Did you notice any strange behavior on your cell phone? Do not underestimate it, it is possible that it is a clue that allows you to deduce if it fell into the hands of hackers. We explain what are the signs you should pay attention to and what steps to take.
Your mobile phone contains sensitive information about you, from private messages to personal data, contacts, emails, bank numbers ... the list can be endless.
Therefore, if you hack your cell phone, it is best to take action as soon as possible.
The problem is that many times we are not able to identify the signals in time.
But we have good news: you do not need to be a technology expert to know if your phone was compromised.
In some cases, it is enough to pay attention to certain indications. These are some:
- It works slower
If the performance of your phone is slower than usual, it could be due to a malicious program or malware causing its slowdown.
That type of virus can affect the performance of the device, which would be reflected in the speed at which it connects to the network.
But keep in mind that this could also be due to certain operating system updates, as recently recognized by Apple.
- Overheating
If you notice that the device is too hot ... bad signal.
If the cellular temperature rises ... bad signal. Photo: Getty Images
It could be because a malicious application is running in the background, explain from the American Intel technology.
- The battery runs out sooner than expected
The same reason that causes overheating can trigger battery wear.
It is possible that this effect is also due to a system update that affected the phone's battery, but if the change is too drastic, it is always better to take it into account, the Mobile Zone website says.
- Receive and send unknown messages
It is likely that your friends or family members will receive this signal before you, if it is your device that is sending the messages, either through SMS or via WhatsApp.
Does your friend send you "strange" messages? It is possible that your terminal (or yours) has been hacked. Photo: Getty Images
Sometimes these are trap offers that are transmitted in the form of viruses from one terminal to another.
The same can happen with emails.
The first advice to keep in mind: delete it as soon as possible and do not click on any link.
- Pop-up windows
The so-called "pop-ups" are usually an unequivocal signal that something is wrong.
"As happens in computers, some malware generate pop-up windows that invite you to perform different actions," says cybersecurity specialist Joseph Steinberg.
"If you see 'pop-ups', keep that in mind."
- Purchases and suspicious apps
Where did that new application come from that shows your phone's screen? Was your data consumption fired suspiciously this month?
If the bill goes off, pay attention. Photo: Getty Images
In addition, you may have increased your telephone bill or the number of text messages you "sent."
"Although the manufacturer or service provider may be authorized to install apps from time to time to update the phone, if new applications appear suddenly it is better to make sure they are legal," says Steinberg.
The expert recommends to Google the name of the application and check what users say about it.
The same happens if the data consumption unexpectedly grew: it is better to check it.
It can also happen that hackers use their data to buy all kinds of things, so specialists recommend having control over the transactions that are made.
- Strange appearance and background noise
If when you browse the Internet web pages have an unusual appearance, it may be due to the action of a hacker who is manipulating the device remotely.
Do you hear a strange noise? Beep? Voices? Photo: Getty Images
This reason could also explain unusual behavior of the system.
Finally, the background noise when you make a call can explain that a third party is recording it. If you hear beeps or voices, the chances of that being so will be higher.
What to do?
- Install a trusted mobile antivirus (some are free)
- Uninstall applications that have not been installed
- Avoid browsing public wifis
- Protect your phone with a password difficult to decipher
- Do not download applications of unknown origins
- Beware of clicking on "pop-ups"!
- Keep your device always updated
- Check the invoice and data consumption regularly