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How to Tell if Your Phone Has Been Hacked

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What are the signs your phone may have been hacked

1. Noticeable decrease in battery life

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

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

2. Sluggish performance

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

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

3. Phone feels hot when not using or charging it

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

4. High data usage

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

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

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

5. Outgoing calls or texts you didn’t send

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

6. Mystery pop-ups and apps

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

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

7. Unusual activity on any accounts linked to the device

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

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

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

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

1. Spy apps

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

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

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

Likelihood

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

How to protect yourself

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

2. Phishing messages

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

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

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

Likelihood

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

How to protect yourself

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

3. Unauthorized access to iCloud or Google account

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

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

Likelihood

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

How to protect yourself

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

4. SIM swapping

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

Likelihood

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

How to protect yourself

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

5. Hacked phone camera

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

Likelihood

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

How to protect yourself

Always download security updates for all apps and your device.

6. Apps that over-request permissions

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

Likelihood

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

How to protect yourself

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

7. Snooping via open WiFi networks

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

Likelihood

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

How to protect yourself

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

8. SS7 global phone network vulnerability

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

Likelihood

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

How to protect yourself

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

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

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

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

Likelihood

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

How to protect yourself

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

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

[image credit: hacker smartphone concept via BigStockPhoto]

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


Discussion loading

I have had multiple phones

From Tom Millender on July 24, 2019 :: 1:34 am

I have had multiple phones of my wifes and mine hacked by my ex and my ex mother in law. I can find the software and coding in the system files. Factory reset appears to ba a fake. Some files are still there after reset. Need help

Reply

Anti virus apps collude with the state

From Ella on July 28, 2019 :: 5:26 pm

If one’s smartphone has been hacked by the State then I presume all the anti virus apps available will decline to alert the user is this

So what does one do if they suspect their phone has been hacked by the State?

Reply

You probably haven't been

From Josh Kirschner on July 29, 2019 :: 12:32 pm

Unless you are a high-target individual (e.g., journalist/dissident/criminal/government official/business leader) or live in/citizen of a very oppressive country, it’s extremely unlikely you are being targeted by any state-run agency.

If you are in this very specific group, there’s probably not much you can do about it as there are numerous ways a government could spy on you. So the best thing to do is assume you are being spied on and treat your communications appropriately. There are devices and apps that allow for secure communications, even from government snoops, but there’s really no reason to go that route unless you really need to.

Reply

Help me

From Blaine Wells on August 01, 2019 :: 10:37 pm

Hey I need help shyheedra Jordan and 2 dudes are in my phone using my parents credit cards and virtual currency and online Visa to frame me on a Samsung cloud account I know it her cause I caught her buying Microsoft shit for PC gaming and I don’t even have a computer she always knew my phone and email and password didn’t think this can happen to anyone but she has lost it. I jus got a new number I don’t know yet an she back in

Reply

Hacked?

From Jim on August 03, 2019 :: 9:27 pm

I have a galaxy S7. My skype no longer worked. I found an updated version on the Samsung galaxy store and I installed the new version and updated messenger at the same time. Since then it seems very likely to me that someone has at least some control over my phone. Should I not use the galaxy store? Should I uninstall skype and reinstall it from the “play store”? do I need more security on my phone?
Thnx

Reply

Doubt it

From Josh Kirschner on August 06, 2019 :: 2:34 pm

Downloading a well-known app like Skype from the app store should be perfectly safe. Though I don’t know why you would do it from there instead of the Google Play version, where you might get more frequent updates. Not clear what “messenger” app you downloaded.

What issues are you having that make you think someone has control over your phone? Likely, something else causing the problem.

Reply

July 30, 2019 Hacked

From Denise Agueros on August 11, 2019 :: 10:35 am

July 30,2019 my screen was flashing, I’m not very savvy with technology. I turned the phone off. Turned it back on and discovered pictures that were black screen w/red spot in middle of them,also my call logs were altered.

Reply

HACKED

From Madhumita on August 12, 2019 :: 4:15 am

My phone has been hacked for about 4 years now.I think a co-worker of mine did it.All my private conversations i have with my family and things i browse on the internet are known to people at my work place.how does thos happen?can you help me?

Reply

Read the article above

From Josh Kirschner on August 13, 2019 :: 5:24 pm

If your phone was hacked, we have a pretty extensive list in the article above about how it can happen and how you can protect itself.

Reply

True or false

From Shultz on August 15, 2019 :: 11:42 pm

Phone warned me I got hacked is that just a pop up trying to get me to install a security network or is it something I should be worried about ?

Reply

Almost certainly a scam

From Josh Kirschner on August 16, 2019 :: 12:55 am

If you got a random popup saying your phone is hacked and asking you to install a security program, that is almost certainly a scam. We have more info on fake Android and iPhone popups here: https://www.techlicious.com/tip/do-pop-ups-mean-your-phone-has-been-hacked/

Reply

Text Message Privacy Invasion

From Greg on August 16, 2019 :: 4:58 am

I know that this is an older article but just came across it looking for information. My girlfriend and I were having a conversation on text message and a third party started making comments during our conversation. We both have iPhones and we weren’t in any kind of group chat. Right before it happened I noticed that I was getting duplicate messages from her which has been happening pretty often lately as well as she has been getting them from me. I also jokingly made the statement right after the duplicates that I must have triggered some key words and Uncle Sam was watching us and then immediately they started chiming in on our conversation. After that I started texting her from my work phone and the 3rd party was still sending messages on the conversation we initially started talking on. They knew some personal things about her including where she lives and the last time she visited me. I contacted Apple and they checked everything they could on their end and didn’t see any trusted devices connected to my account. I didn’t know her account information so they couldn’t tell me about hers but she said that she checked all of that on her phone. Apple also gave me some other things to check like making sure that our messages go through our phone number and not through our Apple ID. All of that was set to the things they suggested on both our phones. This isn’t the first time it’s happened but the times before it was using Facebook Messenger which we both no longer have that or Facebook. I was just wondering how are they doing it. We have both changed our passwords since then. That happened a couple days ago so still waiting to see if anymore intrusions. Earlier today she did get another duplicate message from me but can’t be certain yet although I never have those duplicates when talking to anyone else on messenger.  I do believe it’s someone we or at least one of us knows because of the personal things they know. It’s either that or they’ve been snooping in on our conversations for a really long time which is possible. Sorry for the long text but wanted to be as informative as I could. Any information on how someone can hijack a text conversation on an iPhone without ever touching either one of our phones would be appreciated. Thanks

Reply

my phone is being hacked

From Lilly dmimguez on August 21, 2019 :: 10:40 am

hello my phone is being hacked to falsely accuse me of there criminal wrong doing who knows how long this has been going on and the sad part of it is that a few family members are doing it to me also this is an evil act of a hate crime and its wrong to do that to some one please help me thanks

Reply

What do I look for?

From Shannon pars on August 23, 2019 :: 4:31 pm

I have a friend I’m helping that is going through some criminal charges. I have all his case files, in them are hundreds of pages of the wiretap, pen trap, and trace warrants for dozens of phone numbers related to one man ( not my friend ) over the course of a year. Lately both our phones are just, i can’t explain it but not acting normal. It has been over a year now through the court system and about to start trial this month. I just want to know is there anything specifically named i can look for on my device that can tell me if my phone or my friends phone is spyed on? Thank you.
Please Remember everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Reply

What does "not acting normal" mean?

From Josh Kirschner on August 23, 2019 :: 5:39 pm

There are numerous ways law enforcement can (legally) spy on your various aspects of your cellular communications, most of which do not involve hacking your device. So it can be very difficult to determine if this may be occurring. What are you experiencing that is “not normal”?

When in doubt, it is likely better to presume his phone could be tapped as part of the ongoing criminal investigation and not have any discussions regarding his case over the phone.

Reply

My name is Orlando my

From Orlando N Belinda Bejarano on August 24, 2019 :: 2:58 am

My name is Orlando my phone keeps getting hack can’t use my phone service or much less apps having hard time sending thIs message

Reply

Question

From Jose contreras on August 24, 2019 :: 6:56 am

I have an old device which is an iPhone however it is no longer in service so I noticed looking into the internal storage there’s many files I never put there also some that represents my x wifes initials I took some photos and I want to know will she still recieve them even if no wifi was on although she has I cloud and other apps I cant seem to enter because they require a password?

Reply

She might get them if you connect the phone

From Josh Kirschner on August 24, 2019 :: 10:33 am

As long as the phone isn’t connected to cellular or Wi-Fi, the photos aren’t going to be sent to your ex. But if you accidentally turn on Wi-Fi and her iCloud account is on the phone with the correct login info, and she has the phone set to sync her photos to iCloud, then yes, she might get the photos.

Reply

HACHERS

From Durdica on August 26, 2019 :: 6:33 am

Hi ,the person named Josephine Williams is a Nigerian hackeR and shE/HE IS STEALLING YOUR FB PROFILE PICTURES and is sharing them and making you tube videos and is embarassing people .I just caught today FOR THE SECOND TIME that she/HE IS SHARING MY FB PROFILE PICTURE AND IS NOT MY FRIEND ON FB.bE AWARE OF josephine williams IT IS A HACKER ,PHISHER AND A SCAMMER AND REPORT IT TO THE POLICE IN YOUR COUNTRY ,

Reply

Wrong!!! U can dwnld apps without physically having it

From Krazy k on August 27, 2019 :: 10:34 pm

I know there’s a way to download apps without having the phone in your hands, because I’ve done it myself I don’t want to say it out loud on here because you never know/or you do

But I’m still downloading through Google play when I do it!!!

Reply

You can download, but not set them up

From Josh Kirschner on September 03, 2019 :: 4:00 pm

You’re correct, you can download apps to a device if through Google Play online if you have the target device’s Google account information. However, you need physical access to the device to access the app and set it for spying. If you have found something that avoids this process, please let us know.

Reply

Facebook's Laz+Carl hack

From Tonya Key on August 28, 2019 :: 6:56 am

I have been having problems with hacking a lot lately. One in particular that my husband says I’m crazy over is the  
Laz+Carl hack. When I realized my Facebook had been hacked I done all the necessary prevention techniques. Two factor authentication, login notifications, changed password. I noticed that when I changed my password and logged everyone out of my account I got a code for the authentication that I suspected right away something was wrong. It said “Use this code as a password for your Facebook account. Click the link to login Laz+nxCarLW. Of course I Google it. And of course it’s some type of hack. So now…over the last 6 months..every time I change my password because I think someone may be logging in “messages read in messenger” among other things,, this hack shows up .. over and over again. I have never clicked on it. I always waited for the real code.  Can you help me out?? I’m ready to start over from scratch on EVERYTHING!!!  Not sure if it’s related but I just restarted my desktop and now it won’t come on. Just keeps beeping the sos code very loudly.

Reply

Did u find a fix?

From Jason on June 10, 2020 :: 9:36 pm

Having the same issue confirmation code…. ..  laz+nxcarlw.

Is my Facebook and messenger hacked?
How? I have logged out of all sessions, changed password and have 2 factor on.

Did u find a way to fix this?

Reply

dumb question ??

From jack on September 05, 2019 :: 2:30 pm

I have an I phone 7 use it only for calls,
gps maps, news, weather, letgo,Line, it receives emails but I do not use it to answer them, is it dangerous to use it for texting.  What kind of damage could be don via it ?

Reply

Not much of a risk

From Josh Kirschner on September 06, 2019 :: 5:29 pm

The likelihood of an iPhone being compromised via text is very slim. Just make sure you have it updated to the latest iOS and don’t click on any links or attachments from people you don’t know.

Reply

crypto text message

From evita on September 11, 2019 :: 11:34 pm

hi guys, i have received yesterday a text message that looks a code or a spyware, it comes from a person who is mentally obsessed with my but harmless and 20.000 km far away( i’m in australia she is in italy). can somebody help me understanding what kind of message it is and if there is any way i can track down the origin of it?

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How can I stop my phone from being hacked

From Jason Perrott on September 12, 2019 :: 10:29 am

Hi my name is Jason I have a 6s and I’m having a problem with some dip ass hacking my phone I need a link or something I can go to he or she has locked me out of my accounts and it’s very frustrating and help please

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Phone hack or account hack?

From Josh Kirschner on September 12, 2019 :: 1:22 pm

If you’re being locked out of your accounts, it’s more likely that your login(s) have been compromised than your phone hacked. Depending on which accounts you’re locked out of, each service has it’s own process for recovering your account. If you maintain complex, unique passwords, and use two-factor authentication, the ability to hack your accounts will go down significantly.

If your iPhone actually was hacked, it usually only occurs when your iPhone is jailbroken (easy to check via Lookout or another security tool) and someone had physical access to it, though there are hacks that don’t require this. Ensuring you’re always updated to the latest iOS can prevent this.

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my boyfriend read my texts and saw pics

From Tara on September 13, 2019 :: 8:50 am

My boyfriend claims to have hacked my phone…digital fingerprint he said and my storage. He has mentioned things that were in the texts. How can I protect this from happening again in the future

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Dump boyfriend, upgrade security

From Josh Kirschner on September 13, 2019 :: 5:52 pm

The first thing you need to do is lose the boyfriend. No one should be wasting time dating a controlling, abusive partner. This time it’s the phone, next time it’s something else. I don’t see how this ends well…

To keep your tech secure from someone who lives with you (or is with you all the time) and has shown a history of violating your trust isn’t easy. To keep your phone secure, remove any fingerprint or facial logins. Change your lockscreen password to something difficult to guess and never let him see you enter it.

Once your phone is secure, get a password manager and use it to change all of your passwords - email, bank accounts, social media, etc - to complex, unique passwords that can’t be guessed. Set up all your accounts for two-factor authentication, where possible. Finally, set up a complex password for your computer login and set your computer to automatically lock when not in use for a short period of time. Ensure you have a strong anti-malware program (Bitdefender, Norton, Kaspersky) on your computer to avoid falling victim to RAT or other monitoring software.

Finally, consider the risk of hidden cameras and how to detect them, that he may be using to monitor you.

That’s a lot of tech fixes, but it’s really the relationship fix that needs to happen.

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Cyber stalking and service hacking signal disruption spying on me and sending pain thru a website or

From James beshears on September 17, 2019 :: 7:25 pm

I’m a ex soldier and a Christian . I am being cyber stalked and attacked on my Facebook messages being blocked muscle spasms sent from a website I’m told by my stalkers and the numbers I call show up in red and have a middle eastern accent and tell me there the fbi.what website is it and how do I get it stop I’ve been done this way for a yr and ten months

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Cyberstalking

From James beshears on September 17, 2019 :: 7:29 pm

My service and all games everything is being mess with by a group of woman at the mcminn county justice center. There using some website to track my phone my Facebook and messenger and when I try to call the fbi they forward my calls to the ion. That tell me there the fbi and they can’t help me

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Trojans by bluetooth

From Barros Mariclara on September 25, 2019 :: 3:32 pm

Hi everyone.
My mobile is infected by 2 trojans and a system apk “chat”. I’ve downloaded a lot of antivirus and antimalwares, but none of them solved the problem. My phone behavior is: battery is charging and discharging quickly, a lot of ads has invaded my phone after desk.plugin.com arrive again and again and again (this is one of the trojans), the phone, SMS, Whatsapp, Messenger, Chrome and other apk stop unexpectedly etc. .
Another thing is happining:
my phone hangs up all the time, and and when I turn it on again, Bluetooth is open. This happens every time.
The other trojan is wi-fi settings.
All these trojans comes even with the antivirus installed.
I don’t want to reset the factory settings. I want a antivirus or a way to kill this virus for good. 
Do you know a way to destroy them and to recover the battery and the system?
Tks a lot.

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Same here

From Prezli on November 16, 2020 :: 3:52 pm

I’ve never had this problem with iPhone before & actually didn’t know it could happen as long as I kept my iOS updated. I don’t want to lose all my data on my phone by doing a factory reset & not sure that would even solve the issues. Lost my faith in Apple. Someone please help!

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Ms

From Masi on October 03, 2019 :: 12:32 pm

Hi
My phone is iPhone 7 , someone is clearly hear my conversations and see my text massage and emails, how would i stop this??

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What are you seeing that makes you think that is happening?

From Josh Kirschner on October 03, 2019 :: 4:52 pm

Unless you are running an old version of iOS and your phone is jailbroken, it is highly unlikely anyone is listening to your conversations or accessing the other information through your iPhone. It’s possible they’re accessing your email or texts online because your passwords are compromised.

What makes you think this someone can hear your conversations and read your info? What version of iOS are your running and have you checked your phone to see if it is jailbroken (see article above)?

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iPhone 8 is synced to husbands samsung 8

From Bon on October 05, 2019 :: 9:48 am

Hi we are in the Sam plans & he is the admin well I notice weird things happening to. My phone so I did so tricks to find out .phones are synced… 😡😡😡🤬 I can NEVER get his phone to undo!!! Please help ASAP

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Hack

From Al Sturdivant on October 06, 2019 :: 10:14 pm

My email been hacked how can it be stopped????

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HiMy mobile is hacked and

From Monica Gregorio on October 11, 2019 :: 2:32 pm

Hi
My mobile is hacked and all my accounts were hacked too
I know who it is but I don’t have proves
Help please

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My spouse hacked ALL my devices to hide...help please?

From Tammy C on October 11, 2019 :: 4:25 pm

I’ve been hacked(EVERY device, pictures, emails,cable etc.). Hacked by what I thought a cheating spouse or a least hoping a spouse going to great lengths to hide his DEVASTATING PORN ADDICTION. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help me throw it in his face “YOUR busted NOW STOP”.

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I have a doubt is my mobile is hacked or not

From Anand N S on October 14, 2019 :: 12:22 pm

Kindly help me..

I want to know. Is my mobile is hacked or not
Because charge decrease very fastly and data is also automatically decreases

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H

From Hey what on October 20, 2019 :: 1:46 pm

I’m sorry for offending all of you.

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The Greensboro Police Department spammed

From Walle, Alexander on November 13, 2019 :: 8:30 pm

The Greensboro Police Department spammed my phone to no end after I dodged the Department and Allied Universal at Valley Hills Mall and what the Department does in District 3 is even worse and unsurprisingly known by many—there’s always that and what the Department does there is allow people to come to you or your property endlessly—you will instinctively know they are out to have you charged.  I was, although it took a few years and the Times should know the Department still stops people and even included Andrew Swofford in the scheme—he was a “creeper” before the Web aw

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Help

From Andy on November 16, 2019 :: 7:23 pm

Im Andy one yer ago I moved to nyc I met my ex partner . Now one year later I’ve been involved in a lot things that I don’t even understand, I don’t have privacy eve. I can’t browsing freely, please I would like take back that !

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The Greensboro Police Department, "Skip" and Marty Kotis

From Walle, A. on November 19, 2019 :: 2:22 pm

The Greensboro Police Department has had a time with my phone, so much I told Concentrix that I did not get their text until 1:30 despite their sending it at 8:30 A.M., that I get repeat messages with names of friends in the leader, their favorite out of the bunch being “Car repair warranty” ads—I was stopped by the GPD as I dropped my car-off at Firestone “You know where the Coliseum’s at..?”  It is how they let you know they’re watching you at all times; even Andrew “the Closet Creeper” got involved—in broad daylight—it’s really that bad with the GPD aw

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Voice mail hack

From Veronica on November 22, 2019 :: 7:45 am

Some how my daughter’s GM got changed on her IPhone X.  I called her phone she did not pick up and a vulgar GM message came on.  I called her back and asked why she had that message on her phone. She asked what message?  I called her back and merged call she heard it.  She tried to turn off her Vm.  Nothing worked and she could not shut it off.  I call my carrier and my pass code and verification questions were different.  So I was told I would need to go into a local carrier store and have them reset my passcode so that they could access my account to see what was going on with the Vm.  I asked the rep if this was a known problem. Of course she said no.  My daughter was flying out of state and this happened at 4:30 am.  I called and spoke to a different rep and was told o needed to speak to central billing or something and they could do a verification and reset code.  They open @ 8 am est.  I am so frustrated right now.  How did this happen to her phone?

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CAN A HACKER FILM YOU THROUGH YOUR PHONE

From Sally on November 25, 2019 :: 4:30 am

I was shopping on YouTube recently and a hacker has now emailed me saying I clicked on a link and has filmed me and is threatening to release footage to my clients.
Can this happen????

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That's a scam

From Josh Kirschner on November 25, 2019 :: 12:53 pm

What footage? Footage of you shopping? Or, more likely, footage claiming to have caught you doing something more private?

We covered this scam in detail here: https://www.techlicious.com/blog/is-the-porn-blackmail-scam-real/

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I'm confused now. A man

From Confused on November 27, 2019 :: 9:33 am

I’m confused now. A man claim that he hacked my Samsung Galaxy J3 and force me to open Skype or else he will spread my personal infomation online. Is he really hacking me or just lying to make me scared so I’ll follow his words? Anyway, he did gave me a link and when I click on it, there’s a picture of cute anime girl. And he asked me to search for a number (IP address). If he really hacked my phone, what I need to do?

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He's lying

From Josh Kirschner on November 27, 2019 :: 12:03 pm

This is almost certainly a scam to get you to go on Skype so he can get real video of you. Don’t do   it. Just ignore the person.

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