Did the hacker get a hold of your smartphone? How can you tell if you have been hacked or have something like malware in your phone? Don’t worry; this guide is designed to help you find all the answers.
From symptoms to quick solutions and deep-rooted solves, you learn everything. Furthermore, you will have some tips to help keep yourself safe and more.
So, without further ado, let’s begin:
Different Threats For Android Phone
In today’s world, mobile security is very important. You are exposed to the dangers of the internet everywhere. Different connectivity options exist Cellular Data, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Hotspot, NFC, and more.
A hacker can easily use any of these mediums to get into your device. That’s not the worst part. There are different kinds of viruses for PC and Android users alike. You could have:
- Spyware in your device could lead to data breaches or even identity theft.
- A trojan and other harmful viruses will impact the performance of your device.
- Data leaks and scanners could lead to credential leaks, like bank and card hacks.
- Third-party apps could subscribe to different content or use your device.
- Social media could get hacked, as well.
These are just a few of the risks you’re going to expose yourself to. That’s why it is important to learn to tell if your android is Hacked. Similarly, you should know how to tackle these problems. Let’s look further:
Solutions To Tell If Your Android Is Hacked
- Rooting Of Your Phone
- Electronic Interference
- Texts, Calls, And Other Activities Not Done By You
- Phone Heating Up
- Extreme Battery Consumption
- Poor Battery Life
- Slow Charging Speed
- Unwanted Apps And Bloatware
- Pop-Ups And Ads
- High Data Usage
- Apps And Phone Keeps Crashing
- Google Play Protect Scan
- Update Your Phone
- Download Apps From Trusted Sources
- Disable Install From Unknown Sources
- Two-Factor Authentication And Other Tools For You
- Use An Antivirus App
- Factory Reset Your Phone
A. How To Tell If Your Android Is Hacked?
First, let’s cover the primary symptoms of phone hacking. You need to consider all these factors for a clear answer.
1. Rooting Of Your Phone
Did you ever get your phone rooted? You can get rooting of your device done by yourself or at some tech-savvy place. In most cases, it is not advised. Mostly the developers use rooting of the phone for various purposes. If you’re not a developer, you should refrain from it.
In iPhones and iOS, the term is popularly known as Jailbreaking. Either way, you will have a higher risk if you root or jailbreak your device.
Similarly, if you didn’t get the rooting done, but it still shows your device as root, it might be hacked.
2. Electronic Interference
Another good way is to check for any electronic interference:
- Is there a connectivity issue?
- Does the call drop often?
- Do you face trouble connecting Bluetooth and other options?
- Are there some background noises in calls?
Most tell if your calls are hacked, or the phone is getting tapped.
3. Texts, Calls, And Other Activities Not Done By You
Do you face various unauthorized activities on your phone? It could be:
- Text to someone you didn’t send.
- Social Media activities and texts to someone that you didn’t send. But, it is from your ID.
- Unauthorized calls from your number.
- Misdials when you didn’t use your phone.
- Unauthorized, Unknown, or Suspicious calls to your number.
All of these could hint toward a potential hack. There could also be a hacking attempt undergoing.
4. Phone Heating Up
Another risk could be a heating issue on your phone. If you have an older phone, then there will be these issues.
Older processors and phone models, anything from before the last three years, will heat.
But, if you have a fairly new phone or model, like a year old, and face an issue, it could be hacked.
Does your phone heat up even if you are not using it? Does it heat up when you’re charging it?
Does it still heat even when you’re not using performance-oriented apps and services? If so, the issue could be a hack.
5. Extreme Battery Consumption
The same rule of thumb applies here. Older models will drain out faster. They have lower battery capacity and optimization.
But if you have a new phone that consumes battery fast, hacking could be the cause.
Extreme battery consumption could be from some apps. If some third-party app uses too much battery drain, check it out. Make sure that it is genuine and authorized, or remove it.
6. Poor Battery Life
This is the same as the previous point but a little different. Poor battery life could mean your phone runs even when on standby.
Do you charge your phone and then find it drained too quickly? It could be a fault in the battery or some background task. Sometimes, it won’t show on device care features.
So, make sure to pay attention to this problem.
7. Slow Charging Speed
Now, this is one of the new and best tell if your android is hacked or not. Nowadays, smartphones have a feature that charges slowly if they use apps.
For example, if you’re gaming and charging your phone, the charging will be slow. This is to prevent overheating and other complications.
- Now, if you are not playing apps, or have a background process running, put your phone on the charging station.
- See if it is fast charging or flash charging. If not, then check if the phone is heating.
- If the phone is charging slowly even when you are not running apps, there could be some hidden process.
- A hidden process usually means some spyware, ransomware, or bloatware. Your system might not be catching it.
- This means that the phone is hacked.
8. Unwanted Apps And Bloatware
Many companies have tied up with various service providers to offer bloatware. These come when you set up your phone or update it. But, you can always remove them (Uninstall). So, it is not that big of a deal.
You should be concerned if:
- You regularly see some new app or bloatware installed on your phone.
- Extensions and other features are installed on your phone’s browser.
- Copy and clones of apps installed.
It is most likely a hack if you have unwanted apps you can’t get rid of.
9. Pop-Ups And Ads
If you ever pay attention, you will see that official and authorized platforms don’t have many ads. They don’t like using pop-ups. You will find most of these in third-party apps and platforms.
Take a look at Google Play Store or Apple App Store. They are clean and designed for security.
So, if you’re visiting a shady website, you most likely will face pop-ups. These pop-ups will be too many and often too much. Even a single click or tap on the screen could lead you somewhere.
So, you need to be wary of these.
Similarly, it isn’t good if you start getting advertisements and pop-ups on your phone’s screen. It means there is malware, adware, spyware, or something on your phone.
10. High Data Usage
This is another diagnosis related to performance usage. Like a phone heating up, you could have high data usage.
Do you often see your phone consuming too much data? You might be streaming videos at the lowest resolution, yet it consumes GBs of data. That is a big tell on some leak.
Some app, bloatware, service, or virus is eating away at your internet and its speed.
Similarly, if you have lower speeds and connectivity issues, it could mean the phone is hacked.
11. Apps And Phone Keeps Crashing
If you have an old phone with low specs, it is natural to hang, crash, and more. The same will apply to the apps on the phone.
But, if you have a fairly new phone, you can try reinstalling apps. If that doesn’t work, there could be a hacking issue.
If your phone often crashes and restarts, that is a big tell. Similarly, if your phone lags too much or gets stuck, that is a massive issue.
All of these point toward a possible hacking attempt.
B. Quick Solutions If Your Android Device Is Hacked
Does your phone meet any of the criteria mentioned above? It can be more than one of the checklists. If that is the case, then you shouldn’t take risks. Try these quick solutions. There are also some precautions mentioned below. It is like an essential guide for you:
12. Google Play Protect Scan
The first thought that comes to mind is going to antivirus software. Before you do that, your Android phone comes with apt security. If you adhere to the instructions and the guidelines, you will be fine. Just take the necessary precautions.
If you still have a problem, your Google Play Store comes with a Play Protect Scan.
- Open Google Play on your phone.
- Click on the Icon of your Avatar.
- You can see ‘Play Protect’ in the options of the menu.
- Tap on it and scan.
- It will scan all apps and let you know if you have a problem.
13. Update Your Phone
Updating your device and keeping it up to date is the best thing you can do. It will always keep your device secure.
How’s that? Well, whenever there is a new threat to security, the developers immediately work on it.
They develop a solution for your device and release a security patch. So, the best way to secure your device is by updating it. Use the latest tech.
- Go to the Settings
- Scroll down to the ‘About Phone’ section.
- Find the Software Information in the About Phone section.
- You will have different options for the OS, Google Playstore, and all. Select each one to update them individually.
- Remember that from Funtouch OS 12 onwards, the interface could vary for each model.
14. Download Apps From Trusted Sources
This isn’t a troubleshooting but a general guideline. Always download apps from verified and trusted sources.
For instance, Google Play Store and Apple App Store are the best choices. Apart from these, don’t try to download from shady websites.
That will easily land you in trouble.
15. Disable Install From Unknown Sources
Often, you might be tempted to use a VPN and download some apps. Many folks do it for their favorite app that has been banned. It might not be available in your region.
Even if the app is trusted, it activates the Install from Unknown Sources.
- Go to the settings of your device.
- Find the Security option.
- See if you can find a Special App Option.
- If not, you can use the search bar.
- In there, you will find the Install From Unknown Sources.
- Disable it.
- This should do the job.
16. Two-Factor Authentication And Other Tools For You
Another great thing about your phone is that it comes with various features that you can use:
- Set a passcode to access your phone and a lock screen.
- Set a password and change it once every month (or 3 months) for important apps.
- Always backup or create a backup for your phone.
- Keep a credible password manager, like Samsung Pass, to store your unique passwords.
- Try to opt and activate two-factor authentication. For instance, there are OTPs, and other features for your device, social media, and more. Try to do the same if your bank and apps have these options.
- On a public Wi-fi network, use a VPN, and also change the password for your phone.
17. Use An Antivirus App
If you’re concerned that there might be a spy or some phishing, you can use antivirus. Usually, it is not necessary. In some cases, your phone will come with a built-in tool. For instance, Samsung has Knox Security.
Meanwhile, most devices come with device care options. You can try those out. If none of those work, you can try premium security tools. Don’t go around downloading just about any antivirus.
You certainly shouldn’t opt for free tools for such an essential task. The built-in device tools are way better than the free tools.
18. Factory Reset Your Phone
You can try factory data reset if nothing will solve the problem. You might need login credentials for your phone, like the password.
- Go to the Settings
- The latest Android comes with a Search option.
- Search for Reset
- You will see various reset options.
- Choose the Erase All Data or Factory Reset option.
- Once you initiate it, it will ask for the phone’s password.
- Once you provide it, your phone will undergo a restart.
Remember that resetting the phone will delete all the user data. So make sure to have a backup if you can.
Conclusion – Tell If Your Android Is Hacked
Hopefully, all these diagnoses and solutions should be able to help you out. If not, and if you’re still facing the issue, visit the Customer Service Center. You can also try contacting customer support.
They will provide you with everything you need. But we are sure these solutions can help you just fine.
As long as you’re cautious about your device’s security, there shouldn’t be a problem.