Hp Locked Due to Illegal APK, Here’s How to Overcome It

Explanation of fake lockscreen that attacks Android devices

Some time ago, an upload on social media Facebook went viral after showing the Android phone screen locked due to the installation of applications from unclear sources. The upload comes from a user named Alex S. and has spread to various platforms such as Instagram and threads.

In his description, Alex S. mentioned that his device was locked after installing an application from an unknown source. Many comments emerged from netizens who gave explanations and strengthened the suspicion that this case was related to ransomware type malware.

What happened?

The display on the upload shows the device locking message which is thought to be a fake lockscreen from the ransomware malware. Malware is a term for malicious software created to infiltrate the device without the user’s knowledge. This program often enters through the installation of applications from unofficial sources, such as applications outside the official application store.

Once installed, the malware can run various automatic processes without the owner’s knowledge. More specifically, the type of malware experienced by Alex S. is ransomware. Ransomware is designed to lock the user’s device or file access. The perpetrator then displays a threatening message for the victim to take certain actions, such as contacting a certain contact or paying a certain amount of money.

In the case of Alex S., the ransomware that he experienced was manifested in a fake screen display as if to lock the user’s cellphone. This fake screen is made to scare the user to intimidate to follow the direction of the perpetrator.

Important Information About Viruses on Android

Please note that the virus obtained on the Android operating system actually cannot penetrate into the core system. This is because the core system of Android is located in the storage system partition. Viruses on Android can only disturb the internal memory level, where the application and personal data of the phone are located.

Even so, this virus can still steal user data, display excessive ads, and drain the battery.

How to solve this problem

If you experience any of the symptoms on the phone as described above, it is very likely that your phone is exposed to ransomware. Fortunately, this virus has become something that has been around for a long time and can be overcome. Here are the steps you can take:

Safe Mode

1. Disconnect internet connection
   
   If possible, immediately turn off cellular or WiFi data on the phone. This step aims to prevent malware from spreading to other devices through the same internet connection.

2. go to safe mode
   
   Turn on the phone in Safe Mode so that the system only runs the default Android application. In Safe Mode, third-party applications usually cannot actively operate. To enter this mode is different on each brand of mobile phone. The general way is to hold the power and volume down buttons simultaneously from the phone off. Some brands require that the brand logo appear before being able to enter the Safe Mode option.

3. Remove suspicious apps
   
   While still in Safe Mode, open the Settings menu then Apps to check for the recently installed applications. If an application with an unknown or suspicious name is found, immediately “force stop” and delete it from the device.

4. Exit Safe Mode
   
   When the suspected application is successfully deleted, try exiting Safe Mode via restarting the phone as usual. If the lock screen symptoms persist, follow these steps to perform a factory reset:

Factory reset

Before doing a factory reset, users need to understand that this step will delete all data stored on the phone. Photos, videos, and applications will be lost because the phone is returned to its initial state as it was when used for the first time. Therefore, a factory reset is usually the last option when other methods do not manage to solve problems with the cellphone.

1. Turn off the phone
   
   Press and hold the power button until the device is completely off. If it still doesn’t work, hold down the power button longer until the force shutdown phone.

2. go to recovery mode
   
   Same with safe mode which is different in each brand of cellphone. Press and hold the POWER + VOLUME UP key combination simultaneously when turning on the phone.

3. Select the Wipe Data menu / Factory Reset
   
   In the Recovery Mode menu, use the volume keys for navigation. Select the Wipe Data or Factory Reset option and then confirm with the Power button.

4. Wait for the reset process to complete
   
   The system will erase all data and restore the device to its initial state. When finished, select Reboot System Now to restart the phone.

5. Perform data recovery
   
   After the reset process is complete, the phone will turn on again like a new device. Users can then log back into their previously used Google account and recover data from a stored cloud or backup.

Flashing (Flash Tool)

Users should be more careful when flashing. Flashing is a more extreme step than a regular reset. This process replaces the mobile operating system directly so that it is risky if it is done without the appropriate firmware file or the correct procedure. If an error occurs during the process, the device may experience system damage and cannot turn on normally.

1. Download the official firmware file
   
   Look for firmware according to the type of mobile phone from the official website of the brand vendor. This file contains the Android system that will be reinstalled to the device.

2. enter flashing mode
   
   Turn off the phone and then enter special modes such as Fastboot or Download Mode with a combination of Power and Volume keys. This mode allows the new system to be installed from the computer.

3. Connect to the computer
   
   Connect the phone to the PC using a USB cable. Use flashing software according to the phone brand, for example Odin for Samsung or Mi Flash Tool for Xiaomi.

4. Flash firmware
   
   Insert the firmware file into the flashing application and then run the installation process. The old system will be overwritten with the new system so that the malware is also erased.

5. Restart the device
   
   After the process is complete, the phone will reboot with a clean Android system like it just came out of the factory.