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You may not believe it but hacking is a big business. The methods used are getting sleeker by the day. Most people don’t believe their data is worth stealing, so their guard is down. If you consider that your partner or business competitor can gain access to spyware at ridiculously inexpensive prices, which, they, in turn, will use it against you, you might begin to appreciate the dangers. Spyware can track your location, view your messages (even if you delete them), access your photos, videos & much, much more.
Smartphones are easy to hack. iOS devices are easier to protect because Apple doesn’t allow downloads that aren’t sourced from iTunes, so as long as your phone isn’t jail broken, you’re better off. Android, on the other hand, is easier to hack since any compliant software can be installed, without the security of App Store credentials. So how to detect spyware on smartphones?
So how do you know if your smartphone has been compromised, & what can you do if you suspect that it has been interfered with?
Signals to watch out for
If your phone suddenly starts acting up, for instance, getting really hot for no reason, uses data very quickly, or if your battery runs down much too fast, you might have spyware installed on your device. For iOS, this would mean that you must have left your phone unattended, without a blocking passcode so that someone could physically install a dangerous app, while for Android you might have picked up a virus almost anywhere. So here’s how to detect spyware on your smartphones.
iOS
If you suspect that your phone has been compromised the 1st thing to do is check the apps installed on your device. If you spot anything you haven’t installed, delete it. There are a number of legitimate applications that can be used as spy tools such as Phone Tracker. If you can’t find anything suspicious, the next strategy is to upgrade your operating system. Nevertheless, with the sophistication of modern spyware, such as mSpy which operates in stealth mode on a device—under radar with a hidden icon — you might need a more complex detection strategy. Certo iPhone, a security app, available on the App Store, might be the answer. The app detects if the phone has been jail broken, & discovers tracking software if any has been installed on your device.
Newer, more powerful spyware like Highster Mobile does not require any access to your device. All that is required are your Apple ID & password, then the app tracks all data, messaging, social media networking, WhatsApp, emails, etc, & uploads it to the spy’s account on the Cloud. The best strategy is to change your Apple password regularly & make sure you keep it to yourself.
Android
The 1st step is to discover if your phone has been rooted. Rooting allows root access to the phone’s operating system, it is similar to jail breaking. It allows software other than that approved by the manufacturer to be installed. Download a root checking app from the Google Play Store to find out if this has occurred. Next, check your phone for any apps you haven’t installed, delete them. Install an app such as Incognito from the Google Play Store, it’ll give you a run down on any malicious software installed on your device. To discover hidden apps on your phone follow the four steps below :
- Go to settings.
- Click Apps.
- Click the three dots, top right.
- Select ‘Show system apps’, view all applications.
These are just a few strategies aimed at keeping your phone data private & keeping it away from prying eyes.
