I have a Samsung S23FE and keep up to date with the updates from Samsung.
Earlier this evening I was at the theatre and turned my phone on during in the interval to check for messages.
I was shocked to notice an adult image of a young lady on the main screen - luckily no stronger than playboy style. The image wasn't downloaded by me at any time - my SIM provider is set to blocks all adult content.
I turned the phone off again and when I restarted it later on in the car the image had luckily disappeared.
I can only assume that the image was "broadcast" to all unsecured phones at the venue?
Does anyone know how to prevent this happening again please?
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>> I can only assume that the image was "broadcast" to all unsecured phones at the
>> venue?
No, there is no way to broadcast a home screen image to all phones in a particular venue. Its been either previously downloaded or pushed by some affirmative action previously.
Sure it wasnt a scam message supposedly from a girl offering interesting marriage proposals?
And your provider wont stop legitimate messages or emails with adult content. Thats too george orwell for anyone.
Last edited by: Zero on Wed 26 Nov 25 at 08:35
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The appearance of unwanted "soft porn" images on a Samsung phone is typically caused by adware, intrusive app notifications, or browser pop-ups, not an inherent phone issue or a "bug" in the system. These are generally signs of malware or a rogue app and can be removed.
Solutions for Removing Unwanted Images/Pop-ups
Here are the primary methods to stop these unwanted images from appearing:
1. Identify and Uninstall Suspicious Apps
The most common cause is a recently installed third-party app with embedded adware.
Boot into Safe Mode: This temporarily disables all third-party apps, which can stop the pop-ups and help you identify the culprit. The method to boot into safe mode can vary slightly by model, but generally involves pressing and holding the power button, then long-pressing the "Power off" option until "Safe Mode" appears.
Review Recent Apps: In Safe Mode, go to Settings > Apps and sort by "Last updated" or "most recently installed".
Uninstall Suspicious Apps: Remove any apps you don't recognize or that you installed around the time the images started appearing. Be wary of apps disguised as simple games, utility apps (like "cleaner" or weather apps), or apps with generic names or icons.
Restart the phone: Exit Safe Mode and check if the issue is resolved.
2. Clear Browser Data and Block Pop-ups
Unwanted images often appear as notifications or pop-ups within your web browser (Samsung Internet or Chrome).
Block Pop-ups: In your browser settings (e.g., for Samsung Internet: Settings > Privacy dashboard > Block pop-ups), ensure pop-ups are blocked.
Disable Notifications from Websites: Websites can prompt you to "allow notifications," which they then use to push intrusive ads. Go to your browser's notification settings (Settings > Site settings > Notifications in Chrome) and block any suspicious sites from sending notifications.
Clear Cache and Data: Clearing the browser's cache and data can remove corrupted files and close malicious tabs.
3. Use an Anti-malware App
Install a reputable anti-malware application from the Google Play Store, such as Malwarebytes Mobile or Bitdefender Mobile Security, to scan for and remove hidden threats.
4. Factory Reset (Last Resort)
If all other methods fail to resolve the issue, a factory reset will erase all data and settings, returning the phone to its original state and removing deeply embedded adware or malware.
Back up important data first.
Go to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset and follow the prompts.
Preventing Future Issues
Avoid clicking on suspicious links or pop-ups.
Only download apps from the official Google Play Store or the Samsung Galaxy Store, not unknown or unofficial sources.
Keep your device software and apps updated to patch security vulnerabilities.
Consider enabling the new "Sensitive Content Warnings" feature in your phone's message settings, which automatically blurs images containing nudity in the Messages app.
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My Motorola has started showing pictures from where ever rather than my own stuff. Seems to follow a software update.
Not had any scanty clad women yet though :-(
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>> My Motorola has started showing pictures from where ever rather than my own stuff. Seems
>> to follow a software update.
You have an active wallpaper/theme app/feature running, probably a motorola "we think its nice and flashy" feature. Can be disabled.
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Samsung has a function called Nearby Share. I would check that that is not enabled.
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Apparently, the function is now called Quick Share - go to Settings and search Quick Share and check that no-one is allowed to share with you.
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Zero is about right but I'm curious which app being opened prompted said image?
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>Zero is about right but I'm curious which app being opened prompted said image?
Me too smokie. A search on Google Play finds nothing like that.
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The camera app was open because I took a photo of the stage before the show and then turned my phone to airplane mode until the interval.
The only other apps are shops, banking, google apps, the NHS app and Microsoft email.
Quick share was on, so I've turned it off.
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Camera app open?
Wasn’t any dodgy QR codes displayed nearby that it could have picked up?
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Samsung Android Security - Issues out and about - Zero
