In today’s digital age, our phones have become an indispensable part of our lives. Personal chats, banking apps, crucial documents, and even biometric details are stored within our devices. But imagine someone secretly infiltrating your phone and spying on all your private information. Several spyware programs can enter your phone without your knowledge and steal your data. Fortunately, you can check your phone and protect yourself from this threat.
**How to Tell if You’re Being Spied On**
Spyware operates so cleverly that you might not realize something is wrong with your phone. However, there are a few subtle signs that can alert you.
1. **Phone Suddenly Slow, Battery Draining Fast?**
If your phone slows down without running any heavy apps or updates, it could be a warning sign. Especially if the battery is draining much faster than usual, a spyware program could be secretly running in the background. These spyware programs consume your phone’s processing power and battery.
2. **Unfamiliar Apps or Camera/Mic Activating Automatically**
Sometimes spyware hides its icon in the phone, but you might find an unfamiliar app if you check the installed apps list in Settings. Be alert if you see an app you didn’t install. Also, a major danger sign is if your camera or microphone turns on without your permission. This spyware can record your photos, videos, or conversations.
3. **Data Consumption High, Without Phone Usage?**
If you’re not using your phone much, but your data is still being consumed rapidly, it could indicate spyware sending your files, location, or audio elsewhere. Increased data usage, especially at night or when the phone is locked, is a major red flag. Check the data usage section in Settings and see which apps are consuming the most data.
4. **Strange SMS, OTPs, or Links?**
Sometimes spyware acts as part of a phishing attack and sends strange messages to your phone. For example, OTP requests from unknown numbers, login alerts, or suspicious links. Never click on those links if you receive such messages. This could be an attempt to further activate the spyware or steal your data.
**Tips to Find Spyware**
Now, the question is, how to detect spyware if it’s on your phone? The good news is that there are some easy tools and methods to scan your phone and find traces of spyware.
1. **CERT-In Tool by the Indian Government**
The Indian government’s cyber security wing CERT-In recently launched special bot removal tools. These tools can scan your mobile and laptop to find traces of spyware or malware. They are available for both iOS and Android. You can download them from the CERT-In website and back up your device.
2. **Malwarebytes and Avast Mobile Security**
Apps like Malwarebytes and Avast Mobile Security are very effective for Android users. These apps scan your phone in real-time and catch any suspicious activity. Their free versions also work quite well, but you get more advanced protection if you take the premium.
3. **Keep Google Play Protect On**
If you use an Android phone, always keep Google Play Protect on. It scans every app installed on your phone, and if any app looks suspicious, it alerts you. Also, avoid downloading any APK files from outside the Google Play Store, as most spyware enters phones through such files.
**Precautions to Avoid Spyware**
The best way to avoid spyware is to exercise caution. You can keep your phone safe by following some easy but effective tips:
1. **Don’t Click on Unknown Links**
Avoid clicking on any unknown links, whether they’re SMS, WhatsApp messages, or emails. Many times, spyware enters your phone through these links. Delete the message immediately if it seems suspicious.
2. **Don’t Give Apps Excessive Permissions**
Carefully check the permission list when installing each app. If a photo editing app asks for your camera, microphone, or location permissions, be alert. Only grant as much permission as is necessary for that app.
3. **Use VPN When Using Public Wi-Fi**
Public Wi-Fi networks are easy targets for hackers. Always use a VPN if you are connecting to Wi-Fi from a mall, cafe, or airport. This encrypts your data and reduces the possibility of spying.
4. **Keep Phone and Apps Updated**
Always keep the phone’s operating system and apps updated to the latest version. Most updates include security patches that help protect against spyware and malware.
**What to Do if Spyware is Found on Your Phone?**
If you suspect that spyware is on your phone, take immediate action. First, factory reset your phone, but back up your essential data beforehand. After that, change all your passwords, especially for banking and email accounts. If you feel the matter is serious, contact a cyber security expert.
