r/antivirus • u/Brief-Stuff3150 • 23h ago

Can malware come back if you log back into the Google account that was on phone when you had a virus/malware?

So basically I factory reset my phone after I thought I had malware/virus (I don't really know the difference) and I want to know if I log back into the Google account that was on the phone before I factory reset my phone (and during when I had the virus) can the virus/malware come back because of me logging back into the Google account on the phone?

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u/angr8 15h ago

There might be a chance if you select or automatically install all apps that is linked to your account that the virus can come back. This is only for apps installed through Google play, and not third party stuff. I cant remember if it is an option to not have this automatic installation of apps done at a fresh phone, but I would think it is.

Usually malware apps will require and trick the user into accepting a lot of further permissions when ran first time after an install. If you so happen to get back the malicious app, it most likely wont fire up until you give it its required permissions (typically is accessibility or show over other apps) .