Cell phones are susceptible to attacks by malicious malware, called spyware or stalkerwares, which can track the information of the victims. In July, more than 130,000 Android device users were affected by this type of threat. While spyware acts quietly, there are some signs that may indicate that the device is being scanned.
If your phone has unexpected spikes in mobile data consumption, sudden battery drop and pop-up ads popping up on the screen, it's likely been hacked and intruders are monitoring your activities. O dnetc has separated seven clues that help you find out if your smartphone is being spied on.
Spy app 'tricked' Google twice to steal data
See the list with seven indications that your phone has been hacked or may be traced. Photo: Bruno De Blasi / dnetc
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1. High consumption of mobile data
Spikes in mobile data consumption may indicate mobile phone is being tracked. Photo: Reproduction / Ana Letcia Loubak
The increased use of mobile data is a strong indication that the phone may be being tracked. This is because species applications use the Internet to send information about the victim to the hacker, causing the data consumption quota to be exceeded. If you are suspicious of intrusions to your device, go to your settings and look for "mobile data" to get an ordered list of the apps that consume the most data. Sudden spikes in the chart may indicate spying and tracking activities.
2. Drastic Battery Drop
Spywares May Reduce Mobile Battery Life Photo: Playback / Helito Bijora
Although not a determining factor, the rapid battery consumption may be an indication that the phone has been hacked. If the user spends hours on YouTube or keeps the screen brightness at maximum level, for example, the sharp drop in charge is certainly related to how the phone is used. You can check what is consuming the power of the device by going to the settings and searching for "battery".
On the other hand, if you are using your phone as usual, and the battery runs out within hours, your phone may be infected. By performing actions such as downloading malicious apps and communicating with background command and control servers, malware and spyware contribute to the drastic reduction in battery life.
3. Sending or Receiving Unknown Messages
Ransomwares can send text messages to victims contacts Photo: Luciana Maline / dnetc
Mobile phones infected with ransomware, a class of malware that hijacks the victim's data and charges bitcoin for ransom, are able to access the user's contact list and send SMS or WhatsApp messages alone. In general, scraps use promotional offers or pornography to lead new victims to click malicious links.
Unexpected expense charges are another indication that the device has been infected with viruses. Malicious agents send text messages to service numbers premium, which charge the telephone bill. The "receipts" of these fraudulent transactions are likely to appear in the list of received SMS messages.
In addition to the extra data cost and battery consumption, species applications can cause the device to overheat. At certain specific times, such as when we open heavy games or there are many activities running at the same time, the mobile phone's processor raises the working frequency, which may cause the temperature to rise. However, if the phone is hotter than usual in times of rest, something may be happening.
Google Play Store has already removed hundreds of fake applications containing adware, malware and spyware Photo: Thssius Veloso / dnetc
Did you notice any apps you don't remember having installed on your phone? This is another indication that the device is being spied on. Before jumping to conclusions, check the store download history for your operating system to see if the app has been downloaded or downloaded. Please note that apps installed with APK files for Android phones are not registered in the Google list. Play Store
Then do some research on the app in question and see what technology experts and other users say about it. If you continue to suspect the source of the app or confirm its malicious character, it is best to delete it from your smartphone. It is noteworthy, however, that spyware may have hidden in other directories.
6. Advertising bouncing on screen
Pop-up ads are one of the clearest signs that the device has been infected with malware. Some of them are capable of generating ads that "bounce" on the screen during common phone use and invite the user to perform different actions, which may lead to more viruses contracting. Sometimes these malicious pop-ups may come in the form of system warnings.
If you start to notice background noises like beeps or voices in telephone calls, it is likely that a third party is recording the call. Noises during audio playback are also a sign that the phone may have been hacked. In the latter case, it is important to check if the device has any hardware defects.
How to Remove Virus on an Android Phone
Much of the malware comes from phishing attacks. "Too good to be true" promotions, fake emails from financial institutions, premium SMS messages, and invitations to install apps are some of the most commonly used lures to lure victims to contaminated email addresses. As much as the sender is a friend, never click on unfamiliar links.
Another important recommendation is to avoid downloading applications from external sources, called APKs. There is no way to guarantee the integrity of an app developed by third parties: It is possible that the software has been modified without the developer knowing to intercept data and infect the user's device, as the application distribution process takes place through independent stores. , without the same guarantees as the official Google Play Store space offers Android users.
To enhance protection against intruders, it is also worth installing an antivirus on your smartphone. O dnetc prepared a list of the best Android options in 2019. Also, make regular backups of your files, either in the cloud or on an external device. Still, if your device gets infected, you will need to format it and restore factory conditions to completely remove spyware.
Via Fox News and Tech World
