How to get rid of deceptive calendar events from your Android device
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What are deceptive calendar events?
"Deceptive calendar events" refers to spam events created in Android device calendars by malware. The fake events are typically used to bombard victims with calendar notifications that promote various scams and malicious content.
Deceptive calendar event overview
Malware that employs deceptive calendar events aims to acquire permission to access the device's calendar. The spam events promote a wide variety of misleading, untrustworthy, and dangerous online content.
The websites pushed in this manner can include: gambling, adult-dating, pornography, scam-promoting (e.g., phishing, tech support scams, bogus prize giveaways, etc.), unwanted software pushing (e.g., fake anti-virus, adware, browser hijacker, PUA, etc.), malware-spreading (e.g., trojan, ransomware, etc.), and other suspicious sites.
The malicious software can create hundreds of these fake events. In some cases, it is enough to remove the malware to get rid of this calendar spam. However, in others - the deceptive events remain even after the malicious app is eliminated. This can be solved by deleting the affected calendar, but it is often impossible to do so.
Furthermore, various calendars can link up automatically - and the spam can be duplicated. Some malware even installs additional calendars as a persistence-ensuring tactic. Should it be impossible to remove the spam-riddled calendars - the deceptive evens must be deleted manually (instructions below: Samsung Calendar, Google Calendar).
It is noteworthy that malware capable of creating calendar event spam may have other harmful capabilities. In summary, deceptive calendar events can cause system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Android calendar spam |
| Threat Type | Android malware, malicious application, unwanted application. |
| Symptoms | The device is running slow, system settings are modified without user's permission, questionable applications appear, data and battery usage is increased significantly, browsers redirect to questionable websites, intrusive advertisements are delivered. |
| Distribution methods | Infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, deceptive applications, scam websites. |
| Damage | Stolen personal information (private messages, logins/passwords, etc.), decreased device performance, battery is drained quickly, decreased Internet speed, huge data losses, monetary losses, stolen identity (malicious apps might abuse communication apps). |
| Malware Removal (Android) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your mobile device with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Deceptive calendar event malware examples
"Ads Blocker" is an example of malware that can create deceptive calendar events. Android devices are not the only ones susceptible to such malware infections, and we have previously written about iPhone calendar spam.
The content pushed through fake calendar events can be especially harmful and pose threats to both device integrity and user safety. Therefore, we strongly advise eliminating the software promoting this spam.
How did deceptive calendar events displaying malware infiltrate my device?
Malware is spread using phishing and social engineering tactics. This software is typically disguised as or bundled with regular programs/media.
Malware is commonly distributed via dubious download channels, such as freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, and other third-party sources. However, malicious software might also be encountered on legitimate platforms (e.g., Google Play Store). While review teams are vigilant in removing this content from their platforms, malware developers often invent new ways to avoid detection and continue using them for distribution.
Other popular proliferation methods include: malicious attachments and links in spam mail (e.g., emails, DMs/PMs, SMSes, etc.), drive-by (stealthy and deceptive) downloads, malvertising, online scams, illegal program activation tools ("cracks"), and fake updates.
How to avoid installation of malware?
We highly recommend researching software before download/installation by reading terms and user/expert reviews, checking out the necessary permissions, verifying developer legitimacy, etc. Additionally, all downloads must be done from official and verified sources.
It is crucial to activate and update programs with tools provided by genuine developers, as illegal activation ("cracking") tools and third-party updaters can contain malware.
Another recommendation is to be cautious when browsing since fraudulent and harmful content usually appears innocuous. We advise against opening the attachments/links found in suspicious emails, SMSes, PMs/DMs, and other messages - since they can be malicious and cause infections.
It is essential to have a reputable anti-virus installed and kept updated. Security software must be used to perform regular system scans and to remove detected threats and issues.
Appearance of deceptive calendar events on Google Calendar:
Deceptive calendar event redirecting to a scam website promoting questionable applications (GIF):
Deceptive calendar event removal instructions;
Samsung Calendar:
Tap and hold on the event you want to remove, once a pop-up window appears - tap "Delete" (image below).
Important note! The removal steps may differ depending on the calendar application or its version. However, in most cases the removal steps are the same - either tap/hold and select "Delete" or choose the more actions menu (e.g., three dots) and select "Delete".
Google Calendar:
Tap on the event you want to remove, then tap three dots in the right-upper corner of the screen and select "Delete" (image below).
Important note! The removal steps may differ depending on the calendar application or its version. However, in most cases the removal steps are the same - either choose the more actions menu (e.g., three dots) and select "Delete" or tap/hold and select "Delete".
Quick menu:
- Introduction
- How to delete browsing history from the Chrome web browser?
- How to disable browser notifications in the Chrome web browser?
- How to reset the Chrome web browser?
- How to delete browsing history from the Firefox web browser?
- How to disable browser notifications in the Firefox web browser?
- How to reset the Firefox web browser?
- How to uninstall potentially unwanted and/or malicious applications?
- How to boot the Android device in "Safe Mode"?
- How to check the battery usage of various applications?
- How to check the data usage of various applications?
- How to install the latest software updates?
- How to reset the system to its default state?
- How to disable applications that have administrator privileges?
Delete browsing history from the Chrome web browser:
Tap the "Menu" button (three dots on the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "History" in the opened dropdown menu.
Tap "Clear browsing data", select "ADVANCED" tab, choose the time range and data types you want to delete and tap "Clear data".
Disable browser notifications in the Chrome web browser:
Tap the "Menu" button (three dots on the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "Settings" in the opened dropdown menu.
Scroll down until you see "Site settings" option and tap it. Scroll down until you see "Notifications" option and tap it.
Find the websites that deliver browser notifications, tap on them and click "Clear & reset". This will remove permissions granted for these websites to deliver notifications. However, once you visit the same site again, it may ask for a permission again. You can choose whether to give these permissions or not (if you choose to decline the website will go to "Blocked" section and will no longer ask you for the permission).
Reset the Chrome web browser:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Apps" and tap it.
Scroll down until you find "Chrome" application, select it and tap "Storage" option.
Tap "MANAGE STORAGE", then "CLEAR ALL DATA" and confirm the action by taping "OK". Note that resetting the browser will eliminate all data stored within. This means that all saved logins/passwords, browsing history, non-default settings and other data will be deleted. You will also have to re-login into all websites as well.
Delete browsing history from the Firefox web browser:
Tap the "Menu" button (three dots on the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "History" in the opened dropdown menu.
Scroll down until you see "Clear private data" and tap it. Select data types you want to remove and tap "CLEAR DATA".
Disable browser notifications in the Firefox web browser:
Visit the website that is delivering browser notifications, tap the icon displayed on the left of URL bar (the icon will not necessarily be a "Lock") and select "Edit Site Settings".
In the opened pop-up opt-in the "Notifications" option and tap "CLEAR".
Reset the Firefox web browser:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Apps" and tap it.
Scroll down until you find "Firefox" application, select it and tap "Storage" option.
Tap "CLEAR DATA" and confirm the action by taping "DELETE". Note that resetting the browser will eliminate all data stored within. This means that all saved logins/passwords, browsing history, non-default settings and other data will be deleted. You will also have to re-login into all websites as well.
Uninstall potentially unwanted and/or malicious applications:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Apps" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see a potentially unwanted and/or malicious application, select it and tap "Uninstall". If, for some reason, you are unable to remove the selected app (e.g., you are prompted with an error message), you should try using the "Safe Mode".
Boot the Android device in "Safe Mode":
The "Safe Mode" in Android operating system temporarily disables all third-party applications from running. Using this mode is a good way to diagnose and solve various issues (e.g., remove malicious applications that prevent users you from doing so when the device is running "normally").
Push the "Power" button and hold it until you see the "Power off" screen. Tap the "Power off" icon and hold it. After a few seconds the "Safe Mode" option will appear and you'll be able run it by restarting the device.
Check the battery usage of various applications:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Device maintenance" and tap it.
Tap "Battery" and check the usage of each application. Legitimate/genuine applications are designed to use as low energy as possible in order to provide the best user experience and to save power. Therefore, high battery usage may indicate that the application is malicious.
Check the data usage of various applications:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Connections" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see "Data usage" and select this option. As with battery, legitimate/genuine applications are designed to minimize data usage as much as possible. This means that huge data usage may indicate presence of malicious application. Note that some malicious applications might be designed to operate when the device is connected to wireless network only. For this reason, you should check both Mobile and Wi-Fi data usage.
If you find an application that uses a lot of data even though you never use it, then we strongly advise you to uninstall it as soon as possible.
Install the latest software updates:
Keeping the software up-to-date is a good practice when it comes to device safety. The device manufacturers are continually releasing various security patches and Android updates in order to fix errors and bugs that can be abused by cyber criminals. An outdated system is way more vulnerable, which is why you should always be sure that your device's software is up-to-date.
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Software update" and tap it.
Tap "Download updates manually" and check if there are any updates available. If so, install them immediately. We also recommend to enable the "Download updates automatically" option - it will enable the system to notify you once an update is released and/or install it automatically.
Reset the system to its default state:
Performing a "Factory Reset" is a good way to remove all unwanted applications, restore system's settings to default and clean the device in general. However, you must keep in mind that all data within the device will be deleted, including photos, video/audio files, phone numbers (stored within the device, not the SIM card), SMS messages, and so forth. In other words, the device will be restored to its primal state.
You can also restore the basic system settings and/or simply network settings as well.
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "About phone" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see "Reset" and tap it. Now choose the action you want to perform:
"Reset settings" - restore all system settings to default;
"Reset network settings" - restore all network-related settings to default;
"Factory data reset" - reset the entire system and completely delete all stored data;
Disable applications that have administrator privileges:
If a malicious application gets administrator-level privileges it can seriously damage the system. To keep the device as safe as possible you should always check what apps have such privileges and disable the ones that shouldn't.
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Lock screen and security" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see "Other security settings", tap it and then tap "Device admin apps".
Identify applications that should not have administrator privileges, tap them and then tap "DEACTIVATE".
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are deceptive calendar events?
"Deceptive calendar events" refers to device calendar spam created by malware. These fake events promote rogue, scam, and malicious online content.
My Android device is infected with malware displaying deceptive calendar events, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?
No, most malicious programs can be removed without formatting.
What are the biggest issues that malware displaying deceptive calendar events can cause?
Deceptive calendar events can promote online scams (e.g., phishing, fake virus/error alerts, hoax lotteries, etc.), untrustworthy/harmful software (e.g., adware, browser hijackers, etc.), and even malware (e.g., trojan, ransomware, etc.). It is noteworthy that malware capable of creating spam calendar events may also have other dangerous functionalities. Generally, such infections can lead to decreased device performance, data loss, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
How did malware displaying deceptive calendar events infiltrate my Android device?
Malware is primarily proliferated through drive-by downloads, online scams, spam mail (e.g., emails, SMSes, PMs/DMs, etc.), dubious download channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.), illegal software activation tools ("cracks"), fake updates, and malvertising.
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