{"id":11138,"date":"2020-05-19T12:19:25","date_gmt":"2020-05-19T12:19:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/?p=11138"},"modified":"2025-05-21T11:51:53","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T11:51:53","slug":"what-to-do-if-your-phone-is-hacked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/what-to-do-if-your-phone-is-hacked\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Know if Your Phone Is Hacked","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

Unlike in the past, there\u2019s now a heightened risk of cyber attacks. With tech advancements to the black hats\u2019 aid, how to know if your phone is hacked? Fret not! This article covers a brief guide about signs your phone is hacked and ways to block hackers from hacking your phone.<\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

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Can Someone Hack Your Phone and Control Your Phone?<\/h2>\n

Yes, a hacker can always hack your phone if exposed to vulnerabilities. And, with the Internet being our numero uno for every help, we\u2019re always closer to a potential cyber attack than we know. According to Exploding Topics<\/a>, Generation Z spends an average of approximately 9 hours per day in front of screens.<\/p>\n

Mobile phones are our confidante, so they are a primary target for black hats. Usually, it’s the trojans and malware that hack a device. Following this, the black hats always monitor your device activity.<\/p>\n

While this may sound scary, there are 5 signs to always look out for to ensure that your device is safe from hackers. The following sections consist of how to tell if your phone has been hacked.<\/p>\n

How to Know if Your Phone Is Hacked<\/h2>\n

According to Statista<\/a>, in December 2022, there were roughly 2.2 million mobile cyber attacks worldwide. And the stats have only been dropping over time, thanks to most users now being more aware of the signs present.<\/p>\n

That said, here\u2019s how to know if your phone is hacked:<\/p>\n

1. Battery Drain<\/h3>\n

Here\u2019s the first step to \u201chow to know if your phone is hacked.\u201d Generally, a full smartphone battery should last you a day, but a hacked phone will barely last enough. And you\u2019ll notice a significant battery drain. While this might be the first indication, looking for other signs your phone is hacked is important.<\/p>\n

2. Persistent Pop-Ups<\/h3>\n

Here\u2019s a clear red flag: the pop-ups! This is also how to know if your phone is hacked. It\u2019s uncommon for pop-ups to appear on your smartphone, especially if you haven\u2019t subscribed to any of the channels.<\/p>\n

3. Lagging Phone<\/h3>\n

Apart from the regular device performance, you\u2019ll notice your phone is lagging. And, despite restarting the phone, you\u2019ll notice a similar device performance.<\/p>\n

4. Significant Data Usage<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re dependent on the phone\u2019s data, you\u2019ll notice significant data spikes despite regular usage, and this is one of the primary ways how to tell if your phone has been hacked. Usually, the malware in the background consumes the data to carry out the functions.<\/p>\n

5. Suspicious App Downloads<\/h3>\n

This might clearly indicate how to know if your phone is hacked. Check if any different apps installed on your phone can look suspicious. Along with the apps, there might be suspicious purchases or calls.<\/p>\n

6 Ways Your Phone Can Be Hacked<\/h2>\n

The portion mentioned above helps with the question of \u201cHow can I tell if my phone has been hacked?\u201d but how does the phone get hacked? Here\u2019s a brief description of 6 different ways a phone can be hacked:<\/p>\n

1. Public WiFi and Phone Charging Stations<\/h3>\n

Public WiFi might seem bliss, but here\u2019s what\u2019s at stake: your personal information. The best way to mitigate the risk of your device being hacked is to connect to FastestVPN. Doing so will enable you to leverage the WiFi access without compromising your digital security.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, despite the convenience public phone charging spots offer, they\u2019re equally dangerous, and it\u2019s best to avoid them. Plugging the same USB cable stations into the device can infect it with malware.<\/p>\n

2. Social Engineering Attack<\/h3>\n

This attack usually happens with more than one step involved. An attacker initially researches the targeted victim to collect essential background details, including potential entry points and weak security measures required to carry out the attack.<\/p>\n

Next, the attacker works to gain the victim’s trust and prompts actions that compromise security protocols, such as disclosing sensitive information or allowing access to important resources.<\/p>\n

3. Phishing Attack<\/h3>\n

Phishing messages and texts is one of the most common ways to hack a device. For example, you might get a text with a link encouraging you to click the link by creating a sense of urgency. This can either be related to securing a bank account or a too-good-to-be-true deal. Once clicked, your device will be infected with malware.<\/p>\n

4. Bluetooth Connection<\/h3>\n

Bluetooth connections are one of the most common and oldest ways of hacking phones. After connecting a Bluetooth device, those devices are usually on your phone despite being disconnected, i.e., the device can still connect to yours. The hacker reconnects to install malware on your device.<\/p>\n

5. Malware or Spyware Installation<\/h3>\n

You might see malicious spyware installed on your device through an unintentional download. For example, you might click on an ad or pop-up when using free streaming sites online. This will lead to spyware installation on your device. The only way to stay protected from this is by using FastestVPN when navigating your way in the grey area.<\/p>\n

What to Do if Your Phone Is Hacked: The Top 5 Ways<\/h2>\n

While the percentage of phones getting hacked has dipped slightly, being a victim is still a cause for concern. Don’t panic and search for “how to know if your phone is hacked” just yet. Here are the 5 steps you should take if your phone has been hacked:<\/p>\n

1. Reset the Device<\/h3>\n

Reset your device before proceeding with other methods to protect your phone from hackers. Here’s how you can do so:<\/p>\n