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How do I know if my phone is being hacked – 8 alarming signs

 

When we wake up we always get our phone and scroll (don't we all do?). 

After a while, your phone gets really hot. You check your Camera Roll and notice a couple of photos you didn’t remember taking yesterday. If this has happened to you, read on because these are just two signs of phone hacking. 

How to know if your phone is hacked, and how can you protect yourself from being hacked in the future? This Surfshark article answers these questions.

 

Android devices may appear to be more susceptible to hacks, (but iPhones aren’t entirely safe either). The signs are below: 


 

Individually, these symptoms don’t necessarily indicate that a hack took place. But if your phone shows several of them, it is likely your phone has a virus or has become the target of a hack. We’re going to explain the whys and hows now.
 

• Your device is slowing down or heating up or draining the battery for no reason
  
  There are several reasons why your phone could slow down, heat up, or start gobbling up energy.
  
  That said, if you haven’t carried out any OS (Operating System) updates recently and you’re not running any resource-intensive apps, you should start worrying. This may be a sign that there’s malware running in the background.
  
  For example, hackers may be using your phone to launch DDoS attacks or mine cryptocurrency, which are resource-intensive processes.
  
  That’s why you should check which apps are running, how much memory they’re using, and how much free space exists on your device. If you can’t find the reason, you may have had your phone hacked.
  
  
• Your contacts receive messages you never sent
  
  If your phone is hacked, the malware that the hackers left on your phone may use your email, instant messaging services, and text messages to spread themselves to your contacts. They usually send messages in your name and attach a link or a file that would infect other devices.
  
  If someone complains to you about something suspicious you sent, start looking into it — it may be that your phone has been hacked!
  
  
• Your data usage increases without you doing anything, or there’s a spike in your phone bill
  
  Unexpected increase in data use could mean that your phone was hacked to transmit data; for instance, it may be using your phone’s resources to mine cryptocurrency or steal your photos. It may also mean that a hacker is spying on you. Check your app data usage and see which app could be the prime suspect. If there are any anomalies, you can tell that your phone has been hacked.
  
  You may also notice that your phone bill has increased — yet you don’t remember making that many calls. It would be a sign to check your records for numbers that you didn’t call. If you find any, your phone might’ve been hacked, and criminals may be using it as a proxy. 
  
  Also, be aware of strange background noises and interference during phone calls. It may be a sign of weak reception. However, it may also show that your call is being tapped and someone is listening to your calls.
  
  
• You notice a new app you didn’t install and/or the antivirus software is missing
  
  Finding suspicious apps means that somebody has installed spyware on your phone. Your antivirus software disappearing may be the effect of a virus protecting itself — malware sometimes uninstalls antivirus software. If you didn’t do it yourself, it’s one of the ways you can tell that your phone is hacked.
  
  
• Your phone acts weird
  
  Does your phone reboot without a reason, doesn’t shut down, or change its settings? Do apps open on their own, or do you get lots of pop-ups? Minor software errors may be the cause, but it may also be a sign that your phone is hacked.
  
  If you notice that, for example, your Bluetooth is turning on despite you not using it, it may be a sign of a malicious app using it to infect other devices or to gain access to your personal data.
  

Everyone should be wary of these symptoms and the fact is ALL of us should be vigilant! Read on below to get the full information from the Surfshark Blog article. 
 

How do I know if my phone is being hacked – 8 alarming signs


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