If your phone is dying faster than usual or running slowly, you may have been hacked. See how hackers access your phone and what you can do to protect yourself.
How do hackers access your phone? They want to break in and use your private info, passwords, financial accounts, social media accounts, and much more—all for nefarious purposes. But how do they get into your phone in the first place?
- Fake or malicious apps: Hackers create apps that look appealing but are designed to steal your data. Only download well-reviewed apps from your app store.
- Signaling System 7: Hackers exploit flaws in this phone protocol to intercept calls and texts, pretending to be you to steal information.
- Malicious links: Clicking on fake search results can lead to hacker sites that trick you into giving up personal information.
- Phone connection to an insecure computer: Connecting your phone to an infected computer can give hackers access to your device. Ensure the computer is secure and updated.
- Unsecured public Wi-Fi: Hackers monitor public Wi-Fi to gain access to connected devices. Avoid using unsecured Wi-Fi for sensitive tasks.
What are the types of hacking software?
- Malware: General term for software designed to infect or take over devices.
- Keylogging: Malware that records your keystrokes to capture login credentials and other sensitive info.
- Viruses: Specific malware that spreads by replicating itself across your phone's programs, infecting the device.
What are signs that your phone has been hacked? If your phone has been hacked, there will be warning signs. Keep an eye out for these telltale hints that a criminal has gained access to your phone.
- Strange popups: Unexpected or inappropriate ads may indicate adware installed by hackers.
- New apps you don’t recognize: Unfamiliar apps on your phone suggest hacker installation.
- High temperature and faster battery drainage: Rapid battery draining and overheating could mean malicious programs are running in the background.
- Slower phone operation: Malware-consuming resources can cause your phone to slow down significantly.
- Increased data usage: Unexpectedly high data usage may signal hacker activity on your phone.
- Texts or calls you didn’t make: Unauthorized texts or calls indicate that someone else is using your phone's information.
- Unusual logins to Online accounts: Alerts about unusual login attempts can mean a hacker is accessing your accounts.
How do you remove a hacker from your phone? There are many steps to kick a hacker out of your device and resume a safe, peaceful life.
- Delete all suspicious or unknown apps: Unknown apps should be removed from your phone to eliminate potential sources of malware.
- Invest in anti-malware software: Consider purchasing anti-virus and malware protection software to safeguard your device.
- Reset passwords to all Online accounts: Change passwords for all accounts to prevent hackers from accessing your private information.
- Factory reset your device: Perform a factory reset to remove any lingering hacker access and ensure your device is clean.
- Factory reset for Apple phone: Navigate to General Settings, select "Erase All Content and Settings," and confirm the reset.
- Factory reset for Android phone: Access "Factory reset" through settings or use the power and volume buttons to perform a reset in recovery mode.
How can IDShield help?
Protecting your devices from hackers can feel overwhelming, but with IDShield, you don't have to go it alone. Our app monitors your personal information across various platforms, from bank accounts to social media, and immediately alerts you of suspicious activity.
If you’re already enrolled, please get in touch with our identity theft specialists about preventing device hacking and any other privacy concerns.
If you still need to enroll, please consider doing so at your next opportunity.