Mobile Adware Risks: How to Protect Your Phone

Advertisements on mobile phones can pose serious risks, according to cybersecurity firm ESET. Phil Muncaster of ESET warns that adware incidents have increased by 160% in the first half of 2025.

Adware, in its darkest form, can fill your device with annoying ads, change settings without permission, and steal personal data. Ads can appear as pop-ups, in-browser ads, banners, push notifications, or full-screen content.

Adware creators use various methods to deceive users, such as presenting adware as a normal application, bundling it with free programs, or exploiting mobile vulnerabilities.

ESET has identified an advanced form of adware, Kaleidoscope, which uses the 'evil twin' tactic. In this, the creators release two identical versions of the same application: one harmless and one malicious.

Signs that adware has been installed on your phone include slow operation, the appearance of unknown applications, web pages that do not load correctly, excessive advertising, changes to the browser's home page, rapid battery consumption, and data usage.

To avoid adware, only download apps from the Google Play Store, check the creator and reviews, avoid suspicious ads, keep your phone up to date, do not open links from suspicious emails, and use reliable security software.

If you think your device is infected, disconnect it from Wi-Fi, restart it in safe mode, and uninstall suspicious apps. Alternatively, run a scan with security software.