cannot uninstall xFota.noicon.9106.apk

[royc]

Someone borrowed my mother in law's tablet and returned it infected with adware. Ads appear every few minutes and is quite annoying.

I installed Malwarebytes and it detected xFota.noicon.9106.apk in the system/priv-app but is unable to uninstall it. Appreciate advice on how to remove it.

Thanks!

[a_Mbam]

Hi Royc,

This has become a big problem with cheaper priced Devices coming from China, they come preinstalled with malicious apps and the apps cannot be removed using Android's uninstaller.
 
These apps on your device should not be trusted, there are a few things you can do.
 
- Disable the app – Can be done via Android Settings -> Apps -> bad app -> Force stop/disable
        This will prevent the app and any associated services from running.
 
- Root your device and uninstall the malicious apps. Usually reserved for advanced users, please do at your own risk.
 
- Install different, trusted, ROM to replace infected one. Usually reserved for advanced users, please do at your won risk.
 
- Return device where purchased.
 
I wish there were more options but where Android's openness and built in security collide; openness, anyone can flash a device with a custom ROM, security, you can't uninatll system apps.
 
Regards,
 
-Armando

[royc]

Malware did not appear until it was borrowed by my sister in law and downloaded several files so I'm not sure if it came pre-installed. It does not appear in the list of apps so I cannot stop it. I am not familiar with rooting android devices so I might bring it to a shop.

Thanks!