With the increasing reliance on smartphones for personal and sensitive information, it’s crucial to be aware of the signs that your device may have been compromised by hackers.
Hackers can gain unauthorized access to your phone’s data, communications and even its camera and microphone, putting your privacy and security at risk.
To protect yourself, it’s important to know how to detect if your phone has been hacked or is being tracked.
In this article, WoK, looks at the most common signs that could indicate that your phone has been infiltrated by a hacker.
Unusual high data usage
If you notice an unusual spike in your mobile data usage, it could be a sign that your phone has been hacked.
Malicious apps running in the background can consume a lot of data without your knowledge, often to transmit your personal information to the hacker.
To check if your phone is hacked due to high data usage, review your installed apps and delete anything suspicious that you don’t recognize.
Unexpected reboots
If your phone is suddenly rebooting or restarting unexpectedly, it could be a sign that your phone has been hacked.
The unexpected behavior indicates the presence of malware or malicious software running in the background.
If your phone is exhibiting these symptoms, it’s important to scan your device thoroughly with a reliable antivirus app to detect and remove any malware.
Additionally, you can check for any suspicious apps you don’t recognize and uninstall them.
Showing signs of activity when you are not using it
If your phone is showing signs of activity when you are not using it, it could be a red flag that your phone has been hacked.
Some specific indicators include your phone making calls or sending texts to unfamiliar numbers on its own, apps opening or closing without you interacting with them and data being transferred without your knowledge.
This unusual activity occurring when your phone is idle or locked suggests unauthorized access and control by a hacker.
Battery drains fast
Your phone battery may drain quickly if your device has been hacked.
Malware running in the background can cause your battery to drain faster.
Malicious apps and programs can hijack your phone’s resources and continuously run tasks that consume a lot of power, even when you’re not actively using your device.
Hackers may also be able to remotely access and control your phone, further draining the battery as they perform unauthorized activities.
Additionally, some hacking techniques like using keyloggers or other tracking software can cause your phone to overheat, which can lead to rapid battery drain.
Phone is difficult or slow to shut down
Notably, if your phone is difficult or slow to shut down, it could be a sign that your phone has been hacked.
This means malware running in the background can slow down your phone’s performance, causing it to lag, freeze, or crash.
The malicious software may be consuming your phone’s resources, making it difficult to shut down the device.
Drops in performance or speed
Note that if your phone’s performance or speed suddenly decreases, it could be a sign that your device has been hacked.
Malware installed into your phone can slow down your phone’s processing power, causing apps to crash, the screen to freeze and the device to restart unexpectedly.
Hackers often use malicious apps to gain control of your phone, and these apps can consume a significant amount of computing resources, leading to slower performance.
Strange noises during phone calls
The strange noises you are hearing during phone calls could be a sign that your phone has been hacked and is being tapped.
Some common indicators of a hacked phone include hearing high-pitched hums, pulsating static, clicking or beeping sounds during calls.
This could indicate your calls are being recorded.
How to block hackers from hacking your phone
To block hackers from hacking your, you should use antivirus software to detect and remove any malware or spyware that may have been used to hack your phone.
Reputable antivirus apps like Clario AntiSpy can identify and remove any threats.
Additionally, you should uninstall any suspicious apps that you didn’t download yourself, as these could be malicious apps installed by the hacker.
Also consider using strong and unique passwords for your accounts and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.
Additionally, avoid connecting to unsecured public WiFi networks, and keep your phone’s operating system and apps up-to-date with the latest security patches to fix any vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit.
Regularly back up your phone’s data in case you need to factory reset it to remove any persistent malware and enable features like “Find My Phone” that can help you locate, lock or wipe your device remotely if it gets lost or stolen.
