12 Jul Your Phone has been Hacked?
In the past, the fear of phone hacking was limited to popular celebrities, government figures, and VIPs. However, nowadays, more and more ordinary citizens are becoming victims as well. This makes this threat a legitimate concern for anybody who owns a phone.
Instead of becoming a willing victim, there are several things that you can do to improve your phone security. But, before anything else, you must first find out how to know if your phone is hacked.
Can Someone Hack My Phone?
Yes, someone can definitely hack your phone for different reasons. Your phone can be hacked by phishing, malware, or viruses.
How can I tell if my phone has been hacked? Here are some of the tell-tale signs:
● The Data Usage is Higher than Normal
There can be various reasons behind high data usage. However, if your phone activity is the same and your data storage suddenly skyrockets, there might be an anomaly, and you might want to start investigating.
● There are Texts or Calls Not Made By You
Another obvious sign that your phone is hacked is when there are logs of text or calls that you do not make.
● Inappropriate or Strange Pop-ups
If you notice X-rated content or flashing ads suddenly popping up on your phone, it’s an indication that you are being hacked.
● Apps Installed That You Do Not Recognize
New phones have pre-downloaded apps. However, if there are apps that you did not install, there’s a high chance that they are either hacking app or contain malware.
● Quick Battery Drain
Like with data usage, if you notice your battery drains quickly, but your phone activity remains the same, hacking might be the cause.
What to Do If Your Phone Has Been Hacked?
Suppose you found out that your phone has been hacked. In that case, you can do the following things:
● Use an Anti-Malware Software
Running anti-malware software is a good way to prevent Android hacks. This can identify the presence of malware lurking on your phone. Some of this software is also equipped to delete malware that allows you to secure phone easily.
● Delete Suspicious Apps
One of the most common ways of compromising a phone is by downloading suspicious apps. This is why if you notice hacked apps on your phone, delete them immediately. Also, make sure that you only download apps from reputable developers in the future.
● Change Your Password
Once you have confirmed that your phone is hacked, change your passwords immediately because there is a high chance that they are already compromised. Create a new, unique password for each of your accounts, and make sure to log out other devices that use the old password to avoid hackers from getting further access.
● Reset Your Phone
Most of the malware nowadays can be deleted by resetting your phone. This makes it one of the easiest solutions. However, it will wipe all of the data stored in your phones, such as contacts, photos, and notes. This is why it’s always a good practice to always have a cloud backup for your phone data so you can reset it anytime.
It would help if you took phone protection as a serious matter because it’s probably your most-used device. This means that it contains the majority of your digital footprint, making it an enticing target for many hackers.