It’s creepy knowing someone is secretly accessing your phone. We keep a lot of personal and important information on our cell phones. We do our banking, talk with friends and family, access our email account, and other personal information. With this being said, mobile security is very important. Take action right away if you believe you’ve been hacked. If you’re thinking “My phone was hacked, how do I fix it?”, let’s take a look at what you can do.
Signs Someone Is Hacking Your Phone
Unknown Apps: A hacked phone will frequently have unfamiliar apps running in the background. These are special hacker apps not available in the official app store.
Constant Low Battery: Hacking a phone will quickly run the battery down. A constant dead battery is a sign something could be wrong.
Hot, Hot, Hot: Does your phone feel hot even if you haven’t been utilizing it? That could be an indicator you’ve been hacked. Extra activity will cause any device to heat up.
Strange Charges: Are there unknown charges on your phone bill? Hackers tracking you with GPS will cause roaming and data charges to go much higher.
Nonsensical Text Messages: Hacked phones will often receive texts in code or that are otherwise indecipherable. It happens when the phone’s message system picks up the coded messages delivered by the hacker.
What To Do If Your Phone Is Hacked
Delete Unknown Apps
If you can’t remember downloading it and don’t know what purpose it serves, it’s best to be safe and delete it. You’ll notice these apps running in the background despite never having seen or interacted with them before.
Use Antivirus Software
There are plenty of good antivirus programs designed for all operating systems. Utilizing this kind of software shields you from possible outside attacks. There are free versions available, but superior protection will come with a price tag.
Keep Your Phone Updated
Regular updates will keep the phone’s defenses up. You want your security system as up-to-date as possible. It may seem like an inconvenience, but ignoring that upgrade could cost you in the long run. Take a half-hour or so and upgrade your Android phone or iPhone.
Check Your Phone Bill
You’ll notice a higher monthly bill than normal if your phone gets hacked. The excess activity will likely raise data charges. Go through your monthly statement with a fine-tooth comb. Getting in touch with your service provider can prevent it from costing you financially.
Factory Reset
This should be a last resort. A factory reset will clear ALL personal data from the phone and restore it to its original, default settings. Your pictures, settings, and everything else will be erased. In this case, any hacking program will be removed from the phone along with stored files.
5 Ways To Prevent Future Hacking
Being proactive now will prevent future attacks from happening to you. Here are some ways in which to protect yourself.
Turn Off Bluetooth When Not In Use: Bluetooth is a common way for hackers to access target phones. There was a hacking scare known as Blueborne in 2017 where this very thing was happening.
Be Wary Of Public Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi connections make everything run a little faster. However, it might be worth using your data to keep cybercriminals at bay. When in doubt, utilize a VPN to conceal your online activities. Reliable VPNs include NordVPN, Surfshark, and FastestVPN.
Keep Your Phone Upgraded: Staying upgraded means your phone has the best defense available for your operating system.
Only Use Official Apps: Only purchase apps from the official app store. Outside apps are risky and often turn out to be malicious apps.
Create Strong Passwords: Come up with something clever, or better yet, something nonsensical that nobody will guess. Don’t use common information about yourself like name, address, or anything somebody might be able to guess.
Beware Of Clicking Links: If you are sent links by unrecognizable senders via text or email, be hesitant in clicking them. If sent by hackers, they often lead to websites that contain malware.