Did you know that not only you can catch a virus, but your phone can too 🤒. Such malicious software can cause quite a mess on your device, and even lead to data theft or the draining of your bank account. Don't worry! With our advice, you can get rid of the problem and avoid it in the future! Protect your phone not only from pickpockets but also from online thieves. See how.
What is phone hacking?
A hacker isn't necessarily a teenage genius fighting the system, as movies might suggest. In reality, we're talking about advanced technical solutions. Their goal is to breach the systems of various devices: phones, tablets, or computers 🖥️. Why? It's usually about money. Either by intercepting your funds or by taking over your data and selling it on. A hacker aims to take over your device because it allows them to achieve their goal.
Phishing deserves special attention. A hacker sends fake SMS messages or emails. They contain specially crafted links. When you click on them, you'll land on a page created by the hacker. The goal can be to install malicious software, steal your password and login, or payment card details. You can read more about phishing and how to protect yourself from it in our earlier post.
How to check if your phone is hacked?
There is no single, 100% effective way to check if someone has hacked your phone. Modern hackers use well-developed software that makes it impossible to investigate the source of the problem. The simplest action is to observe your smartphone's "behavior" and pay attention to unusual situations. You'll find all the symptoms of a "viral infection" in the next part of the post. A good practice is to regularly scan your device with antivirus applications.
Signs of a hacked phone
A spreading virus can cause a number of symptoms that you can observe in the patient (i.e., your phone 😝). Remember that some of these may not necessarily indicate that your phone has been hacked or is being spied on. If you notice several of the situations listed, you can suspect a hacker attack with a high degree of probability.
Symptoms of a hacked phone:
- An unknown app has appeared and/or the antivirus app has disappeared. This means someone has access to your device, and it's highly probable that it's the work of a hacker. The installed program's task is usually to copy data, such as passwords.
- Reduced device performance. Malicious software running in the background can affect your smartphone's functionality. Quite often, a hacked phone runs slower and/or drains its battery faster.
- People in your contact list have received suspicious messages. A hacker can use your email address list and phone numbers to send suspicious links containing viruses. These could be requests for money transfers or "simple" messages encouraging you to watch a funny video.
- Strange smartphone "behavior". We mean frequent shutdowns, increased internet data usage, or changes to settings that you haven't made.
- Suspicious payment transactions that you did not authorize. You should also clarify such actions with your bank. They will also advise you on how to protect yourself if data has already been leaked.
What to do if your phone has been hacked?
A few steps are enough to get rid of an intrusive hacker. You're probably thinking that an app to check if your phone is hacked might be helpful. One of the commonly chosen apps is UseCrypt Messenger. Unfortunately, it has poor user reviews. For this reason, we don't really recommend this solution.
See also: How to detect a virus on your phone?
First, scan your phone with an antivirus program. Are you sure your phone is hacked? The best solution is to reset the device to factory settings.
Procedure when your phone is hacked:
- Back up your data.
- Reset your phone to factory settings (see: How to reset your phone and when to use a reset?)
- Scan your phone with a good antivirus program to ensure the phone is now secure.
- Also, inform your loved ones about this problem – this will help prevent the virus from spreading.
How to protect your phone from a hacker attack?
Phew, that wasn't pleasant. But luckily, you've gone through it. Now it's time for some tips to help you avoid such problems in the future. You don't need to be a computer expert, and a few simple steps are enough for protection.
Download apps from official sources
For Android, choose the Play Store, and for iOS – the App Store. You'll find trusted programs there. Always check user ratings and reviews. Based on this, choose all the apps you install.
Be careful what you download
Also, avoid downloading suspicious files and applications from unknown sources. Be suspicious of attachments and links from unknown sources. If a message from a friend looks suspicious, ask them if it was really them who sent it.
Install antivirus software
Most of us protect our computers with antivirus software. However, few remember to install such an application on their smartphone. These types of apps can prevent many threats. Their task is to monitor visited websites and downloaded programs.
Perform regular updates
Device and application manufacturers are constantly improving their apps and fixing bugs. Therefore, it is extremely important to download all updates on time.
Use strong passwords
Login details are the first barrier for hackers. Use complex passwords that contain at least a dozen characters, uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. You can use password manager apps, which we recommended on our blog some time ago.
Avoid public networks
Wi-Fi or hotspots in public places pose a significant risk. It is quite often through them that a hacker gains access to a victim's smartphone.
Don't leave your phone unattended
You should always have your smartphone with you. Especially when you are away from home or in a large group of people. It only takes a moment of inattention to install malicious software.
We hope your phone is now safe and you can use it without any issues 💪. And to avoid the temptation of using public hotspots, check out mobile internet without a contract at Mobile Vikings.
