How can I remove unwanted app icons from the screen?

Question

I'm new to using an android. Apps I have never visited nor installed are showing up on my screen (Slots, Candy Crush, Expedia, Droid Games). If I touch them, I go to their site. I would like to remove them but can't figure out how? Any ideas?

Answer 1

If they're on your home screen then long press them and drag them to the trash can on the screen. Depending on what phone you have and what version of Android it's running the trash can be in a different place. On the image below the trash can is at the bottom of the screen however I think on Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean it's at the top.

If you want to delete an application from the phone (and so from the menu screen) then go to Settings -> Apps and find the app you want to get rid of, click on it and there should be an Uninstall option, click this and the app and icon will be removed from the menu.

Since these icons/apps are appearing without you installing anything I assume they're being installed by a malicious application so although so may delete the icons they malicious app can just reinstall them, you should deal with the root of the problem, see Izzys answer for a suggestion on how to do this.

Answer 2

Sounds like you tapped into some spam trap. Certain apps place advertisements this way -- though the new playstore rules do no longer allow that. Others do the same in the notification area. Airpush is the best known evil source of such.

I suggest you scan your device for such apps. Try e.g. with TrustGo Ad Detector. Quoting from the apps description:

It is common for advertising networks to collect information on how you use your device. Your information is then used for targeted marketing campaigns.

Some common and aggressive methods include:

• Pushing ads to your Android notification bar
• Creating unauthorized shortcuts on your home screen
• Modifying the default browser, homepage and bookmarks settings
• Subscribing you to emails and text messages when an ad is clicked
• Making phone calls and downloading malicious files when an ad is clicked

At least one line sounding familiar? (remark: emphazation is mine).

EDIT: Once you've identified the malicious app, make sure to...

1. report it to Google (according to the current playstore rules, this kind of advertisement is not permitted)
2. comment on the app to warn off other users
3. uninstall the app and leave it out
4. think about whether in the future you want to use any apps from such developers which do not respect your privacy
   ^{nothing bad with ad-financed apps -- but it a) should be clear where those ads come from, and b) they should be related to the app itself, i.e. being displayed in that app when it's used -- and not outside in different places whether you use the app or not}

Answer 3

You should download AVG and scan for the app that is placing the apps on your screen and it will help you not to download future programs that so this as well AVG has a website that will allow you to track your phone in the event of loss all for free.