How to scan a cell phone for malware?

[aligator12]

Hay about 6 months ago I connected via USB a cell phone to my computer running Windows that turned out to be infected with multiple instances of malware. So anyway I am not worried about the cell phone's OS itself having a virus, but I am worried about the malware having infected the storage capability on the phone. How would I scan it for malware?

[3rdalbum]

Install an anti-virus program that runs on Linux. It will search for Windows malware. Plug in the mobile phone, make sure it's mounted on the desktop, then tell the anti-virus program to search the mobile phone's storage space.

Of course, Ubuntu isn't affected by Windows malware, so you're safe.

[wacky_sung]

Good luck with your venture using Android or jail break apple OS.Unless you are using SEAndroid (http://selinuxproject.org/page/SEAndroid) or non jail break apple which only make you much safer to get Malware/Virus infestion.

Otherwise connect to a malware/virus free system to scan on your mobile.

[aligator12]

I have another question, is it possible for a virus to infect a storage device but be an "invisible" file? Meaning it's one I can't see or an anti-virus product?

Also, what is the chance of the Linux version of avast catching what ever nasty might be hiding on it?

[aligator12]

Good luck with your venture using Android or jail break apple OS.Unless you are using SEAndroid (http://selinuxproject.org/page/SEAndroid) or non jail break apple which only make you much safer to get Malware/Virus infestion.

Otherwise connect to a malware/virus free system to scan on your mobile.
It's not jail broken, it's just a normal cell phone that can take photos.

And the whole reason I am worried is because I am going to plug it into a windows machine.

[wacky_sung]

It's not jail broken, it's just a normal cell phone that can take photos.

And the whole reason I am worried is because I am going to plug it into a windows machine.

You can plug it into Ubuntu by installing some softwares/drivers into Ubuntu OS if you are using IOS or Android. Find out for the Mobile OS first.If you are using Android and you are recommended to install Antivirus into your mobile.You can try to use Anti (http://www.zimperium.com/anti.html) which is very much interesting.

Plug into Window OS, i cannot assure you that it is 100% safe.

[sanderj]

It's not jail broken, it's just a normal cell phone that can take photos.

And the whole reason I am worried is because I am going to plug it into a windows machine.

If that Windows machine has an up-to-date virusscanner, why worry?

[wacky_sung]

If that Windows machine has an up-to-date virusscanner, why worry?

Window OS itself is not built to be just like Linux permission to be secured.Even with the most up to date antivirus/malwares softwares, does not prove your system is 100% malware/virus free because antivirus depend totally on signature for detection. Malwares/virus are often discovered upon it spread like wildfire before a solution are provided by the antivirus companies.

[Dangertux]

Phone malware can be tricky. Often times it's extremely simple due to the nature of its platform, and is either not signatured or has a poor signature in most desktop AV.

The sad part about that, with the number of ios exploits and android malware growing in the wild it won't be long before its mandatory to have dedicated anti-malware solutions for your phone. This will become even more prominent with the new line of Windows 8 phones coming out in the near future.

So what are to do you ask? Well -- unforunately it's somewhat uncharted territory.

Ultimately the best guidelines I can give for this is as follows

- Don't jailbreak/root your phone. (it prevents you, most of the time, from receiving security updates)
- In that same vein keep your phone updated
- You can always try to scan with existing anti-malware solutions by either copying the files or mounting the phone as someone mentioned earlier. Results for this vary, but sometimes you'll get lucky.

Hopefully this helps.

[aligator12]

I thought that this was going to be like scanning a thumb drive for malware, is it any different scanning a cell phone? Remember, I am not worried about the cell phone's os being infected, but rather the removable medal capability having a worm or something on it.

[CharlesA]

Phone malware can be tricky. Often times it's extremely simple due to the nature of its platform, and is either not signatured or has a poor signature in most desktop AV.

The sad part about that, with the number of ios exploits and android malware growing in the wild it won't be long before its mandatory to have dedicated anti-malware solutions for your phone. This will become even more prominent with the new line of Windows 8 phones coming out in the near future.

So what are to do you ask? Well -- unforunately it's somewhat uncharted territory.

Ultimately the best guidelines I can give for this is as follows

- Don't jailbreak/root your phone. (it prevents you, most of the time, from receiving security updates)
- In that same vein keep your phone updated
- You can always try to scan with existing anti-malware solutions by either copying the files or mounting the phone as someone mentioned earlier. Results for this vary, but sometimes you'll get lucky.

Hopefully this helps.

Pretty much this whole thing.

I was going to say stick to the app store and don't download random stuff onto your phone. There may be a few rogue apps in the app store, so make sure to verify whatever it is you are installing before you install it.

There are antivirus apps in the app store/market as well, but I haven't bothered with any of them.

If you hooked the phone up to an infected machine, scanning it with antivirus/antimalware from a clean machine should catch anything.

[haqking]

I thought that this was going to be like scanning a thumb drive for malware, is it any different scanning a cell phone? Remember, I am not worried about the cell phone's os being infected, but rather the removable medal capability having a worm or something on it.

You can scan it like any other drive.

Or remove the media and scan it in a card reader etc.

Peace

[aligator12]

You can scan it like any other drive.
Great. :D

[lisati]

You can scan it like any other drive.

This holds true with camcorders that use some kind of media and/or HDD as well. One time a year or two back I plugged in a camcorder that had been used with an infected machine, and the Windows-based AV product I was using alerted me to more than one suspect file almost immediately.

[aligator12]

This holds true with camcorders that use some kind of media and/or HDD as well. One time a year or two back I plugged in a camcorder that had been used with an infected machine, and the Windows-based AV product I was using alerted me to more than one suspect file almost immediately.
Which files were infected?

[Jive Turkey]

I don't use smartphones at all because of the imminent malware problems, the lousy battery life, price gouging by data providers, and the fact that they are capable, by design of oversharing data without any special permission from the user.

[ottosykora]

I manged also to boot with cd antivirus scan environment and connect smartphone to it and it got recognized and could be scanned like any othe usb stick.