That is why it is important to spot the early signals of your phone getting hacked to block intruders out of your device before they can do any harm. Read on to find out the signs you should look out for and how to protect your phone from hacking attacks.
Can your phone get hacked?
Yes, your phone can be hacked, no matter whether it is iPhone or Android. In fact, any device that can connect to the Internet can become a target for hacking. But cybercriminals are particularly interested in getting access to phones since they store huge amounts of valuable data.
Hackers try to infect your phone with malware, viruses, and trojans. This can further be used to install keyloggers and spyware onto your device to spy on you and gather personal information. In addition, to the threat of data exposure, the attack can also lead to a decrease in device performance and cause lags, freezes, and unexpected shutdowns.
So despite the usefulness of your smartphone, it can put you at risk, which is why it's critical to understand how to recognize symptoms of hacking.
5 signs that your Phone may be hacked
Hackers try to use the newest technologies to hide their illegal activity, making it increasingly difficult to spot the attacks. Fortunately, there are some obvious phone hacking signs that can let you know if you've been a target.
1. Annoying pop-ups
Your phone may be infected with adware if you frequently see pop-up advertisements on your screen. You shouldn't react to these pop-ups. Never click or open these kinds of messages. Usually, they try to trick you into opening an unsecured website and downloading potentially harmful software.
2. Unrecognized items or actions on your device
You should be cautious if you notice any items you don't remember downloading or using on your iPhone. This applies to software you didn't install, purchases you didn't authorize, and files you didn't download. All of this could be a sign that your phone may be under attack, so you should learn what to dial to see if your phone is hacked.
It is also a good idea to check your communications history. Receiving any suspicious phone calls, noticing calls you didn't make, or text messages you didn't send — it is all a warning signal. If hackers have access to your phone, they can use it to send spam to all your contacts and other recipients.
3. Slow performance of your phone
Malware and suspicious resource-consuming processes that are working in the background could cause your phone to work unusually slowly. This can also lead to freezes, lags, and unexpected crushes of applications. Malware infection might also make your phone reboot unexpectedly and drain your battery more quickly. Make sure to run an antivirus scan if you notice any of these signs.
4. Unreasonably high data usage
If you haven't used your phone more than typically, but the data usage shows unusual data usage spikes, this could be a sign that your phone may be hacked. Malware and malicious apps might be constantly using your data in the background.
In addition to using your system resources and mobile data, this can also lead to increased charges on your financial statement. Hackers can also subscribe to new services using your account and take advantage of the current ones. Check the list of installed software and uninstall anything that looks suspicious to prevent unexpected charges.
5. Stange behavior or activity
A phone that was attacked by a hacker usually starts acting out. In most cases, owners notice at least some minor changes in the device's behavior. For example, websites might look differently when you browse the Internet, or they might redirect you to unsafe and infected websites. You might also notice the battery draining too quickly or the phone becoming overly hot even when idle.
Malware and other suspicious processes can hijack your phone and change the settings. For instance, your might notice that your Bluetooth is always on, even when you don't use it, or you get reconnected to strange Wi-Fi networks without your knowledge. Any of these warning signs and unusual device behavior might mean that your phone was hacked.
To Sum Up
Phone hacking can be described as gaining unauthorized access to a smartphone and its data. Many owners of such hacked devices might be unaware of this malicious activity for quite some time. This might lead to decreased phone performance, unexpected charges, and other undesirable consequences.
To avoid such an outcome, it is best to spot the early signs of when your phone may be hacked, such as annoying pop-ups, unknown apps, strange or decreased device activity, and excessive data usage. The sooner you notice any warning signs, the faster you can react to the problem to get rid of hacker and malware infection.