Is Someone Spying On Your Device? How to Tell?

May 12, 2025 By Johan Curtis No Comments 6 minutes

We live in a time when the awareness of digital privacy and device surveillance is higher than ever. Most of us will, sooner or later, find ourselves in a situation where we have to wonder if our phones and tablets are compromised somehow. It might be the battery draining too fast, a sudden appearance of strange ads, or several other symptoms. Here we will go over those, as well as the risks involved, and the ways through which you can prevent catching spyware on your digital devices.

NOTE: Spyware or malware only enters your devices because of your own laziness. Securing your online presence is the first major step you should take for yourself. By downloading the FastestVPN application on all your devices, you ensure you never have to click on unsolicited, malware-containing ads. With its built-in ad blocker and military-grade security protocols, you are always protected online!

How Spyware Happens

There are many ways through which a device can suffer a spyware infection. However, more often than not, the blame can be placed upon our inattention and security gaffes that could be avoided. 

Most frequently, it’s the spyware and stalkerware apps that are to blame for the leak of personal info on the web. Sometimes they can be hard to recognize, which is why it’s of utmost importance to use only the verified developers and store apps to install any new programs to phones and tablets. Sometimes they can find the way into the system intentionally, through other people using your device or auto-installers. 

Insecure and public WiFi connections are one of the most common methods through which devices open a door for spyware. Imagine a scenario where you are at an airport, waiting for your flight, and using the downtime to enjoy a bit of iGaming. 

Unfortunately, the public WiFi networks are a cesspool of spyware infections, and can lead to your personal and payment info leaking in no time. That’s why masking your IP and playing at the best VPN friendly casinos can save you a lot of trouble. Investing in a decent premium VPN if you travel a lot is a definite must. 

Other ways in are usually through phishing attacks and malicious links. These can be even harder to recognise, so we must underline the importance of learning how to spot and avoid such methods. They will usually be combined with other social engineering approaches to make the links seem more inviting and secure. 

Unknown browser extensions are also sometimes nothing more than spyware in disguise, waiting for you to permit them to share your data with malicious hackers.

The Usual Symptoms

Certain signs can, to a fair extent, show that your devices are infected with spyware. One such is noticing that your device has suddenly started overheating. What this points to is an overuse of resources, even if few to no demanding apps are currently running. 

The hidden spyware processes can overload the hardware, which can significantly raise the internal temperature. Going hand in hand with this symptom is the unusual battery drain. If, all of a sudden, you see your phone or another device losing power quickly, without the increased use, there’s grounds to be suspicious. 

While there are other problems like OS draining batteries, it’s still a good idea to check for spyware.

Of course, sending your data to third parties demands internet bandwidth. In this light, you can check for data usage (both WiFi and mobile) and see if there are any unusual spikes. If you see them, it’s time to do some disinfecting or take the device to an expert, doubly so if you notice your phone slowing down or even crashing. 

Some other signs that can point to a spyware infection are, of course, unknown apps you haven’t installed, but also unexpected pop-ups appearing out of nowhere. These annoying windows are an almost certain sign that there is something fishy going on. 

Additionally, if you see your microphone or camera activating randomly, there’s reason to worry and get your device cleaned as soon as possible. 

What to Do if Your Device is Compromised

So, you have a valid suspicion that your device is infected with malware. In that case, there are certain steps you need to go through. To make certain that there is a malicious app burrowing in your hardware, you should first:

• Check all of your installed apps and their permissions to find anything suspicious
• Run anti-malware scans with reputable software
• Review downloads and browser history for anything suspicious
• Utilize built-in privacy and security settings to cut off any connections

Once you go through these checks, you will be almost completely certain if there are reasons to escalate. If any red flags get raised through the checks, you need to start working towards a solution quickly. The most important steps to take immediately are:

• Remove any unknown apps and software
• Change all your login credentials immediately 
• Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible
• Update your apps and OS

If none of these actions helped, it might be the right time to go to a professional. Seeing persistent signs of spyware even after the cleanup can be a valid reason to pull a last resort move and do a factory reset of the device. 

However, if you still want to keep your data, you might rather go to a professional service and try to have them clean the phone with advanced tools. 

In cases where there are legal concerns, like blackmail and harassment, you should have the law enforcement or corporate security (in case of work devices) notified immediately. They will have proper guidelines and procedures that will protect you and your private data.

Final Thoughts

Whatever happens, it’s important that even having your phone infected with spyware is not the end of the world. As malicious developers work on their methods of information theft, the countermeasures follow at the same level and speed. Your prime course of action should be to avoid succumbing to panic and start working proactively towards a solution to the crisis. 

The best way to keep your devices free of this kind of mess is to develop a routine that will include regular check-ups and digital hygiene. As with physical health, prevention is what works best in most cases. Keep yourself informed and your devices pristine, and you’ll keep your mind free of worry as well. 

Another thing that you could do to ensure no malware ever enters your device through third-party websites and apps by clicking on random ads and pop-ups is by installing an industry-leading premium VPN like FastestVPN on all your devices to ensure your digital footprint is secure 24/7!

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