The Ultimate Guide to Smartphone Security and Hack Prevention 

There are about 7.21 billion smartphones in the world (Source: Statistica) which means that 90% of the people in the world have a smartphone or access to one. A device which is always carried around by nearly all the population of the globe sounds like a great way for interconnectivity. However, like any other device connected to the internet, it also invites miscreants to launch large scale attacks and hacking schemes.  

A hacked phone means that your life will be greatly disrupted: your data can get in the wrong hands, your bank can be wiped cleaned, and you will be in a social and digital limbo until you get a new phone. 

It is always best to take precautions over the cure, and make your devices secure, especially your phones. But how can anyone tell if their smartphone is compromised? If there are ways to tell, what are they? Can people be one step ahead of these hackers and save their data before any calamity strikes?  

Turns out, there are some key telltale signs which can alert you if your handheld devices are slipping out of your control. Read on to find them yourself and learn how you can be safer in the future. 

Types of Smartphone Hacks 

There are many different types of smartphones hacks, many of which do not even need advanced technology to execute. Based on your geographic region, you might be subjected to various forms of these hacks, however the following list is not in the order of their likelihood.  

Spyware 

Spyware has become relatively popular, making it the most popular type of smartphone hack attacks. They also do not require in-depth technical knowledge, which is why these types of hacks are mostly common. Unfortunately, many such apps are available on various app stores, and even though they get purged from time to time, anyone can install them in their devices to get a hold of yours.  

Malware 

Malware usually spreads from shady and suspicious browser pages, where you can click a wrong link or pop-up by accident. Clicking on such content gets a backdoor to your phone’s operating system, allowing it full access to install malicious content.   

Phishing 

Phishing messages, emails, or texts including dangerous links to install malware and grab your data are a major threat, especially for elderly people. These hacks are designed to mimic the real product so well that it can easily deceive people who are not well-versed with the internet.  

Public Wi-Fi or Hotspot 

You might have heard that security experts call against the use of a public Wi-Fi or a charging station. The reason for it is that hackers can make fake Wi-Fi networks (aka evil twins) that leads to malware and phishing attacks.  

With the charging stations, they can place an infected USB cable which when plugged gets access to your phone’s internal data. Even if the malware does not get installed, they can still get in and out and steal data without you knowing.   

Even a simple USB cable plugged into a computer is enough to grab your phone’s data if you plug it in for charging. Make sure you trust the computer you plug your phone into, and not use a public one like in a library, laboratory etc.  

SIM Swap Attack 

This attack is exactly as the name suggests: hackers transfer your phone number to one of their own SIMs to take control of your data. This type of attack has become very successful in recent years, prompting people to opt for e-SIMs which are much more difficult to break into than a physical one. 

Cryptojacking

Did you know that crypto miners can utilize your device’s computing power to generate cryptocurrency. Crypto mining, or crypto jacking, is a type of hacking that occurs without your permission.  

However, even “legit” crypto mining apps can be so aggressive with your phone that it overheats and stops working or could jeopardize your device’s security in other ways. 

Ways to Detect if Your Phone is Hacked 

Pop-ups and Ads  

A classic sign your phone has an adware infection is that you get a ton of pop-ups and ads out of nowhere. Usually, these tricks are designed to lure you into clicking one of them, and as soon as you do, the hackers get instant access to everything. You can get an ad-blocker to stop it, but you know it will not be the end of it.  

Unusual Overheating  

Although some heating is expected during heavy use, constant consistent overheating can indicate spyware or malware. You can expect your device to get hot after a gaming or streaming session, but if you have not done intensive usage and your phone is hot all the time, it is likely that your phone is hacked. 

The reason your phone gets hot when hacked is because the malicious apps need a ton of computational power to run in the background. Please note that a heating phone might not be the only sign your phone is at risk: it is always better to check all the major signs to claim a hacking. However, a heating phone should be looked into, as it can be because of an underlying battery or charging issues if not for hacking. 

High Data Usage  

If you see a sudden increase in your mobile data usage, it is better to do a system check.  Malware apps or software use a great deal of computational power, requiring internet to run. If you see your internet usage statistics showing a sudden, unexplained increase, check your phone for other signs of hacking.  

It is also better to cut off internet usage if you have not clearly identified the main issue, so that if it was a hacking attempt, it can halt.  

Speedy Battery Drain  

Malicious background activity may also be indicated by a sudden rise in battery usage statistics. It is always recommended that you keep a periodic tab on battery performance and data usage. Like data usage and heating, unaccounted battery drain is also caused by third-party apps or software using your phone’s resources to run their malicious data.  

Rogue Apps on the Phone  

Are you seeing rogue apps on your phone, particularly if you have an Android? Turns out, this is also a sign of a hacked phone. As an example, it’s not uncommon for cybercriminals to replicate a popular brand’s free app and sell it on the app store. These rogue apps do a great job at disguise; they have malicious software or data fetching code hidden in their masked code which is why some users cannot tell them apart.  

Although it has died out of trend now, but some new phones include bloatware, which are apps that aren’t necessary but aren’t dangerous, pre-installed. It means that just because an app is unfamiliar doesn’t mean it’s bad.  

Unusual Notifications and Settings  

Of course, if your phone is getting hacked or data harvested, you will see random, unusual notifications. Some users also report that they hear their phones ring but once checked, there is no sign of an incoming notification.  

Unexpected Bank Account Transactions 

Phones infected with malware can steal account details and send them to the hacker behind the assault. This could result in credit and debit fraud. In rare circumstances, hackers will completely hijack an account by changing the password and locking off the original user. If you see unexpected charges or are unable to enter your accounts using your password, a hacked phone could be the cause. 

Hackers can also use keyloggers and other tracking software to intercept your phone’s keystrokes and record what you type, including search queries, login credentials, passwords, credit card information, and other sensitive data. 

What to Do If Your Phone is Hacked 

If you fear your smartphone has been compromised, quick action is required:  

• Disconnect from the Internet: This prohibits further data transmission to the hacker. 
• Perform a Security Scan: Use reliable security software to detect and eliminate threats.  
• Change Your Passwords: Update all passwords, particularly those for sensitive accounts. Make these modifications on a different device, if possible.  
• Notify relevant parties: Inform your contacts about possible scams involving your phone number and notify banking institutions if necessary.  
• Perform a factory reset: As a final option, restarting your device might remove any persistent threats. Before starting, ensure that you have backed up any important data.  

Conclusion 

Now more than ever, protecting our cellphones is a top priority because of how integral they are to our daily lives. Keeping alert and aggressive will help you guard your personal data against malevolent individuals.  

They say that knowledge is the first step in cybersecurity, and now you know. Ensure that your phone has a malware detector and a VPN, and you are already much better positioned. It is also never good to use free Wi-Fi without a VPN or a charging statin with a communal wire. Make sure all your apps are installed from trusted app stores, and you periodically update them and your phone OS to keep security threats at bay.