Update: Published on 9/11/2013
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Attention all future readers of this blog post: In some cases, with some newer variants of Armor for Android, this removal guide may not work correctly. If you came here because you are infected with Armor For Android, please go to the following removal guide which has been revised.
http://malwareaware.blogspot.com/2013/09/armor-for-android-updated.html
I will leave this blog post up because of the fact that this has already been read so many times.
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Original post:
It seems that the Android platform is getting to be quite the hotbed for malware. And while most android malware out there at this point are Trojans, a new app is actually a rogue antivirus program. So rogues are starting to move to the Android platform.
You get infected by going to a webpage that claims that you have to install antivirus software because new threats are emerging for the android platform. So you can only be infected if you install it and because of this, I do not expect that there will be many infections. I would think those that read this blog would know not to trust something on any device that says they need to install something that they did not go looking for.
But, failing that. If you do install the antivirus, you will notice that the price of the antivirus is $1.99. This is a weekly subscription, so you could be spending over $100 a year on a rogue if you do buy this.
Obviously, you would want to remove this. And removal requires only one step.
Step 1: Uninstall it. The malware does not have a trojan element to it, so it is only the program and the APK file you have to be worried about. And this can be done by going to the settings menu. From there, press Applications, then press Manage Applications. From this point, you will find the apps you have installed on your Android Device. Find Armor For Android, press on the app, then press uninstall. Your device should give you a notice that the app was deleted. From here, your device is not infected anymore with this malware.
If you would like to protect your Android device from malware such as this, there are quite a few free options out there for security. I personally recommend Avast! Mobile Security. I recommend this not just because of its antimalware component, but also because of its anti-theft component.
Thank You for reading, as always I invite readers to comment with questions or comments.
What if it won't let you uninstall it?
ReplyDeleteIf you are getting the error message saying that the uninstall was unsuccessful, then follow the below steps to quit or deactivate the app.
DeleteStep #1: Go to Settings.
Step #2: Now go to Location and Security. This might also just be called Security depending on the version of Android you are running.
Step #3: Tap on Select Device Administrators, which might just be called Device Administrators.
Step #4: Uncheck or Deactivate Armor For Android.
Now follow the steps in the removal guide to try to remove it again.
Report back and tell me how that worked out for you.
Happy to help. =D
DeleteI have a stupid question. Where would I find Settings? I'm old but I'm very new to the smart phone.
DeleteThere are no stupid questions, I assure you. You should be able to find Settings as an app on your home screen.
DeleteThanks...that was getting ridiculous..worked for me
DeleteHappy to hear that could help.
DeleteThanks for the help. Was driving me nuts..
DeleteI'm happy to hear that I could help, considering that the rogue is meant to drive you nuts. =D
DeleteThanks so much for the help
DeleteIt was my pleasure.
DeleteI tried to deactivate it but it wont let me
ReplyDeleteAre you saying that you attempted to remove it using the above removal guide but it did not let you? In that case, follow the removal instructions that I have left for the Anonymous commenter above.
DeleteThis is a newer variant that I plan on writing a removal guide for sometime soon.
thank you alot I followed the steps and I uninstalled armor for android
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome!
Deletehelp me, but i got the error thing on my bluestack. can you help me to guide me to uninstall it? aaaak it's sooooo sick man to saw the ads everyday and got distract when i used to doing something on that android version on pc.. help me pleaseee
ReplyDeleteTry the revised removal guide here: http://malwareaware.blogspot.com/2013/09/armor-for-android-updated.html
DeleteLet me know if it works out for you.
Thanx very much for this.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I'm just glad I can help.
DeleteIt works, thank for your advice!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for listening to it. ;)
DeleteI have tried deactivating and unistalling but still wont do either you have not posted this issue yet so seems like I'm doomed? Armor for android is pissing me off just like everyone else but I'm in a little deep I have not paid anything either so why can't I take it off?
ReplyDeleteYou tried the guide in my updated post, right?
ReplyDeletehttp://malwareaware.blogspot.com/2013/09/armor-for-android-updated.html
Yes I have tried, only problem I'll uncheck to deactivate I hit ok but still wont uncheck
DeleteHmm... perhaps it is a new variant.
DeleteInstall Avast Mobile Security and Antivirus from the play store. Have it run a scan and it should detect it.
I may be in deep I downloaded avast I hit scan, the scan time starts but it does no progress the percentage bar does no move so therefore its not scanning I'm thinking android armor its preventing anything from breaching is that possible?
DeleteI don't think that the rogue is preventing it from scanning. If it did that, it would be a very new variant that I have not seen.
DeleteI'm going to do a little bit of checking with my sources and see if it is indeed a new variant and I will post back if I find anything.
In the meantime, try doing the scan again by canceling the scan and then hitting the scan button again.
I apologize for the difficulty here, this should not be happening, but apparently it is.
Hello hunter I should say good morning as for my time frame. The. Avast has scanned and says armor us a (pup) its malware but even in avast I cannot delete or deactivate armor. It will ask,do u wish to deactivate I push. "Ok" then does nothing
DeleteAt this point, I'm trying to see if anything else works. Using a File Manager like ES File Explorer does work. So we have that option.
DeleteUninstalling in the same manner as a stock app also works, but that requires root access. And we do not want to root your device if we can avoid it.
I'll be back sometime later today with more instructions, so sit tight.
Again, I apologize for the difficulty here. I have not gotten anything back from my inquiries, but I think this is a new variant.
Alright, I might have something.
DeleteFirst I need to know what device you have that uses Android. It would also help if you knew what version of the Android platform you are running.
Reply back with that info, and we can see if something I am thinking of will work.
LG. Optimus. Model:VM670. Version:2.2.1 by virgin mobil
DeleteOK, we have two options to continue that hopefully will remove this. One question: Is the phone rooted?
DeleteI have done es file app it says file successfully deleted but I still see armor also I have. Purchase thi phone myself from bestbuy mobile fw years ago I don't kno what. Rooted is
ReplyDeleteMan, this thing really dug in there. Anyway, as long as it was not purchased used, then we know for a fact that the phone is not rooted. Try the following steps, and lets hope that this finally gets it. I advise that you preform these steps in succession, with no large break in between steps.
DeleteStep 1: Download ES Task Manager from the play store
Step 2: Use ES Task Manager to kill the process of the rogue. If it is running, it might interfere with our attempt at removal.
Step 3: Try the revised removal guide again: http://malwareaware.blogspot.com/2013/09/armor-for-android-updated.html
If it does not work, move on step 4.
Step 4: Download ASTRO File Manager With Clouds.
Step 5: In ASTRO, do a search for the following: "Scan-For-Viruses-Now.apk" and "Armor for Android"
Step 6: If you find either or both, delete with extreme prejudice.
So close I go into ES delete armor then quickly into astro to uninstall , for the first time I see uninstall progress bar for a split second then bam! Stops and unsuccessful, its really acting as something is outsmarting my every move. I'm guessing its time for a new phone then I should make a youtube video titled "how to get rid of armor for android" I'll get a quarter stick of C4 attach to this phone, get a wood chipper throw it in then smile....well not really able to do that but a hammer shall do
DeleteYou could get a new phone and destroy the old one. But I would try the last resort Factory Reset of the Phone first.
DeleteI say that because I do not promote or condone the destruction of electronic devices, but it is your phone.
I'm really sorry I was not able to help you with this. When it comes to malware like this, sometimes it can dig in enough so that nothing really works, save for a factory reset.
In either case, I would recommend using AdBlock Plus for Android, as well as the Avast Mobile Security. This combo should prevent this sort of thing from happening again.
Once again, really sorry about this. I did the best I could, but sometimes my best just is not good enough.
Have a nice night.
I apologize for my outburst of destruction towards this phone I have had many phones in my share, most people will discard old phones I still have my very 1st its a brick no lie lol. Armor does get under your skin but hunter you did alot of help and its finally gone I factory reset and it worked thats the trick for this issue if anyone has it. You my friend deserve the biggest hug ever imagined! im a guy bro but this situation I dont give a damn id give you one haha thanks alot again never say it wasnt enough making someone happy is beyond enough good night
ReplyDeleteExcellent! Glad to hear you are back on track. Cheers dude. =D
DeleteThanks for the info. My husband downloaded this and couldn't get rid of it, so guess who got designated the IT person to uninstall it??? I couldn't uninstall it through "normal" app un-installation steps so I did a Google search and you were near the top! Thanks for walking us step-by-step through how to eliminate this app from our phones! I and my husband thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you. It makes me feel good when I know that even though it has been some time since I wrote this, it is still helping people. =D
DeleteThank you, it worked. I'm getting viper for android &tablets. It is a lifetime security protection
ReplyDeleteMy brother subscribe to it but delete the app are they still charging for subscribing
ReplyDeleteDid he get it from the official Google Play Store?
DeleteHe was on the internet and it said he had a treat and that he should download it so he did, it also ask him to subscribe so that it can treat the treat
DeleteI'm not sure if it continues charging after someone uninstalls it. If your brother starts seeing odd charges on his card, I would advise that he contact the bank about stopping the charge or replacing the card altogether.
DeleteOk thank you for helping
DeleteMy pleasure.
DeleteThanks...armor free now.
ReplyDeleteI deleted it off my phone but I want it cancelled is there a way I can cancell it without phoning the number
ReplyDeleteYou can contact your card issuer and ask them to stop the charge. Although depending on their policy, you might have to get a new card altogether.
Deleteoh my gosh! It worked! I've been stuck with this worm of an app for a month! Thank you soooo much!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for all of your work, I too was being tormented by this virus, although I didn't pay for anything it was still a little tricky to get rid of. Thank you again for all of your help, it is appreciated. Deborah N.
ReplyDeletesomeone .kids yay downloaded amour and it charged my new Zealand acc 57 dollars .crap....... I have uninstalled will they still take money from me ?
ReplyDeleteMost likely they will still take money from you. I would advise that you call your bank to get a new card and a new account if necessary
DeleteYou might also see if there is a way you could get your money back. I'm not sure what New Zealand card law is like, but fraud departments are willing to help sometimes..