Something isn’t quite right. Perhaps your phone’s battery is depleting far too quickly. Or it could start turning itself off and on all of a sudden. It could be that it’s getting too hot to hold. Similarly, you may notice outgoing calls that you never made or unusual data consumption increases. These signs could indicate that your smartphone has been under a cell phone hacking attack.
On the surface, several symptoms of a possible smartphone hack can appear to be a technical issue. Hackers and scammers are interested in the personal information saved on our cellphones. According to the FBI, cybercrime damages in the United States exceeded $4.2 billion in 2020, highlighting the prevalence of online fraud. It’s worth it if a con artist wants to cheat you. Here are the possible signs that your phone has indeed been hacked:-
Performance Issues
Perhaps you’ve noticed any of the warning indicators described previously. Is your device running slowly, web pages and apps are taking longer to load, and your battery never seems to hold a charge? These are all symptoms that your phone’s resources are being drained by malware running in the background. Malware that runs in the environment may severely impair its power.
Some Issues To Be Highlighted
Pop-ups that seem strange or inappropriate
On your phone, bright, flashing adverts or X-rated content could signal infection.
Unwanted texts or phone calls
Your phone may have been hacked if you see texts or calls from it that you didn’t make.
Data use higher than usual:
High data usage might be due to various factors (for example, increased use of a new app). However, if your phone behavior hasn’t changed and your data usage has grown, it’s time to look into it.
Apps on your phone that you don’t recognize:
Remember that new phones frequently arrive with pre-installed apps. However, if you see new apps on your phone after you’ve purchased them, there’s a chance malware is involved. On your phone, you notice anything unusual (e.g., apps you didn’t download, text messages you didn’t send, transactions you didn’t make, strange phone calls).
Battery draining quickly:
It’s probable that hacking is to blame if your phone usage habits haven’t changed, but your battery is draining faster than usual.
Email Delivery Failure
Unusual activity in your email account is another clear clue that your phone has been hacked.
You’ll receive emails telling you that your email was not delivered in this case. This indicates that your account is being used to send spam.
Other strange changes include having emails tagged as read (by someone other than you) and receiving notifications about suspected account sign-ins.
Weird Camera Issues
While you’re busy snapping photos with your phone camera, a hacker is ready to take advantage of the opportunity to gain access to your iPhone or Android through the camera.
If your phone is being remotely controlled using your camera, there are some symptoms to look for. You might, for example, discover images or movies on your phone that you don’t recall taking. If your camera flash switches on for no apparent reason and your phone begins to heat up, you should constantly be on the lookout.
Some Preventative Measures
Not all apps are reliable. Scammers may be demanding access to your personal information. Always buy your software from the app store and do little research before you buy. Read the customer reviews and the privacy statement. Of course, before purchasing an app and handing over your credit card account information, make sure the app is legitimate.
Keep It Private
The passcode should only be known by the phone’s owner. It’s more difficult for someone to pick up your phone and scroll through apps, accounts, and private settings, or do something bad, if you have a unique passcode. To limit the amount of contact information exposed to others, check the privacy settings on your apps. You can enable two-factor verification, which requires a second passcode to unlock your phone. Avoid keeping critical information on your phone, such as account passwords.
Do Not Walk And Text
Cell phone distraction while walking has also been shown to cause issues in studies. When you’re not paying attention to where you’re going, you can trip and fall. Car accidents are also a possibility. You may also miss street signs, crosswalk signals, doors, and walls, which might result in injury. To avoid distractions, put your phone down if you’re moving your body in any way (walking, jogging, or driving).
The Takeaway
If you are not vigilant, your smartphone is personal property that can be easily hacked. If you require your privacy to be protected at all times, you must be especially cautious. Safe practices such as not clicking on spam emails or unnatural links, or leaving your phone unattended, will help you keep safe from hackers! It is also possible to have a somewhat secure mobile phone experience by not downloading free and questionable programs!
