Tech Made Simple

Hot Topics: How to Fix Bluetooth Pairing Problems | Complete Guide to Facebook Privacy | How to Block Spam Calls | Snapchat Symbol Meaning

author photo

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

Techlicious editors independently review products. To help support our mission, we may earn affiliate commissions from links contained on this page.

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

Don't believe

From Stucknmal on April 22, 2017 :: 6:36 pm

I have used every anti Mal were app there is and never done nothing for me it is my beliefs that at one time is how they were accessing my account I’ve tried everything I could come up with and followed all the flashing and shaking things on the screen to mostly be hacked deeper and I’m lost and don’t care any more and anytime I ever tried to track someone it has never worked out for me r my phone flips out r something but every thing says the same thing and nothing works for me but if anyone knows something I don’t please fill me in cause I’m stuck I gang??? Can’t remember but I’m stuck and every playing game and trying to ruin ur life well I’m not playing anymore just waiting for a slip then it will be my time to shine thanks and he fun til the slip

Reply

You poor thing, give up!

From Barry Goss on July 24, 2020 :: 6:54 am

My ex has had me under surveillance for years, even the crappy Nokia phones of old he could back.
I hope you get to my stage & simply give up, don’t care, I know he knows every word I say, everything I do & even my thoughts after finding my journal, I just accept it & say “What are you going to do with this information/knowledge etc” yes I do have a right to privacy, not according to his law which I have to follow, it’s not weak it’s about doing what you have to do to keep the peace, to keep my children, there is nothing more important.
Start writing him messages through channels he uses, like the address autofill forms he would use, I went to town & wrote fucken 20 years of grief down, he couldn’t tell me to shut the fuck up! Then a friend said to me “he will never set you free, you need to set yourself free”
Such wise words I have lived by & it’s helping me heal, I sent him one last message to say “You win, I can’t beat you, get justice, apologies, explanation none of that will happen, so I’m free, it’s a psychological state, fuck him, fuck dominating, controlling abusive weak fucks, enjoy yourself, do online dating & be a slut online, really piss him off! It can turn into fun for you.
Don’t let the GASLIGHTER win!

Reply

So many creepers

From Tamara M on August 07, 2021 :: 9:48 pm

I know exactly what you mean.  There is a big gang of arrogant assholes here in kc and these stupid f*ckers are even teaching their kids to grow up just like them.  Women have joined the mix too.  What a huge waste of their life.  The group is very, very big, and the majority of these pervertcreeps are in their 30s, stealing identities.  Mommy and Daddy taught them how to do it.

Reply

So many creepers

From Tmc on August 07, 2021 :: 10:01 pm

A big gang of businessmen started this crap in kc, and they are teaching their kids to be psycho creeps just like them.  Even women are getting in on this loser activity now.  A majority of these perverts are in their 30s, and they are teaching their loser friends and kids how to hack and steal identities, cars, hack video cameras, hack security systems,  become career criminals like they are.  Cops won’t do a thing to stop it.  Never investigate a thing.  Great big thug ring of these creeps in South Lees Summit Missouri and the gang keeps growing because law enforcement won’t do a thing to investigate.  These creeps are doing this sh*t right in respectable suburban neighborhoods.  Your creepy ex may be in a gang like this too.  Business buddies.

Reply

Dfhii

From So go on December 28, 2022 :: 11:34 am

………………….
Some periods for you.  Help yourself.

Reply

Google instant app

From pocha on May 29, 2017 :: 12:05 am

I do not want google instant app on my phone but someone keeps downloading it on here.I uninstall it but they put it right back on here. Who and why would they be doing this

Reply

iPhone 7 plus have been hacked

From Jemma on May 31, 2017 :: 3:58 pm

Both of my iPhone 7 plus have been “hacked” because the hackers manage to repeat all my activities via phone in-front of me. Example repeat the WhatsApp text message, whatsapp call conversation. We chat text message, and even to record the life conversation. The hackers donor have chances to touch my IPhone but they just know my Apple ID and contact number. However I have changed my Apple ID and contact number but they still manage to listen to my daily conversation with others. Please help….

Reply

How do they do it

From Melisa on June 11, 2017 :: 3:00 am

Me too, the hackers have never physically held my device yet they repeat my whatsapp conversations and know my phone conversations, and they know exactly where I am and sometimes they know what ive said at certain times perhaps from the tracking the microphone.  this is an iPhone 6s how do they do it

Reply

Is someone hacking into my phone

From Vicky on August 21, 2017 :: 7:26 pm

I have a iPhone 5s and recently I never pick up missed calls or messages an even voice messages I have never had a problem before as I have had a iPhone 4 before this is really frustrating as friends and family have told me they have tried to contact me please could you advise me

Reply

Doesn't sound like hacking

From Josh Kirschner on August 22, 2017 :: 12:35 pm

This sounds like some sort of technical issue outside of hacking. You can try resetting your iPhone to see if that fixes the issue or take it to a local Genius Bar to have them take a look.

Reply

Question: please help!

From Shauntay on June 03, 2018 :: 1:22 am

I think my iPhone is hacked. I have been in the middle of a conversation on my iMessage app, and I can visually see my phone typing on it’s own without me even touching any buttons and I have sat there on several occasions and witnessed the hacker able to pretend to be a sender that I know and then respond back literally from my phone while I’m in the middle of responding back to that person.  How many times do I have to factory reset my phone to get rid of this issue? I’m seriously thinking of changing everything including my email and phone number and iCloud account ID just to get rid of this problem. What do you think I need to do instead of going through something as extreme as this?

iPhone hack

From Emma on January 08, 2018 :: 12:45 pm

Hi Jemma

I have same issue all my devices are hacked and the hacker and some people follow everywhere I go.Have you got any help?They even on kids phones

Reply

Hacked and followed

From Debbie on March 29, 2018 :: 7:00 pm

It’s called gang stalking. Don’t know who does it but it’s a round the world thing that only happens to targeted individuals. you can make it difficult for them or almost impossible if you want to put in lots work and effort. Don’t think they are using the average apps but another device. Get another phone, do not call anyone you have previously, don’t give your number out to the public and if at home take the battery out if you can. They listen in your conservation’s and can track even with the phone off unless the battery is dead or not on. It does get worse..things unbelievable to general public as they use advance technology or doing stuff like replacing your dish washer with one that does not work and isn’t even the same model. Get bumper proof locks if you can.

Reply

It doesn't matter if u

From Tina on June 06, 2018 :: 5:25 pm

It doesn’t matter if u get a new phone number or phone .I am also a targeted individual. They get all ur new info through cell towers and Wi-Fi connections. And now they have these new towers that can hack ANYTHING they want through ur electronic devices.everything needs a connection

Me too makes 3 girl targets. The followers I’ve seen all men

From Sue on July 22, 2018 :: 8:09 am

Hacked & passwords changed so often I no longer have a functioning email account or any social media. Can’t share info, crowdfund or pay bills online…phone a joke, fwding to unknown number, screen froze when given to virus removal kiosk. Theyre able to get into houses, stolen usbs, portable hardIve ..  & weird things.. tea towels, sunblock… the ones following hide their faces . I saw one with a device that popped locks on neighbours gates

Not giving up

From Mr. Pissed off on May 06, 2019 :: 12:36 am

2010 Best buy told me that my laptop was hack and it happen 2006, it’s not my email it’s my name. I used T-Mobile. It been hell and got worst. I even went to Apple and the problem followed. There was weird shit got on with T-Mobile employees. And it feel as if it same at Apple.don’t give up. This thing is happening all over the world. I file police report, FBI reports. It BS. Man and man I’m still dealing with it.

Reply

We can help you

From Paul on June 09, 2019 :: 4:55 pm

We can. Help you

Reply

How?

From Tired of the BS on June 23, 2019 :: 2:20 pm

How can you help?

Really?

From Aleina on July 08, 2019 :: 10:25 pm

How can you help?

Really?

From Aleina on July 08, 2019 :: 10:28 pm

Who is “we” and how can you help?

Mitochondrial Eve

From Hotbarbie on July 22, 2019 :: 11:58 am

Are you able to help

Fake iPhone charger

From Steven C on September 02, 2021 :: 2:17 pm

Hello, someone slipped a fake iPhone charger into my house and I used it thinking it was my girlfriends. Please help

ID theft via phone

From Leo on June 07, 2017 :: 2:49 am

My I phone 6 was hacked five years ago for the past five years I have had to rebuild my identity. The worst part is that this has cost me to loose work and has hindered me finding work. As they stole my resume. Is there anything I can do to regain my life back?

Reply

Hacked phone??

From Amanda on June 15, 2017 :: 3:32 pm

I got some inappropriate texts from my father in law, sexual in nature.  When I showed my husband,  he denied sending them and claims his phone was hacked.  My question is, could a phone be hacked to send these messages?  Nobody else got ANY messages,  nothing else was disrupted either.  Could this even happen??

Thank you!!

Reply

Phone hacked

From Jamme on June 22, 2017 :: 2:11 pm

Amanda,
I am in a similar boat.  I noticed odd numbers on my phone bill connected to my husbands phone, when i google the numbers that text messages were exchanged with they are to escort services and things of the like.  He denies ever sending texts to these numbers and no one else I know of has EVER had this issue.  A similar thing happened 6 years ago and a year after that.  And when I go back in the phone records, I can see the last 5-6 months that this has happened.

Reply

Husband

From Xfactor on November 30, 2018 :: 4:33 am

Your husband has a secret life that he is not telling you about. He is being inauthentic / dishonest with you. You are not being hacked.

Reply

k

From Noneovyour Bizniz on June 14, 2020 :: 1:01 pm

Idiots like you who make assumptions like that end up destroying other people’s relationships. Dickhead.

Hacked Phone

From Javier Pagan on May 17, 2019 :: 10:51 am

Hello I’m in that type of situation right now a few persons that I know are acussing me that u been sending a lot of text message with information that i have on a diary on my phone.

Reply

Fuck u

From Stupidphucker. on December 14, 2022 :: 12:41 am

The malicious message sender turned from father in law to husband you worthless pos liar. Have a nice day.

Reply

Please tell me if m

From facebook120025445256953 on June 15, 2017 :: 6:46 pm

Please tell me if m my phone is hAcked

Reply

How do you know if my calls has been hacked

From Portia on June 19, 2017 :: 2:29 am

Hie I really need your help I thinks my boyfriend is hacking my call could you help me his phone number is 0766983409 and my number is 0725821450
Thanks

Reply

Hy could you please helps

From Portia on June 19, 2017 :: 2:31 am

Hy could you please helps I need to know who hacking my calls my no 0725821450

Reply

issues with a new galaxy7active started having issues withit day onewhen i received it in themail fr

From ginny meyer on July 05, 2017 :: 9:22 am

ON my galaxy7active I’ve crashed someone got into my AT&T email my walgreensaccount andmy medical chart my walgreens account I’ve been recorded my text has been read by someone I try to go for help with art google my sending fails IMY batteryis draining faster then my fastcharger! it us serious! I called AT&T I was supposed to get this phone brand new replacement of my lgv10 700.00 after 3 refurbished phones I wasoffered this active or edge the 3rd time I called AT&T warrenty they told me by my imei # its a referbished! told me to call assurance and all he talked about he had the same one didn’t do anything anyone going thru all this I don’t know what to do I thought over the phone with AT&T its always recorded for their safety ! who should I call i know the maker of my phone is offering help with a ticketnumber to call them i guess I will how can AT&T get away with that it’s a terrible thing calling it a mistake! I plan on later getting a new phone but not from them it’s been going on 4 months! I feel I was scammed by them! I need answers on help!

Reply

My cell phone hacked?

From Vero on June 20, 2017 :: 3:30 pm

I woke up yesterday only to fine someone I do know but not on my friends list of Face Book replying to a message I did not sent him… It was a photo of taken from my Instagram page which is private… I have no idea how this could happen?  Also a text message was sent to one of my contact on my phone that I never sent and some calls were made that I did not make…. I don’t know what to do or what to make of all this?  Any idea how someone could have done this. I had my phone in my possession the whole time and it’s pass code protected..

Reply

Stalking and Harrassment

From Marian Marcus on June 26, 2017 :: 7:16 pm

I have neighbors(husband and wife) that is stalking, threatening and harassing me in the building where I live. I feel that she has found a way to hack into my phone and track my comings and goings.

Reply

How to stop someone spying/using our phone using up address

From Priya Sharma on July 16, 2017 :: 11:56 am

Hello there, I have a strong feeling or one can say I am 99.9% sure that my phone is being hacked/ spied, either by using my IP address (what I feel so) or by other methods. Please tell me how to know about it & how to stop them.

Reply

When i can communicate wiyh havker wjo hacked my pjhones

From Hacker gang in Thailand on July 30, 2019 :: 1:20 am

Thrre ate some gang hacker located in Thailznd and hacking by fakd to be fomdone they can hack using ip address or number of phones ihuessanyway rspecially email being hacked once uou creat new hmail or add gmdol on the pjinein Thailand

Reply

Someone knows where I am and calls from that area

From Concernedbm on July 19, 2017 :: 11:28 pm

For about 1 year now, I receive calls from unknown numbers shortly after I leave an area. For instance, if I visit another city in my state, I begin receiving calls from that area. If I travel out of the state, I receive messages from that state from unknown numbers. Also, I’ve noticed that, I can discuss something over the phone or in person, and then notice ads specifically sellong what I was just discussing! What can I do to disable this? I have an iPhone 7.

Reply

Even though I was patronized B4. I'll Say it again. Gang Stalking

From Ryan on August 05, 2017 :: 12:08 pm

Many of these posts are looking more, and more like victims of “Gang Stalking.”

If you dont know what that it. Look into it.

Look at my other replies also.

Our tax dollars at work. The intelligence community, working hand in hand with the occult, street gangs, Outlaw Bikers, Satanists, etc. To drive the people they decide to target to suicide.
Look into it. It sux, and its real. Dont succumb to the BS

Reply

How to tell if your phones been hacked

From Jayne Turner on December 06, 2017 :: 9:49 am

I believe i am a TI.
I believe my phone is being redirected
I believe in what you are saying.

Reply

Hacked

From Georgette Romero on August 09, 2017 :: 4:03 pm

I need to know if my phone was hacked I went on musicallys and I can’t see any of my videos

Reply

My sumsung 4g phone has

From Kenny on August 17, 2017 :: 3:13 am

My sumsung 4g phone has been hacked someone can see my watsap convesations can tou please help me

Reply

May be an insecure password rather than hacking

From Josh Kirschner on August 22, 2017 :: 12:38 pm

Not clear how you know someone can see your conversations via your phone (versus reading the conversation on the other end), but it’s possible they may be able to access your account because they know or have guessed your WhatsApp password. Changing that to something more secure may resolve the issue. If you really think it’s hacking, we provide advice above on how to handle it.

Reply

Like a bomb went off

From Amy Short on November 07, 2018 :: 12:17 am

I’ve been recently hit after purchasing an electronic device on an auction site (ahem….not mentioning any names.) I sent it back & pissed the poor little cry-baby off.

This person has my phone now. From a remote location. And all my secure information. He has seized my email, my Apple ID & so much secure info I can’t fathom the repercussions.

I had to delete all the pics in iMessage to update iOS. 3X in day. The last time I noticed pics that weren’t mine. Then a long, long row of portraits (from my library.. I think..)  of me looking east, then west, then straight on, then west, then east…then a gif of a pink & white heart thumping loudly, then more pics of me…..my daughter…..my GRANDDAUGHTER. She is 3. Then a gif of Johnny Depp calling my name.

He sends emails. I do not open them. Now texts. I do not open them either, but it made no difference.

He sends texts from different area codes within my state probably creating numbers via google voice. He seized my Apple ID. I had to delete it but it was too late. So. What now? 

If he were courageous enough to step into my house I would have a chance to defend myself but this…ahem….thing….this hideous, insidious, nefarious…..thing, is so cowardly and criminal in nature he hides in the shadows like the ugly beast he is.

I intend to initiate whatever action I can, to heck w/ the fallout. He already has all my secure info. If he wants to play, game on. IDC.

Since he used the mail I will start with the Post Master and work through every agency I can. Tit for tat is what I say. He is a seller on that site. He mailed to me, I’ve mailed back. So I have a bit of an idea where he might be. Who he might be. How did he get my phone number? Does it really matter? I have no idea what to do. Advise?

What would you do? Really? My DAUGHTER? My GRANDDAUGHTER? GAME ON.

Someone has got to dig these As*****s out and string them up.

Reply

PS:

From Amy Short on November 07, 2018 :: 12:26 am

I bought from him to replace what I had. What he sent was too small, scratched, used, not new, so I sent it back. Then all this started. It’s only been a week. My current phone has never been in his hands. Ever. All this, done remotely. He lives 1/2 way across the country. I plugged the phone he sent in for a minute or two to verify it worked, took pics. Full of apps that are not default. Need damage control! And enforcement!

I feel you and am hacked too, but by my supervisor

From lori chinigo on July 18, 2022 :: 1:31 pm

I read your words , and I too am hacked , it pisses me off and feel titbfor that is the way to go , as I slowly grab evidence from years , it’s disgusting , perverted, and probably , no absolutely reading every word I write . Please don’t forget about your camera , they see you through your camera! Example: I was home and digging for something up in my closet. A box shifted, fell and smacked my eye and forehead… My swollen eye was bad and big red mark on my forehead.. I had not gone ANYWHERE and text my supervisor that I’d need the night off cuz of the swelling and such. ... He said, yeah it looks really bad… Wtf!!!!
So I’m going your route , I have repeatedly asked him to stop , he denies it , theres so much evidence , but he will not stop , like it’s some normalcy I’ll have to deal with . Constant flashing on typing , he repeats certain words that I text an ex bf , I have double apps , my passwords are doubled tripled when I went to remember one in my Google account , there’s just so much , I put tape over both from and rear cameras .... I’ve emailed work about it , and nothing answered , so they either don’t care , or will be on the lawsuit for doing nothing . 
Now it’s revenge time , I’m 100 percent as mad as you , I have a son ... The nosy perverted bastard gonna pay one way or another ... Good luck , don’t get caught ....

Hacked

From Susan on February 21, 2019 :: 3:10 am

I’m being gang stalked. iPad and iPhone definitely hacked. What do I do? Also my baby monitor is hacked. I use it for my elderly father. What do I do. I’ve been told you can’t stop gang stalkers, that they can watch you and listen through walls. I really need some help. Would encryptions help?

Reply

Possible

From Manjunath on May 18, 2019 :: 7:44 am

Not just that, you need to check your home first. Never leave your home security unchecked.if gang stalked. Replace locks. Keep some info about your home when not home. I am struggling with everything .my neighbors had keys and secret entry to my home. All our personal details were stolen. Keys duplicated . Using it to harrass us. They use this technique, let’s talk to all. And neighbors become involved. The person who wanted to destroy us stays in my line. They sneak in to our home.they confuse everyone your long lost friends.evey o e they contact. Monitor your friends.a lawyer involved.my entire life they read like book.and friends you call them. They never trust you. Because these crooks give all private personal details. May be one of your known person involved.one of the person I trusted would take me away from home. And some one was searching my home for info.leave the place if rented.if owned take care of home security. If once break in they keep on doing it.they even poisoned us. If tell anyone they will think we are crazy.get minimum evidence and report to police. They do it. And they come and speak to you. Whether you got a suspicion. Breaking in will be very smooth.and no trace will be.you will know like someone has entered when you are away.they even take at least in sixty days once. Now we are about to report to police.from my experience if anyone ushers your personal private things. Think that they have access to your home.its a dark place to be in.

My phone is being hacked by my boyfriend

From Vicki Matthews on August 22, 2017 :: 12:33 am

I need help to hack my boyfriend’s phone while he is hacking mine

Reply

help....something doesn't ad up

From sarah on August 27, 2017 :: 5:40 pm

i need some help….my husband was in chicago for business…i opened his email trash and there was an email from him to a craigslist email address. HE swears that he did not send it and that his phone must have been hacked but it was one email…not a bunch of emails like spam normally does. The email also has details of what town he was in at the time. i think he is lying because i have never heard of anything like this before….has anyone hear heard of anything like this or am i being stupid and know that he cheated….

Reply

It doesn't sound good...

From Josh Kirschner on August 28, 2017 :: 1:24 pm

Barring the situation of someone close enough to him to know his login information and his location details while on the trip, and then responding as a joke to a Craigslist email, it doesn’t sound like a hacking situation. Does the content of the email give you any further information?

Reply

Hacked

From Joanne on January 27, 2019 :: 2:03 pm

This is my 3rd phone I have been hacked for the 3rd time they have me down as a child where they controlled my phone by turning off my wlfi and set up mute time also i factory reset many times and i can’t uninstall them I habe over 290 apps ,games and i didn’t order or install one myself please how do i takr control of my phone back

Reply

its a hacked

From Rajveer on July 11, 2019 :: 5:48 am

Dea sir,
      Please help me here i have not install any app in my mobile but i went on one site which open direct from google the app name is http://www.fuckbook.com its dating app where we can meet in this app they asked me to agree term and condition i have not read any thing and click on agree now I am worried about it hacked my phone because later when check there term and condition its written access of phone,messages,photos,videos and device IP address and they use icebreaker software and in there app no option for delete account and in that app its show all bhulshit option for dating is there any chance that they can heck my mobile phone for messages and call listening and later i saw my phone there was app like Burn The Rope, gitit, games club, marbles, smash it , reverie phonebook this kind of app came on screen without installtion and they show no option of uninsatll is it my phone heck by some hecker please help me sir i am using micromax phone

Reply

Read More Comments: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Love getting helpful tech tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter!

Home | About | Meet the Team | Contact Us
Media Kit | Newsletter Sponsorships
Accessibility Statement
Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookie Policy

Techlicious participates in affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which provide a small commission from some, but not all, of the "click-thru to buy" links contained in our articles. These click-thru links are determined after the article has been written, based on price and product availability — the commissions do not impact our choice of recommended product, nor the price you pay. When you use these links, you help support our ongoing editorial mission to provide you with the best product recommendations.

© Techlicious LLC.