Is there a chance of apk files being harmful?

[mynameisevans]

Hi all, would like to check if apk files have ability to be harmful to the phone if it is not opened?

Here's what happened. I was reading some tweets and happened to click on one of the links my friend had tweeted. It opened my browser and downloaded a file called adultgallery.apk automatically, without my permission. The file name said it all, and i immediately deleted the file without opening it. Will it cause any harm to my phone since i did not open the suspicious file?

Thanks in advance,

Evans

 

[CJM]

Will it cause any harm to my phone since i did not open the suspicious file?

Thanks in advance,

Evans

I doubt it will cause any harm. If it could, I think you would've known shortly after downloading it.

Tapped from a Galaxy Nexus using Xparent ICS

 

[mynameisevans]

Thanks for the reply. I guess its not much of a problem then.

 

[handojim]

Exactly the same thing happened to me yesterday, I deleted the apk file but it has just downloaded itself again.
How can I stop it from automatically downloading this file without my permission?

 

[dezymond]

Exactly the same thing happened to me yesterday, I deleted the apk file but it has just downloaded itself again.
How can I stop it from automatically downloading this file without my permission?

Try downloading a virus scanning app such as Lookout and run that. Hopefully that helps.

 

[Miller6386]

Also uncheck the option to install apps from unknown sources.... You should only check that when you are installing from a backup...... If that is checked it can download but not install anything....