We rely on our smartphones for almost everything, from sending emails to organising calendars, online shopping, calling friends, taking pictures, and much more.
With so much personal data stored, smartphones have become a liability. If hacked, a criminal can instantly access all that valuable, private information.
This article will show the warning signs that your smartphone may be infected with spyware. You will also learn simple but effective tips on protecting your phone from future infections, thus protecting your privacy.
What exactly is spyware? And why is it dangerous?
Spyware is any software installed and running on a device without your knowledge or consent. As the name suggests, it monitors your activity, often collecting data to be sent to its creator.
Data collected could be as simple as the sites you browse online. It can also involve more sinister surveillance like recording your phone calls, screen activity, and contact book, as well as tracking your location and the services you use.
Hackers can use data collected for more sophisticated phishing scams that can raise the threat level considerably. Recognizing the warning signs of infection can eliminate them, saving you from a future attack.
Below are seven common red flags indicating you have spyware on your smartphone.
1. Unusual Battery Drain
Spyware adds strain to your smartphone, and one of the most noticeable results is a drop in battery power. If your phone is running low on juice with no apparent reason behind it and doesn’t hold its charge for very long, there could be spyware running in the background that is gobbling up power in secret.
2. Poor performance
Another clear sign of spyware is a sudden drop in your phone’s performance. You can notice that your phone is taking longer than expected to start up, regularly freezes, or slowly loads applications.
Try to isolate the problem by running fewer applications to see if this alleviates issues. Because spyware hijacks processing power in the background, your phone apps might be competing for resources, resulting in a noticeable drop in performance for no explainable reason.
3. Unknown apps on your phone
Spyware can be bundled up with other software, usually freemium apps, whose sole purpose is to sneak onto your phone undetected. If you notice an app you don’t
remember installing on your phone, uninstall it immediately.
It’s also worth noting that not every app installed may appear on your home screen. You should periodically go into your phone settings and check the list of installed apps recorded there to see if any suspicious apps are lurking in the shadows.
4. A spike in data usage
Similar to unexplained battery use, another clear sign of spyware is a spike in your data consumption. This is because spyware will often stay connected to the internet, uploading data collected on you or using features like GPS to monitor your activity.
Check your phone’s settings to see what app consumes data and when. If it’s an unusual amount relative to your use, you should strongly consider uninstalling the app to see if this resolves your data issues.
5. Weird sounds during calls
Spyware can eavesdrop on all of your phone activity, including voice calls. If you
hear persistent sounds like static, clicking, or your voice echoing, this could be a sign that someone is monitoring and recording your calls.
While these problems can sometimes result from poor network signal, you can easily eliminate this cause by using internet-based apps, such as WhatsApp Messenger or Zoom, and monitoring the sound when your microphone is active. If the strange noises persist, then spyware is your likely culprit.
6. Overheating with no explanation
As our phone performs intensive tasks, like playing games and running many apps simultaneously, it will get warmer and warmer. This is normal.
But if your phone suddenly becomes hot without good reason, spyware could run in the background, even when idle, causing massive amounts of heat to form.
7. Intrusive adverts, pop-ups and messages
Spyware is also known as adware simply because it can cause an increase in the number of intrusive pop-up ads that appear on your device. These ads might appear at any time and be incredibly difficult to click off.
You might also notice suspicious messages and notifications appearing on your phone. The hope is that by accidentally swiping on them, you’ll visit a suspicious website or download a file by accident, infecting your phone with more malicious software.
Five ways of protecting yourself from spyware
Thankfully, there are many ways of defending yourself against spyware. These include:
- Use a virtual private network (VPN)
A VPN is an essential cybersecurity tool that helps prevent hackers from monitoring your online activity. It does this by encrypting your internet connection, making it impossible for someone to know what you’re doing online.
A VPN iOS will ensure that you’re protected even when surfing the internet on your smartphone. Moreover, it can help flag malicious websites before you click on them, preventing a common entry point for spyware infections.
- Only download from verified sources
App stores have several security measures that monitor activity and promptly remove suspicious apps. Though not foolproof, these marketplaces reassure you that, in most cases, your smartphone will remain spyware-free.
On the other hand, if you download apps from unverified, unofficial websites, there is no assurance that what you’re downloading isn’t a malicious app designed to spy on you.
- Monitor app permissions
Be wary of applications that make strange requests on your phone, including requesting permission to access your camera, location, or your contact book. These could be monitoring your activity and collecting personal data.
Periodically review app permissions. If you no longer use an app, consider revoking its clearance or uninstalling it entirely. This will free up space on your phone and ensure there’s no suspicious activity going on.
- Use anti-malware apps to scan for threats
Anti-malware applications can add another layer of protection to your smartphone. Providing you with real-time protection against spyware. The best apps should allow you to scan folders, remove threats, monitor apps for unusual activity, and offer
real-time protection when surfing the internet.
- Keep everything updated
Our final tip is one of the easiest but often most forgotten—updating your phone. Remember to update not only applications but also the operating system itself, as well as the themes and add-ons you use. Developers regularly release security updates that equip your phone with information against the latest threats, including spyware. Activate automatic updates to ensure these are installed on time.
