How to know if your phone is hacked
If you ever feel like your phone is behaving oddly or you notice that your phone has suddenly started performing poorly, then your phone might be hacked. Follow this guide as we cover all the angles about how to know if your phone is hacked and how you can recover it.
Symptoms that your phone is Hacked
If you notice any of these signs, you should know your phone is hacked!
1. Performance issues
If your phone’s battery is draining too fast or your device is running slow, then your phone might be hacked, or there can be malware in your device. Make sure you sweep your phone as soon as possible and make sure that you’re safe.
2. If your device has heating issues
In case your device is heating too much for no apparent reason, then there might be some processes running in the background. These processes causing your device to heat up cannot be because of your usual app. Ensure you have not installed any malware-infected app, and your device is not hacked.
3. Mystery apps or data
Another thing that can happen when your phone is hacked is that you start seeing apps installed on your phone that you did not download or install yourself. Therefore, keep an eye on all of your apps. .
4. Pop-ups or changes to your screen
Sudden pop-ups are never a good sign when it comes unprompted. Any changes to your home screen or in your configuration can be a big hint that your device has been compromised.
5 ways your phone can be hacked
There are 5 ways that a hacker can get access of your mobile device. Some of these are common ways of hacking a phone while others are very rarely observed:
- Trojan
- Phishing
- Spying apps
- Hacking through a Mobile Phone Number
- Hacking Through Public Wi-Fi
What to do if your Phone is Hacked
Follow these protocols immediately if your phone is hacked:
Change Your Passwords
The first and foremost thing that you have to do is change your passwords instantly. Once you come to know that your phone is hacked, change all of your passwords; of your social media accounts, your emails etc., right away!
Use an Anti-malware Software
An anti-malware software does everything you need it to do. It can not only identify the problem’s source but also eliminate it entirely. The most effective results come from preventative measures, so make sure to run this software regularly.
Turn Off Your Mobile Data and Wifi
Also, turn-off your mobile data and wifi, so that no transfer of data can be carried out and you can secure your data to be carried away from your device. In addition, it will also block the hackers from installing any malware or any other bug in your device.
Delete all Third-party Apps
If you are unsure where you’ve downloaded an application form, you should delete it. Any application that hasn’t been downloaded from the Google Play Store is dangerous to have on your phone. Ensure you also check all the privacy settings and application permissions for any suspicious behavior.
Reset Your Phone to Factory Settings
The last thing that you need to do after following all of the protocols is that you should right away reset your phone to factory settings. It will wipe away all of the apps (even the infected ones) and you’ll gain the access of your device once again.
How to prevent your phone from being hacked
Here are a few preventative measures to take into consideration, even if there are numerous ways for a hacker to access your phone and steal private and sensitive data:
Use a VPN
When you are connected to a VPN server, your identity is hidden, your IP and DNS are masked and your traffic is encrypted. This way a VPN protects your online privacy and also secures you from falling prey to hackers and malware. Using a VPN is always the best solution against cyberthreats because it does not give any gateway to them. .
Keep your phone and apps up-to-date
Keeping up with your phone’s security upgrades is crucial, in addition to covering all the bases with anti-malware software. As this keeps everything operating smoothly and safely, make sure you maintain all programs and services active and updated.
Use a password manager
One of the best barriers against hacking assaults is a complex password. However, having to remember a number of different passwords might become a hassle. This can be resolved by using a password manager, which you can use to store your passwords securely and generate strong passwords for complete security.
Do not Install third-party apps
The rigorous review processes that Google Play has in place for applications on their platform are not applied to third-party applications downloaded via the internet. Numerous third-party programs frequently request pointless permissions that give them more access to your phone than is necessary.
Your safety is further ensured by Google Play’s security measures, which removes any dangerous apps right away.
Keep Your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Turned off when not in use
When you turn off your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth while not using it, you effectively bar any unauthorized individuals from accessing your device. When traveling and not requiring internet access, just turn the connectivity options off. Prevention is the key.
Conclusion
Knowing how to spot any warning signs could be crucial given the sensitive information we save on our gadgets. You can get through an otherwise difficult circumstance by understanding how to spot any warning signs and how to restore your data if you experience any losses.
