THIS IS A SELF HELP POST. PALINDROME CAN NOT HELP WITH THIS INFORMATION
You lock your phone every time you’re not using it and have activated a password that’s not so easy to guess. Despite all these measures, you feel like someone has remote access to your phone. How is this possible?
The truth is that someone can spy on your phone without physically touching it. People can remotely install spying software and track your phone without your knowledge. Remote access to any device connected to the internet is possible in some way.
Malicious Apps
Spies may force or trick you into installing malicious apps by placing them on the app store to reduce suspicion. Alternatively, they can connect your smartphone to a machine and infect it with a debugger. For the latter approach, your phone needs to be unlocked for the hacking attempt to be successful.
Once inside your phone, the spy installs a Remote Access Tool (RAT) to spy on your phone. Depending on the permissions you give to the RAT, it can access your messages, camera, recorder, and other apps. This explains why you should avoid installing unknown applications, even from the play store.
In other cases, the hacker will install some codes or programs that work on their own. You can tell that this has happened if you see your phone behaving abnormally.
Spy App Installation Links
If you have an Android device, someone who wants to access your phone can send you a spy app installation link. They do so in a concealed manner not to raise your suspicion. Once you click on the link, the spy app installs on your phone, providing access to your phone’s activities.
Hackers usually use software called a secret keylogger. This is a dangerous tool that records all your keystrokes without informing you of its activities. It then delivers them to the specified email address.
With an iPhone device, all a person needs is your Apple ID and password to access your gadget. They will register your iCloud account to the spy software and quickly gain access to your phone.
Public Free Wi-Fi
If you use free Wi-Fi to log into sensitive accounts like your bank account, you might give free access to your phone to a third party. Sometimes, they take control of a Wi-Fi hotspot to maliciously redirect you from the original site you want to visit. The hackers give you a fraudulent version to obtain your login credentials.
Hackers have taken this a notch higher. They can now gain access to your phone through public charging stations. They use USB cables to get into your phone.
Messages from a Hacked Phone
Hackers are constantly devising new ways to gain unauthorized access to smartphones. Another method they use is to send you a text message that starts with a strange character or odd shape. Be cautious, especially if the text comes from a number you know. The hacker hopes that you will open and read the message. Once you do, malware or spyware downloads on your phone without your knowledge. It’s that simple, and hackers know it.
Signs That Someone Has Remote Access to Your Phone
If you suspect a case of hacking on your phone, look out for these signs:
- Your phone constantly overheats even when not in use
- It shuts down or crashes often
- The battery drains quickly even when not in use
- Higher data usage than usual
- Noises in the background when you’re on a phone call
- You receive unusual messages, emails, or notifications
- You notice new or uncommon apps on your phone
- Apps turn themselves on and quickly shut down
- Password changes that you did not initiate
- Your phone suddenly becomes slow, and its almost not usable
- Depending on the hacker’s intention, you may get a message that you have been hacked, and they want a ransom to give you back your phone’s access.
There are probably more signs you should look for, but these are the most common. It’s also worth noting that sometimes, not all cases are because of hacking. For example, if your phone is slow, it could be because it’s running short of memory space.
What to Do If Your Phone Has Been Hacked
If you suspect that you have been hacked, check your Android phone for any apps you didn’t install yourself.
- Go to your phone’s Settings
- Selects Applications
- Look for Manage Applications or Running Services
- Try to see if you can find any suspicious apps
If you find an app but don’t know if it’s malicious, look it up on Google. For your safety, uninstall any unnamed app or any you don’t remember installing.
Alternatively:
- Look for My Files or its equivalent on your device
- Access the internal storage
- Select Android
- Select Data
- Browse to check for any folders with unusual names
If you’re using an iPhone, check for apps like Icy or Cydia on it. Their presence shows that your iPhone has been jailbroken. If you come across apps that don’t exist on Apple Store, your device is compromised.
Other measures to take include:
- Changing your passwords and creating a strong one
- Watch out for your financial and credit records
- Scan your devices for viruses and malware
- Reinstall your OS and backup data.
In the future, be careful about using public or free Wi-Fi. Do not turn on your hotspot in crowded areas unless you have an inviolable password set. Avoid clicking on suspicious links and keep your apps updated. Most importantly, use two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to your device. This also applies to your social media accounts, email, computers, and anything at risk of being hacked.
Final Thoughts
The risk of someone gaining remote access to your phone is high these days. Phones used for business purposes are attractive targets for hacking. As such, you must do all you can to protect yourself from hacking.
As a business, if you have challenges securing your devices or IT systems, our professional team can help you put up effective cybersecurity measures. At Palindrome Consulting, we have the knowledge, expertise, and infrastructure to help you secure your systems and data. We also help you with quick data recovery in case your systems are compromised.
Running a business in South Florida and need expert IT help? Call us today.
