The Three Kinds of Phone Hacks to Watch Out For

By putting the right safety protections in place and applying a certain caution of common sense, you can minimize the risk that your phone is hacked, but it is not something that you can ever guarantee 100% that you can avoid. In this spirit, it is useful to know what some preliminary signs of hacking might look like and what you can do in response.

There are a few different scenarios that the term “hacking” covers, so I will cross them in turn, even if there is overlap in what you have to look for. If you are unlucky enough for your device to be compromised, by identifying it and repairing it as quickly as possible, you can limit the damage.

Spy software hacking

Regarding telephone hacks, the first scenario that would come to mind for most of us is probably someone else who takes control of our device: recording what is said in the phone microphone, perhaps, or recording strikes on the keyboard.

On modern smartphones, it is quite difficult to make a hacking like this remotely, although this is in no way impossible. The exploits can be carried out via an instant message, or via an application that does not do what it says, assuming it is slipped in front of Apple and Google checks (or you have put it next).

If an unscrupulous colleague or partner has managed to obtain physical access to your phone, the hack is easier to make. They could be able to install and hide an application without your knowledge, but even then, it will have to pass the integrated safety controls set up by Android and iOS.

Check your application lists for unrecognized inputs.
Credit: Lifehacker

For exploits of this type, there are a few warning panels to be monitored that suggest the hidden application activity: battery discharge which is faster than usual, applications are slow to load or plant itself regularly, and your phone missing unexpectedly to storage space. Android and iOS should also alert you whenever the microphone or the camera is used, so watch all the unexpected activations.

If you think something is wrong, it is worth traveling the list of applications to see if there is something that you do not recognize: press Applications From parameters on Android or iOS. You can uninstall everything that is suspect in the same list.

For a more complete cleaning, you can reset your phone, which should erase spyware or unwanted applications at the same time, make sure you have first saved all of your files and data, because the device will return to its original condition. On Android, choose System> Reset options> Erase all data (factory reset) from parameters; On iOS, you must choose General> Transfer or reset the iPhone> Erase all content and settings from the parameters.

The account account

Another type of hack is the account hack, where someone else has access to your applications or accounts. This can expose your data on your computers and the web as well, as well as the assignment of your phone. Your connection identification information may have presented itself in a data violation, or it may have been deceived by a phishing scam.

As with the previous hack, what you should monitor is a suspicious activity, although it is not always easy: files or emails appear and disappear when they should not, for example, or alerts on your account that you did not expect.

There are several ways to dig a little more for the signs that your accounts may have been compromised. One is to open your applications with a “recent” or “activity” view first: you can do it in Google Drive and in your iCloud Drive account. Everything you see should correspond to the actions you have taken.

Viewing active connections for Instagram.
Credit: Lifehacker

You can also check to see the devices on which your account is active, which will tell you if someone has connected like you on a phone, tablet or computer that you do not have. Most accounts now allow you to do so in one way or another – for example, you can head here to see wherever your Instagram account is active. The same page allows you to configure alerts for new connections and revoke access from any device that you cannot identify.

Also keep an eye on your reception box by e-mail to see if you have warnings on the unexpected activity on your account, although this will only work if your accounts are connected to the email addresses which are active and regularly verified.

If you think that one of your accounts has been compromised, modify the connection details as soon as you can, which should lock all unwanted visitors. You must also activate two -factor authentication for all the accounts that offer it, which means that hackers need more than one username and a password to access.

The Hack Sim or Esim

Pirates can also target the SIM in your phone, whether it is a physical SIM card or ESIM. The new ESIM standard, where digital recording is used instead of a real card, is the safest option, but still does not offer 100%guaranteed protection.

The most common type of attack here is a SIM exchange attack (also known as SIM card socket attack): essentially, your cell number is redirected to another SIM card and another phone. Someone else will receive your calls, SMS and safety codes if you have configured them on SMS.

This can be done with physical sims and esims, and generally involves a pirate hacker convincing your operator that they are in fact you – and that you want to get your number to a new device. They will need a kind of personal information or connection identification to do this, and they can even compromise the account you have with your network supplier (as described above).

Pirates can try to take control of your SIM.
Credit: Lifehacker

In addition to being potentially harmful hacking is also the one you need to spot fairly quickly: it will seem that your friends and family ignore you, because you will not get any call or SMS, and you will not be able to send it either.

You can also obtain alerts from your operator, by e-mail or by e-mail or messages in application, by asking to confirm certain security changes. Be on the lookout for these, as well as any sudden change of service (like having no cell signal in areas where you can generally connect).

If you arrive, act as quickly as possible. Change passwords on the accounts connected to your number and talk to your cell operator or your ESIM supplier company in the first opportunity, even if you have to take someone else’s phone to do so. Once you have proven that you are really you, the company with which you are in contact should be able to reverse the changes.