Do you suspect that your iPhone or Android smartphone is having issues? Is your phone hacked? Here are the steps to take.
Does hacking an iPhone or Android phone possible?
Sadly, anybody may be hacked via their phone. It makes no difference whether you’re using an iPhone or an Android.
Cybercriminals and even close friends may be interested in the personal information stored on your smartphone. This means that hacking a smartphone may be done for a variety of purposes, including accessing your images and data, reading your text messages, and so on.
There are a number of ways this might have occurred in a matter of seconds, including downloading an app with malware installed, clicking on a malicious link, or using public Wi-Fi.
Here are a few symptoms that your phone has been hacked:
Use of More Data
If nothing else has changed, yet your data use continues to soar, your phone may have been compromised.
Check the settings to see if there are any odd increases in data consumption. The culprit may be a previously undiscovered app that is using a large portion of your data allocation.
That app should be removed in this situation.
Strange Behaviour
When a smartphone is infected with a virus, it may start acting strangely.
For instance, your phone may launch applications automatically while you aren’t doing anything, run excessively sluggish, or restart without cause.. etc. etc. Behaviours that fall within this category include, including A weird noise or excessive heat is coming from your phone. Even when you’re not using your phone, it’s getting a lot of attention. It is possible that someone has tampered with the settings on your phone without your awareness. This is a problem with your phone’s battery life.
Mobile sluggishness
Your smartphone may have been infected if it takes a long time to launch applications, it overheats, or the battery drains too quickly.
Check your device’s battery consumption menu to determine whether an app with a strange name is draining your energy. Battery Usage can be seen under Settings > Battery > Battery Usage on an Android device.
Unauthorized Use of a Credit Card
Keep a watch on your credit or debit card statements for any unusual activity. In the event that you notice purchases that you did not make, you should be on the lookout.
Before making a purchase or providing your credit card information to a website, take the time to thoroughly review the site and verify that the SSL certificate is valid by looking for a URL that begins with “HTTPS.” Keep your personal and financial information private if the site you’re visiting has a lot of odd pop-ups and advertising.
Inappropriate Text Messages
Sending strange text messages to unknown recipients? If you’ve been hacked, this is an obvious evidence of it. The presence of any unapproved activity in this region is a significant red flag.
Apps with access to your communications should be screened out. Revoke access and destroy it as soon as you identify this sort of conduct. Settings > Privacy is where you may find out which app is creating the problem on your iPhone.
What to Do if your phone is hacked?
Uninstall app
Look for any programs that you don’t recall downloading. If you’re using an iPhone by goto Settings and scroll down to all apps. It’s possible that the malicious is present there, search and uninstall it.
In Android Go to Settings, Apps, App Manager. Make a careful review of the applications on your phone or tablet. Tap and choose Uninstall to get rid of any questionable applications you come across.
Install antivirus and scan
Installing antivirus software on your computer is a good idea as well. Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus is great choice for Android users. It offers a wide range of features, such as scans for malware and viruses, anti-theft protection, call and text filtering, and more. It is also free to use.
Factory reset
Another option is to do a complete factory reset on your device. Before you proceed, be aware that this will erase all of your phone’s data, including your contacts, images, applications, and other files.
Have a backup of your phone—but make sure it’s one that was created before the malicious app was installed. If you don’t have an older backup, you’ll be re-downloading the same virus. If you haven’t backed up in a while, you may still lose data.
To do a factory reset on your Android device go System and Reset options in the Settings menu. then Tap the Erase all data button.
If you are using an iPhone, go to the General section of the Settings app. Tap Reset at the bottom of the menu once you’ve finished scrolling all the way down. Select ‘Erase All Content and Settings’.
In this case, the phone will ask whether you wish to upgrade or delete your iCloud backup. Decide whether or not you’re willing to risk losing important images and communications.