The "Android Launcher Update Required" Fake and Malicious Messages

The Android Launcher Update Required Fake and Malicious Messages

If the pop-up message below: "Android Launcher Update Required." shows up on your phone while you are browsing the web or using a certain app, please do not follow the instructions in it, just ignore it because it is a fake. The fake message was created by cybercriminals to frighten and trick mobile users into visiting malicious websites, downloading malicious apps, visiting phishing websites that steal personal and financial information, or visiting spam websites. If the message popups on your mobile device and prevent you from doing anything else, please press the "Home" button on your mobile device, which will take you to the Home screen. Then, use the "Recent Apps" button to close the browser window or the app that is displaying the fake message. Or, just restart your mobile device.

The Malicious "Android Launcher Update Required" Message

The page at
www.mobiley.xyz says:

You must update your Android Launcher now or your phone will locked within 1 day

Ok.

Android Launcher Update Required

Due to the latest report hacking event targeting BLU Dash C Music Android phone, we released a launcher update, and it is required for every Android phone.

If you do not upgrade your BLU Dash C Music phone will be locked with 1 day

Cancel Update Now

Android users whose mobile devices are constantly getting pop-ups, can do the following to fix the problem:

  • Open your web browser on your Android phone and let the page load,
  • Go to "Settings,"
  • Click "Privacy,"
  • Click "Clear your Private Data" or "Clear browsing data,"
  • Clear your "Browser History" and Cache.

Also,

  • go to "Settings"
  • change your "Homepage" to something else, if "www.hetria.xyz" is set as your default Homepage.
  • Go back to "Settings"
  • Go to "Application Manager"
  • Remove all unknown apps, or apps you think may be causing the popups.

The fake message is similar to the following:

Check the comment section below for additional information, share what you know, or ask a question about this article by leaving a comment below. And, to quickly find answers to your questions, use our search Search engine.

Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.
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Comments, Questions, Answers, or Reviews

Comments (Total: 150)

To protect your privacy, please remove sensitive or identifiable information from your comments, questions, or reviews. We will use your IP address to display your approximate location to other users when you make a post. That location is not enough to find you.

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The comments, reviews or answers below do not necessarily reflect the views of Online Threat Alerts (OTA).

  • January 12, 2020 at 3:17 PM by an anonymous user from: Haßfurt, Bavaria, Germany

    I did not mean to see this! Report it and I was actually looking up my ex spouse and this popped up dajones450p.

  • October 19, 2019 at 6:25 AM by an anonymous user from: Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Did my phone really get locked? By the way I pressed ok but the page was unavailable.

    • October 19, 2019 at 7:31 AM by info

      No, the message is a fake.

  • March 20, 2019 at 8:59 AM by an anonymous user from: Bratislava, Bratislavský, Slovakia

    I got this every single day and even if I restart my phone and download antivirus, nothing.

    This is the message:

    "plus: within 3 days the phone will be locked! do you want to avoid it? pay off the installments immediately! in order to clarify this issue, please call 48 601 102 607"

    • March 20, 2019 at 10:37 AM by info

      Do the following:

      Open your web browser on your Android phone and let the page load.

      Go to "Settings,"

      Click "Privacy."

      Click "Clear your Private."

      Clear your "Browser History" and Cache.

      Also, go to "Settings" and change your "Homepage" to www.google.com

      If the popup continues, remove unwanted or unknown apps from your device. This is because there maybe malicious app called adware that are generating the popups.

      If all fails, backup your data and do a factory reset.

  • July 28, 2018 at 12:57 PM by an anonymous user from: Perry Hall, Maryland, United States

    I have a persistent warning on my galaxy S9 when I use the weather app that says my phone will stop working within 24 if I don't do an update. I can't get rid of it and cannot see hourly weather. How can I make this stop appearing.

    Thanks

    doug.schaff@comcast.net

    • July 28, 2018 at 3:21 PM by info

      You may have a free app that is displaying ads. Remove each app until you have discovered the one that is causing the problem.

  • July 22, 2018 at 9:21 PM by an anonymous user from: Aiken, South Carolina, United States

    Awesome. I had a feeling it was fake, so I went on my computer to look it up

  • June 28, 2018 at 7:56 PM by an anonymous user from: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

    I can not get the website that sent that msg about android launcher needs to be updated and the phone has virus to get of the web page. Any ideas?

  • June 10, 2018 at 10:28 PM by an anonymous user from: Pontiac, Michigan, United States

    Here is another scam:

    "Mobile Cleaner Update Required

    Due to the hacking event reported on 6/9/2018, we have released a new Cleaner update and it is recommended it be applied to every Samsung SM-N950U phone.

    Please update your Samsung SM-N950U device now by installing the latest Cleaner version: it takes up to 10 seconds to do.

    0:00

    If you do not do this, your Samsung device will stop working within 24 hours."

    • June 15, 2018 at 10:43 PM by an anonymous user from: Rancho Cordova, California, United States

      I have received the same exact message

  • May 1, 2018 at 5:42 AM by an anonymous user from: Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    hxxp://post.adult-na.info/dfndr/

    This site is not possible to remove from my Samsung. I have done all the steps mentioned, but I am still with this message on my browser.

  • April 10, 2018 at 9:06 PM by an anonymous user from: Tacoma, Washington, United States

    Check just got one right now. Not sure how to put a picture here tho and it just popped up and I'm on the fire tablet 49 dollar 7 hd. I usually get updates that are way different looking and use words factory reset to do this and will take one time or could take time.

    This one I just got gas light blue lettering at top and headline says,,,

    "DFNDR Update for LG Recommended. Blue line then I'm black smaller typing... Due to the latest report hacking event targeting LG ms550,we released a DFNDR update,and it is recommended for every phone. If you do not upgrade,your LG ms 550 might be slowed down and your battery"

    • June 24, 2018 at 1:18 AM by an anonymous user from: Phoenix, Arizona, United States

      Can you help me because I was browsing one day and a thing pop up saying "Update your android cleaner or your battery will slow down" can you help me, do that or tell me what's the heck is happening; by the way I have a LG k20V

      • June 24, 2018 at 6:38 AM by info

        It is a fake message. Just restart your mobile device.

  • April 4, 2018 at 12:54 AM by an anonymous user from: Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States

    Hello I have the same problem and it said something of needing to update my phone if not my phone wouldn't work in 24 hours.

    It also had a voice coming from the popup but I don't know what it said. I quickly exited that popup cause I panicked especially with the voice. Then later I cleared my browser history. I also used Max cleaner to check for viruses and it said there was none. Am I OK? I'm really worried my phone got hacked.

    • April 4, 2018 at 4:17 AM by info

      You are Ok. Just remember never to download applications from untrustworthy or suspicious websites.

      • April 4, 2018 at 6:59 AM by an anonymous user from: Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States

        Also is it normal that I get pop ups from using websites like sparknotes

        • April 4, 2018 at 9:02 AM by info

          If they are using some types of advertisers that use popup and annoying ads.

      • April 4, 2018 at 6:58 AM by an anonymous user from: Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States

        Thank you so much! Also how did it manage to have a voice come out loudly from my phone? And is Max cleaner a reliable antivirus app?

        • April 4, 2018 at 9:01 AM by info

          That is easy if you are a computer programmer. The sound is made with HTML code and sound file.

          We do not know much about that anti virus, but there are other popular ones that we recommend. Use the Search Tool above to search for "Free Antivirus".

  • March 31, 2018 at 12:53 AM by an anonymous user from: Newbury, England, United Kingdom

    I received a android voice message on my Sony experia, and numbers that I can't remember, saying don't ignore this message update or your Sony experia will shut down in one day

    Pressed update just took me to a blank page with links on top just turned phone off and back on again.

    hxxp://private.com is a bit untrustworthy, It an adult website that I recently signed up to you pay and it also uses your mobile data rapidly they say they resolved it but didn't they have my visa bank card details and email I panicked and withdrew all my cash from my bank account and will be ordering new card immediately after leaving hxxp://private.com.

    I went to hxxp://xHamster.com and realized that hxxp://private.com model where their plus could download perfectly legal as soon as I came out from private which doesn't let my mobile download I pay for subscription and as I said uses my data extremely rapidly for short videos.

    I typed in to xHamster claudia rossI a private model immediately the fake message appeared or I hope so or my phone with shut down at 2:30pm United Kingdom today the customer service guy from hxxp://private.com.

    I emailed my complaints and my cancellation. John MavrikI is his name he give me correct information but their is no doubt that working message came from hxxp://private.com which makes them untrustworthy in that regard.

    thank you, should I worry that my phone will shut down, lol

    • March 31, 2018 at 8:50 AM by info

      No, you should not worry that your phone will shutdown, it is just another fake message or scam.

  • January 21, 2018 at 4:13 PM by an anonymous user from: Liberal, Kansas, United States

    "Android Launcher Update Required

    Due to latest report hacking event targeting Samsung Galaxy Luna Android phone, we released a Launcher update, and it is required for every android phone.

    If you do not upgrade, your Samsung Galaxy Luna phone will be locked within 1 day."

    This is the message from hxxp://systemdotapp.com.

    Is this site safe?

    • January 22, 2018 at 1:29 PM by an anonymous user from: Detroit, Michigan, United States

      no they are criminals

    • January 21, 2018 at 5:35 PM by info

      The website is not safe.

  • January 21, 2018 at 1:08 AM by an anonymous user from: Waycross, Georgia, United States

    Aye,I get the pop up Warning: you have (23) viruses

    Over and over and over again. I usually ignore but just now I have popup message: "device will lock in 1 day due to samsung hacking." I appreciate the article so danke!

  • December 26, 2017 at 1:10 AM by an anonymous user from: Tyler, Texas, United States

    One question, I hit ok and nothing happened it didn't take me to a shady website or anything and I got the popup once, should I be concerned?

    • January 5, 2018 at 1:42 PM by an anonymous user from: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

      YEP, its allowing other stuff in now.

    • December 26, 2017 at 6:53 AM by info

      No, there is no need to be concerned, once you have not downloaded and installed an app.

  • December 26, 2017 at 1:03 AM by an anonymous user from: Tyler, Texas, United States

    I got the pop-up and hit ok and nothing happened. Am I Ok?

    • December 26, 2017 at 6:52 AM by info

      Yes, once you have not downloaded and installed an app.

  • November 23, 2017 at 8:20 AM by an anonymous user from: Everett, Washington, United States

    I accidentally downloaded the app and it wanted me to install the SurfEasy VPN and it showed my information on the app. After reading this I deleted the app and cleared browser history, but is that enough?

    • November 23, 2017 at 8:46 AM by info

      Yes, that is enough.

  • November 2, 2017 at 6:27 PM by an anonymous user from: London, England, United Kingdom

    I had a pop up saying my mobile would be locked in one day unless I activated a mobile cleaner. Is this true?

    • November 19, 2017 at 5:08 PM by an anonymous user from: Norfolk, Virginia, United States

      Yes, I am unable to get pass this warning.

    • November 2, 2017 at 6:36 PM by info

      No, it is not true.

  • June 12, 2017 at 12:29 AM by an anonymous user from: Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia

    My phone also started to vibrate, but I did not download anything, just closed the browser and the message did not pop up anymore. I'm just thinking is it safe to use this phone now. Reading the comments and answers below I guess i'm ok. . .

    • June 12, 2017 at 5:36 AM by info

      Yes, it is ok to use your phone. The vibration was caused by a set of instructions that cannot harm your phone.

      • June 12, 2017 at 9:23 AM by an anonymous user from: Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia

        Ok, thank you. I have one more question - I was redirected to several sites during this incident and some of the sites are quite suspicious, for example: one of them trackmedia101. Could automatically open sites somehow harm my phone or somehow be dangerous later?

        • June 12, 2017 at 11:47 AM by info

          Only if you download and install software from the website you were taken. Therefore, to be safe, never download software or apps from websites you are not familiar with.

  • June 3, 2017 at 3:08 PM by an anonymous user from: New York, United States

    Thank you, this article was extremely helpful. I do have an Android phone, but had multiple messages showing up in SafarI on my iPad telling my I had to hurry or my phone would be locked. I cleared the browser history and cache on the iPad, and it seem to be fine now.

    The whole thing was very suspicious, but I know people who have gotten into big trouble by "clicking on the link." NEVER click the link!

  • May 10, 2017 at 10:31 PM by an anonymous user from: Los Angeles, California, United States

    I got one stating that if I didn't update my virus protection, my phone would be locked. I accidentally pressed OK and my phone vibrated twice, but I managed to get out of the tab before a page loaded or additional dialogues were created. I downloaded AVG and it said nothing's wrong- am I okay?

    • May 10, 2017 at 10:54 PM by info

      Yes, you are ok.

      • November 24, 2017 at 11:22 PM by an anonymous user from: Tbilisi, Tbilisi, Georgia

        Tank you very much.

  • May 2, 2017 at 11:52 PM by an anonymous user from: Omaha, Nebraska, United States

    I was on iphone going through safarI when it popped up. I clicked launch and it took me to the app store to download a VPN. I clicked the VPN to install however midway through the download I canceled it. Do they already have my information? Because nothing fully downloaded? Am I ok?

    • May 3, 2017 at 12:18 AM by info

      You are ok. The purpose of the popup is to trick you into downloading the VPN client, which may be malicious.

      • May 3, 2017 at 12:34 AM by an anonymous user from: Omaha, Nebraska, United States

        So because it was halfway downloaded there was no way for them to steal my info? Or can they while the app was still downloading?

        • May 3, 2017 at 12:41 AM by info

          No, the complete app has to be downloaded first before it can work.

          • May 3, 2017 at 12:51 AM by an anonymous user from: Omaha, Nebraska, United States

            Alright, thank you for all the help ❤

  • April 29, 2017 at 9:06 AM by an anonymous user from: Tucson, Arizona, United States

    I have the subject message on my Samsung phone and suspected it as phony. However, trying to follow your directions I have no "privacy" to click in my "settings"

    Really want to get rid of this, thanks

    • April 29, 2017 at 10:39 AM by info

      Which browser are you using?

  • April 24, 2017 at 6:34 AM by an anonymous user from: Swansea, Illinois, United States

    Oddly, I got this message when I clicked on TWC app on my iphone! Not that I did not recognize it as spam but that they thought by not "updating android launcher" it was going to lock my iphone; was a little far fetched. Yes, I did previously own an android a year ago.

  • April 21, 2017 at 8:59 AM by an anonymous user from: Nixa, Missouri, United States

    I got the message on my iPhone and I hit update like an idiot not even realizing it said Android and then it to me to a website. I didn't click on anything to download but at the end of the page I did hit the done button. What should I do?

    • April 21, 2017 at 9:33 AM by info

      It appears you didn't download anything on your iPhone, therefore, you are ok.

  • April 17, 2017 at 8:06 AM by an anonymous user from: Marietta, Georgia, United States

    I'm getting the same message on my iPhone 6S.

  • April 5, 2017 at 8:55 PM by an anonymous user from: Longview, Washington, United States

    Just got the android launcher pop up while on Facebook.

  • April 2, 2017 at 11:49 PM by an anonymous user from: Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States

    Within the last hour or two hours my browser displayed the following box.

    "hxxp://www.taporinx.info says:

    You must update your Android launcher now or your phone will locked within 1 day.

    OK".

    • April 3, 2017 at 12:17 AM by an anonymous user from: Rochelle, Georgia, United States

      Me as well and I didn't do anything wrong.

  • March 30, 2017 at 6:01 PM by an anonymous user from: Ada, Oklahoma, United States

    This an attempt to compromise your phone and HACK your data and files. Android Chrome browser version 34.0.1847.114 opened popup browser window from "www.mobileelson.xyz" with a 'warning' (paraphrasing here):

    "p*rn sites have infected your Android Samsung (Model Number) phone with 4 viruses. If you don't click on the button below and install the app your phone will locked within 1 day."

    I've never permitted my phone to be used for such perversion, so I knew it were liars attempting to deceive me and steal private info. I pressed the "Back" button on the phone. Another popup appeared, and I took a screenshot. This popup said verbatim, The page at www.mobileelson.xyz says:

    "You must update your Android launcher now or your phone will locked within 1 day."

    An "OK" button was below the poor grammatical warning. I closed the Chrome browser window, and performed a "WHOIS" lookup of www.mobileeson.xyz, which revealed their location to be an ambiguous physical locale in the nation of Panama. What's especially weird is that the domain administrator's email address is a checksum algorithm. Here's the administration email address: f369c5578cd24efcbe6d316dcbill431.protect@whoisguard.com.

    The solution: save your most important bookmarks, completely uninstall Google CHROME Browser, delete all associated files and directories, and change to a high security password. I hope this helps others.

  • March 18, 2017 at 2:42 PM by an anonymous user from: Ashburn, Virginia, United States

    It said the same to me just today; thanks for telling me that it's a fake message and warning me that theses pop-ups are fakes.

    Thank you. I wonder what would actually happen if it did do that to someone.

  • March 18, 2017 at 10:40 AM by an anonymous user from: Missoula, Montana, United States

    I got a pop up that said it was from spectrum, it had my name on it, and it said that if I didn't download this certain update my phone would lockout in 1 day...how did it get my name? And why was it from Spectrum? Should I be worried?

    • March 18, 2017 at 10:49 AM by info

      You may unknowingly sent your information to them via a phishing scam, or you may have a malicious app on your phone.

  • March 13, 2017 at 1:17 PM by an anonymous user from: Pontiac, Michigan, United States

    Received an alert from Arosilus indicating that my phone would be locked if I didnt download their app. Threat had Google Logo. I clicked my home button (LG G4) removed the page, rebooted my phone and did not receive alert for the remainder of the day.

    Received alert again the following day indicating if I closed the browser, my phone would be locked. Closed browser, removed page, rebooted phone and phone not locked but it is a pesky. Ran scan for viruses from my VZ Protect app and no virus detected. Should I be concerned?

    • March 13, 2017 at 1:27 PM by info

      No. Once you have not downloaded any malicious app, you are OK.

  • March 4, 2017 at 9:24 PM by an anonymous user from: Port of Spain, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago

    Its true, I kept getting that my phone will lock if I dont update my android launcher.

  • February 28, 2017 at 4:13 PM by an anonymous user from: Cwmbran, Wales, United Kingdom

    So I was eating j pop on some website, and then it said

    If you do not install this android software Your iPhone will be locked within 24 hours

    Wtf? An iPhone with android software?

    How did it know I had an iPhone?

    I tried to press ok but the screen on safarI was frozen so I had to reset it and quickly delete all my web tabs. Since then my phone has been mildly glitchy

  • February 25, 2017 at 9:13 PM by an anonymous user from: Bangkok, Thailand

    I have fake massage popping up every 2 seconds saying "system is damage, please check!".

    I have checked everything, deleted all programs I don't know about, checked all apps in Terminal mode, turned off Internet, start the phone in safe mode, taken out the SD card, deleted all browsers.

    I have even reset to factory mode several times. I have installed several ad stoppers including Adblock Plus on root level.

    The phone is a Chinese unbranded 4G phone and I can not find the Stock ROM to flash the phone. Nothing works.

    Please advise.

  • February 24, 2017 at 8:27 AM by an anonymous user from: Råsunda, Stockholm County, Sweden

    I got this message: "You must update your Android Launcher now or your phone will locked within 1 day."

    I did not press OK, I just closed my browser and reopened it, will something happen?

    • April 4, 2017 at 5:08 PM by an anonymous user from: Aurora, Colorado, United States

      I got the same message for on my Lenovo phone. Thanks for letting me know. There is an application Dr.Clean, does that help in any way.

    • February 24, 2017 at 8:32 AM by info

      No, you are OK, as long you didn't download any app or send personal/financial information.

      • April 24, 2017 at 6:10 AM by an anonymous user from: Brecksville, Ohio, United States

        What if my phone is Jailbroken?

        • April 24, 2017 at 7:37 AM by info

          Jailbreak or not, you will have to download some malicious app or visit some phishing website for you to be in trouble.

  • February 18, 2017 at 10:11 PM by an anonymous user from: Chula Vista, California, United States

    I have gotten that message 5 or 6 times, still waiting for my phone to lock...I also have anti-virus scanner, no threats have showed up.

    With that, I highly advice against p*rn sites, as they get hit frequently.

    Yes, I have gone there, that's why I'm telling you.

  • February 15, 2017 at 12:43 PM by an anonymous user from: Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    A friend's child put the "talking Tom " app on my phone and when I go into it a message about having a virus and also the one about updating my android, or it will be locked in one day.

    • February 15, 2017 at 1:31 PM by info

      The message is a fake that being displayed via rogue advertisement in the Talking Tom app. Free Apps like the Talking Tom use advertisements to generate revenue, but there are rogue or malicious advertisements called adware that cybercriminals use to display those fake messages to potential victims. Remember, although some advertisements are malicious, it is doesn't mean the company displaying them are not legitimate. The problem is that it is hard to vet all advertisements.

  • February 11, 2017 at 1:09 PM by an anonymous user from: Palm Springs, California, United States

    I was on my iPhone when I got this message so I figured it was a scam but I pressed "Ok" to get the notification of the screen and I was never redirected to a website. Is this good or bad? Is the malware already on my phone without me downloading it because I pressed "Ok"? How do I get rid of it on an iPhone?

    • February 11, 2017 at 1:31 PM by info

      You are OK,as long as you didn't install any app.

  • February 6, 2017 at 11:25 AM by an anonymous user from: Waycross, Georgia, United States

    What happens if I already clicked in it & chose install but didn't open? Also it stated on one of the screens to click ok so I wouldn't be blocked? I'm a nervous wreck.

    • February 6, 2017 at 11:44 AM by info

      Once you have installed the malicious app, it could be running on your mobile device, even if you didn't open it. Therefore, go to "Application Manager" and remove all unknown applications under the "Downloaded" section.

  • February 2, 2017 at 8:00 PM by an anonymous user from: Motihari, Bihar, India

    I have got these messages several times that my mobile has 4 harmful viruses which can infect my mobile and that my phone will be locked within 1day if I do not update my launcher...What should I do?

    • February 2, 2017 at 8:36 PM by info

      The messages are fakes. Just ignore them.

  • February 1, 2017 at 10:28 AM by an anonymous user from: Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

    If one inadvertently clicked the OK what will happen?

    • February 1, 2017 at 12:09 PM by info

      You will be taken to a spam, phishing or malicious website.

  • January 19, 2017 at 10:46 AM by an anonymous user from: Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India

    What to do when message comes that your phone is in danger

    • January 23, 2017 at 10:01 AM by an anonymous user from: Kaohsiung City, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

      Just delete it or ignore it. The best to do is just ignore it.

    • January 19, 2017 at 11:43 AM by info

      Ignore it and close the browser window.

  • January 16, 2017 at 1:00 PM by an anonymous user from: Manchester, England, United Kingdom

    I am unable to use my browser on my phone or load websites through Twitter because of the following pop up

    The page at de.android-clean1 .xyz says:

    "Attention!

    Your Galaxy 6 Edge Plus has been blocked because a DDOS attack occurred from your phone. It is possibly infected with a virus. If the problem is not fixed the internet connection will be blocked"

    Closing all apps and restarting my phone does nothing."

    • February 16, 2017 at 1:17 PM by an anonymous user from: Kolkata, West Bengal, India

      Clean all the cache and browsing history.

    • February 1, 2017 at 2:04 AM by an anonymous user from: Findlay, Ohio, United States

      Re-format your device at startup. Hope its was on auto backup or was previously backedup. Unless u still can back it up. Too bad they dont make a safemode for phones n stuff like a desktops. I think thy have it hidden inside the developers options with some devices but not all.

    • January 23, 2017 at 10:04 AM by an anonymous user from: Kaohsiung City, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

      Did you close the twiiter app by double pressing home button and swiping? If the issue still comtinues, try uninstallimg the app and reinstall it and log in again. Contact the authorities if the problem still persists.

    • January 16, 2017 at 1:30 PM by info

      Have tried the instructions in the article?

  • January 11, 2017 at 7:18 AM by an anonymous user from: Boston, Massachusetts, United States

    Dude I just got this message on iFunny. And here's the thing, I'm on a tablet not a phone. So I knew something was fishy with that message.

    • January 19, 2017 at 1:34 AM by an anonymous user from: Chicago, Illinois, United States

      Dude same here. I just got it right now and it's only on Ifunny.

  • December 17, 2016 at 12:22 AM by an anonymous user from: Hubballi, Karnataka, India

    Thank you so much.

  • December 12, 2016 at 9:50 AM by an anonymous user from: Plymouth, Michigan, United States

    What do I do if I hit the update button?

    • December 12, 2016 at 11:23 AM by info

      You will be taken to a malicious website that will infect your device with malware, or take you to phishing website that steals account credentials, personal and financial information.

      • January 8, 2017 at 11:12 PM by an anonymous user from: Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

        When I clicked on it, I got a "Webpage Unavailable" thing. Is that good?

        • January 8, 2017 at 11:24 PM by info

          Yes, because the malicious page was taken down.

  • November 29, 2016 at 7:24 AM by info

    Received via email:

    "The following website has a launcher scam: www.quegrend.top"

  • November 12, 2016 at 1:12 AM by an anonymous user from: Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh, India

    My android 5.1 launcher has viruses, what I'm do?

    • November 12, 2016 at 4:39 AM by info

      Try installing antivirus software and use it to scan your phone. If that doesn't work, try doing a factory reset. Just ensure that you have backup your data.

      • January 23, 2017 at 10:06 AM by an anonymous user from: Kaohsiung City, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

        If you back up the device with the malware, does this mean that the virus can hack into your computer used to back up the device?

        • February 1, 2017 at 1:57 AM by an anonymous user from: Findlay, Ohio, United States

          I believe it has to have coding for multiple softwares capible of reading that device. Some advanced viruses do, like zues, I believe it was called. U can also try backing it up with the system in a safemode with an encryption so your vital info is encrypted and then when process is done. Run a virus cleanup program. Or u could back it up to a none vital computer tht has no info you want stolen on it to see what happens. Or a new cloud account tht has no vital info hooked up to it.

        • January 23, 2017 at 12:09 PM by info

          You backup your data, not the apps.

  • November 2, 2016 at 8:16 PM by an anonymous user from: Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    I was worried about "Android Launcher Update" so I contacted Android, a representative told me it was "just a system update from 2nd applicant and to update" I didnt listen to him. Im glad I decided to further investigate.

  • October 20, 2016 at 5:44 PM by an anonymous user from: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

    I keep getting a message that the launcher has stopped working.

  • October 8, 2016 at 10:58 AM by an anonymous user from: New York, United States

    Thank you ever so much for the informative article! I had just started using an app called MALWAREBYTES ANTI-MALWARE, and the above threat began popping up. I have since removed the app.

  • August 28, 2016 at 10:54 PM by an anonymous user from: Olivette, Missouri, United States

    It was on my iPhone lol, its already obviously a scam, but it is on an apple phone is hilarious.

  • August 21, 2016 at 10:40 PM by an anonymous user from: San Diego, California, United States

    Just received the "you must restart your Android launcher now" . When I hit the back button it took me to a clean sweep app. Finally had to shut down my Galaxy 4 tablet and start it again.

  • August 18, 2016 at 8:28 PM by an anonymous user from: Birmingham, Alabama, United States

    The malicious site that has been plaguing me is secure.imamandaa.com

    It says "You must update your Android launcher now or your phone will locked within 1 day."

    I am able to change my default homepage, but the link: http://secure.imamandaa.com/... will not go away from the current page selection. Is there any way to clear that for good?

    • August 18, 2016 at 9:28 PM by info

      The Current Page Selection only shows the website that you are currently on. Once you go to another website and go to "Settings" and "Homepage," you will realize that the Current page selection has been changed to the current page that you are on.

      Example:

      If you go to www.google.com, and go to "Settings," "Homepage," the Current page will change to www.google.com.

  • August 18, 2016 at 10:57 AM by info

    Received via email:

    "Android Launcher Update Required was sent out from secure.thesprintz.com"

  • August 16, 2016 at 10:44 PM by an anonymous user from: Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    Malicious apps are located the following website:

    http://www.stokeene.pw/

  • August 10, 2016 at 12:21 PM by an anonymous user from: Seattle, Washington, United States

    But how do I get rid of the popup that shows up each time I open up chrome on my s5?

    • August 10, 2016 at 1:38 PM by info

      Check the article above, we have updated it.

  • August 9, 2016 at 1:29 AM by an anonymous user from: Houston, Texas, United States

    Viewcomic.com has the same type of message whenever you try to read a book. It's crazy, no matter what device you use, it targets your specific device.

  • August 7, 2016 at 10:02 AM by an anonymous user from: Houston, Texas, United States

    My mother was using the Internet on her tablet when the following message appeared from secure.imamandaa.com:

    "Android Launcher Update Required...Due to the latest report hacking event targeting LG G Pad F 7.0 Android phone, we have released a launcher update and it's required for every android phone. If you do not upgrade, your LG G Pad F 7.0 will be locked within 1 day."

    Does she have a virus on her tablet? If so, how can she remove it without restoring to factory settings? If not, what do we do now? Thanks in advance for your help.

    • August 7, 2016 at 10:10 AM by info

      There is no virus on your mother's tablet. The message is a fake, used by cybercriminals to frighten and trick online users into installing malicious apps or visiting phishing websites that steal personal and financial information.

  • July 28, 2016 at 4:48 PM by an anonymous user from: Kuopio, East Finland, Finland

    I was panicing! Thank god I googled it. Now I'm just hoping that it truly was fake and nothing bad happened to my phone tomorrow. Thank you for making this post! It's helping a lot of people.

  • July 26, 2016 at 7:35 AM by an anonymous user from: New York, United States

    Yeah, I just received the same message.

  • July 25, 2016 at 9:26 AM by an anonymous user from: Shakopee, Minnesota, United States

    I just got this message on my Samsung Galaxy Express 3..

    "the page at www.adeabeer.top says: you must update your android launcher now or your phone will locked within1 day"

    Exited all apps and restarted phone.

  • July 23, 2016 at 2:46 AM by an anonymous user from: St Paul, Minnesota, United States

    I'm glad I didn't update it then. I've gotten similar things like this, one saying "your phone has a virus from recent websites you may have visited." But I only use Google so I never did anything. The message saying my phone would lock worried me a bit, so I'm glad I searched this before I did anything.

  • July 22, 2016 at 2:59 PM by an anonymous user from: Woodbridge, New Jersey, United States

    I just got the same message & restarted my phone.

  • July 19, 2016 at 11:38 AM by an anonymous user from: Newark, New Jersey, United States

    Got a message from here:

    "http://www.amosense.pw

    Ty for this site! It rlly does help"

  • July 18, 2016 at 2:27 PM by an anonymous user from: Tallahassee, Florida, United States

    I have had the same messages. Generic Android 6.0 update from www.heaceein.top. Is there anything that can prevent these malicious things from popping up?

    • July 18, 2016 at 2:35 PM by info

      <a href="/article/2016/7/17/beware-of-amosense-pw-a-malicious-website/">Click here for information.</a>

  • July 17, 2016 at 8:36 PM by an anonymous user from: Mexico City, Mexico

    The message came to my phone with heaceein.top and us.fixed-85.xys address, these pages are not easily closed. Thank you very much for the information.

  • July 17, 2016 at 3:43 PM by an anonymous user from: DeKalb, Illinois, United States

    My message came with a different website ending in ."top". Thank you for this website to help ID these crooks.

  • July 16, 2016 at 8:40 PM by info

    Here is another website displaying the fake message:

    www.heaceein.top

    • July 17, 2016 at 3:44 PM by an anonymous user from: DeKalb, Illinois, United States

      I received this one.

  • July 14, 2016 at 9:24 AM by an anonymous user from: Overland Park, Kansas, United States

    Whenever I try and use the internet on my Android phone I get a link to www.hetria.xyz. I have rebooted and continue to receive the link when attempting to use the internet. Any suggestions on removing the link? Thanks

    • July 14, 2016 at 9:51 AM by info

      Open your web browser on your Android phone and let the page load.

      Go to "Settings,"

      Click "Privacy."

      Click "Clear your Private."

      Clear your "Browser History" and Cache.

      Also, go to "Settings" and change your "Homepage" to something else, if "www.hetria.xyz" is set as your default Homepage.

      • October 27, 2016 at 5:08 PM by an anonymous user from: Chicago, Illinois, United States

        It's blocking me from even opening the "Settings". Any idea how to get around that?

        • October 28, 2016 at 7:18 AM by info

          You may need to do a factory reset.

  • July 11, 2016 at 1:43 PM by an anonymous user from: Redmond, Washington, United States

    I received this message and was directed to the app store lol.

    • July 11, 2016 at 2:13 PM by info

      That is how someone rogue developers trick people into downloading and installing their apps. Never install those apps that you are taken to after clicking on a message that states your Android Launcher should be updated.

  • July 10, 2016 at 5:44 PM by an anonymous user from: Bellevue, Washington, United States

    I received this message today.

  • July 7, 2016 at 9:21 AM by an anonymous user from: Newark, New Jersey, United States

    Thank you for posting this information. I received this message on my phone and the website it took me to is www.rareclick.xyz/click/.

    • July 10, 2016 at 3:18 PM by an anonymous user from: San Antonio, Texas, United States

      I just received one of these messages today also saying: "2 viruses have been detected on your phone from a recent adult site I visited." I dont do p**n sites so I figured it wasn't true. Then I received another one from Google saying: "you phone will be locked in 1 day if I don't clean it"

  • July 2, 2016 at 3:31 PM by an anonymous user from: Los Angeles, California, United States

    Thanks you so very much for the WARNINGS!

  • July 2, 2016 at 3:52 AM by an anonymous user from: Denver, Colorado, United States

    The web address is: masterminding.xyz

  • June 21, 2016 at 9:51 PM by an anonymous user from: Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    Thanks for posting this. Similar screen showed up with a message regarding my Samsung Galaxy 6 Edge.

    Origin of message was secure.mobspin4u.com

    Thanks for being there.

  • June 19, 2016 at 6:31 AM by info

    Here is another scam that came from: http://monkey.valuableredirect.com:

    "Android Launcher Update Required

    Due to latest report hacking event targeting Samsung GT-I9505 Android phone, we released a Launcher update, and it is required for every android phone. If you do not upgrade, your Samsung GT-I9505 phone will be locked within 1 day."

  • June 18, 2016 at 9:10 AM by an anonymous user from: Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States

    This same message from mobile.xyz just appeard on my android S6 phone. I immediately got on my PC and found your information so I promptly closed this and other open windows and restarted my phone. dodged a bullet this time so thank you for the info!

  • June 17, 2016 at 2:51 PM by an anonymous user from: Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    That happened to me, thanks for your awakening report.

  • June 15, 2016 at 4:23 PM by an anonymous user from: New York, United States

    Received the pop-up as a redirect from an MSN news story.

    • June 15, 2016 at 6:30 PM by info

      Scammers are using legitimate advertising companies to spread their scams.

  • June 11, 2016 at 9:10 AM by an anonymous user from: Marco Island, Florida, United States

    http://www.mobiley.xyz.

    They have a new message now that says you're phone is infected by four viruses. Thanks for the warning.

  • June 9, 2016 at 2:29 PM by an anonymous user from: Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany

    Thx for it!

    If you could make it public in Germany would be fine... I have restarted the browser and did not click "ok". Now it works, I hope.

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The "Android Launcher Update Required" Fake and Malicious Messages