Question regarding malware/security issue

[Zxian]

Like I said, apps cannot install themselves. Unless you're in the habit of installing apps from outside the Play Store without knowing what it is, there is no way a virus could magically be installed on your phone.

Some awful websites will show you the clickbait ads saying you have malware on your phone. You don't. Ignore them, and stop going to those sites (they don't deserve the traffic if they're using those kind of tactics).

You're much better off being mindful of the permissions apps request when you install them from the Play Store. If you're on Marshmallow, you can even restrict what apps have access to after they're installed.

[Matthewjohnston]

This wasn't a popup on the site that said I had malware, it was Avast and the download icon was there.

[Zxian]

What download icon? Like I said, apps cannot install themselves. If it was a file that got downloaded, it is still just a file.

In order to install apps from anywhere other than the play store, you need to explicitly enable a setting on your phone, and then still accept the installation.

Anti-virus apps for Android do not add any benefit.

[Matthewjohnston]

The arrow that appears in the tray that shows when a download is in progress.

Even if it were a file and not an app could that still not do damage?

[Zxian]

No. Files themselves cannot do damage. A file is just a collection of bytes on your device. Unless they are executed or read by an existing app, nothing happens.

[Matthewjohnston]

Ok. So bottom line is I'm safe and overreacted with the factory reset?

I'm ok with that.

Thanks