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Contents
Hackers are always sharpening their tools. Below we will explain how your phone can be hacked and how to identify and remove a hacker from your phone.
There are many ways to hack your phone. Some don’t even require advanced tech knowledge:
Have you ever wondered “Is my phone hacked?” Here are some signs:
If you suspect that your phone camera was hacked, there are a few more tell-tale signs that someone else is using it remotely. For example, you may notice photos and videos in your gallery that you don’t remember taking. Of course, you can accidentally record something, but if you keep finding new ones, it’s a sign that someone might have control over your camera.
The flash lighting up when you’re not using your phone is another thing to look out for. Both the camera and flash need a lot of resources and battery power. Therefore, if someone is remotely controlling your device, you will notice it getting very hot even when you don’t use it.
Here’s what to do if your phone has been hacked:
Before restoring an iPhone to factory settings, iPhone users should remember to back up any important files and data.
1. On a device with macOS Catalina 10.15.5 operating system or earlier, connect your phone to your computer.
2. In the Finder on your mac, select your device in the Finder sidebar.
3. Click Trust on your iPhone and enter your passcode.
4. Click Restore iPhone
For Android users, it's important to backup anything essential before restoring your Android to factory settings.
1. Open Settings;
2. Go to General management;
3. Tap Reset;
4. Press Factory data reset;
5. Tap Reset.
To prevent your phone from being hacked, do the following:
The short answer is no, your phone cannot be hacked while it's turned off. Phone hacking, even remotely, only works if the device being targeted is on.
That doesn't mean you're personally safe from hackers while your devices are off. Criminals could spoof your number, making calls from their own devices and pretending to be you to try and extract information or money from other targets. And if your phone had been jailbroken, whoever jailbroke the phone could (in theory) install malware that would activate when the device was switched back on.
Yet for all intents and purposes, you should be confident that your phone will not be hacked while it's fully switch off.
No, not directly. A hacker can call you, pretending to be someone official, and so gain access to your personal details. Armed with that information, they could begin hacking your online accounts. But they can’t break into your phone's software and modify it through phone calls alone.
However, that's really a social engineering attack, rather than a direct phone hack. In real terms, phone calls themselves just don't have the power to spread malware or give hackers access to your device.
There are apps that will improve your device security by notifying you of unusual activity, to ensure that you’re making use of basic security features like Screen Lock, Face/Touch ID and two-factor authentication (2FA).
Specialized spyware apps are also available; these programs can trawl your phone for hidden malware and help you identify hacks early.
Using a VPN while connected to the internet is vital to staying away from trouble. It masks your IP address and encrypts your traffic, thus enhancing your privacy and security. Since hackers won’t be able to identify you online and monitor what you’re doing on your smartphone, they will have fewer ways to harm you.
VPN is also useful if you use public Wi-Fis, which are not always safe. It encrypts your traffic and you can browse safely wherever you are.
But don’t be enticed by free VPNs, as they usually have a hidden agenda behind their complimentary services. Most free VPN services may collect your data, use it for marketing purposes or even pass it to third parties.
NordVPN is an easy-to-use app designed for both novice and expert users. Not only does it provide you with top-notch encryption, but also blocks suspicious ads and pop-ups, which are a common way to distribute malware. NordVPN's Threat Protection feature helps you to identify malware-ridden files, stops you from landing on malicious websites, and blocks trackers and intrusive ads.
NordVPN also has the KillSwitch function, which will disconnect you from the web in case you lose a VPN connection. Moreover, a single NordVPN account allows you to protect up to 6 devices, so you could have your entire household protected.
If you’re looking to turn your smartphone into a fortress, a VPN service is the answer.