Help! My Mom’s Android has a Virus from a Sketchy Ad

First, go into the notification settings and disable all notifications temporarily. Then, check the list of installed apps to see the most recently added ones. One of those might be the culprit causing the ads.

Make sure the default home app is set correctly in Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Home App. If there's an unfamiliar home app, it could be responsible for the unwanted ads. Switch it back to the original app and uninstall anything suspicious.

Here's a troubleshooting method you might find helpful: Try to reproduce when the ads show up and make note of the apps that were recently opened. Disable Wi-Fi or mobile data, then check data usage to see which apps are suspicious. If you find any, uninstall them and see if the problem goes away.

I had a similar issue at work recently. I found two Gmail apps in the app settings. One was legit, but the other led to something different when I clicked "Open in Play Store." I uninstalled the suspicious one, and the ads stopped. Check your app list and do the same to find any duplicates or odd apps.

Consider installing AVG antivirus as it has been effective for many users in similar situations. It might help catch any remaining threats that other apps missed.

When I faced this, I decided to step back instead of trying to fix her habits. I ended up setting up a mini ITX PC with pfSense at my router to block ads at the source. It doesn't stop mobile ads, but it helps with other devices connected to the network.