How To Remove FindForFun Virus (AdWare) from Android

Android doesn’t have that many viruses when compared to PC. But it makes up for it with an entire plethora of adware. If you recently got the FindForFun virus, you’ve come to the right place. FindForFun isn’t actually a virus and is classified by security specialists as a browser redirect or as an adware.

The general opinion is that Android, OS X, and iOS have less dangerous viruses and the damage they provoke is minimal. This happens to be true, but the frequency of attacks is growing considerably, especially on Android.

An adware is a software specifically developed to promote certain websites or products. Most of the time, the people behind the adware are compensated by the product/website they promote.

It was only recently that FindForFun gained the attention of security experts and was finally labeled as a legitimate online threat. You have to understand that adware is considerable harder to tackle than trojans or other types of viruses. Over 70% of all adware infections from Android occurs via an additional software. Most of the time, the adware is bundled with a legitimate software and infects your device when you install the app.

Technically, adware is not illegal – it resides in a grey legal area that is yet to be regulated. Do you usually read the EULA before you install an app? Neither do I. As it turns out, all they have to do to make it legal is to include something like “by downloading this app, the user agrees to receive 3rd party advertisements”- that makes it completely legal.

The FindForFun virus is bundled with a lot of apps, most of them are still present on Google Play Store. But what makes this virus so successful is its ability to hijack your browser. A browser hijacker has the ability to alter your search results and point you to the websites it wants you to visit. FindForFun is both an adware and a browser redirect. In addition to displaying adware, it will also alter the search results from your browser.

If you have this adware on your device, you will notice it right away. Anything you search for will return the same websites that the adware is promoting. On top of that, you’ll notice that additional tabs will open as you surf the internet. Even more, your homepage and the default search engine will be altered.

If you got tired of the same redirects and want to get rid of the FindForFun virus, follow the steps down below. Depending on which browser you use, the exact procedure might be different. We also made a collection of apps that are known to be bundled with the FinForFun adware.

Note: Make sure you start with the very first step. FindForFun has the ability to re-infect the browser if it’s not deleted from your device completely.

Step 1: Identifying and uninstalling culprit apps

This step is critical in removing the FindForFun virus for good. Sadly, Google Play Store doesn’t do a good job of containing adware spreading, so it’s entirely possible to get it from there.

See if you can recall what apps you installed right before the symptoms of the FindForFun virus appeared. You should start with ram boosters, mp3 downloaders, youtube downloaders, clones of popular games or apps with nude content.

Here’s a list of apps that are suspected to be bundled with FindForFun:

• MP3 Downloader
• Simple MP3
• Music Paradise Pro
• Wolfram Alpha
• Gallery Vault-Hide

If you’re not sure which app provides a safe haven for the FindForFun virus, download Lookout Security. After you install, scan your device and see which apps will get labeled as RiskWare. Uninstall them immediately and move to Step 2.

Step 2: Clearing the cache from your browser

By removing the culprit app, you have successfully got rid of the adware part of FindForFun. Now let’s eliminate the treat from your browser. There is a possibility that your browser isn’t hijacked. Especially if you’re on the latest version of Android. But if you’re seeing rigged search results and frequent redirects do NOT skip this step.

1. Go to Settings > Apps and make sure you select the All apps filter.
   Note: If you own a Samsung device, go to Settings > More > Application Manager > All.
2. Scroll down to the dedicated browser you are using. If you are experiencing redirects on the stock browser, tap on Internet.
   
3. Select Force Stop and wait until it becomes greyed out.
   
4. Tap Clear Data and wait until the process is complete.
   
5. Tap on Clear Cache.
6. Restart your device, open the browser again and see if the hijacking is gone.

Step 3: Doing a Factory Reset (Optional)

There’s an off chance that the methods above will fail, although that’s extremely rare. But in the event that you didn’t manage to get rid of the FindForFun virus, refactoring is your only option. But keep in mind that a factory reset will erase all your personal data that isn’t present on the SD card. This includes music, videos, photos, app data and anything else that doesn’t come preloaded.

If you decide to go through with it, here’s what you need to do:

1. Go to Settings > Advanced Settings and tap on Backup & reset.
2. Make sure Back up my data is selected. If it’s not, enable it and wait for the backup to be created.
3. Scroll down and tap on Factory data reset.
   
4. Tap on Reset Phone to confirm.
5. Wait for the process to complete, your device will restart at the end of it.
6. As soon as the device initializes for the first time, open up Google Play Store and stop any app from installing again.
7. Try to keep a clean shop and don’t install shady apps again.

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