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How to Tell if Your Phone Has Been Hacked

by on February 15, 2023
in Privacy, Phones and Mobile, Mobile Apps, Tips & How-Tos :: 729 comments

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Updated by Suzanne Kantra on 2/15/2023 with new research and interviews with Keatron Evans, Principal Security Advisor at Infosec Institute, Sachin Puri, Vice President of Marketing at McAfee, and Jakub Vavra, Threat Analyst at Avast.

From email to banking, our smartphones are the main hub of our online lives. No wonder smartphones rival computers as common targets for online hackers. And despite the efforts of Google and Apple, mobile malware continues to land in official app stores – and these malicious apps are getting sneakier.

There are three main types of threats faced by mobile users: malware apps, adware, and spyware. According to the McAfee 2022 Mobile Threat Report, mobile malware apps are mainly masquerading as gaming hacks, cryptomining, and messaging apps to gather account logins, charge fees for bogus services, and sign users up for premium text services. In its 2022 State of Malware Report, MalwareBytes reported a rise in aggressive adware – ads that appear in notifications, the lock screen, and in popups – and highlights the fact that preinstalled malware on inexpensive Android devices continues to be a serious problem. Spyware is software that monitors a device’s content, programs that harness a device’s internet bandwidth for use in a botnet to send spam, or phishing screens that steal a user’s logins when entered into a compromised, legitimate app. It is often unintentionally downloaded from non-official sources that people visit in phishing links sent via email or text messages, as well as malicious websites.

Then there are the commercial spy apps that require physical access to download to a phone. These apps are often installed by those well-known to the victim, such as a partner or parent, and can monitor everything that occurs on the device.

There are technological means and motives for hackers, governments, and even the people we know, such as a spouse or employer, to hack into our phones and invade our privacy. However, unless you’re a high-profile target – journalist, politician, political dissident, business executive, criminal – that warrants special interest, it’s far more likely to be someone close to you than a government entity doing the spying.

Not sure if you may have been hacked? We spoke to Keatron Evans, principal security advisor for Infosec Institute, Sachin Puri, Vice President of Marketing at McAfee, and Jakub Vavra, Threat Analyst at Avast, about how to tell if a smartphone might have been compromised. And, we explore the nine ways your phone can be hacked and the steps you can take to protect yourself.

What are the signs your phone may have been hacked

1. Noticeable decrease in battery life

While a phone’s battery life inevitably decreases over time, a smartphone that has been compromised by malware may start to display significantly decreased battery life. This is because the malware – or spy app – may be using your phone's resources to scan the device and transmit the information back to the hacker's server.

(That said, simple everyday use over time can also shorten your phone's battery life. Check if that’s the case by running through these steps for improving your Android or iPhone battery life.)

2. Sluggish performance

Do you find your phone frequently freezing or specific applications crashing? This could be a sign that malware is overloading your phone’s resources or interfering with other applications. You may also experience continued running of applications despite efforts to close them, or even have your phone crash and/or restart repeatedly.

(As with reduced battery life, many factors could contribute to a slower phone. One main contributor can be running out of storage space, so try freeing up space on your Android or iPhone.)

3. Phone feels hot when not using or charging it

Malware or apps, like bitcoin miners, running in the background can cause your phone to run hot or even overheat, according to Vavra. If your phone feels hot to the touch and it's not in use or on your charger, it could be a sign that malware is present. Try turning your phone off and on to see if the problem goes away. If not, there may be cause for concern.

4. High data usage

Another sign of a compromised phone is an unusually high data bill or running out of data before the end of the month. Extra data use can come from malware or spy apps running in the background and sending information back to their server.

For iPhones, go to Settings > Cellular and scroll down to see the list of apps using cellular data. You can check the current and last billing periods.

For plain Android phones (Google Pixels phones), go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > App data usage. For Samsung phones, go to Settings > Connections > Data usage > Mobile data usage. Or, search for "data usage" in the search bar of the Settings app.

5. Outgoing calls or texts you didn’t send

If you see lists of calls or texts to numbers you don’t know, be wary. These could be premium-rate numbers that malware is forcing your phone to contact, the proceeds of which land in the cyber-criminal’s wallet. In this case, check your phone bill for any costs you don’t recognize.

6. Mystery pop-ups and apps

While not all pop-ups mean your phone has been hacked, constant pop-up alerts could indicate that your phone has been infected with adware, a form of malware that forces devices to view certain pages that drive revenue through clicks. Even if a pop-up isn’t the result of a compromised phone, pop-ups coming from external sources can include phishing links that attempt to get you to type in sensitive info or download malware.

You may also find apps on your phone that you didn't download and could be signs malware has been installed on your device. If you don't recall downloading the app, you can press and hold on the app icon (Android) and click on the option for App info. Scroll down and the App details section will tell you were the app was installed from (should be Google Play Store). Click on App details to go to the Google Play Store, where you can check the app is a legitimate app from a trustworthy developer. For Apple owners, go to the App Store and tap on your profile icon, select Purchased > My Purchases, and search for the app name.

7. Unusual activity on any accounts linked to the device

If a hacker has access to your phone, they also have access to your accounts – from social media to email to various lifestyle or productivity apps. This could reveal itself in activity on your accounts, such as resetting a password, sending emails, signing up for new accounts whose verification emails land in your inbox, or moving emails to trash that you don’t remember seeing (especially those verification emails).

In this case, you could be at risk for identity fraud, where criminals open new accounts or lines of credit in your name, using information taken from your breached accounts. It’s a good idea to change your passwords – without updating them on your phone – before running a security sweep on your phone itself.

How your phone can be hacked and what you can do to prevent it

From targeted breaches and vendetta-fueled snooping to harvesting data from the unsuspecting, here are nine ways someone could be spying on your cell phone – and what you can do about it.

1. Spy apps

There is a glut of phone monitoring apps designed to covertly track someone’s location and snoop on their communications. Many are advertised to suspicious partners or distrustful employers, others are marketed as legitimate tools for safety-concerned parents to keep tabs on their kids. Such apps can be used to remotely view text messages, emails, internet history, and photos; log phone calls and GPS locations; some may even hijack the phone’s mic to record conversations made in person. Basically, almost anything a hacker could possibly want to do with your phone, these apps would allow.

Techlicious has studied consumer cell phone spying apps and found they could do everything they promised. Worse, they were easy for anyone to install, and the person who was being spied on would be none the wiser that their every move was being tracked. Commercial spyware programs, like Pegasus, sold to law enforcement and government agencies (including in countries with poor human rights histories), don't even require direct access to the device.

“The purpose of spyware is to be undetectable. Generally, if it's sophisticated, it may be very difficult to detect,” says Vavra.

Likelihood

Spyware apps are not available on Google Play or Apple's App Store. So someone would have to jailbreak your iPhone or enable unauthorized apps on your Android phone and download the spyware from a non-official store. Parental monitoring apps, which are available in Google Play and the App Store, have similar features for tracking and monitoring, but they aren't designed to be hidden from view.

How to protect yourself

  • Since installing spy apps requires physical access to your device, putting a passcode on your phone greatly reduces the chances of someone being able to access your phone in the first place. And since spy apps are often installed by someone close to you (think a spouse or significant other), pick a code that won’t be guessed by anyone else.
  • Go through your apps list for ones you don’t recognize.
  • Don’t jailbreak your iPhone. If a device isn’t jailbroken, all apps show up in the App Library. If it is jailbroken, spy apps are able to hide deep in the device, and whether security software can find it depends on the sophistication of the spy app. For iPhones, ensuring your phone isn’t jailbroken also prevents anyone from downloading a spy app to your phone, since such software – which tampers with system-level functions - doesn’t make it into the App Store. The easiest way to tell if your iPhone has been jailbroken is the existence of an alternate app store, like Cydia or Sileo. They may be hidden, so search for them. If you find one, you'll need to restore your phone to factory settings. Back up your phone and then go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
  • If you have an Android phone, go to Settings and search for "install unknown apps" and make sure all sources are set to off.
  • Download a mobile security app that will scan for rogue apps. We recommend Avast, Bitdefender, or McAfee.

2. Phishing messages

Whether it’s a text claiming to help you recover a package or a friend exhorting you to "check out this photo of you last night", text messages containing deceptive links that aim to collect sensitive information (otherwise known as phishing or “smishing”) continue to make the rounds. And with people often checking their email apps throughout the day, phishing emails are just as lucrative for attackers.

Periods such as tax season tend to attract a spike in phishing messages, preying on people’s concerns over their tax returns. You'll also see a rise after natural disasters, asking people to donate.

Android phones may also fall prey to texts with links to download malicious apps. Android won't allow you to install apps from sources outside the Play Store unless you change your install permissions in Settings to allow unknown app, so it's safest to always keep these set to "Not allowed". The same scam isn’t workable for iPhones, which are commonly non-jailbroken and, therefore, can’t download apps from anywhere except the App Store.

Likelihood

Quite likely. While people have learned to be skeptical of emails asking them to click links, people tend to be less wary when using their phones.

How to protect yourself

  • Keep in mind how you usually verify your identity with various accounts – for example, your bank will never ask you to provide your password or PIN via text message or email.
  • Check the IRS’s phishing section to familiarize yourself with how the tax agency communicates with people, and verify any communications you receive.
  • Avoid clicking links in texts from numbers you don’t know or in unusual messages from friends.

3. Unauthorized access to iCloud or Google account

Hacked iCloud and Google accounts offer access to an astounding amount of information backed up from your smartphone – photos, contacts, location, messages, call logs, and saved passwords. This information can be used for phishing or blackmail.

Additionally, access to your Google account means access to your Gmail, the primary email for many users. The ability to use your email for verification codes to your accounts can lead to a domino effect of hacking all the accounts your email is linked to – from your Facebook account to your mobile carrier account, paving the way for identity theft.

Likelihood

If you use a weak password, it won’t be difficult for a hacker to gain access to your account.

How to protect yourself

  • Create a strong password for all your accounts (and, as always, your email). We recommend using a password manager so you can use strong passwords without needing to memorize them. Password managers can also generate strong passwords, making the process even easier.
  • Enable login notifications, so you are aware of sign-ins from new computers or locations.
  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) so that even if someone discovers your password, they can’t access your account without access to your 2FA method.
  • To prevent someone from resetting your password, lie when setting up password security questions. You would be amazed by how many security questions rely on information that is easily available on the Internet or is widely known by family and friends.

4. SIM swapping

Last year, the FBI announced that it saw a significant rise in SIM swapping complaints. With SIM swapping, cybercriminals call up cellular carriers to pose as legitimate customers who have been locked out of their accounts. By providing stolen personal information, they’re able to get the phone number ported to their own device and use it to ultimately take over a person’s online accounts, including virtual currency accounts.

Likelihood

SIM swapping is not common, but it is on the rise.

How to protect yourself

  • Make sure you have your cellular account protected by an account passcode. Don’t use guessable numbers for your carrier PIN – like your birthday or family birthdays, all of which could be found on social media.
  • For AT&T, log into your AT&T account, select Account settings > Linked accounts > Manage extra security and make sure "Extra security" is checked in the Account Passcode tile.
  • For T-Mobile, log into your T-Mobile account with the T-Mobile app and select Account > Profile Settings > Privacy and notifications > SIM protection, and toggle on SIM protection for your accounts and select "Save Changes."
  • For Verizon, log into your Verizon account with the Verizon app. Select Account Settings > Number Lock and toggle on for all of your accounts and select "Save Changes."

5. Hacked phone camera

The prevalence of video calling has highlighted the importance of securing computer webcams from hackers – but that front-facing phone cam could also be at risk. To gain access to your phone's camera, hackers would need to have the ability to run software remotely in a remote code execution (RCE) attack. In 2021, a vulnerability found in Qualcomm and MediaTek chips used in two-thirds of all phones sold that year put people at risk of RCE attacks, including streaming video from the phone's camera. This vulnerability was quickly patched, but RCE vulnerabilities regularly crop up, including Apple's recent update to old iPad and iPhones.

Likelihood

While RCE vulnerabilities continue to be a problem, cameras are not usually the target. Hacking is unlikely unless someone has physical access to install an app on your phone.

How to protect yourself

Always download security updates for all apps and your device.

6. Apps that over-request permissions

While many apps over-request permissions for the purpose of data harvesting, some may be more malicious and request intrusive access to everything from your location data to your camera roll. Puri notes that "Cheating tools and hacking apps are popular ways to get extra capabilities in mobile games. Criminals are exploiting this by promoting game hacking apps that include malicious code on legitimate messaging channels." Other types of apps that have been known to deliver malware include camera filters, photo editors, and messaging apps. And last year, McAfee identified a group of "cleaner apps" that purportedly removed unneeded files or optimized battery life, but actually installed malware on millions of devices.

Likelihood

It's common to run into apps that over-request permissions.

How to protect yourself

  • Read app permissions and avoid downloading apps that request more access than they should need to operate.
  • For Android, download a mobile security app such as Avast, Bitdefender, or McAfee that will scan apps before downloading and flag suspicious activity on apps you do have.

7. Snooping via open WiFi networks

The next time you happen upon a password-free WiFi network in public, be careful. Nefarious public hotspots can redirect you to lookalike banking or email sites designed to capture your username and password. It's not necessarily a shifty manager of the establishment you’re frequenting who's behind the ruse. For example, someone physically across the road from a coffee shop could set up a login-free WiFi network named after the café in hopes of catching useful login details for sale or identity theft.

Likelihood

If you're using a legitimate public WiFi network, Vavra says that "there are now enough safeguards it [snooping] shouldn't be too much of an issue." Most websites use HTTPS to encrypt your data, making it worthless to snoopers.

How to protect yourself

  • Use the apps on your phone to access email, banking, etc., rather than your browser, and you will be protected against malicious redirects.
  • Vavra says that "VPN adds another layer of encryption and essentially creates a more secure tunnel between the user and the website. While HTTPS only covers the communication data, VPN encrypts all data sent and can be used to change user location as perceived by the website or service the user is communicating with. So even the ISP (Internet provider) doesn’t see what is sent." Paid versions of mobile security apps often include a VPN, and we like Nord VNP and, for a free option, Proton VPN.

8. SS7 global phone network vulnerability

A communication protocol for 2G and 3G mobile networks, Signaling System No 7 (SS7), has a vulnerability that lets hackers spy on text messages, phone calls, and locations. The security issues have been well-known for years, and hackers have exploited this hole to intercept two-factor authentication (2FA) codes sent via SMS from banks. According to Evans, his method could also be used to impersonate a user's identity by spoofing their MSISDN or IMSI number, intercept calls, locate the user, commit billing fraud, and launch a Denial of Service (DoS) attack, which could bring down the network.

Likelihood

Evens says that the likelihood is pretty low of experiencing this type of hack. The major U.S. carriers have shut down their 3G service, and Evans estimates that only about 17 percent of the world still uses 2G or 3G networks.

How to protect yourself

  • Choose email or (safer yet) an authenticator app as your 2FA method, instead of text message. We like Authy and Google Authenticator.
  • Use an end-to-end encrypted message service that works over the internet (thus bypassing the SS7 protocol). WhatsApp and Signal encrypt messages and calls, preventing anyone from intercepting or interfering with your communications.
  • Keep your device updated.
  • If you want to be extra careful, Evans suggests, "If you're traveling abroad, get a cheap phone that you can almost use as a disposable and get rid of it when you get back or getting ready to return."

9. Fake cellular towers, like the FBI’s Stingray

The FBI, IRS, ICE, DEA, U.S. National Guard, Army, and Navy are among the government bodies known to use cellular surveillance devices (the eponymous StingRays) that mimic bona fide network towers. StingRays, and similar ISMI pretender wireless carrier towers, force nearby cell phones to drop their existing carrier connection to connect to the StingRay instead, allowing the device’s operators to monitor calls and texts made by these phones, their movements, and the numbers of who they text and call. As StingRays have a radius of about half a mile, an attempt to monitor a suspect’s phone in a crowded city center could amount to tens of thousands of phones being tapped.

The American Civil Liberties Union has identified over 75 federal agencies in over 27 states that own StingRay-type devices but notes that this number is likely a drastic underestimate. In 2015, the Department of Justice started requiring its agencies to obtain warrants for using StingRay-type devices, but this guidance doesn't apply to local and state authorities. Several states have passed legislation requiring a warrant for use, including California, Washington, Virginia, New York, Utah, and Illinois.

Likelihood

While the average citizen isn’t the target of a StingRay-type operation, it’s impossible to know what is done with extraneous data captured from non-targets.

How to protect yourself

Use encrypted messaging and voice call apps, particularly if you enter a situation that could be of government interest, such as a protest. WhatsApp and Signal encrypt messages and calls, preventing anyone from intercepting or interfering with your communications. Most encryption in use today isn’t breakable, and a single phone call would take 10-15 years to decrypt.

From security insiders to less tech-savvy folk, many are already moving away from traditional, unencrypted communications – and perhaps in several years, it will be unthinkable that we ever allowed our private conversations and information to fly through the ether unprotected.

[image credit: hacker smartphone concept via BigStockPhoto]

Natasha Stokes has been a technology writer for more than seven years covering consumer tech issues, digital privacy, and cybersecurity. As the features editor at TOP10VPN, she covered online censorship and surveillance that impact the lives of people around the world. Her work has also appeared on BBC Worldwide, CNN, Time, and Travel+Leisure.


Discussion loading

Hack

From Carmen on October 21, 2020 :: 10:28 am

Please help can u remove it please fix it ok please ok thank you can u do something about it ok now

Reply

Same here

From Laura on October 23, 2020 :: 11:47 am

Covert organized stalking and harassment. Female 50 yr old from Virginia. All electronic devices and cox wifi hacked, controlled remotely as well….

Reply

This is absolutely a real thing.

From M.J. on November 09, 2020 :: 2:37 am

This is a real thing that I have seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears. I’ve always been able to “feel” and “sense” when evil is present but this last year or so I actually physically saw it and heard it speak to me on 2 completely different occasions. You’re not crazy. Lol. Bcuz I surely know I’m not either.
I’m an empath. And there very much so is a battle happening in the world right now as we speak. But we are not fighting flesh and blood here ,,,,were fighting in the spiritual realm. Of good and evil. Light and dark. (Demons) and yes you’re right. When we participate in certain things that are not pure or mostly good in essence ,,, it opens up ways for them to worm into our minds.
As you had said. Be strong and know that God is all powerful and has your back. You just have to let him do so. “Come to me all who are weary”

Reply

Galaxcy tab Samsung

From Elizabeth Joubert on November 15, 2020 :: 5:34 pm

My number was used to phone someone..now I am accused of doing it.  Even the name of the caller is not my name but it is my number.  Please how can this happen..this is ruining my life

Reply

Spoofing numbers is very easy to do

From Josh Kirschner on November 16, 2020 :: 10:37 am

It’s very easy to spoof numbers and it’s standard practice for scammers to do that when making spam calls. My number has been spoofed, my wife’s number has been spoofed, anyone’s number can be spoofed. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to stop it. This is something that needs to be addressed by the phone carriers with the new STIR/SHAKEN framework.

Reply

My phone number was used

From Desperate Please ADVICE on November 16, 2020 :: 3:19 pm

My phone number was used in whatsup calls but the name is different.  Information used was private whatsup calls not shared but now made known to the person in discussions….please how did this happen because my name is dragged down…please help me

Reply

Please could you help me

From Desperate Please ADVICE on November 17, 2020 :: 12:15 pm

Please could you help me

Reply

Please just help me with

From Desperate Please ADVICEdes on November 17, 2020 :: 5:37 am

Please just help me with some kind of proof that I am not quilty

My phone number was used to phone someone and details was given to this person about conversations that was spoken on my phone.

The name showing in this call is not my name and PLEASE help me I am innocent and losing everything special to me

PLEASE HELP ME

Reply

call log hacked

From Steven Chiverton on November 17, 2020 :: 11:54 am

my mum put $50 on her phone today at the telstra shop in armadale perth w.a. since then she made only one call which she couldn’t get through to her friend in midland perth w.a. but got a message saying she has no credit all of a sudden, she went back to the telstra shop and arsked them they examined her call log which was built up from past calls and she dosent know how to clear the logs they saw calls made in the past to brother in new zealand   and local calls and claimed that she made alot of calls which she dident do on the day she topped her credit up by $50 i rang telstra and arsked and the told me the same thing i said were the calls made today i think they said yes so i reckon her call log dates from the past were hacked and moved up to the day she put $50 credit on her phone resulting in her credit instantly vanishing and telstra sees the dates as today which mum dosent make that ,many calls so i believe the system is hacked and dates altered and credit vainish i myself dident check all the dates never thought of it only a few logs said her mobile plan has failed i brought that up to telstra but with help at all

Reply

Gangstalked/hacked

From Cheryl G91 on November 22, 2020 :: 5:10 pm

I’m being gangstalked and hacked. Really need some help please.

Reply

Bullying by hackers

From Anonymous on November 23, 2020 :: 3:21 am

Hi please someone is harassing me daily due to seeing everything I do from activities like showering and anything in my phone be it text or call..be it my location..who I talk to..what I say..I have zero privacy. I don’t know if it’s the number they use to track or the phone coz I bought a new one hoping things would change but they don’t.Whatever is being used to be on my case 24/7 even as of now as I type this it is being seen.Kindly help

Reply

Phone hacked

From Dianne on November 30, 2020 :: 10:14 am

My cell phone has been hacked so many times I’ve lost track.  I’m very aware who started this , (an ex) actually it’s my ex’s girlfriend.  She’s contacted family, and friends of mine.  Now I have multiple people comprising my privacy on line.  What can I do?  This world is full of sick and demented people.  Who handles these attacks?  The police, FBI, or both.  Please advise.  Thank you

Reply

My haker

From Ruoesj on December 02, 2020 :: 9:46 am

Ok

Reply

Personal Prerogative

From Sean Fuller on December 09, 2020 :: 9:57 pm

Hope do I find out why my phones been hacked?

Reply

HELP ME PLEASE

From Emma on December 11, 2020 :: 12:16 am

I didn’t know about the text hacking and I went to a website that was weird so I got off it and the next time I went to do something on my phone it said that if I don’t download a specific app to put a security thing on my phone or else all my photos and contacts will be deleted. I don’t know if this is another trick or something but it’s scaring me. I don’t know what to do. Please help me!!

Reply

Sounds like scareware

From Josh Kirschner on December 16, 2020 :: 7:24 pm

Scareware has been around for a long time, trying to trick people into installing apps that either cost them money, serve up ads or create security risks of their own. This definitely sounds like scareware. It’s not clear on whether this is simply a popup you received will visiting a site or somehow you downloaded something that is serving up the message. The best thing to do is download an antimalware app - Lookout, Norton, Bitdefender, Kaspersky - and do a scan to make sure your phone is clean.

Reply

Im hacked in almost every way spoken about

From Tiffany on January 02, 2021 :: 7:23 pm

It started in sept. Shortly after i tried to break up with my boyfriend and told him i was in love with someone else. I ended up staying with him….since my phone has started dying quick, apps on my phone i didnt install, my passwords keep getting changed, bluetooth-nearby device scanning, call and text on other devices and a bunch of other crap turning on and off by itself. Now there is admins of every account and a super admin on my phone. This bs is unreal and he still denies it. The feeling of not having a lick of privacy or even be able.to speak to my family without him knowing every word. Its one of the worse feelings ive ever had. Ive cried day in and day out cuz of this. Why would someone who claims to love u so much and cant live without u hurt u so bad? Smh

Reply

My

From Rose on January 05, 2021 :: 6:00 am

I think my brother phone is hacked

Reply

Sick of being hacked

From Tyree Mondaine on January 06, 2021 :: 8:00 pm

My cellphone email every thing is being monitored as well as location hacked what can I do not to have a phone at all

Reply

I know my phone is

From Brenda Jerger-Farber on January 07, 2021 :: 7:32 am

I know my phone is hacked I live in Evansville Indiana so I can prove to my family .is there a security surveillance company named LS there are two panel trucks. And one van parked around the corner of my has.

Reply

How can I figure out whether my phone is hacked or not?

From Prawina on January 08, 2021 :: 9:30 am

I have got a message that someone is trying to hack my phone but I didn’t see any of the above symptoms in my phone.I am confused whether it is hacked or not.What can I do now?

Reply

My mobile is hacked.. Anyone recover mine please

From Sake Nikhil on January 12, 2021 :: 7:50 pm

Sir I just understand that my mbl is hacked by

1.In my Instagram account I haven’t liked some msgs of my friend in my inbox but they are liked by my account.

2.I had put some apps in hidden. Now they are re arranged themselves. Don’t know how

Please help me to resolve this issue sir

Reply

Phone was hacked and lot of unnessary image and call

From Jayaratna muttettupita on January 18, 2021 :: 6:32 am

Please observe about the same have goodcollaboration with your service

Reply

phone cloned and hascked on multiple occasions

From Patrick on January 23, 2021 :: 12:36 am

ive noticed alot of wierd stuff going on,including a text saying"thanks for the URL” AT TIMES I CANT GET CALLS OR REXTS,multiple emails saying things have been changed or updated,its even gotten into my ps4,ps3,smart t,v,and my daughters tablet.and says my phone is in a totally different city’asks for 2 factor authentication to snap chat or waplog,when i dont have accounts in either…how do i stop this bcuz i found multiple other devices attached to my tv,phome,ga!e systems???

Reply

From Samuel hill on January 23, 2021 :: 2:50 pm

very good news and helpful

Reply

Photos Contacts Messages all gone! Help!

From john on January 23, 2021 :: 2:50 pm

Hi; I have an Samsung A10e. A friend(?) stopped by last night and when he left I went to use my phone and my contacts were gone! And…all my photos and messages too! Gone! In fact, the phone was wiped clean of everything and I had to do everything over as if I just got the phone! Can someone tell me what happened? Thanks

Reply

Photos Contacts Messages all gone! Help!

From John Byrne on January 23, 2021 :: 3:54 pm

Hi; I have a Galaxy A10e. Yesterday it was working fine. Then a friend(?) stopped by and after he left I went to use my phone and everything was gone! My contacts, messages, and all my photos…gone. In fact, I had to redo the whole phone as if I had just got it. I turned it on and the screen message said “Let’s get started”. Somebody please tell me what happened! Thank you!

Reply

Cops and Real Estate Robbers

From Walle, A. on January 26, 2021 :: 2:17 pm

[REMOVED] hacked my e-mail; developers, lawyers and police go on campaigns against tenants in that city so probably do in yours, too.  I got a message from [REMOVED] ARG that I ‘needed to open’ by the 21st of November 2018: A public system told me to never open it, that it had problems but the original disappeared and anyone can hack into a cheap e-mail account.  The ones with more security probably not so much; I’ve been harassed by Greensboro police for years, they’ve even been to Catawba County several times and is why I no longer go to Valley Hills Mall: They’ve been there

Reply

I don't need to hack me

From Nagesh Kasar on February 05, 2021 :: 8:46 am

Hey,
  Please Don’t hack me!!

Reply

Help

From Sam on February 07, 2021 :: 4:17 am

Please i received a mail that my phone has been hacked and they’re asking for a ransom or they will post my photos and videos on social media. Please i need help

Reply

Hacked phone

From Sam on February 07, 2021 :: 4:21 am

Please my phone has been hacked and they’re asking for a ransom. A message was sent to my mail and that if i dont comply they’ll post my photos and videos

Reply

Almost certainly a scam

From Josh Kirschner on February 08, 2021 :: 1:33 am

That sounds very similar to the porn email blackmail scam we covered a while back. It’s a scam, they don’t have access to your photos, don’t pay them.

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Power of my phone now

From Md. Rakhiul Islam on February 23, 2021 :: 2:11 am

Power of my phone now

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spying or watch

From Chandline Jean Pierre on February 25, 2021 :: 9:36 am

I do not know if I’m being spying or not I need a sheriff officer to search my cell phone if I’m being tracked watch or not please ....
I’m getting putting down from city to city I’m being everywhere employee store anywhere they doing that

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Inside Job!!!

From Zach Jones on March 02, 2021 :: 7:10 am

Just the fact that you can scrub everything, by abandoning all your old accounts and getting rid of “infected” hardware and you still get hacked immediately, means there are people on the inside with high level access involved. In my mind, no question about it. If there was no hacking why would we buy all these security measures from them?
You still not convinced, ask yourself why we NEVER hear about a billionaire, and there are many of them, whom for a hacker would be the ultimate target. Why have we NEVER heard that Warren Buffet, the Koch Brothers, Marc Cuban, on and on and on. How come their accounts have never ever been the target of the abuse people are sharing here???? Ordinary hard working people….we ARE the Product

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That is not accurate

From Josh Kirschner on March 02, 2021 :: 1:01 pm

Many of the suspected technical hacks described here simple aren’t possible. However, it doesn’t take much searching to see that anyone can be the victim of real hacking scenarios, including the wealthy, celebs and politicians: https://www.wired.com/story/bezos-phone-hack-mbs-saudi-arabia/

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your the only one talking about meth

From Jordan Sanman on March 02, 2021 :: 8:45 am

suspicious.

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Phone not charging

From Henry on March 07, 2021 :: 9:32 am

It started today,when I unplugged my phone from the wall socket,this notification keeps popping up on my screen charging connected device via USB
Enable OTG

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i paid servises

From Fiona Manonn on March 11, 2021 :: 1:44 am

Hey, I was looking for useful information on iPads and just came across your blog and found it quite interesting, can’t wait to see your new post. You’ve been sharing really insightful posts and I’m an avid reader of your posts. Keep sharing the knowledge and adding value to our lives.

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Help

From Amber on March 12, 2021 :: 12:06 pm

Okay for the past couple weeks my phone has been flashing as if I had screenshot my phone. for a split second it would flash then a notification will pop up with a tilted bell with the words super camera and disappear. my battery drains faster then usual. I’ve never seen anything like it before I’m very confused I am not sure if someone’s hockey me or stalking me I don’t know how to get help I did contact forensic cope professionals they had informed me that is very suspicious and unusual but for their help to track whoever and to find out what they’re doing it would cost me $900 which I do not have I’ve also came across On my files it seemed like someone was trying to track my location I’m just not sure what to think need some advice does anyone know about this or has anyone else had this happened to them before?

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Sounds odd

From Josh Kirschner on March 12, 2021 :: 12:38 pm

It’s hard to say what is happening without more details and checking out the phone, but your best course of action is to download an antimalware program, like Lookout, and run a full scan. It should pick up anything that might be on there. If it doesn’t and you’re still concerned, back up your important photos/files and do a factory reset.

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Remote hacking of my old j7 auroa

From Tim on March 13, 2021 :: 3:02 am

Someonr took my phone is there q way i cam hack into and recover stuff if it wasn’t deleted?

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Unfortunately, not

From Josh Kirschner on March 17, 2021 :: 11:21 am

If you never backed up your photos to Google Photos or another service, there is no way to “hack” into your phone remotely to access the photos.

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Other implants not menationed and electric harssment!

From Diamnne on March 13, 2021 :: 11:42 pm

It was not mentioned about “electric harassment”( now turned into stalker, spies and body attacker!)  anyone could implant you with a… Cell phone implant in your tooth or inner ear to listen to you like the spy cats technology did during the older wars. They never said if all those implants were destroyed, but now they have implantable human phones in teeth, jaws and facial areas and arms and even in some jewelry! A man implanted real speakers under his ears so small the size of a pencil lead tip and invisible to anyone and subliminal also and they can us those in other people to spy on you,  listen 2 way with other people and transmit for copying on computer and they could track you anywhere! People now can do their own spy operation and even steal money accounts heard or anything else!!.. from you or anyone anywhere even miles away form you..and offend you with voice signal to voice and offend also in other ways too!
USA security is now almost not anymore! I hear it’s in Wisconsin now and was in Milwaukee… they have signs along the n big highway about electric harassment! Read about it in Want to know.com and the book The Invisible Crime in E bay and Amazon about Nano and Audio Transducers implantable and real and animals cat spy’s on the internet! Heck even a road neighbor could try to wreck anyone and it’s scary stuff!

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Yup

From Sue on May 05, 2021 :: 4:49 pm

Yup, this stuff seems to happen. Question is how to navigate through it. Must be some incentive for them.

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Hack by cops

From Adrianne on March 16, 2021 :: 10:22 pm

Hi! I know my devices are hacked by “investigators”. On Feb 14 2018 an Ontario Police Officer admitted that she and various members of her unit, with several “concerned members of the public” aka her confidential informants, admitted to hacking my phone and all online devices - iPads, comps, mobile phone etc
Since January the officer and her “friends” (Two of the women have bfs who have been convicted for making & distributing child porn in 2016) are back to stalking my family and sharing our personal confidences - regardless if I’m talking to my parents or whatever. As with another commenter, people I don’t even know make comments about how often my kids shower, what they eat for breakfast, what I did for the day, etc. it’s being done in an effort to intimidate and to “prove that this is what she is like”, referring to me.
Last month a woman was brazen enough to lure kids off the school property where my kids attend middle school and several unknown vehicles have been seen circling the school and taking pictures of the kids on the playground.
I’m worried not only for my kids but the other kids at the school. These people are sick in the head.
How do I stop the hacks? And what is a “hailstorm” and how can it be used to get info about us?
Thanks!

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Account details in a website changed

From Rani on March 19, 2021 :: 8:17 pm

I understood recently that somebody hacked into my phone. I gave my bank account details to a site. But when I logged to that site again I saw that details of another bank account is given. I have two bank accounts. What to do?

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HELP

From Izabele on March 23, 2021 :: 3:59 am

Idk what’s going on but from yesterday my apps keep closing, settings icon got deleted, i can’t turn on some apps, i can’t join zoom classes,and I bought this phone just last year. I Didin’t downloaded anything but what’s the reason what to do? Can someone help me please.

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Someone has their Wi-Fi Direct

From Carol Lottig on March 27, 2021 :: 12:12 pm

Someone has their Wi-Fi Direct connected to my phone and they’re also over my house need to disconnect them from their wifi-direct over my house and my phone need to know exactly how to do this and find out exactly who this person is which I believe I know who this person is I know her name it is Angela Kamfolt she has something that was put on my phone that connects my phone and she’s connected over my house with her wifi-direct need to know how to get her off thank you very much,Carol Lottig

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fantastic :)

From Toni Sardelic on April 07, 2021 :: 1:50 am

i love you all wink smile

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