Strange, I thought. Gmail has always caught malware while still on the Google server. Still, it was conceivable, and so I uninstalled the updated version and reverted to the factory one.
Then, a subsequent scan indicated that every app on the phone (50) was infected with malware. I was now very doubtful.
- One, I did a full scan earlier in the week which indicated no problems.
- Two, I've installed nothing new nor downloaded anything unusual from anywhere questionable.
- Three, the current scan showed that each app was infected with a dozen or more malwares.
- Four, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, which I've installed in parallel, indicated no problems.
Clearly, Avast had lost its mind. However, after years of good service I'm willing to forgive and forget. To make Avast forget, do this:
- Press the Android phone's Home button.
- If necessary, press the Menu button, or visit your list of installed apps.
- Tap Settings (or System Settings).
- Tap Application Manager (or Apps).
- Scroll to find AVAST Mobile Security & Antivirus, then tap it on the list.
- Tap Force Stop.
- Tap Clear Cache.
- Re-run a full scan. (I was able to link back to the menu system by clicking on the Avast link in the upper left corner of the app screen.).
Update: Marina Ziegler, Senior Global Communications Manager at AVAST contacted me to acknowledge a bug in their virus database and apologize for the inconvenience. She adds: "If you were affected, please make sure you update your virus signatures now. Go to avast –> Settings – > Updates -> click on 'Check for updates now'."
While I tried this initially (before completing the cache wipe described above) it did not work for me, however, I would recommend you do it anyway, if only to prevent the problem from recurring.
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