How To Tell If Your Phone Is Hacked + Tips To Prevent Future Attacks

The?MacAfee Mobile Threat Report?states that most malware apps hijack your phone to serve unwanted ads, post fake reviews, or steal personal information. Keeping your phone safe from hackers is a growing concern for most users.

Android devices are the easiest to hack, but even iPhone users need to be wary of attacks. Malware that steals data or spyware that monitors your phone?s content are the most common types of attacks.

To prevent hackers from stealing your information, we?ll list the most common signs your phone is hacked. We?ll also list some practical tips to prevent future cyber attacks on your phone.

Signs Your Phone Has Been Hacked

There are several telltale signs that your phone is hacked that you should be conscious of and looking out for:

• Significant Decrease in Battery Life
• Sluggish Performance Where Your Phone Frequently Freezes or Crashes Apps
• Unusually High Data Usage
• Outgoing Calls or Texts That Weren?t From You
• Constant Pop-up Alerts
• Unusual Activity on Accounts Linked to Your Phone

Some of these signs can also be the result of new software updates or an aging device. You?ll want to scan your phone for any apps or files that are unauthorized.

Are you worried your phone may be hacked??Sign up to be a member?of our cyber security resource community to gain access to tools and resources to increase your phone?s security.

Related Link:?Network Security vs. Cybersecurity vs. Information Security

Tips to Prevent Future Cyber Attacks on Your Phone

There are several things you can do to protect your phone from hackers and malware:

Keep Your Phone with You in Public

You should never leave your phone unattended when you?re in a public setting. Hackers can upload malware or malicious apps that can steal valuable data or spy on you. Having a secure PIN or biometric scan for your phone can also prevent public access.

Change Your Phone?s Default Password

This may seem like a no-brainer, but you?d be surprised how many adults keep the default password when they purchase a new phone.?The password ?123456??is used by 23 million users. If your phone allows, you should also set up a biometric lock screen that requires a fingerprint or face scan.

Avoid Unprotected Bluetooth Networks

Bluetooth is incredibly convenient and handy until hackers use it to install malware on your phone. The best way to avoid this is to turn off your Bluetooth service when you aren?t using it.

Be Careful How You Store PIN and Credit Card Information

Obviously, it?s best not to store any credit card information or PIN info on your phone. But it is convenient to have that information saved. If you like to use your phone for easy transactions, make sure you use protected apps with high security to store this information.

Related Link:?What is Cloud Computing Security? And Why Is It Important

Don?t Use Unsecure Public WiFi

Public WiFi often has little to no safety and security standards. By logging on to public WiFi, your phone can become vulnerable to attack, and it is usually an easy way to be hacked.

Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links or Downloading Suspicious File Attachments

Some malware is vicious and can infect your phone from clicking a link from an email or social media. If you receive a strange email, text, or contact from a friend, chances are they?ve been hacked. Don?t click the link and contact your friend that may be infected.

Turn Off Autocomplete Feature

While the autocomplete feature is super convenient, it also stores private and personal data that can be accessed by more sophisticated hackers. You?re better off turning off this feature entirely if you use your phone in public settings.

Delete Your Browsing History, Cookies and Cache Regularly

By clearing and deleting your history, cookies, and Internet cache, you?ll minimize the data that hackers can pull from the Internet. This also minimizes your virtual footprint that makes you harder to track.

Install Apps from your Official, Trusted App Store

If you used the official app store for your phone, you?re less likely to download infected apps. Apps on the store still have some risks, but they must pass the app store?s security standards to be available to users.

Read the Terms and Conditions on the Apps You Install

Yes, it is a lot of tedious words, but even?Facebook has shown?it, and other apps can?t be trusted. Because they know most users don?t read the terms and conditions, many apps explicitly state that they intend to spy on how you use your phone and then sell that data.

Regularly Back Up Your Data

While this doesn?t necessarily prevent being hacked, it?s smart to regularly back up your data onto a hard drive or computer if your phone becomes compromised. If this occurs, you can hard reset your phone to flush any malware and safely reinstall your data.

Download a Security App to Increase Protection

If you are still very concerned about your phone?s ability to be hacked, you may want to download a security app for more antivirus protection. You?ll want to make sure you often update to stay current on the latest security patches.

Be Security Savvy to Protect Your Phone From Cyber Attack

By following these tips, you?ll be able to safeguard your phone from hackers and protect your personal information. Keeping your phone safe from malware and spyware is essential in today?s growing era of cyber theft and breaches.

Cyber Security Resource?is a full-service cyber security agency providing?risk management,?information security,?vulnerability management, and?incident response?for SMEs and large enterprises.

Do you want security expert advice on how to protect your phone from hackers??Contact Cyber Security Resource?to learn more about their cyber security services.

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