How to Tell if Your Phone Has Been Hacked

by Natasha Stokes 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

Help

From Vicki Matthews on August 31, 2017 :: 9:10 pm

I wished I could hack my boyfriend’s phone sence he hacked my phone

Far out

From Haylez Australia on June 02, 2020 :: 6:00 pm

totally agree in the same boat
Had a really bad domestic violent argument and BAM!!! go to the fn pay phone
Tried to call myself
Then what do I loose my mind for when I got home????BECAUSE I COULDNT RECEIVE OR SEND MSG OR MMS OR RECEIVE CALLS
HE WAS SOOO DEFENSIVE.
I want to hack his too

Help

From Christopher Meeks on September 19, 2017 :: 3:33 am

My phone galaxy s7 active has been hacked multiple times apparently I’m not tech savvy. My bank acct Facebook messages hv all been effected I really need some help with this plz it’s wrecking my life

U no who 4 some people who is doing

From Shannon E Cairo on March 17, 2022 :: 11:49 pm

U should try my sister, she hacked my phone and he fucking my hole family but I’m the liser

Phone hacked

From Unknown on September 24, 2017 :: 12:58 pm

Hi..I have a strong feeling that my phone is been hacked and messages on my iPhone6 including whats app messages can be read by third party.
My Facebook/Linkedin accounts are also compromised.
Please help.

Please help me I have

From Shannon E Cairo on February 20, 2022 :: 11:40 am

Please help me I have to delete this as soon as I send

To make me look like a dumbass

From Shannon E Cairo on March 17, 2022 :: 11:58 pm

Yes my phone is hacked yes I know it’s my sister that did it and her husband and I can’t get a hold of anybody that believes in me because of my sister I look like a total idiot a total dumbass because nobody believes me and they’re having a good time laughing at me but when the cops finally get them which they will and the FBI as well cuz it’s not just hacking they’re doing it’s stealing people’s identity and their money

Help

From JO on October 04, 2017 :: 11:03 am

Hi, im 52 married 29 years housewife. I have worked all my life caring for others. Seven years ago i had to have knee surgery. I havnt been same since. My husband has taken over everything. He pays all bills, i take care of him. I fix his plates. I evencutthe crust offhis bread like he likes. Slowly over the last seven years he has managed to put everything in his name. All bank accounts. Cars. I never thought twice about it. Then two years agomy world as i know it started to crumble. Onmy 50th birthday a girl left a message on my husbands phone. It said ( hi hunny its millisa give me a call when u get this). My husbands voice mail clearly says hi youve reached ******* ******** glad to hear frm you leave a message ill get back to you. He said she just got wrong num. So i let it go. Then i was using his phone to call my sister and i noticed under recently sent emojis there was a heart made out of puppy dogs and kisses. He didnt send it to me. That night he got on his phone started removing apps. He said he removed them soi wouldnt be upset when he didnt do anything. Then i was taking a bath my phone went off i seen i had a email. It was from my husband who was in. The same house that said i think im falling in love. My heart stopped. I knew something wasnt right. I kept quiet just started looking through things. There was an email sent to his phone that said your sec email address is now ready. But with all that said one day i got on my laptop and a bunch of stuff wasnt right. There was snapchat and others i have never in my life used. He started getting meaner saying i was crazy. I had altimerz. Trying to convince my family and friends i was crazy. But i kept noticing all this stuff. And i felt it in my stomach somethings not right. To this day he says its me being parniod not him. So…..i decided to get a new phone. Ive taken out anything electronic in our house. Lol hes not so happy about that one. I had the phone place set my phone up. I had my sister make me a new email from her house. And thought oknow i can relax. Ha!!!! One day last week i noticed my gmail kept saying somthing was wrong conneting to my playstore. I was puzzled but thought im not gonna do this again. Then the next day i relized (somebody) were the only two in the house. Had went into my new phone changed my email address by a few numbers so i didnt notice. But i had it all wrote down what the man had in my phone.So i took it down there the email they orinanally made said didnt exsist. So we tried to open it back up since it was still in time and i swear it accually said sending a email to reopen to another email in yahoo but they put it undet my name. Of coarse i couldnt get into it cuz i didnt make it and it was hooked to a weird phone number. So thwy fixed my phone reset it with a new email. Put a pass code on it. But now im finding weird apps runnning that i dont understand. I dont know if there supposed tobe there or if its a spyware. Im so tired and cofused. Do you know how i can tell whitch apps are supposed to be there? The more i read the more confused i get. Any help at all i greatly am thankful.

Im going through the same exact thing

From Angelica on November 12, 2017 :: 8:53 pm

Ive been in your same situation for almost four years. My man went as far to say i had something mentally wrong. Telling my family and friends and literally was taken to a mental hostipal to stay for obversation for a week. My life hasnt ever been the same since.

I would like to meet others in my situation

From Laura on January 02, 2018 :: 10:55 am

I’ve had all the above and some I went to 5 different police stations and contacted police some days 10 times in 24 hours police did not help told me to get my head checked just like my ex was saying to me I’ve been trying to get rid of this guy for years now docs asked this of me after police laughing at me I ended up with charges after a year of constant abuse then they would come to my house because my ex would ring and say I’m suicidal no one is listening still my family days why is he still here Laura his the only one helping you lol fuck this need to meet up with all victims and share our stories I live in Penrith. Let’s stop this once and for all

This shit was done to

From Donna on August 23, 2020 :: 3:16 am

This shit was done to me too I went cops here too they laughed told me it’s normal activity in my phone .. hmmm screen sharing normal right .. karma will get them .. stay strong .. they did the same to me here but I was lucky Apple helped me .. xo

Broken but not dead

From R on January 26, 2021 :: 11:12 am

I am a mother of 2 biological children, 2 step children, and a surrogate child. I am a veteran of the US Army, and I was merely months away from graduating from one of my 2 degrees that I was pursuing for 6 years in college, and I worked for the government. Life was great, I had a great paying job, bills paid ahead. THEN…
I helped my best friend find out who stole his $4,500 new tires and rims. I noticed that when I found a man selling a “truck”, had new tires and rims on it that looked just like my BF’s. That was the beginning of the end for me, and my family.
Its almost a year later, I am homeless, my thousands of dollars are gone from my bank, it was so bad at one point I went through 5 phones in a matter of 4 moths. My family abandoned me, my boy friend/best friend convinced everyone that I was crazy, well until I learned a few things about computers. Cell phones are the same thing, mini computers. I will stop them, I will take them out, and they will pay for ruining my life. There is nothing worse that a mother without her children due to “them”, and I am also dying of stage 4 cancer so nothing to lose now. I promise when this all comes to an end, everyone will hear the story, and they will know how to stop these punks. When I think how could people be so evil, I remember that even Satan was an angel. Thing is I am a Godly woman, but I will put the fear of hell in them. Mark my words you are not alone!

With thoughts and prayers,
RTaylor.\not my real name

I’m the same boat

From B on April 17, 2021 :: 12:44 am

Same exact shit. My work, house that I live in, and my family think I’m some serial killer crazy who does hard drugs and gets drunk before work. I’m tired. I go to work home get yelled at and I sit in my room, and occasionally hike. I’m tired. I just want someone to pick me up and say babe it’s going to okay. I will take care of you and love you. I won’t make empty promises and use you for sex. I will support you emotionally so you can get you’re back and running. I’ve been abandoned. I’ve been drugged. I’ve been isolated, but accused of doing it to myself. My body literally hurts. I’ve been to hell and back many times. I have also had the cops called me because I’m not well

The SCRIPT (A book) will shine a light on your SANITY

From Zöe on May 01, 2021 :: 5:52 am

There is a book called “THE SCRIPT”. It is written by 1 of 2 females that had been cheated on by their partner. It is called The Script because they worked out that ALL MEN who cheat, say the same things to their partner. Eg: You’re paranoid, You’re crazy, You need psychiatric help, etc. They will try and get your loved ones to believe you’re going crazy. They will pick fights so they can go out. They will push you’re buttons so you will lose your shit and tell them to fuck off. They will has light you so you’re constantly chasing your tail to the point that you will feel like throwing yourself under a bus. Etc etc etc BUT while reading this SCRIPT of what will sound like your is and own words, you will start smiling to yourself and thinking “my fucking God I knew I was right, the shifty little manipulating fucker IS CHEATING ON ME. You will feel a sense of relief and empowerment and Ann overwhelming desire to take your life back and fuck him off. Trust me, it saved my life literally.

I'm Sorry but ---

From Kristen Devlin on August 22, 2020 :: 3:53 am

... yer husband is cheating on you. That ‘gut feeling” you been having is screaming at you that your brain is picking up pheromones from another woman on YOUR husband. Now, this is not to say that he has had any sexual relations with anyone. HOwever physical contact isn’t necessary to be considered cheating. If he’s hiding time he’s spending with another woman, or ANYONE for that matter, THAT is a form of cheating. Cheating on a person you have said vows to is one of the lowest things a person can do not just to their spouse, but to themselves as well. A person is only as good as their word. All the rest of the tech issues are just byproducts of the aforememtioned problem. It’s him trying to cover his tracks, and spy on you to make that easier.

Definately

From Coarse on April 02, 2021 :: 11:36 am

Definately malware. If it is a system call, it won’t be shown unless you’re on a desktop/laptop and looking through task manager. If you’re on your phone, and hit the square, you won’t see them. Malware usually shows up, however.

Some is using my mobile

From Dot Franklin on October 04, 2017 :: 3:53 pm

Some is using my mobile number to make up a Facebook account and messaging people from my Facebook someone realised that the person wasn’t me and tried ringing the person on messanger it rung my phone how can this hapen

YOUR NOT CRAZY! HACKING IS "REAL"

From Mrs. M. on October 28, 2018 :: 8:23 am

Theres “HACKERS” MALE & FEMALE….DONT HAVE A LIFE, AND STAY CONNECTED TO COMPUTERS DAY IN & OUT…LOOKING TO “PREY” ON ANYONE” I KNOW UR’ TELLING THE TRUTH FOR MANY THAT WONT SPEAK UP “POLICE” MANY WONT DO ANYTHING. BUT KEEP REPORTS GOING “WRITTEN” UR’ OK…JUST LOOK AT THE NEWS “MENTAL ISSUES” IT CRAZY OUT HERE!I WONT OPEN & HAVE NO NEED FOR “FACE BOOK” GOSSIP IS ALL MANY OF THESE FOLKS ARE LOOKING FOR & YOU DONT EVEN KNOW WHO THEY ARE…COWARDS HIDE BEHIND ANYTHING! WHAT BETTER PLACE THAN A COMPUTER. GOD BLESS YOU.

A FRIEND.

From Jon on February 23, 2020 :: 3:13 am

Thank you I was really thinking I was going nuts. Car wreck and extra curilicar activities in the past sure had me thinking WHAT IN THE WORLD. THANKS AGAIN. WHAT I DO IS NOBODYS CONCERN. I DO NOT BOTHER ANYONE…

Oh lovely, you knew in

From laughing_stock on August 29, 2020 :: 4:53 am

Oh lovely, you knew in February so you was well aware what you were doing making me look unstable to the point of being hospitalised on my birthday in April, clearly your plan the whole way through.

Yeah I'm crazy

From Cairo on March 17, 2022 :: 11:53 pm

My sister and brother n law r making me think I’m crazy but funny thing is my phone is not just holding this information it’s also sending it

Home camera system pnone every thing +followed 24_7

From Tu padre on October 10, 2017 :: 12:31 pm

My home my phone everything is being hacked I am being followed 24/7 they are ruining my life what’s left of it anyway motels police can’t getting help from police when my cars are getting broken into I am constantly running away cuz it’s regular cars just tired of all this. Is there anything I can do?

??

From Google sendee on November 30, 2017 :: 11:56 am

Why are you running by a gun and walk around with that shit seriously i bet they quit fucking with you

It Helped a little

From R on January 26, 2021 :: 11:15 am

These people have been doing this for at least 10 plus years from what I tracked down. There are many of them and some are dangerous. Be cautious.

This does happen to other people WOW

From Laura on January 02, 2018 :: 10:58 am

Let’s meet I think it’s important I’ve felt isolated for to long now we need to get all victims together and get something done my name is Laura gwilliam I live in Penrith

Stalked

From Calio on March 19, 2022 :: 8:20 pm

Heyi don’t know if there’s anybody out there that can help I know exactly what you talking about I’m 42 I live in California and this has been going on with me for like 6 years every day for 6 years no rest they don’t take off holidays birthdays weekends you name it everyday being here harass me call me everywhere I go even in my sleep when I wake up just like no escape I’m at the point of committing suicide I probably will soon but I don’t suggest you do it hang in there I’ve been hanging and getting tired though I know that’s probably not going to help but I hope it does give you something to fight for sorry.

Gang stalking

From Crystal on October 11, 2017 :: 8:23 am

Feel me in a lil more regarding this subjuct. Actions that cant be taken to be aware of when this is being done and ways to prevent it. Even better, how can u find out where or who these actions are coming from.
Thanks

Every time I leave the

From Tupadre on October 11, 2017 :: 10:34 am

Every time I leave the house I’m driving They are next to me in the highway Cutting me off are doing something to make me mad And start driving like a lunatic

Gangstalking

From Ricky on February 27, 2019 :: 3:35 am

Crystal your comment title says it all, I looked up gang stalking, that’s the only answer left after I researched all other possible problems, there no way one person can do and the damage I have, I have bought 4 phones in 2 years tried so many different angles to get rid of the problems , gangstalking to get people to commit themselves and get conservitorship and or rob and loot us,. Look it up thank you

Gang stalking one more thing protect yourself

From Scott on October 16, 2019 :: 2:30 am

Don’t know if everybody’s even look this up but they actually carry a frequency Jammer you can order them from out-of-state yes they’re illegal but you know what the shit these people are doing is he legal to so you know what I stand behind it order the frequency Jammers you can get them from out of state and have them sent to your house they will Jam any frequency within so many meters of your house depends on how good of a frequency Jammer you get you want to protect your personal life that’s the way to do it cuz what these people are doing is illegal so who gives a shit if you buy a frequency Jammer from out of state and have it shipped in the United States cuz you know what the cops are letting this shit happen so you might as well buy one and have it sent to you

BRILLIANT IDEA TO MY PROBLEM

From Shelley on February 26, 2020 :: 9:14 pm

Thanks for the tip. I’ve been victimized by gang stalkers since moving into a supposed nice affluent apartment complex in 2018. Lately their hacking bullshit has been getting more aggressive and scarier. They have attacked my 75 year old mother’s accounts but I’m their main target. I’m a homebound disabled 50 year old gal with all her capabilities so looks are deceiving. I am very tech savvy and the fact I’m being gang stalked has me ENRAGED because nothing I do gets rid of these scumbags. I keep to myself and I don’t even know these idiots. My mother has turned the issue over to the FBI IC3, the FTC, the FCC and even to AT&T, but everything is for nothing. We have proof of AT&T giving out both me and my mother’s own personal account information to these people and their friends! No kind of VPN or security I set up on my phone or laptop is strong enough as they manage to break thru and disable everything making sure I can’t ever recover anything. They’ve literally caused me the loss of several cellphones, printers and numerous laptops. I am not a dumbass who carelessly opens up every tab or file she sees. I’m not stupid when it comes to cyber security. that is why I can’t understand how and why I’m being attacked and for so long. I use the best VPN and anti whatevers. They destroy everything. It’s beyond my realm. I think it’s an inside job within Google or AT&T, because the stuff I’ve discovered involves someone who has extended IT experience and knowledge. And that’s why I can’t fix this crap myself. I live in a very small Midwest city and nobody knows what to do except blame me. I’m a nobody, so why am I being targeted and harassed for this long to the point where I’ve contemplated suicide even. They stalking continues even if I move too. I feel so helpless. I did nothing wrong this has strained my mental and physical health terribly. plus placed a great strain upon my mother and I. we fight constantly. sad.

Me to

From Erice on March 09, 2020 :: 9:08 am

This has happened to me.. police no help my house has been broken into twice to get access to I don’t even know they didn’t take anything just messed with modem. I’ve lost my accounts. Computer taken over. I whipe it and with in a day they have control of it. My tv is a constant reset to us I gave up on it phones changed (4 times already new number different name )everything even tried apple an still they get on. take over everything even put phone in someone else’s name and still .. they aren’t messing with anyone else just me. In the house. If I turn everything off. They search start messing with other devices till I turn my phone back on 😔. I’m just a house wife . I make just enough to live. nothing special. No big name, no business, no savings, no family, small town,

me to

From Troy on July 14, 2020 :: 10:17 am

I’m 52 single and being attacked im looking for people who have the same problem im in locust grove ga

Hacked over and over

From Susan Cannon on October 11, 2020 :: 7:38 pm

Same thing happened to me over and over new phone happened new email happened new phone number happened my location was tracked by a family member my home was broken into things were stolen then I seen one of the stolen items a purse on market place by my husband’s sister I believe how she is doing this is through the Google’s developers program because I started seeing apps that were for developers which I am not I’ve contacted google over and over to no avail she has took over past gmail accounts to which google refuses to give me back even facebook accounts I keep hoping that they will investigate and all of this shit would just stop I’ve had so much money took from her out of bank accounts she has all of my information from which she took she has attempted to take out credit cards which she has successfully done to other family members but google or the police do nothing so I understand your frustrations Google’s developers program has to have some kind of background program set in place because now not just my husband sister doing this but now her daughter and her daughter’s sister in law too

Please email or call me

From An enemy of my enemy is a friend of mine on January 03, 2021 :: 11:35 pm

Exactly the sane situation maybe a luttle worst i am isolated and neef someone to talk to Please email ne

It must be someone inside these companies involved

From Zach Jones on March 02, 2021 :: 6:06 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 heae about a billionaire like, and there are many of them, who for a hacker would be the ultimate prey. Why have we NEVER heard that Warren Buffet, the coak Brothers, Marc Cuban, on and on and on. How come theiraccounts have never ever been the target of the abuse people are sharing here????Ordinary hard working people….We ARE the Product!!!

Obsessive neighbors illeglly watching family remotely

From Jay on October 12, 2017 :: 11:19 am

Hi,
Do anyone know how a hacker can hack into a phone or car? Also, can you provide some help to remove them?
I lived in Orlando FL and I am being harassed by my neighbors. I moved out of the development because it was highly suggested by the Orlando Police department so I can have sanity and sense of security. I lived on the first floor and they were above me. I noticed I was being watched as they would repeat my locations in the apartment. Its was really weird but I wanted to make sure I was able to prove I was being illegally watched before I reported it to the development Director. I took a piece of paper and a black marker and wrote “STOP WATCHING ME ITS CREEPY AND ILLEGAL” AND I was RIGHT. They read the note out loud and instantly got angry!! Its really scary because they are able to see and hear what is going on in my life and now have included my sister into this circus.

They are very comfortable invading our privacy. They are monitoring my sister private moments as well as mine i.e shower, car, phones, location etc… I called the Orlando Police Department and they came out to the apartment and we met with the Director at the apartment. They were able to tell me where exactly I am, for example I drove to GA during the storm and they were able to say out loud “The B is in GA”!! Discussed personal picture on my sister phone, able to see her in the shower as well as me and on a daily basis saying out loud on a daily basis they are going to drive to my new address (which I moved to another city 2.5 hours away) and shoot my sister in the face and shoot me in the head.

Its very creepy and weird. I am a firm believer, this not the first time they have harassed someone. There is not sense of fear. I would turn my phone off and hide it under the pillow and they would say out loud “she can hide her phone but WE CAN STILL SEE HER”!! They are going above and beyond to harass me and they are obsessed and this is VERY SCARY! Has anyone experienced this type of obsessive, stalking?

Spyware on my Gmail?

From Jackie on December 03, 2017 :: 6:08 am

Hi
I have 2 questions
First I have an issue with my Gmail account. Emails to certain people have a delay while typing. So for example when I hit the key the letter appears a second or 2 later.

The other question involves Facebook. I believe that someone has created 2 seperated fb profiles using the same gmail address. I became aware of one of the profiles because it appeared to be impersonating a person I know. I didn’t send a friend request, but I was monitoring the profile. The issue occurred when I accepted the friend request for the other page. As soon as I did that then the links to both pages stopped working. Links appeared but when clicked on I received a screen which said that a mistake had occurred, and the oage could not be displayed. Both oage have similar contact info. /John. Doe.5 Any ideas what is going on?

I know you are not crazy!

From Alicia on October 21, 2021 :: 4:03 pm

My heart goes out to all that have been unobtrusively observed and victimized! I too have been pained emotionally from being hacked,and Nobody believed me, or believes me now! I feel all alone against the world and I am still looking for answers and somebody to talk to. How can I have 2 different facebook accounts under my name, one of which I didn’t create,including the password which I DIDNOT make? Ineed answers,I need peace! My dear you are not alone!

Gang stalking

From Scott on October 16, 2019 :: 2:12 am

Absolutely I live in Phoenix Arizona and I’m dealing with the same exact thing here for the past 20 years these assholes think they’re above the law the best way I’ve learned deal with them throw a fucking Boulder at their fucking car bust out they’re fucking Windows cuz it is your god-given right is an American to stand up for stocking and causing you problems absolutely you can do whatever you have to do beyond all means but they’re fucking windows out flatten their goddamn tires fucking Kim the state of fuck out of your life but they won’t they keep coming like a bad rash they just keep coming back and the police do nothing about it their low-life succubus is of the earth cuz I got nothing better going on in there fucking life if you read up on the gang stalking they say that there are worse than Isis themselves they are terrorists of the United States and they live here and our pieces of shit we have to deal with but is your god-given right you do whatever you have to do to get these fuckers to stop cuz they won’t stop bust out a fucking window through a goddamn folder do whatever you have to do they are pieces of shit of the earth is what they are

Iphone clone

From Chris on March 08, 2023 :: 10:51 am

I keep searching for that silver bullet to stop it but whenever I get hopes up it falls through.
Keep researching, reading books on it, blogs on it, thinking outside the box. Plus carry camera preferably without wifi, dash cam, white noise recording on thumb drive, etc.
Yup, your right…..pieces of shit they are. Hang in there, I’m trying to. C

Has my phone been hackex into also is it tapped?

From Wendy Mathews on October 12, 2017 :: 8:13 pm

I have a very violent x friend that told me he knows a hacker and had him hack into my phone can you help me find out? Also i would like to k ow if my phone is tapped. Is there a lagitamet app that really works letting you know someones location if ur scared of them for your own protection? Please help.

iPhone or Android?

From Josh Kirschner on October 20, 2017 :: 8:16 am

If you have an Android phone, you can install Lookout Security and it should uncover most generally available spyware. If you want to be extra sure, factory reset your device.

There is no hacking detection software for iPhone. However, Lookout will tell you if your iPhone has been jailbroken. It’s much harder (though not impossible) to install spyware on an iPhone without jailbreaking.

Even if your phone has not been compromised, you can learn quite a bit if you have access to someone’s iCloud or Google account. So make sure you have a very secure password for those accounts that no one else knows and isn’t shared with other accounts.

And no, there isn’t a legitimate way of tracking someone else’s device location without their permission - that would be you hacking them.

Hackers have rights?!

From Shelley on February 26, 2020 :: 9:31 pm

Sorry but I must interject.

I feel you are saying that hackers have rights and WE the ones being hacked by these losers must be careful not to infringe upon their rights?!
Um, you lost your credibility with me at that point. all was good up to there. What about OUR rights those hackers stole from us? The thousands of dollars and the emotional and psychological scars you can’t see? The horrible gang stalking I’ve seen going thru since 2018, has been a complete nightmare for myself and my mother. In my case, it’s been labeled as a hate crime and Domestic Terrorism. But yet they have rights?! Dude ok. What about MY righs?! I want these people out of my life and sentenced. My mother has repeatedly reported them to the proper authorities and NOTHING gets done. The stalking continues and keeps getting worse and worse. Even if I move another place, they find me and the stalking abuse ensues. Everything my wifi goes thru they corrupt and eventually needs replaced. My 75 year old mother is all I have and I’m on disability. We can’t afford to keep up with this bullying crap. it’s Illegal behaviour and they don’t deserve to have any RIGHTS or be treated with respect.

Yes, but that's not really the point

From Josh Kirschner on February 27, 2020 :: 12:52 pm

Hackers do have rights, everyone has rights, but that’s not really the point. If there were a “legitimate” app that let you track a hacker’s location without their permission, then that same app could be used by others to track your location without your permission. That’s obviously a very bad scenario, so that “legitimate” app doesn’t exist.

Since I wrote my comment back in 2017, it’s come to light that AT&T (and, perhaps, other cellular carriers) have been selling user location data access to law enforcement and others. This was a terrible practice and the FCC has recently announced that those actions were likely against the law.

My telegram been hacked

From Sasan shakouri on October 16, 2017 :: 7:32 pm

My phone is samsung s8 and i thought ihad enough security in telegram atleast . Can any one say what can i do ? I think whoke phone is hacked and i must say i live in iran for now and i use psiphone

Is my phone hacked it's acting funny

From Xavier on November 01, 2017 :: 7:55 pm

I have a galaxy s3 it has no SIM and I use it as an ipod it’s also rooted. Awhile back my notification bar at the top would just change to Arabic, my time would disappear and just show huge Arabic letters and every here and there it would be a different icon like the WiFi or anything else and I would just ignore it but this time when I was leaving facebook my whole screen went out and came back it wasn’t like a black screen but kind of a border on it I have been looking around for the arabic letters to see if anyone else would have a similar problem but nothing can someone here help I have screenshots of the letters thing

assertion of 10-15 years to crack cellphone encryption is based on computational feasibility

From thinkerly on November 04, 2017 :: 12:29 pm

Assertion of 10-15 years to crack cellphone encryption is based on computational feasibility. This assertion does not take into account possible protocol implementation errors and designed-in vulnerabilities, nor does it account for the unknown capacity for computation, especially quantum computing.

It will keep happening

From RaiderGirl Lisa on November 14, 2017 :: 2:49 am

It’s happening to me as we speak n I have an iphone

Someone hacked my cell phone

From Faizan on November 25, 2017 :: 6:55 pm

Someone hacked my cell phone even home and car

I’ve been hacked for over 6 years

From Sharon C on March 26, 2019 :: 11:46 am

When I told that I was hacked people told me I was crazy and it couldn’t happen with a iPhone, well my ex worked with the state and they obviously got ahold of something that shouldn’t be available to anyone with evil entent. I am still going through crazy things I can’t explain on my computer and phones. I’ve done EVERYTHING to get rid of the hack but nothing works. It’s like they flip the switch and hear we go again the hack is back. I am also having other things going on with my car. Two sets of new tires due to flat tires and gps was draining batteries after replacing three of them my car dealers noticed the GPS was doing it. Also. My alarm would go off even without the doors unlocked. It would happen during the night and it would go off every 10 minutes , ten times. Can someone be doing all this to my car as well? Once I got a security system it seems better.

Galaxy 6s VS recovery stick

From Alixi on July 30, 2019 :: 11:40 am

I have the 6 digit lock code (something no one should be able to guess) and finger scan enabled. My phone locks back automatically yet by some unexplainable way my crazy ex was able to use a paraben recovery stick to get info from my phone. This was on or around 7-22-19. Yes my security and OS is up to date. How was this possible? I’m baffled beyond rationality.

I don't see how that is possible

From Josh Kirschner on July 30, 2019 :: 3:35 pm

Unless you are running a VERY old version of Android (4.1 or before), that stick won’t work without knowing your lock code and the phone being rooted. And if your ex has your lock code and access to your device, they certainly don’t need a special stick to access your info.

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