How to Know if Your Phone Is Hacked

Is it possible to hack a phone?

Yes, it’s possible to hack a phone. Cyberattackers can use techniques like phishing attacks, malware, and physical access to hack any type of phone, including iPhones, Android devices, and others.

Clario Anti Spy can make your phone impossible to hack. Install Clario Anti Spy to receive step-by-step instructions on how to safeguard your phone from hackers and spyware.

Here’s how to use Clario Anti Spy’s Anti-spy setup:

1. Download Clario Anti Spy and create an account.
2. Open the app and select Set up then follow the on-screen instructions to comprehensively safeguard your device against hackers.

How easy is it to hack a phone?

The difficulty of hacking a phone depends on the victim’s security practices and the hacker’s skill level. For low-skilled hackers, it's challenging if the phone is well-secured with updates and cautious user behavior. However, skilled hackers can exploit software vulnerabilities, especially if the device isn't updated. Public Wi-Fi and social engineering also make it easier.

8 signs your phone is hacked

If you’re worried that someone has hacked your phone, you should check if your phone is hacked or not. Look for these common warning signs to detect phone hacking:

1. Battery drainage

Malware or spyware apps running in the background can consume more power than usual, causing your battery to drain faster than normal. If you notice that your battery is draining quickly, it’s a hacked phone symptom that suggests someone has infected your device with malicious software.

2. Sluggish performance

Malicious software uses significant processing power, resulting in slow performance, frequent crashes, or apps taking longer to open. If your phone suddenly starts behaving this way, you might want to check for spyware.

3. Excessive data usage

Spyware apps often use your data connection to send information from your phone to the hacker, leading to higher-than-normal data usage. Keep an eye on your data usage—if it suddenly skyrockets, it’s a sign that someone is tracking your activities.

4. Inexplicable device behavior

Spyware, malware, and viruses often cause phones to behave strangely. If your phone starts installing apps, sending messages, or behaving in other odd ways, a hacker may have compromised it.

5. Abnormally hot phone

Continuous background activity due to malware can cause the phone to overheat even when it’s not in use. If you think your phone is hotter than usual, don’t tell yourself that you’re imagining things—a hacker may have installed a malicious tracking app on your device.

6. Unfamiliar outgoing calls and texts

Unauthorized calls or texts to unknown numbers can indicate that hackers are using your phone to reach others, possibly because they’re pretending to be you in order to target your friends and family with further scams.

7. Strange pop-ups

Frequent, unexpected pop-ups or ads suggest an adware infection or other malicious apps that collect your data or prompt you to download more malware. This is especially true if you notice pop-ups in places where they shouldn’t occur, like on your home screen or in system apps.

8. Unusual account activity

Notifications about password changes, login attempts from unfamiliar locations, or new account registrations can signal that hackers have access to your accounts through your phone. Keep an eye on warning messages from your online account providers so that you can act quickly if this occurs.

How do phones get hacked?

Hackers can use several methods to hack a phone, but it generally involves exploiting vulnerabilities in the device or user behavior. Here are four common strategies hackers use:

• Malware. Hackers embed malicious software into innocent-looking apps, email attachments, or websites so that they install automatically on your device. Types of malware include spyware, adware, and ransomware.
• Social engineering strategies. Someone can hack into your phone by manipulating you into installing malware or letting the hacker access your device. For instance, they might send you an email saying they’re from Apple and asking you to install a new security update—but instead, it’s spyware that steals your information.
• Software vulnerabilities. A more technical (and rare) approach to hacking is to target problems with your phone’s operating system or apps. If these are out of date, a hacker might be able to exploit a flaw in the code to get access to your device.
• Man-in-the-middle attacks. Hackers can hack your phone by setting up fake Wi-Fi networks or infecting unprotected public networks with malware. When you log in to these networks, the hacker can steal your data and hack your device.

What happens when your phone is hacked?

When someone hacks your phone, they might steal sensitive data like passwords, contacts, and personal messages. Hackers might control your phone remotely, sending texts and making calls. Any malware the hacker installs can drain your battery, slow performance, and increase data usage. With your data, the hacker might make unauthorized transactions, compromise your accounts, and cause further privacy breaches.

What should you do if your phone is hacked?

If you know your mobile is hacked, you need to act quickly to prevent them from doing further damage. The first step is to block their access, then you can go about restoring your security and privacy. Here’s what to do:

1. Disconnect from Wi-Fi and mobile data

Immediately disconnect your phone from Wi-Fi and mobile data. The quickest way to do this is to put your phone into Airplane Mode, and then manually turn off Wi-Fi and mobile data. By doing this, you can cut off the hacker’s remote access to your phone and prevent malware from transmitting data or doing additional damage.

You might also be wondering, does turning off your phone stop hackers? It can help, but you’ll need to turn it back on again to solve the problem. Read our guide to find out what to do.

2. Block your credit card

Contact your bank or credit card provider and ask them to block your card and report any suspicious transactions. The bank will walk you through the next steps you need to take to secure your accounts and prevent financial fraud from taking place.

3. Change your passwords

Update your passwords for any critical accounts, including email, banking, and social media. Use strong, unique passwords that are at least 12 characters long, and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security. This will prevent your hacker from gaining access to your accounts and locking you out.

4. Use an antivirus app

Antivirus software can identify and remove malicious apps or files, helping to restore your phone's security. Install a reputable antivirus app and scan your phone for malware or suspicious activities. If the software uncovers anything suspicious, follow its instructions to clear the malicious files and return your device to normal.

5. Delete suspicious apps

Review your installed apps and immediately uninstall any that you don't recognize or that seem suspicious. These could be the source of the hack and must be removed to prevent further compromise.

To review installed apps on an Android smartphone:

1. Open Settings and select Apps.
2. Scroll through the list of apps and look for any that you don’t remember installing. If you find anything suspicious, tap the app and select Uninstall.

To review installed apps on an iPhone:

1. On your Home screen, swipe left till you find your App Library.
2. Scan your iPhone for apps that you didn’t download. If you find any, tap and hold the app and press Remove App or Delete App.

If you think your phone is hacked, but you’re struggling to find suspicious apps, Clario Anti Spy can help. Clario Anti Spy’s Spyware Scan feature will check your device for hidden spyware apps, identifying those that you can’t find manually.

To use Clario Anti Spy’s Spyware Scan:

1. Download the Clario Anti Spy app on your desktop computer, then create an account and connect your cell phone.
2. Press Mobile scan > Scan my phone, then complete the on-screen instructions to identify mobile hacking and remove any spyware from your device.

6. Perform a factory reset

As a last resort, perform a factory reset to erase all data and settings on your phone. A factory reset is one of the most powerful ways to remove a hacker from your phone. However, this step removes any lingering malware but also deletes all personal data, so make sure to back up important information before proceeding.

To perform a factory reset on an Android device:

1. Open Settings > General management.
2. Select Reset.
3. Choose Factory data reset, then scroll down and select Reset once more.
4. Enter your PIN code, then follow the instructions to complete the factory reset.

To perform a factory reset on an iPhone:

1. Tap Settings > General.
2. Choose Transfer or Reset iPhone and press Reset at the bottom of the screen.
3. If asked, enter your passcode and confirm that you want to erase the device. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process.

Who do you contact if your phone is hacked?

Once you verify if your phone is hacked, it’s important to let certain people know—like your bank and family—so that they are aware of the situation and can help you mitigate the damage and secure your accounts. Here’s who you should contact:

• Mobile service provider. Contact your cellular phone provider and tell them someone hacked your phone. They’ll help you secure your account, get a new SIM card, and may provide guidance on what to do next.
• Bank and credit card companies. Call your financial institutions and let them know the situation. They can issue new cards, put a freeze on your accounts, and help you track suspicious activities.
• Employer. Tell your employer that your phone was hacked—especially if the phone was company-issued. This allows your IT department to take necessary precautions and protect company data and networks.
• Family and friends. The hacker may reach out to your contacts to spread malware or attempt scams. Tell your family and friends that a hacker compromised your phone to prevent them from answering calls and falling victim as well.

Finally, if the breach involves financial losses or identity theft, you should contact your local law enforcement. They’ll provide assistance and may help investigate the breach.

How to protect your phone from hackers

To protect your phone from hackers, you need to implement strong cybersecurity practices. Here are some crucial things you can do to make sure your phone isn’t hacked:

• Keep your device up-to-date. Regularly update your telephone and its apps to make sure it has the latest protections against malware and spyware.
• Only use trusted apps. Install apps from official stores like the Google Play Store and Apple App Store to avoid untrustworthy apps that may be malware.
• Avoid easy-to-guess passwords. Your passwords should be long, strong, and unique. Avoid common phrases or personal information that a hacker will be able to guess.
• Employ physical security measures. Set a strong phone lock to prevent people from gaining unauthorized access when you aren’t paying attention.
• Be aware of phishing attempts. Understand the signs of a phishing scam and learn how to avoid common social engineering tactics.
• Create regular backups. Keep timely backups of your phone’s data in a secure location so that you can restore it in the case of an attack.

Protecting your phone from hackers is the best-case scenario, and it’ll prevent you from having to go through the frustrating steps to fix the problem. But if your Samsung or Google Pixel has already fallen victim, here’s how to fix a hacked Android phone.

Conclusion

To ensure your phone is not hacked, you need to be diligent. Keeping your software up-to-date, using strong passwords, and avoiding untrustworthy links and apps can help you stay secure. For added protection, consider using Clario Anti Spy. Its advanced features help detect and prevent threats, ensuring your digital life stays secure. Don’t wait—install Clario Anti Spy today for peace of mind.