How to secure your Samsung Galaxy after a security breach
If you suspect that your Samsung Galaxy may have been compromised, or if you want to safeguard against potential security threats, there are crucial steps you can take to protect your device. Always download apps exclusively from the Galaxy Store or Google Play Store, and avoid clicking on suspicious links in apps, texts, or emails.
Note: The information provided applies to devices sold in Canada. Screens and settings may vary depending on the wireless service provider and software version.
- Pop-up advertisements: Avoid clicking on pop-up ads while using apps or browsing the internet. You can block these ads using ad blockers in the Samsung Internet app or by uninstalling intrusive third-party apps.
- Unusual messages and calls: Check for texts you didn't send or calls you didn't make by reviewing your recent activity in the Phone or Messages apps.
- Unrecognized apps: Remove any suspicious apps that you don’t remember downloading. Simply touch and hold the app’s icon, then tap Uninstall.
- High data usage: Monitor your data consumption by navigating to Settings, then tapping Connections. Tap Data usage, and then review your current amount of available data.
- Battery drainage: Note any rapid battery depletion or frequent need for recharging, which could indicate malicious activity.
- Device scan: Use App Protection to scan your device for threats. Go to Settings > Security and privacy > App security > App protection and select Scan phone. Please note that App protection may not be available on some models and carriers. Some carriers may also provide alternate solutions.
If you suspect that certain apps on your mobile device are causing issues, you can identify which ones to remove by rebooting into Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, your Samsung Galaxy disables all third-party apps, allowing you to safely uninstall any suspicious applications without interference.
While browsing the web, you may encounter pop-up ads falsely claiming that your mobile device has been hacked. Never trust them! To enhance your security and browsing experience, you can use ad blockers within the Samsung Internet browser to effectively prevent these pop-ups.
The Auto Blocker feature on your device is designed to block threats and monitor suspicious activity, enhancing your security. Enabling maximum restrictions or utilizing additional options within Auto Blocker can provide even greater protection.
Note: The availability of the Auto Blocker feature and its additional options may vary based on your device model and software version. For technical reasons, this feature has limited rollout on older devices.
- If Maximum restrictions is available, tap it to open a secondary screen. Activate it by tapping the switch at the top of the screen. Note that enabling this option may restrict some device features.
- If Maximum restrictions is not available, other protective options might be available. Enable these by tapping the switch next to each option you wish to activate.
If your mobile device still exhibits issues after trying previous steps, consider performing a Factory data reset as a last resort. This procedure will completely erase all data from your device, including apps, settings, and personal files—absolutely everything.
Note: Always backup your personal data to avoid losing it during the reset process.
If your device continues to experience issues after a factory reset, professional assistance may be necessary. Several support options are available to you:
- Contact support: Engage with our support agents via call or chat.
- Visit a service centre: Find a local Samsung walk-in service centre.
- Schedule a repair: Arrange for a door-to-door repair service online.
Thank you for your feedback!
Please answer all questions.
The coding for Contact US > Call > View more function. And this text is only displayed on the editor page, please do not delet this component from Support Home. Thank you