Has someone secretly installed spyware onto your Android, iPhone, or Blackberry mobile device? Have you started to receive strange text messages and phone calls that worry you? Do you know how to figure out if your phone is infected with spyware and what steps to take if it is?
Spyware is a form of malicious software that can be installed on your phone remotely or in person. There are a lot of signs that may indicate your phone has spyware.
- Your phone is getting slower and slower.
- The battery drains faster than usual.
- Your phone has become unusually warm to the touch, even when it’s not charging.
- You see ads for specific products you’ve never searched for before.
- You notice random pop-ups that ask if you want to install an update, but no updates are available in your settings.
- You notice new apps being downloaded to your device that you did not previously download.
- Your phone has made calls or sent texts without your permission.
- You notice that apps will seem to randomly open on their own.
What to do if spyware is installed on your phone
If you find that your phone is infected with spyware, first don’t panic. Second, you’ll want to back up and factory reset your phone. The factory reset setting will restore your phone to its factory settings, removing all data from the device. This should eliminate the connection to the device, however, it will not eliminate information obtained by the spyware and stored off of the device. Be sure to closely monitor your bank statement, credit card statement, and any other financial account connected to your phone to ensure no suspicious activity is taking place.
Spyware is sneaky and often is hidden in images, links, emails, and text messages. While there is no perfect way to prevent spyware from infecting a device, you can take steps to protect yourself by regularly updating your phone and monitoring your usage to ensure you’re the only person using the device.
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