A phone is a personal gadget, and it features every vital part of your life. Due to the rapidly growing population with and the advanced technology, almost everyone posse a phone. Unfortunately, this gadget has the maximum potential to expose the most sensitive information to hackers. It is usually crucial that you ensure you protect your phone from thieves as well as data snatchers.
A hacker is unlikely to gain access to a phone merely by calling its owner. However, hackers frequently masquerade as authority figures, and they may call someone and ask for personal information which can then be used to access the owner’s phone along with other devices.
You need to be on the lookout and if your phone is displaying unusual behaviors not only once but multiple times. There is an excellent chance that it is being hacked. This post will make you more knowledgeable on the different ways someone can hack your phone.
So, can someone hack your phone by calling?
This is a popular question that most people ask. It is appropriate for you to understand that someone cannot just hack your phone by a call, just like hackers cannot manage to hack your phone by just sending you a single text. Most hackers have a strategy of hacking your phone. Furthermore, a hacker will call you from an official perspective and access your personal information. With this information, e or she will commence hacking your account. Therefore, you must understand hackers cannot manage to break into your phone’s software and hack it with a mere phone call.
On the other hand, a hacker can hack your phone, but it depends on how you are likely to respond to the call. And as mentioned earlier, the rapid growth and changing technology have made everything possible, especially those nearly impossible in the past few years. You can receive calls from many unknown people. Answering the call does not mean someone will hack your phone, but when you give out your crucial details, you are likely to experience the harm of hackers.
You must also know that your mobile phone is similar to a mini-computer. It is a very sophisticated and powerful device with multiple years of engineering. It is appropriate for you to know that an expert in hacking can find out where you reside with a call. However, for that to happen, the call must take a pretty long duration. Similarly, it takes time to triangulate the cell phone signal, but a person can trace you from where your cell phone signal is bouncing from. Besides, that should not make you worried because the hacker will not pinpoint where you exactly live.
Ways of hacking any smartphone
With advanced technology, it is quite possible to hack your phone. You must understand that hackers use multiple ways to hack the phone. For instance, they can send you an email saying that something serious is happening with your account and you need to take immediate action.
This means you need to stay alert and keen all the time and not fall for their trap at any given point. And as the technology continues to undergo sophistication, hackers are also continuing to enhance their hacking techniques to hack and steal information from people’s phones. Below are several varying methods by which hackers can get access to your phone:
Malicious apps
Your phone can easily get hacked if you download a malicious app. Moreover, you must know that this is a huge problem for most consumers because criminals are currently hiding their malicious capabilities that seem legitimate. Besides, they have the potential to handle legitimate services, such as mobile games. Thus Google play incorporates more numerous infected apps, unlike Apple’s App Store.
Using free Wi-Fi
Most individuals find unsecured and free Wi-Fi at the nearest local coffee shop convenient, not knowing that it is also too convenient for the hackers. Bear in mind that it is easy for hackers to spy on almost everything you do through Wi-Fi. Therefore, if you must use unsecured Wi-Fi, ensure that you also remember to use a virtual private network (VPN) because it maintains the security of your connection. In addition, it is inexpensive and guarantees you maximum security. Suppose you are not willing to do this to ensure that you do not sign onto a blank website. You must also ensure that you do not use your email. In case it is a must you use your email, keep an eye on your address bar.
Similarly, your website should read ‘https://’and not ‘http://.’ You must understand that the additional S stands for a secure connection and gives you secure access to your website. Similarly, you need to check out for a green lock symbol, which needs to be next to your URL. If your website lacks those indicators that guarantee you a secure connection, avoid placing your details, especially the log-in details. This will make you safe from hackers. Furthermore, if you proceed without a secure connection, your phone will likely be 100% hacked. Ideally, it would be better that you also avoid free and unsecured Wi-Fi.
Leaving your phone unattended in the public
Ensure that you never leave your phone unattended to more so if you are in public. As many threats are found online, ensure that you also take care of the real-world threats. For instance, someone grabbing when you are not on the lookout. It is good to keep your phone within your view or just on you. If your phone features a phone visibility option, it would be better that you switch it off.
Moreover, this setting allows devices that are nearby to go through your phone and exchange data. On the other hand, avoid saving log-in information and save passwords for your sensitive accounts and banking apps. This will prevent the hacker from automatically log-in in in the same way you do with your device.
Likewise, if you are getting rid of your old phones, you need to consider cell phone recycling tips. This will prevent your private information from reaching the wrong hands or criminals. On that note, ensure that you do not leave your phone unattended, more so when you are in public.
Clicking on a weird link in the text
This is also referred to as phishing, and it dupes you into revealing your confidential information. For example, a hacker can confidently send you a text in the name of being your parent, someone you are familiar with, or even a friend requesting you to open a photo or even a pdf file. When you fall n for the trap, the horse program is likely to interrupt your entire system. Likewise, it can give them a chance to steal your entire files.
You will only be able to notice that your phone was hacked by receiving messages from unknown people claiming a certain amount of money. If you decline their request, they will probably threaten you to release messages and pictures that they stole from your phone. To avoid such incidences, never use suspicious links or even attachments, but if you are sure they come from a trusted source, you can comfortably and confidently use them without any worries.
Sometimes you can have a gut feeling or doubt some links being suspicious; kindly avoid using them. In this case, you can go ahead and delete the links and all the attachments.
Being lazy with your password
According to Thomas Reed, the Director of Mobile and Mac situated at Malwarebytes, many people experience this problem. If your iCloud account undergoes hacking, the hacker will access all that is in your phone and get to see the entire data stored on your iCloud. Once they get full access to your phone, they go ahead to lock it using the anti-theft features, among many more things.
Bear in mind that you are likely to experience this kind of problem if you reuse your password on many sites, and unfortunately, one of those sites is hacked. Likewise, all this is avoidable; you only need to ensure that you use unique and different passwords on each site. These passwords are usually stored in the password manager. Besides, each account allows two-factor authentication. Ensure that you avoid making this simple mistake since hackers are usually ready to frustrate you; they will not spare as long as they get a chance, but they will use it to their maximum level.
Using public charging station
The public charging station may act as a solution to your problem. However, using them can set you on fire since it gives criminals access to your phone. And they can install an app on your device. This has been confirmed by James Goepel, who is the CEO at Fathom Cyber. He is also the Drexel University cybersecurity professor. Whenever you are on the move and your phone runs out of charge, it is ideal that you use the AC charging port to charge your phone instead of using the USB port. Hackers are very intelligent, and they usually hide their malware and mini-computers inside public charging stations.
Furthermore, they take advantage of the USB because you can comfortably use it for charging and transferring files. Professional hackers can monitor each of your activities as long as you use the USB for charging. You might think that you are charging your phone while your phone is being hacked. Therefore, you should never be quick to plug your phone into any given outlet you come across. There are many places you should not charge your phones, such as coffee shops, libraries, malls, tourist attraction centers, rental cars, hotels, train stations, and the airport.
Bluetooth hacking
Experts in hacking usually utilize unique software products in search of mobile phones with a functioning Bluetooth connection. This hacking model is likely to happen when a hacker is in range of your mobile phone. Furthermore, it is usually in a more populated environment. If a hacker is connected to your Bluetooth, they will likely access the entire information available. Similarly, they will also get access to your web via the internet connection. However, the hacker can only download the data when your phone is within his or her range.
What do you do when your phone is hacked?
Suppose you have any suspicions that your phone is hacked. You do not need to panic since you can always find a solution to any given problem. Bear in mind that there are three primary steps you need to consider to prevent you from incurring severe damage. These steps have been developed with Matt Wilson, the BTB Chief Information Security Advisor; they include:
Restoring your device
This entire process helps you clean your device and restore your data from cloud storage. The procedure can seem to be tricky, but it is much easier than you expect. Similarly, how you restore depends on your phone model. Moreover, Google and Apple are straightforward in backing up and restoring your Android or iPhone. When you undertake this step, you likely to experience minimal damage.
Allow multi-factor authentication
If you are worried because your phone is hacked, you do not need to worry anymore because all you need to do is enable multi-factor authentication. Ideally, this is a perfect idea compared to waiting for a cooperative device to handle the problem. Besides, many famous services and apps, such as major banks, Google and Facebook, usually allow this. However, this only lessens the effect of your device. You must understand that this step acts differently on varying devices as well as apps. Luckily, you can opt for the best commencing point by looking in system preference for security settings. For iPhone, if you have iOS 10.3, ensure that you enable the Apple ID by visiting the settings, placing your name, then the password, and security.
Change your essential passwords
It is appropriate to change your password, more so if you suspect that your phone has been hacked. Even though it would be better not to do it from the device that has been hacked; instead, you can use another device. Changing the password from your hacked phone only means that you would have given the criminals your new password. This means you will not have solved any problem.
Apart from the steps mentioned above and other given security protocols, you also need to examine your credit cards and bank accounts. If you notice any suspicious activities, make sure you contact or seek help from your financial institution immediately. You can ask them to lock the bank account and inquire about the necessary steps to recoup the losses. Major institutions usually cover fraudulent charges if this is reported within 60 days of the attack.
Ways of protecting your phone from hacking
As mentioned earlier, there are many ways hackers can access your phone and steal critical information and personal details. Here is an overview of tips you can use to make sure that your phone is not hacked:
Use security protection
It is 100% possible to protect your phone from hackers. Furthermore, this can be done freely and through the mobile security app on your Android and iPhone. It guarantees your maximum phone security against hackers. You can also opt to use McAfee Total Protection; it offers you protection against cyber threats. It features McAfee WebAdvisor, which helps identify malicious websites and needs you to watch out.
Turn off the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Hackers can easily access your using Bluetooth as well as a Wi-Fi connection. Thus, if they are not in use, it would be better that you turn them off because they do not give you any warning whenever the hacker is making his or her moves. In addition, if you fear being hacked in public, then consider switching off your phone; no hacker can access your phone when it is switched off. This is an effective method of preventing hacking.
Sim card locking
This is a primary way of protecting your phone from being hacked. Ensure that you put the passcode on the sim card, and you would have protected it from being hacked. Setting this code is relatively easy, especially if you have an iPhone. You need to go to the settings, then cellular, and enter the sim pin. To enable the look, put your existing pin. If you are using Android, go to the settings, lock the screen, and security together with other security settings. After that, set up your sim card lock. Similarly, you can also enable the option of locking your sim card.
Encrypt your device
Ensure that your phone is encrypted. It saves you from hackers and protects your crucial information, messages and calls. To confirm if your phone is encrypted, it is appropriate for an iPhone user to visit the passcode and touch ID. After that, scroll it to the bottom as you confirm that the data is fully enabled. Likewise, Android users do not need to go through any hassle because they have automatic encryption, but this depends on the phone model.
Store the phone in your possession
The hacker can easily steal essential information when they easily access your phone; hence it is vital to ensure that it is usually in your possession.
Conclusion
According to this detailed post, it is more than impossible for hackers to access your phone via a call, but given a chance, they can comfortably hack your phone. You must know that hacking can be pretty challenging, but responding to the call can make it pretty easy for criminals to access your phone. Therefore, it is good to ensure that you take precautions all the time.