Solved! Android phone(Pixel3A) keeps opening random websites every time I open my phone

[vasm]

Random pages keep opening up on my android 11 Pixel 3A. Initially observed this in Chrome. Android 11 is most up to date.

Steps I have tried so far
1. Clear the History, Cache, Disabled(Chrome)
2.Uninstall and reinstall Chrome
3.Tried network resetting.
4. Installed antivirus Avast and did a full scan, no issue found.
5.Uninstalled Avast and installed antivirus Kaspersky. Did a full scan, no issue found.
6.Uninstall anti virus and installed Malwarebyte. Did a full scan, no issue found
7.Uninstall Chrome and installed Firefox.

After all these steps and a couple of repeats the issue still persists. I had like 15 random pages opened when I last checked.

Any thoughts?

 

[COLGeek]

Does this happen with any other browser?

Do you have the phone backed up? If so, a reset may be the easiest option. Just something to consider.

 

[vasm]

Does this happen with any other browser?

Do you have the phone backed up? If so, a reset may be the easiest option. Just something to consider.

I tried both Chrome and Firefox(both latest version) and the issue occurs on both of them

 

[COLGeek]

Seems fairly obvious that you have either some malware or an app causing this to occur. Have you examined your installed applications to see if one of them is the culprit?

Is there a common theme/type of the sites being opened?

 

[vasm]

Thanks. I will be checking apps. I dont remember downloading any apps other than from playstore.

The sites mostly being opened are
[all spam/scam sites removed]

 

[vasm]

Seems fairly obvious that you have either some malware or an app causing this to occur. Have you examined your installed applications to see if one of them is the culprit?

Is there a common theme/type of the sites being opened?

So finally I think I found the solution.

There was an app "Files" that I found in the installed apps list for which I could not get any information . There are no details known about it online. It is version r_aml_30150600.

I uninstalled and I am not having the issue any more. The browser is not opening any more random pages.

Thanks for your insight @COLGeek.

Thanks.

 

[COLGeek]

So finally I think I found the solution.

There was an app "Files" that I found in the installed apps list for which I could not get any information . There are no details known about it online. It is version r_aml_30150600.

I uninstalled and I am not having the issue any more. The browser is not opening any more random pages.

Thanks for your insight @COLGeek.

Thanks.

Glad to help. Enjoy.

 

[COLGeek]

Thought you might be interested in this article.

Barcode scanner in Google Play Store became malware after years of popularity, researchers say

The Barcode Scanner app had 10 million downloads without serious complaints, but an update in December brought a trojan with it, Malwarebytes says.

www.cyberscoop.com