Has your phone been hacked? 5 ways to check

Mobile phones have become an essential part of our daily lives. They’re the main communication tool, a way to manage finances, a source of entertainment, knowledge, and work. For many, a phone is the primary device for connecting to the internet. However, internet access brings the risk of being hacked.

A maliciously hacked phone can lead to serious consequences, such as financial loss or damage to your reputation. In this article, I help you identify signs that your phone is hacked, how to prevent it, and what steps to take if it has been compromised.

Can malicious hackers break into your phone?

Yes, malicious hackers can break into smartphones to spy on private conversations, steal sensitive information, or spread mobile malware to others. They use various methods like SIM swapping, fake apps, and phishing to hack phones. Even iOS devices that are generally considered secure aren't 100% fool-proof and require additional cybersecurity software. If your phone gets hacked, your passwords and personal data may be stolen, leading to identity theft or financial loss.

Mobile malware is on the rise as smartphones become the main device for internet access. Cybercriminals often use social engineering techniques to manipulate people into downloading malicious files or clicking harmful links. Threat actors exploit public Wi-Fi networks and charging stations to hack unprotected phones. Other risks include malicious SMS messages, fraudulent apps, or leaving your phone unattended in public.

How do I check if my phone is hacked?

If you're worried about online safety, you might be wondering how to tell if the phone has been hacked. Here are some warning signs you shouldn’t ignore:

1. Increased battery drain

Some mobile malware, like Android's Clicker, use a lot of smartphone resources, resulting in suspiciously high battery drain. While smartphone batteries naturally wear out over time, check your phone’s battery usage stats to spot any sudden spikes in consumption and see which apps use the most power.

2. High data consumption

A hacked phone often consumes more data because mobile malware uses the internet to download fraudulent apps, spread malware to other phones, and send information to attackers. You can check your data usage statistics to see if certain apps are consuming excessive amounts of data.

3. Unwanted apps

Finding applications you didn’t install is one of the best ways to tell if your phone has been hacked. Infected software downloads from app stores can pack unwanted software that you will find in the smartphone app list.

4. Your phone overheats

If your phone gets unusually hot even with normal use, malware could be running in the background, using up system resources. This additional processing can cause your phone to overheat.

5. High RAM usage

If your phone is constantly running low on RAM, malware could be to blame. A slow and unresponsive phone is another sign that something could be using up resources. You can confirm that by checking your RAM usage statistics in the settings.

6. Suspicious account activity

If you start receiving emails about changed passwords or find that you can't log into your accounts, your phone might be infected and hacked. Cybercriminals could be using malware to access your login information.

7. Random pop-ups and notifications

Random pop-ups and notifications from apps that you don’t recognize might be another warning sign. Malware can trigger these to push scams or install more unwanted software. Some phone malware can send scam messages or make phone calls without your permission.

8. Your camera or microphone indicators are lighting up

If your phone shows that the camera or microphone is in use when you haven’t activated it, this could mean a cybercriminal is remotely accessing your device. Look for the indicator light or pop-up warnings about the usage.

How to stop someone from hacking your phone

If you notice one or more symptoms of your phone being infected, it’s important to act quickly. Here are efficient and easy steps you should follow if your phone is hacked:

1. Disconnect from the internet

Turn off your Wi-Fi, mobile data, or use airplane mode to cut off your phone’s internet connection. This will temporarily stop cybercriminals from accessing your phone. However, they may connect right away whenever you get back online, so it’s not the complete solution.

2. Uninstall any unrecognized apps

Open your device’s settings and remove any apps you don’t recognize. Threat actors often use malicious apps to infiltrate your device, so it’s crucial to remove them.

Here are detailed instructions on how you can do it:

3. Check your bank accounts

Use a different device to check if your bank accounts have been affected. It’s also best to inform your financial institution of the hack, even if you don’t see any suspicious activity on your bank account yet. Plus, consider freezing your accounts, as cybercriminals might wait before using your credit card.

4. Change your passwords

Immediately update the passwords of your most sensitive accounts, such as your email and social media. It’s best if you can use a different device to do so. Enable two-factor authentication where possible, as it will add an extra layer of security.

5. Run an antivirus scan

Download a reputable antivirus like TotalAV and run a full system scan. This will help you to identify any malware and vulnerabilities on your phone and remove them.

6. Factory reset your phone

If you still see any unwanted activity on your device, you might need to perform a factory reset. Make sure to backup any essential information, as it will erase your device completely. Here’s how to do it:

• iOS: go to Settings, then click on General, scroll down to Transfer or Reset iPhone, and click on Erase All Content and Settings
• Android: go to Settings, find System, click on Reset, and select Erase all data

Note: The instructions may vary slightly based on your device’s model.

Ways your phone can be hacked

Most of the time, cybercriminals will use the easiest way to infect mobile devices. Targeting old and unused apps is particularly efficient because they don’t receive updates to fix open vulnerabilities. Threat actors use such apps as a backdoor to your phone.

Because smartphone users often use public internet access points, Wi-Fi hacking is very common. A malicious hacker may set up a fake access point disguised as a legitimate network. For example, they may set up a Wi-Fi hotspot called Free_Starbucks_Wi-Fi. Meanwhile, a genuine Starbucks Wi-Fi is called Google Starbucks. It's best to verify the legitimate network name with a shop employee before connecting to it.

Cybercriminals also target public Wi-Fi with more sophisticated cyberattacks, like the man-in-the-middle ones. They can redirect users to mirror sites disguised as legitimate websites. Any credentials used on mirror sites will end up in the criminals' hands, and downloads may contain malware.

Lastly, leaving your phone unattended is risky. A malicious hacker could download a malicious program without you noticing and later use it to get your banking details or social media logins.

Video tutorial

We’ve also prepared a detailed video guide on how to detect and get rid of a bad actor from your phone:

How to prevent future hacker attacks on your phone

It’s always unsettling to realize that someone was invading your privacy. So, while you might recover from one attack on your phone, it’s crucial to monitor it continuously.

Using an antivirus like TotalAV is an easy way to maintain your online safety. It continuously scans your device for potential malware, and notifies you about data breaches. However, it's equally important to adopt safe browsing habits, such as avoiding shady websites, not clicking on random links and being cautious when using public Wi-FI.

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