Learn How To Detect And Prevent Spy Activities On Your Smartphone
Digital Ritesh
Last year, illegal Android spyware was discovered on the Google Play store. For four years it had hidden in seemingly legitimate apps, snooping on the thousands of people who downloaded it. Gathering info about whether targets were rich enough to steal from.
Friends, if you're wondering, how do you know if someone is tracking your phone and what can you do about it? This article is going to answer those crucial questions.
We all store an incredible amount of personal info on our phones. Text messages, SMS, emails, photos, Wifi passwords, social media accounts, Bank accounts, UPI Apps, Google Chrome browsing history, even bank transaction info, all this sensitive data is right here.
On one hand, this is wonderfully convenient but on the other hand, if someone is tracking your phone that leaves you deeply vulnerable.
Friends, there's always a risk that a hacker, a co-worker even a jealous ex or a significant other, maybe invading your privacy and spying on you.
This is usually done through spying apps that monitor our phones. You never consented to it but you don't even know about it but they're always there and you don't even know. And they are watching you.
So, how can you know if someone is tracking your phone?
What are the signs?
There're actually Eight easily identifiable signs that will help us understand if there is someone tracking our phone location.
1) If your phone is using up more data than it's supposed to, it could be using that data to transmit information about you.
2) If your phone keeps rebooting, apparently all by itself,
3) if it makes a noise or lights up when you're not using it and you're not getting calls or messages, it could mean that someone else is accessing it remotely.
4) The spyware runs in the background, monitoring your activity and this uses a lot of battery. For the same reason, your battery may be hot.
5) if your phone is taking forever to switch off properly. It means that there are a lot of processes running in the background. And this could be a sign that your phone is infected by spyware.
6) Your phone will probably also be a lot slower to respond to or perform tasks.
7) Have you ever received a text message that has just a jumble of numbers or symbols? Spyware uses these kinds of messages to stay in contact with their target devices.
8) If you're hearing strange noises when you're on a call, your call might be tapped.
Friends, I know this stuff is just super scary. An invasion of privacy, at this level, is deeply dangerous.
And at this point, there's that one person who recognized those signs and now thinking, someone is tracking your phone and how do you stop it?
Don't worry because it's possible to sort out a spyware problem and you can do it by yourself.
First, you need to check if spyware is installed on your phone. Follow the steps
Settings-Additional settings-Apps management
Here you'll get a list of all the apps on your phone. Now, most spyware is using words that describe what the app does, like track, monitor, stealth, or spy.
Followings are some of the most popular phone tracking apps.
1) FLEXISPY
2) SPYERA
3) IKEYMONITOR
4) XNSPY
5) TRACKER
6) MOBISTEALTH
7) HOVERWATCH
8) MESSAGE AND CALL
9) MOBILE TRACKER FOR ANDROID
You can see that there is a pattern to the way they are named. You need to search apps using terms that are common to spyware.
However, it doesn't have to have an obvious name. So investigate anything you don't recognize as well.
If you see anything that looks like spyware, delete it. If you're wondering, what should you do if you use iOS?
Yes, It's tougher to access your life folders on iOS but there's also another solution to that.
The most straightforward way to fix a spyware problem in iOS is to update your operating system. Remember to back up your data first though.
If you've deleted suspicious-looking apps from your Android phone or updated your Apple phone but you're still getting the suspicious symptoms of spyware infection, the next step is to do a factory reset.
This is an irritation I know, but it does get rid of any unwanted guests.
To do this, first make sure your phone is backed up, updated, and charged
For Android,
open settings hit additional settings, then select backup and reset. Tap factory data reset. Then choose to erase all app data and apps that can be uninstalled.
For iPhone,
Open settings, then general, hit reset, then reset all settings.
Finally, if you use iOS, you definitely need to change your iCloud password.
Because if anyone knows that or can get it, it can access just your entire life. It's easy to install certain legitimate spyware via the app store.
And whether you're an Apple or Android user, you need to change the password of your device.
Here's how to make a strong password.
1) Avoid the obvious.
2) Use at least 12 characters,
3) include upper and lower case as well as numbers and symbols.
4) Don't use a word that's in the dictionary.
And how am I going to keep track of all these crazy passwords, you say? Well, that's where a good password manager comes in.
Trusted Password Managers are as follows
2) LastPass
3) NordPass
4) Dashlane
These apps are security essential in today's cyber-focused world.
Here are some more things to think about when it comes to protecting your privacy and keeping your devices.
1) Update your operating system often, as the updates often contain fixes as well as the latest security.
2) Disable automatic sync to your cloud or drive, as some spyware works via the cloud.
3) Security experts recommend disabling Siri on the lock screen if you're using an iPhone.
4) Install a VPN for safe, secure browsing.
Friends, if you've been wondering how you know if someone is tracking your phone?
I hope this article has put your mind at ease and sorted out those problems.
Have you had any experiences with spyware?
How did the situation play out?
I'd love to read about your experiences in the comments below.
Thanks for reading. Share this article with needy ones...
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