Most malware apps hijack a phone to serve ads, post fake reviews, or steal personal information. Android devices are often the easiest to compromise, but iPhone users still need to watch for spyware and data-stealing malware.
Signs your phone may be hacked
- Significant drop in battery life
- Sluggish performance, freezes, or crashing apps
- Unusually high data usage
- Outgoing calls or texts you did not send
- Constant pop-up alerts
- Unusual activity on accounts linked to the phone
Practical prevention
- Do not leave the phone unattended in public; use a PIN or biometrics
- Change the default password
- Turn Bluetooth off when you are not using it
- Avoid unsecured public Wi-Fi
- Do not click suspicious links or install unknown files
- Install apps only from the official store; read permissions
- Back up data so you can reset if the device is compromised
Related: NIST password standards. For organizational device policy, contact Cyber Security Resource.