Help with persistent adware (Android 6.0)

Jiang Guo Feng · May 25, 2016

So, I installed a few apps outside of the Play Store, now I know why people avoid it.

A few days ago ads were becoming persistent (drawing on apps, home screen, during phone calls, pretty much any time), and alarmingly able to download and prompt installation without my consent. The download shows up as just the built in "Download Manager" although I did not initiate it. The ads, when clicked immediately show up as "Package Installer" in processes.

I can't seem to track the culprit down, because it uses system processes to download and prompt installation.

I can't disable "Download Manager" and "Package Installer" either because they are system processes.

I have a few suspicions and uninstalled them, but haven't gotten to the bottom of the situation.

The ads are of chinese origin, usually UC Browser and other unidentifiable chinese apps. (FYI I don't speak chinese)

Any methods of tracking it down? I would want a few suggestions before I start nuking. (Uninstalling every app, etc.)

Thanks in advance.

Jiang Guo Feng · May 25, 2016

I will check out LostNet Firewall.

However I can't flash roms, etc. I intend to keep this device unspoilt. I have tried many roms in the past with Samsung devices but with recent devices (s7, edge) I heard it became increasingly difficult to not screw up your warranty, etc.

Also, are there other methods that don't involve shoving a middle finger up Samsung's warranty? I was thinking apps that could show you which processes are running, but so far they don't show background apps. (Not without root anyways, which is something I also intend to avoid.)

Thanks for the suggestion anyways.