How to Tell If You Have Spyware on Your Phone

Having technology at your fingertips in 2020 is a privilege and an advantage. We can pay our bills, lock doors, video chat, stream our favorite shows, and more from our devices. We can access and share locations, and the nearest anything is a search away. The technology used to bring us these luxuries is expansive, and the positive qualities are obvious, but what about the possible dangers?

One concern is the possibility of spyware.

What is Spyware and How Does it Get on My Phone?

The software installed on your phone is known as mobile spyware. Spyware allows someone else to monitor everything you do on your phone remotely. People use it to spy on a user by remotely accessing information from the phone.

What Can Someone Using Spyware to Spy on Me See?

People install spyware on phones for various reasons. The information they can access includes:

• Phone number, date, and length of phone call history
• Text messages
• Internet browsing, history, and bookmarks
• Location
• Photos
• Email

If your phone is jailbroken, your phone is a higher risk. Spyware under these circumstances may allow the perpetrator to access even more information. Access to certain third-party messaging apps, phone conversations, and the ability to access the microphone and record surroundings may all be possible.

How It Can Be Installed

Spyware is most commonly installed in one of two ways. Someone who has direct access to your phone can take it and physically install it in as little as 20 minutes. Spyware can also be downloaded by opening a false text or email link containing the program.

Concluding whether or not spyware has been installed is a challenge as many programs are designed for existing in hiding and resisting detection. A forensic examination of the phone can confirm if a device has been hacked. For those without a case or ability to go to the police, there are some other ways to tell.

Subtle indications:

• Spike in data usage
• Screen randomly lights up
• Unexpected reboot
• Noises during phone calls
• Declining battery capacity
• Difficulty shutting down

Removing Spyware from Your Phone

Suspecting that your phone might have spyware on it can be alarming. People looking to steal our information or privacy are only a threat as long as we provide them with the means to take advantage.

Most smartphones have setting options to reset the phone’s settings or data. Once you’ve secured information you don’t want to lose elsewhere, reboot your phone.

Primary forms of spyware may be removed by running a malware scan, or antivirus solution.

If you’re still suspicious that someone could be hacking your device, consider speaking with law enforcement about your safety, or getting a new device. Consider who may have had access to your device and be conscious of the information you store on it.

A Note from GR8NESS

Remember, the capabilities of technology are ever-expanding with no signs of slowing down any time soon. Also, be conscious of your safety when sharing and storing information.