How to know if your phone has been hacked

Smartphones have become extensions of our brains these days. The idea of someone hacking into your phone sounds a bit like someone being inside your head. Scary, right? The good news is that it’s often easy to tell if your phone has been hacked or compromised, and with a little time and effort, you can get your life—at least, the part of it that takes place on your phone—back to normal.

What are some signs your phone has been hacked?

There can be both subtle and obvious signs that something or someone has gotten into your phone, so let’s explore the hardware and software cues that give you an important heads-up.

Is your phone running hot or slow, or losing charge more quickly than it used to? You might think it’s a sign of age…but it also could point to malware from hackers clogging up your system. All those extra malware programs running in the background can cause the physical symptoms of an issue. Get your phone scanned or checked out if you notice these things happening.
Do you notice apps on your phone that you just don’t remember downloading? Or has your home screen configuration switched itself up on you? This could be a big clue that your phone has been hacked. After all, with a device that reflects so much of your interests and personality, you’d think you’d remember if you added that crypto app to your home screen, right?
We’ve all had those moments where we forgot we were on data and not Wi-Fi, but if you suddenly notice an inexplicable spike in data usage, get suspicious. Yes, it could be something you’re doing, but it’s also a sign of having been hacked. Check those settings and networks, and maybe your bill as well.
Finally, as with any hack, watch your important accounts for unusual activity. Sometimes the first sign something is wrong is unauthorized credit card purchases or missing money; with phones, also check if odd messages are being sent to friends through text, IM, or social media without your consent. If it’s particularly out of character, your friends may have already let you know there’s an issue.

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How to prevent getting your phone hacked

Believe us, we know how hard it can be to stay one step ahead of hackers and that having multiple devices to protect can be a challenge. Prevention is the best medicine, and here’s some ways to both keep hackers away from your phone and rectify any damage they’ve already caused.

Update your phone and apps. Updates happen for a reason—and often that reason is to improve security in the wake of hacker innovation or a known chink in protections. Only trust the main app or approved IT stores for your device as places to purchase apps.
Be careful connecting to public networks and charging stations. Public networks can be convenient and when you’re out of data, sometimes a lifesaver. But they’re also a place unsavory characters can hang out while waiting for the right phone to hijack. If you don’t need it, turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® in public places to lessen the chances of someone stumbling on your device and sneaking on. Try to use a VPN if you have access to one, which makes your public network a private connection. And while public charging stations can be like an oasis in a desert for your phone’s battery, they can also be infected with info-guzzling malware. Maybe invest in a charger pack, or go old-school and bring a cord and plug with you for an on-the-road boost.
Use a password manager. A good password is the simplest line of defense against a hack, and a convenient password manager helps keep those passwords at the ready.
Protect your phone. This can be as simple as not letting it out of your sight or leaving it unattended, since it’s far easier to pick up and physically mess with a phone than compromise it from a distance. If your device ever gets lost or stolen, having online protection, encryption, or a locked SIM card will make it that much harder to crack.

“Update your phone and apps. Updates happen for a reason—and often that reason is to improve security in the wake of hacker innovation or a known chink in protections.”

Because your phone is such an important part of your life, finding out it’s been hacked is quite the violation of your privacy and security. But it’s also something you can take steps to prevent, and there’s ways to maintain and restore order to your universe should a hack happen.