How to know if your phone is hacked: 10 signs and security tips

Phone hacking has become relatively common these days. According to cell phone hacking statistics, more than 60 percent of fraud comes from mobile devices. The world is going digital, and so are conmen. Of the world’s cyber attacks, around 60 percent are on mobile devices. So what should you do if your smartphone gets hacked? Well, apart from visiting a mobile service centre, there’s little else that you can do. Read on to discover how hacking occurs and how it may be prevented.

Signs of a hacked phone

Phone Hack

To find out whether your phone has been hacked or not, you may find the following unusual activities on the phone:

Privacy breaches

If you notice unauthorized access to your email ID, online accounts, or social media, it could be a hint that the phone is hacked. 

Battery drain

Phone batteries are designed quite efficiently. If your phone habits have remained constant, but your battery drains super fast, your phone may have been hacked.

Strange pop-ups and ads

One sure-shot sign of a hacked phone is constant pop-ups. Bright flashing ads or X-rated content indicates that your phone may have been hacked.

Camera or microphone activation

If you find the camera or mic turning on without your prompt, it could be a sign that the phone is hacked. 

Phone works slowly

If the phone or apps on it are lagging/freezing up, that could mean something fishy.

Mysterious data usage spikes

High data usage can have multiple reasons. However, if your phone behaviour has stayed the same, but your data use has gone up, it’s time to investigate.

Hidden apps or files

New phones come with pre-downloaded apps. However, if you notice new apps popping up once you’ve bought the phone, or you spot some new apps installed on the phone under a different name, that may also be concerning.

Rooted or jailbroken phone

If you didn’t root or jailbreak the phone and still find it to be so, that could mean the phone has been compromised. 

Spam messages

If you find messages being sent from your email ID or an unusual amount of spam messages in your inbox, that could be a possible sign of a hack. 

Texts or calls you do not make

You will probably remember the number of times you used your phone throughout the day. So if you see calls or texts from your phone that you haven’t made, your phone may have been hacked.

What to do if you suspect your phone is hacked

Scan for malware

Use an antivirus app like Kaspersky to find if there is any malware in the device.

Delete suspicious apps

Just as important as scanning for malware is removing sketchy apps as they may be the backdoor for the bad actors. 

Disconnect the phone from the internet

If you suspect it is compromised, quickly turn off the WiFi and mobile data on the device. This breaks any transaction or data transfer between the device and the hackers.

Change password

Changing the password of your device, email (Gmail/Apple ID) account, social media accounts, etc can be crucial in securing your private and personal information.

Reset your phone

If nothing else works, format the device and that should remove malware and problematic apps from the device. You would lose your personal data on the device through. 

Request contacts to ignore messages

It is recommended to let your contacts or connections know your device/ account is compromised and to ignore messages. This can save them from falling for hackers’ traps.

How to prevent phone from hacking

Regular backups

It is prudent to create regular backups of your device data including apps and social media accounts. On the off chance, the device gets compromised and you reset the device, you won’t lose data. 

Change your passwords

You can set a six-digit passcode on both Apple and Android phones. Be careful of “smart unlock” features that depend on your smartwatch’s proximity to lock or unlock your phone.

Remove suspicious apps

If you come across any unknown app on the device, check its purpose on Google and if you find nothing relevant, remove it.

Be wary of the applications you put in place

Think carefully before installing apps or approving permission requests by apps. You should also know why any app is present on the device. If you don’t it could be rogue.  

Keep Software updated

Always install software updates as soon as they appear on the app store. Updating apps or devices can patch vulnerabilities. 

Review what is already on your phone

Even though apps on your phone might seem simple and safe when you install them, updates may have turned them into something unsafe. Take some time to review all apps on your smartphone and see the permissions they’re using. 

Make it challenging for intruders to breach your phone

Thieves that get physical access to your phone can cause a lot of trouble. A phone that isn’t being used should be locked. 

Get ready to track and lock your phone

Plan in advance so that your data is safe even if your phone gets robbed. One option is to set the phone to automatically erase all data after several inaccurate attempts to enter the passcode. Apple and Google have “Find my Device,” which can find your phone on a map and lock or erase it remotely.

Leaving online services unlocked is unsafe

Auto-login is very convenient. Don’t use these. Use a password manager who needs you to frequently upload a master password. Don’t use a common password for applications/services. Hackers can use that password to gain unlawful access to your personal information if that password gets cracked. Hackers regularly breach online services to pilfer user credentials, so be careful about keeping your smartphone secure. 

Scan your phone with antivirus software

Occasionally, you may check for malware using antivirus software. This could reveal fraudulent apps on the device.

Avoid Public Wi-Fi

Using an open wireless network is always risky. People close by can see your activity. Utilise the cellphone’s native internet connection or use a VPN tool so the traffic goes via a private encrypted channel. This way, anyone monitoring your traffic cannot view what you’re doing.

Set your lock screen notifications to reveal nothing

A phone’s lock screen has a lot of app pop-up messages and notifications. Always ensure that your lock screen does not give any information to potential hackers. On iOS, disable Siri access from the lock screen. 

Lock individual apps

Using strong passcode can keep thieves from using your phone. However, if they guess the code, you’re in trouble. In Android, you can lock individual apps. This facility isn’t in iOS, but they can use something called Folder Lock, which password-protects documents and folders. 

Get notified if your device disappears

Apple Watch and Android Wear can inform you instantly if Bluetooth contact with your phone is lost. If this notification arrives while you’re in a public place, it means you’ve been pick-pocketed. Try ringing the phone right away to draw attention to the thief. 

Keep your eyes peeled

It doesn’t matter how careful you are. You’re never totally immune to hackers. You can boost your device’s security measures with services available online. LogDog monitors your identity on sites like Gmail, Facebook, and Dropbox and alerts you to suspicious activity like logins from unfamiliar places. LogDog also scans emails and highlights messages containing sensitive information so you can delete them before they fall into the wrong hands. 

FAQs

1. How do phones get hacked?

Phones can be hacked through various methods that don’t require physical possession. Hackers exploit vulnerabilities in phone operating systems, trick users into installing malicious software, or employ tactics like creating fake Wi-Fi networks, SIM swaps, and phishing emails or texts. Cybercriminals can access sensitive data remotely, including passwords, bank details, SSNs, text messages, and photos, making it crucial for users to be vigilant about their phone’s security.

2. What can hackers do with your phone?

Hackers can exploit your phone in various ways, such as rerouting messages, stealing personal information, engaging in SIM swaps, employing text scams and spyware, doxxing for harassment and fraud, using sensitive data for blackmail, spoofing caller ID numbers, and preying on your family. These actions can lead to severe consequences, including identity theft, financial loss, privacy breaches, and emotional distress. It highlights the importance of safeguarding personal information and being cautious of potential cybersecurity threats.

3. Are antivirus apps effective against hacking?

Antivirus apps like LapDog, BitDefender Mobile Security, Avast Mobile Security Ultimate, McAfee Mobile Security, Malwarebytes Security, and Norton Mobile Security and Antivirus play a crucial role in protecting against hacking. These applications offer features such as malware prevention, web protection, VPN services, password management, theft deterrent tools, and the ability to identify and remove malicious files. Each app has its unique set of features, providing users with comprehensive security measures to safeguard their devices from various cyber threats.

4. Does airplane mode block hackers?

Yes, airplane mode temporarily blocks hackers when enabled, and the device isn’t connected to Wi-Fi or mobile networks. However, this isn’t a very effective deterrent simply because you can’t keep your phone on airplane mode constantly, it defeats the very purpose of having a smartphone. 

5. Can hackers see you through your phone camera?

Webcams and phone cameras are susceptible to hacking, giving hackers complete control over their functions. Resultantly, hackers may use your device’s camera to spy on you and search for personal information. 

6. Is there an app to see if your phone has been hacked?

The fastest and easiest way to determine whether you’ve been hacked is to install a security or antivirus app. This will scan your device to determine if malware is installed on your system.

7. Are there security apps to protect against phone hacking?

Yes, you can try antivirus apps, app locks, firewalls, VPNs, SMS and call blockers to prevent attempts of hacking on your phone. 

8. Can a hacked phone be recovered? Can a factory reset be helpful?

If you can remove the source of the hack like a malware app, or reset the device, you can restore the data and the device could be used like it was before the hack. For a good measure, reset the passwords and locks on the device.

9. How often should I update my phone’s security settings?

Although there is no written rule that you have to update it in regular intervals, do it occasionally. That would be a good practice. Else, if something seems dubious, update the phone’s security settings then for sure.