Table of contents
- What is the FBI virus?
- How to remove fake FBI virus from a phone or tablet
- How to restart your Android phone or tablet in Safe mode
- Remove malicious software from your Android phone or tablet
- Use an Android anti-spyware app to remove the FBI virus
- Preventing a malware infection like the FBI warning virus/FBI phone lock on Android is simpler than the cure
Peace of mind is priceless, and utilizing every tool at your disposal to protect yourself online is important. Now, let's dig deeper into the Android FBI virus scam and discuss how to remove the malware from an infected phone or tablet.
What is the FBI virus?
The FBI virus refers to a group of similar pieces of ransomware that lock your Android phone or tablet and display a fake warning message. A pop-up may list false accusations and demand that you pay a penalty fee to have the fabricated charges dismissed. Generally, scammers will request payment via a method that's difficult to trace and makes recovering funds impossible.
While FBI virus types can vary, the goal for fraudsters is always the same: extract a good amount of money from as many people as possible. With this outcome in mind, scammers often request reasonable release fees, increasing the chance that someone will pay the ransom.
Unfortunately, vulnerable and less tech-savvy populations are often the targets of these types of scams. Cybersecurity Insiders report that people over the age of 65 are 35% more likely to be victims of financial fraud than those under 30. In an age when accessing the internet is practically unavoidable, anyone who doesn't understand the lay of the land is vulnerable to opportunistic scammers.
If you encounter a fake FBI warning message, you should never pay the ransom. Fraudsters rely on catching scared and uninformed targets in their scams, and, in this case, a genuine threat doesn't exist. The FBI or any other legitimate organization would never operate in the way described, and anything that doesn't feel right is likely the work of malicious operators. Question everything, and you'll be better equipped to identify online threats before they become an issue.
How to remove fake FBI virus from a phone or tablet
Ransomware, including the FBI virus, can be stubborn and difficult to remove. But with the right steps, you can prevent most unwelcome or malicious pop-ups on your Android phone or tablet.
While the malware can bar access to your device, the FBI hasn't really locked your phone, and you can resolve the issue without paying scammers a ransom. Here's how to remove the FBI virus from Android :
- Restart your Android phone or tablet in Safe mode
- Remove the problem application
- Install a good anti-malware app
As you can see, the procedure is simple but not always obvious to those who've never had to remove malicious software from an Android mobile device. For those unfamiliar with the process, we'll discuss each step in greater detail. If the problem affects only a web browser, you'll need to follow a different procedure to remove browser-hijacking malware.
How to restart your Android phone or tablet in Safe mode
- Press and hold the On/Off switch until the shutdown menu appears.
- Tap and hold Power off until the Safe mode screen appears.
- Tap Safe mode to restart.

Once restarted, Safe mode text should appear at the bottom of the screen. You should now be able to access your phone and perform the necessary troubleshooting.
Remove malicious software from your Android phone or tablet
Identifying the source of the FBI virus may take a little investigation. Sometimes the answer is obvious, and other times it's not. When trying to pinpoint the problem app, there are several things to consider:
- Newly installed applications
- Apps recently opened for the first time
- Unfamiliar applications
- Software that behaves suspiciously or doesn't function as expected
The most likely culprit and carrier of the dreaded FBI virus is software you've recently downloaded or opened for the first time. Search your phone and memory, and the problem application will likely become clear. Once you've identified the source, you can remove the FBI ransomware from your Android device like this:
- Press and hold the app you want to delete.
- Tap Remove.
That's it. You can now restart your device as normal and check that the issue is resolved. If the problem persists, the FBI virus is hiding within another application. Any apps that aren't familiar to you, seem suspicious, or don't function as expected should be next on your list. Once you've identified a probable culprit, you can delete the application using the standard removal method.
When searching for suspicious software, you should look for generic names, such as:
- Music Player
- eVPN
- Video Player
- QRecorder
Generic titles help malware blend in with your legitimate apps, which can make identifying the culprit difficult. When manually searching for malicious software, persistence is key.
If you’re unable to locate the problem app, you’ll need to try something else. Using antivirus is a quick and easy way to identify and remove malware, but you must be able to launch the scanner outside of safe mode for it to work.
The process described won't address issues isolated to a particular browser. You can, however, follow a different set of steps to stop certain pop-up ads on any Android device.
Use an Android anti-spyware app to remove the FBI virus
If you still have access to your device or simply wish to prevent future trouble, you can use anti-malware software. Clario Anti Spy’s Spyware scan for Android devices is a comprehensive tool designed to detect and eradicate malware-like threats. This includes spyware and legitimate apps, like parental control tools, that can be misused to spy on you.
The Spyware scan also reviews app permissions and enables you to revoke access to suspicious or intrusive features. This allows you to steer clear of unsafe websites, which can steal your sensitive information, leading to incidents of identity theft, credit card fraud, and other unwanted crimes in your name.
Safeguard your data and protect your Android phone by following the steps below:
- Download and install Clario Anti Spy on your phone.
- Tap Fix in the Spyware scan section.
- Review the report and get rid of suspicious tools by selecting Let’s Fix It at the bottom of the app window.

In addition to removing spyware and suspicious apps and permissions, Clario Anti Spy’s Android app includes a Data breach monitor, Anti-spy setup, Unlock catcher, Spy cam detector, and Virtual location tool. On top of that, 24/7 technical support is available, so the experts are always on hand when you need them.
If you want security software that does it all, take advantage of Clario Anti Spy and protect your device from hackers, crackers, scammers, and fraudsters.
Preventing a malware infection like the FBI warning virus/FBI phone lock on Android is simpler than the cure
When it comes to malware, preventing an infection will save you a lot of trouble. If your device does become infected with the FBI virus or another piece of malicious software, you could waste a lot of time identifying the cause and removing the problem application.
However, if you preempt the probable and secure your phone, tablet, or computer with a solid security app, you can avoid future trouble and rest easy knowing you're protected. Clario Anti Spy’s comprehensive privacy app is the ideal solution for safeguarding your sensitive information. Take advantage of its Spyware scan to keep spies out of your business and protect your privacy.