Since people are on their phones all the time it is easy to detect a change in its normal functions. Whether it’s a change in the way your phone is charging, the phone’s temperature, a large amount of data usage, a change can be easily detected. While these symptoms may seem normal, it could potentially mean that your phone has been hacked?
Here are a few signs that your phone has been compromised.
Data usage
Though it’s easy to use up an abundance of data on your phones, it’s safe to say that a user with a new phone or a small amount of pictures and applications should not be running out of storage space. If you experience a high level of data usage but you aren’t aware of where the data is coming from, it may be because spy apps are running the in background.
Battery life
A phone battery can typically stay charged for up to 5 to 7 hours depending on usage and the batteries age. Once you start noticing that the battery decreases faster than usual, it’s worth considering the chance that your device has been compromised. The decrease in battery life could be due to a malware running in the background to scan your device and steal your information.
Slow performance
A normal functioning phone shouldn’t experience freezing or crashing. This could be a sign that your phone’s resources are being overwhelmed, or that there is a conflict between the malware and other applications on your phone. You may notice that applications won’t close and continue to run even though you’ve tried closing them. If your phone crashes or restarts randomly, that is a definite sign that your device may have been compromised.
Unrecognized calls or texts
When viewing your call log, calls to numbers that you know you haven’t dialed are a red flag. This is a sign that a hacker is impersonating you and contacting certain numbers. Cyber criminals do this to receive money by using your number to call premium rate numbers. If you do notice that this is happening, check your phone bill and contact your service provider immediately.
Random pop-ups
Beware of constant pop-ups indicating that you may have been infected with some sort of malware. Though these pop-ups may not mean that your phone has been hacked, it could be a phishing scam which would attempt to have you download something or type in sensitive information.
So how can you better secure your mobile device? Here are some tips:
Purchase mobile security software
Downloading mobile security provides the first defense against attackers. For effective protection to keep your device and your personal information safe from mobile cyber threats, having mobile security software is highly beneficial.
Create a strong password
When creating a pin, it should be complex. It should not be easy for people to figure out, and passwords with personal information should be avoided (ex: your birthday). A different pin should be created per device and your pin should be at least 6 digits.
Enable two factor authentication
2FA is a method that requires a second level of verification before login. This adds more security, as another private account must be used to verify identity.
Keep your phone updated
Operating systems can have bugs which hackers can exploit. Companies push out updates to fix bugs that protect you from risks.
Use a VPN
A VPN has many benefits as it creates a secure connection by encrypting and anonymizing your data. It will allow you privacy when online and help prevent you from accessing malicious websites while blacklisting them from the beginning.
Do not download sketchy apps
Always do your research before downloading apps. Reading reviews on applications before installing is a great practice. Usually other users will tell you everything you need to know about the app.
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