A user recently downloaded a free game application on an Android device. The device then began crashing frequently and quickly losing its battery charge. Which of the following should the technician…

The most direct action to stop issues caused by a newly installed problematic application, which is likely malware or buggy software, is to uninstall it. This removes the source of the crashes and battery drain.

Performing a factory reset is a drastic last resort, as it deletes all user data and settings, and should only be considered if uninstalling the app and applying patches don't resolve the issue.

Connecting the device to an external charger addresses the symptom of battery drain but does not resolve the underlying cause (the problematic app).

Installing the latest security patches helps to close any known vulnerabilities on the Android OS that the malicious or buggy application might be exploiting, thus preventing future infections or improving overall system stability.

Clearing the application's cache might fix minor app glitches, but it's unlikely to fully resolve frequent system crashes and rapid battery drain caused by a malicious or deeply integrated app.

Android devices typically have built-in security features, but "enabling" them is generally not a first step in remediating an active infection, especially if the device is already compromised; a scan might be performed, but enabling implies it was off.