Unwanted Pop-Ups/Spam

[skhf22]

Has this happened to you? After almost 2 years of having my phone (a Galaxy S) I started getting pop-ups (like spam) in my notifications bar such as:

+Track any cell phone. Only number needed. Special for Android.

or

+$14/hr-Hiring (6) No Exp Required-Apply Now, Optout:xa

or

*Phone is Slow? Increase speed here, Optout: xapush.co

or

*Zillow Real Estate Buy Your Dream Home Today-Free Appt

or

*Parents Return to school $5550 Grants. Available if you qualify. opt.

or

*6 Jobs Open-$14/hr. Hiring today no exp needed apply

or

+Social Security Claim Disability claim evaluation enclosed, Opt.

I just recently got the Galaxy S4 and just about a week after having it. I started getting these same pop-ups in my notifications bar. I thought I would be rid of such garbage but no. There's only one thing I can think of as to why I am still getting this kind of junk and especially on my new phone. I noticed when I was purchasing it, the girl who was assisting me said and showed me in passing that all my apps from my old phone or any phone for that matter of fact that I ever downloaded were on my new phone. I guess that could be good or bad. But, I'm thinking that one of these millions of apps I had down loaded on my old phone is the initial cause of all this crap showing up. If so, I'd like to know which app is doing it because I'd like to remove it forever. I don't know how to find my old apps that were automatically transferred over to my new phone so I really even get to what I think may be the source of the problem. Any suggestions/ideas as to what is causing these much unwanted pop-ups and how to stop them completely from ever coming back?

[Ann154]

Please download Lookout Ad Network Detector.  One or more of the apps you downloaded is pushing ads to your notification bar.  Once installed run this app and use it to locate the offensive apps and UNINSTALL them.

[skhf22]

Thank you!!! I just downloaded it and uninstalled apps. I'll see if this works.

[nexus_ed]

while lookout ad detector is okay in detecting malicious apps, it doesn't  get rid of notification ad framework scripts deep in the system. download airpush detector from google play. for further resolution, also opt out of airpush ads by going to

http://www.airpush.com/optout

the combination of these two, should eliminate any further notification bar spam.

[BakerGeckos]

I've done both Lookout and Airpush. The combination is awesome.

[vzw_customer_support]

Hey there skhf22,

I am sorry to hear about the ads that keep popping up on your phone.  I've had that happen to me before and it can absolutely be annoying.

Your thinking is correct.  These ads are being caused by third party applications and the only way to stop these ads is by deleting the application itself.  I had to delete the apps one by one and than load them on one at a time until I figured out which ones were pushing out these ads.  I'm not quite familiar with these applications recommended by the community, but you'll have to let us know if they work.

Let us know if you need additional assistance.

NickB_VZW
VZWSupport
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport.

[Ann154]

Really? You are not familiar with those applications?