With spy apps becoming more popular and accessible, more smartphone users are falling victim to illegal hacking operations. This is why installing the OTA updates and security patches is of great importance. Older devices are more vulnerable to getting hacked due to outdated security features. Once your device has been infiltrated, it can be hard to figure out that there’s something wrong with it. But, it is not impossible. In this article, we bring you the top 7 ways to find out if your phone has been hacked.
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The battery drains faster
If you notice an immediate spike in battery usage on your phone, it is a tell-tale sign of an app using resources in the background. Your Android phone is pretty good at optimising the background usage of apps, it even lets you know when a particular app is consuming more battery than usual. When your phone is ‘hacked’ it needs constant access to your phone’s functions in order to keep tabs on your activity. This is why your phone’s battery drains faster when it has been hacked. If you’ve never had power issues with your phone before, this may warrant a thorough check-up.
Excessive data usage
Since batteries can deteriorate over time, you should also look for other suspicious signs in order to find out if your phone has been hacked. One of the biggest signs is excessive data usage. When a spy app gets access to your phone, it needs to report your activity to the entity that installed it. In order to do this, it uses your phone’s mobile data or the connected WiFi network. Go to Settings>Connections>Usage>Mobile data usage to check if there are any unaccounted data that has been used by your device.
The phone starts heating up without any reason
You may have noticed your phone heating up while carrying out power-intensive tasks like gaming, video editing, and navigation. However, if it heats up unprompted, it may be a cause for concern. As mentioned earlier, a hacked phone runs background processes almost all the time and reports it back to the source entity. This can cause your phone to heat up even when you’re not using it.
Check your phone for unwanted apps
There are several ways to hack a smartphone. One of the most common ones is the installation of a spy app. Once the app is installed, it either stays hidden or takes the form of an inconspicuous app (like Calculator, Calendar, or Notes) in order to blend into the app drawer. Once you open this app, it will carry out all the basic functions of the app it is disguising itself to be. But you will notice something off with the design or the performance. If you suspect that someone has hacked into your phone, it is a good idea to go through every app and give it a close look. You should also check out the list of apps from your phone’s settings to look for any hidden apps on your device.
Performance issues
Even though modern are powerful devices, they cannot handle multiple power-intensive tasks at once without a few hiccups. If you notice frequent app malfunctions or a general lag in performance, it may be because of spyware running in the background. If your phone is somewhat new, this behaviour should raise an alarm.
Your phone produces a strange noise during voice calls
Once your phone is hacked, it collects and logs every minute user activity. This includes recording voice calls. Once a hacker has gained access to your phone, they can listen to a live voice call and even have your phone record it. If you notice a strange beep every time you connect to a voice call, it is a tell-tale sign that the call is being recorded. It is also possible that the other person on the call is recording it using a third-party app. If that isn’t the case, it is very likely that a malicious entity has access to your phone conversations.
Notice any unusual ads?
Most smartphone manufacturers offer a clean OS experience that is mostly ad-free. Some OS skins routinely push ads on your notification slider, but outside of that, the ad exposure is very limited. If you notice ads overlaid on your app drawer, native apps, or any system pages, it is a sign that your phone has been exposed to malware or hacked by a foreign entity. Spying apps find a way to nullify your phone’s security features, which leads to other malware or adware getting access to your device.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I know if my phone has been hacked?
Excessive battery and data usage, unusual app activity, unprompted overheating, and unwanted ads are signs that your phone has been hacked.
How do I secure my phone against hackers?
To keep your phone from being hacked, do not download any apps from unverified sources and do not click on any suspicious links.
What do I do after my phone has been hacked?
If your phone has been hacked, you need to restore it to factory settings to get rid of the malicious apps.
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Conclusion
These are the top 7 ways to find out if your phone has been hacked. It is better to be on the safer side and limit access to any malicious programs and apps by installing a high-end antivirus app on your phone. Routinely check your phone for any unusual behaviour to stay on top of things.
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