09/16/2025
11 WARNING SIGNS YOUR PHONE IS HACKED AND what to do if it it is!
If you suddenly see a surge of pop-up ads, unfamiliar apps on your phone, or a rapidly draining battery, you might be justified in thinking that your phone has been hacked. Learn to recognize the warning signs of phone hacking, and get rock-solid protection.
Hereâs a detailed look at 11 potential red flags that indicate your phone could be hacked:
1.Indicator lights turn on: Most phones have indicator lights that show when the camera or microphone is in use. If these lights activate when you're not using those features, it could be a sign that a hacker is accessing them to spy on you. But beware that some advanced spyware can access your camera or mic without triggering the indicator lights.
2.Battery drains quickly: If your phone use habits havenât changed but your battery is draining faster than usual, hidden malware may be running in the background and consuming system resources. Confirm if the cause of your batteryâs rapid depletion is malware or a hardware problem by checking your battery health in the settings.
3.Unusual calls and texts: An accidental dial happens occasionally, but if your outgoing call history is full of calls you donât remember making, that could be a phone hacking red flag. Similarly, if you suddenly stop receiving calls or text messages, or your contacts claim to have received strange messages, your phone or phone number may be compromised.
4.Unwanted verification codes: If you start receiving SMS or email verification codes for accounts you didn't try to access, it could mean someone is attempting to break into your online accounts using your phone number or email address through a technique called spoofing.
5.Suspicious account activity or lockouts: You might be dealing with a phone hacker if you get locked out of your accounts unexpectedly or see odd activity, such as password reset requests you didnât make, or new social media posts.
6.Phone overheats: While phones can get warm with heavy use or due to external factors, a phone overheating while idle could be a sign of hacking, since background processes can strain the deviceâs resources.
7.Storage space runs out: Malware can take up significant space on your phone as it installs new files or duplicates existing ones, leading to you running out of storage space faster than expected. Regularly check your storage usage to identify any unexplained increases.
8.Unexpected pop-ups: Aggressive and persistent pop-up ads, especially those appearing outside of your web browser, can be a sign of adware installed on your phone without your consent. These pop-ups can be disruptive and sometimes lead to further malicious downloads or websites, so be cautious if you start seeing them frequently.
9.High data usage: If you discover an unfamiliar app is consuming a large amount of your cellular data, it could be an undercover type of malware. Often, malware secretly communicates with remote servers, downloads additional malware, or adds your phone to a botnet, all of which are activities that use a lot of data.
10.Phone runs slowly: Hacked phones often run slowly because malicious software consumes processing power and memory in the background. On Android devices, you can usually review CPU usage in the settings to identify resource-heavy apps. On iPhones, while CPU load isnât visible, you can review battery usage to spot apps that may be draining resources unusually fast.
11.Unfamiliar apps: While some unfamiliar apps come pre-installed on your device, others could signal a potential hack. Malware often disguises itself as legitimate software to avoid detection. To identify suspicious apps, scroll through your full list of installed applications in your device settings and look for anything you donât recognize or remember downloading.
What to do if your phone is hacked?
If you suspect somebody hacked your phone, take immediate steps to limit the attackerâs access. To protect your information, accounts, and self, you should:
1.Avoid entering personal data like banking passwords or verification codes on the hacked phone until itâs secured.
2.Cover your camera, especially if the indicator light is on, to ensure the hacker canât see you.
3.Put your phone on airplane mode to disconnect it from the internet and stop the malware from transferring data or communicating with external servers.
4.Use another device to change passwords and set up 2FA on important accounts.
5.Back up essential data to a cloud backup service or other trusted source â but only after scanning for malware to avoid transferring infected content to other devices.
How to remove a hacker from my phone
1.Once youâve confirmed your phone is hacked and taken the necessary precautions, itâs time to recover your device. Here are some steps you can take to remove malware from your phone:
2.Use antivirus software: Run an antivirus scan to detect and remove any viruses, other malware, or dangerous files. For stronger protection, use Norton 360 Deluxe. Its award-winning threat-detection engine helps block malware and hackers, while the built-in VPN encrypts your internet connection against unwanted intrusions, even on public Wi-Fi. Take control of your mobile security today.
3.Remove suspicious apps: Delete any apps you donât recognize, especially those draining battery, hogging data, or requesting excessive permissions.
4.Clear your browsing history: Wipe your browserâs history and cache to remove malicious scripts and tracking cookies that could compromise your privacy.
5.Delete unfamiliar devices: Review connected devices in your Google, Apple, and social media accounts. Remove any unknown devices immediately to prevent unauthorized access.
6.Reset your phone: If all else fails, perform a factory reset to wipe your device. Back up important files first, but donât restore from your most recent backup, as it may contain malware and reinfect your phone.
How to protect your phone from hackers?
As zero-click attacks become more common, itâs more important than ever to keep phone apps and operating systems updated. This helps keep attackers from exploiting device vulnerabilities and hacking your phone.
You can also take several other safety measures to protect your phone from hackers who are still relying on older attacks, too:
1.Donât click suspicious links: Avoid tapping on unknown links in texts, emails, or pop-up ads. They could trigger malware downloads or direct you to phishing sites.
2.Use a password manager: A password manager helps you generate strong, unique passwords for every account, so even if one is compromised, the rest stay secure.
3.Update passwords: To keep your accounts secure, change your passwords immediately after a data breach or suspicious activity is detected.
4.Protect your data with a VPN: A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and shields you from hackers, especially on public Wi-Fi networks.
Add security measures: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) and use biometric features like fingerprint or facial recognition for added account protection whenever possible.
5.Turn off Bluetooth: When not in use, disable Bluetooth to prevent hackers from exploiting open connections to your phone.
6.Donât jailbreak your phone: While jailbreaking might give you more control, it also removes built-in protections, making it easier for hackers to access your device.
7.Maximize your mobile protection
While the idea of a hacked phone is scary, you can take steps to prevent it by being smart about what you click, download, and store on your phone.
We are navigating a world rife with online scams, making vigilance essential for safeguarding your personal information. By remaining informed and cautious, we can collectively foster a safer online space. Prioritize your safety and security in all digital interactions!
An important Reminder from MAQVEN VIDEOGRAPHY (maqvenvideos.ca)
