How to Check for Viruses – APK stands for Android Package (sometimes Android Package Kit or Android Application Package). It’s the file format that Android uses to distribute and install apps. The VirusTotal website lets you upload your APK files to check for viruses and other issues. Android files are the fifth most popular file to be checked on the website. Click on Choose File, and in the browser dialogue box, select your file.
- Start your phone in Safe Mode.
- Remove malicious device admin apps from your phone.
- Uninstall the malicious apps from your Android phone.
- Use Malwarebytes to remove viruses, adware, and other malware.
How to Check Whether an APK File is Safe or Not?
Your Android phone is vulnerable to viruses and malware if you download apk files from untrusted websites. Therefore, it’s important to find a reliable source such as apktovi.com to download. If you still don’t believe in the security of an apk file, we will show you some tools to help you scan and check it.
Checking the hash
Using Hash Droid and APKTOVI CHECKER TOOL
A good way to check an APK file is by checking its hash. The SHA of a file is a digital fingerprint that ensures that data is not modified or tampered with. It would help if you used Hash Droid- a useful app to check the hash on your phone. When you input the apk file into the check bar, HashDroid will show you everything about MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256 of this app.
- Download and install the HashDroid from Google Play.
- Choose to Hash a File, then select a Hash function such as MD5, SHA-1, or SHA-256.
- Select “Click here to select the file to hash” to upload your apk file.
- Tap on Calculate to get the result
Sometimes, we want to install apps that are not available on the Play Store. One of the key features of Android is the ability to sideload apps. You can download apk files from various sources and then sideload them on your device.
Normally, Android blocks every third-party app installation due to security reasons. Still, you can sideload Apk files on Android by enabling the ‘Unknown Sources.’ The actual problem with the third-party app is that you never know whether the file is safe or not.
Before sideloading any Apk file on an Android, it’s always best to scan them first. Scanning with an online virus scanner ensures that files you are about to sideload don’t contain anything harmful.
Ways to Scan APK Files to Check Whether they Have a Virus
So, if you are looking for ways to scan Apk files to check whether they have a virus, you are reading the right guide. In this article, we will share a step-by-step guide on how to scan Apk files before installing. Let’s check out.
Scanning the APK
1. Virus Total
The VirusTotal website lets you upload your APK files to check for viruses and other issues. Android files are the fifth most popular file to be checked on the website. The one caveat is that the file size has to be under 128MB, so some games, in particular, might be too big for this tool.
To use, do the following:
- Open the site.
- Click on Choose File, and in the browser dialogue box, select your file.
- Click on Scan it! To get your results.
2. By Using the MetaDefender
MetaDefender is another best online virus scanner on the list that you can consider. You need to upload an Apk file on the MetaDefender, and multiple Antivirus engines will scan your file.
Compared to VirusTotal, MetaDefender scanning is fast. Although it’s possible to scan files directly from the Android smartphone, using the MetaDefender website from a PC is more convenient.
The best thing about MetaDefender is that it can scan almost everything, including URLs, Apk files, IP addresses, and more.
3. By Using the VirusTotal
VirusTotal is an online virus scanner that scans files stored on your device. Since it’s an online scanner, it doesn’t require any installation. In an Apk file, VirusTotal can help detect all kinds of viruses and malware present inside the Apk file.
Another good thing about VirusTotal is that’s it’s completely free. You don’t even need to create an account to use the security service. The service is also pretty easy to use: upload the Apk file and hit the Scan button. If it finds any malware, it will immediately let you know.
Alternatively, you can install the VirusTotal Android app from the Google Play Store. The VirusTotal app for Android is entirely free, but it’s limited to scanning the apps you have already installed on your device.
