High-tech crimes are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Spyware can steal data from your device, gather personal information to threaten you, and steal account information for financial gain. Being bugged poses a risk to your personal freedom and your finances. This is because spyware can access your call history to monitor relationships, impersonate you for fraud, read your text messages, view your contact list, track your location, access your photo library, video library, and emails…
For phones that have been tampered with, such as iPhones that have been jailbroken or Android phones that have been rooted (i.e., granted root access), these spyware apps can do even more harm to users.
So it is important to check your phone immediately.
Signs that your phone has been infected with spyware:
Fast battery drain
After a period of use, the battery will naturally drain faster. But if you suddenly notice that it is draining faster than normal without any obvious causes like overheating or using multiple apps, it indicates that your phone may have been infected with spyware, causing it to constantly run in the background and drain the battery. When spyware is installed on your phone, it will run continuously, resulting in rapid battery drain.
Excessive mobile data usage, slow speed
When spyware is installed, criminals will also utilize the mobile data on your device to carry out their operations. As a result, you may experience a sudden increase in data usage, low remaining storage, and slow internet speed. This could be a clear sign that your phone has been compromised.
Phone getting hot for no reason
If your phone is getting hot even when you are not using it much, it indicates that someone else has installed spyware and is running background processes on your device. In such cases, you should close background apps and limit phone usage to see if the overheating issue persists. If your phone continues to heat up even when not in use, it could be due to the spyware running in the background and overloading the battery.
Unusual sounds during phone calls
If you hear strange noises or interference during phone calls that are not caused by poor signal quality, you should be suspicious. Sounds like beeping or white noise are often caused by spyware.
Auto power on/off
If your phone suddenly powers on or turns off by itself, it may be caused by unauthorized access.
Receiving unusual text messages
If you suddenly receive strange text messages, be cautious. Criminals may send messages using coded language to communicate with your phone.
What to do if you suspect your phone has spyware:
If you suspect that your phone has spyware, follow these steps:
If your phone has been jailbroken (for iPhone) or rooted (for Android), spyware can be installed from sources other than Google Play or the AppStore. In this case, even the most secure iPhones cannot handle the threat. Check if your phone has apps named Cydia, Icy, Installer, Installous, or SBSettings… If so, it means that your phone has been compromised.
Manually check for spyware
Criminals often disguise spyware with fake names that are not easily recognizable. Therefore, go to Settings > Apps and check each app for any abnormal activity. If you find any apps that you do not recognize or do not use, delete them immediately.
Reset your phone to its initial default settings
The quickest way is to restore your phone to its default settings, which means you will lose any data saved on your device. Therefore, remember to back up important information before restoring to avoid data loss.
Use antivirus software
You can purchase and install antivirus software for your phone. Installing antivirus software will protect your phone from external attacks, including spyware.
Take precautions to protect your phone
Avoid leaving your phone unattended on your desk for a long period of time. Use higher security measures and avoid using easily guessable passwords, such as your date of birth or name. Be cautious when adjusting settings and when downloading any new apps. It is best not to let strangers hold your phone or borrow it.
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