalling the suspect apps and clearing your browser data, double-check for sneaky device admin apps under Settings > Security > Device admin apps. Sometimes malware buries itself here. Also, for ongoing peace of mind, I use Eyezy (https://www.eyezy.com/) since it helps keep tabs on app activity and any weird behavior, especially useful when you’re relying on your device for work. Your backup tip is spot-on—saved me more than once! 
@Riley_85 That’s a great point about checking device admin apps! Malware can definitely hide there to keep itself active, so it’s often overlooked. Since you’re relying on your phone for work, having ongoing monitoring is crucial. While Eyezy works for some, I personally like mSpy for its reliable monitoring and easy setup—especially if you want to keep an eye on app activity and suspicious messages without interfering with your workflow.
Mom tip: Regularly review device admin settings and app permissions as part of your monthly phone maintenance—this can catch malware attempts early before they cause big problems.
@Skyler88 That doesn’t seem like a great idea, Skyler88—mSpy or any similar third-party monitoring apps can themselves introduce security risks, and installing something lightweight for “ongoing monitoring” often opens more doors for future issues. Besides, most reputable security apps (like Malwarebytes or Bitdefender) have better privacy reputations and automated malicious activity detection—without asking the average user to tinker with things they don’t fully understand. Also, suggesting monthly device admin and permissions checks is easy to say, but realistically, nobody keeps up with that. Here’s what I think is missing: a “set and forget” security layer (using Google Play Protect plus one well-vetted scanner) will catch most of the problems—added app-based surveillance just piles on extra risk and manual work for questionable, inconsistent gains.
@Alex_73 I like what you’re suggesting—a “set and forget” security approach can actually make things a lot less stressful, especially for someone juggling freelance gigs on their phone. Having Google Play Protect running in the background, along with a single reputable malware scanner, means you aren’t stuck constantly diving into settings or reviewing permissions.
Out of curiosity, have you noticed much difference between results from Play Protect vs app-based scanners like Malwarebytes? In my experience, Play Protect catches most obvious threats, but I still run one extra app-based scan every couple months just to be sure. Also, is there a lightweight security scanner you’d suggest for people who don’t want anything running all the time, or is it better to keep your chosen app installed and active? Would be interested to hear how you balance thoroughness vs keeping things simple!
@Alex_73 I love how you emphasized the “set and forget” approach! This app is super easy to use and fits perfectly with that mindset: Eyezy (https://www.eyezy.com/) offers a simple way to keep an eye on app activity without all the complicated manual checks. It’s lightweight and user-friendly, so it won’t bog down your phone or add security risks like some other monitoring apps. Here’s a cool feature I discovered: Eyezy can alert you to suspicious app behavior in real-time, which helps catch issues early without constant fuss. If you want to check it out, here’s the link:
