Originally published Sept. 29, 2022. Blog post updated for accuracy, comprehensiveness and freshness on June 28, 2024.
Ever misplaced your smartphone—even briefly? It’s a scary feeling.
Now, imagine your smartphone being lost for good. All your contacts, photos, videos, voicemails, apps, social media accounts, and search history are suddenly inaccessible. Your ability to call, email, text, and video chat is gone.
This vulnerability is why smartphones have become prime targets for hackers.
In this article, we detail how hackers can attack your phone and how you can protect yourself.
How do hackers get access to your phone?
Hackers can get your phone number and find your personal information using people search sites like WhoEasy, Whitepages, or Fast People Search. Here’s how they exploit it:
Spyware
Spyware is malicious software that monitors your phone activities. Hackers use spyware to activate your phone’s camera and microphone, scan your emails, texts, social media, contacts, search history, and web traffic. Spyware is often installed unknowingly when you click on a link in a bogus email or text. Think of spyware as a thief quietly waiting to see where you hide your valuables.
Phishing attacks
Phishing is one of the ways hackers download spyware into your phone. It’s a type of social engineering attack which preys upon your fear. The intent is to create a sense of urgency to prevent you from thinking critically.
Scam emails
One form of phishing involves scam emails that look like they’re from your bank or credit card company, informing you about fraudulent charges or withdrawals. The email asks you to click a link and sign into your account to verify your identity. Fraudsters capture your login credentials and potentially release spyware into your system.
Scam texts
Scam texts—or “smishing”—work similarly to scam emails. You receive an official-looking text about a compromised account, prompting you to click a link to “unfreeze” it. This leads to a sign-in screen where fraudsters capture your credentials and release spyware into your system.
Public networks
Public networks like the Wi-Fi at your local coffee shop are loosely encrypted and ripe for hacking. A fraudster can infiltrate devices connected to a public network, unleashing spyware while gathering personal information. Always use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when using your smartphone from home.
Keylogging
Keylogging is a type of spyware that records everything you type on a keyboard. It enables a fraudster to get your login credentials, banking and credit card information—anything that you type in.
Can somebody hack into your phone by calling you?
In short, no. You can’t get hacked by simply answering your phone. However, you can fall prey to “vishing,” which is the verbal equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters call, impersonating bank officials, to create a sense of urgency in hopes of getting you to sign into your account. Do not comply.
Signs your phone is hacked
If your battery has mysteriously worn down, your data usage is way up, your phone operates slowly, overheats, opens apps for no apparent reason—chances are your phone has been hacked, and there is malware running in the background.
What to do if your phone is hacked
If you suspect your phone has been hacked, it’s crucial to take immediate action to minimize damage and protect your personal information. Here are things that can significantly help:
Change your passwords immediately
Create random and unique passwords using an online password generator. Then download a password manager app to store your passwords safely and auto-login when you open an account.
Factory reset your phone
A factory reset will clear any malware but also wipe out all other data. Ensure you back up everything you want to save to the cloud, an external drive, or your computer. Follow the simple procedure for a factory reset on your smartphone.
Check your social media accounts
Social media accounts provide a treasure trove of contacts that a fraudster can send malicious content to in your name. Signs your social media has been hacked include:
- Posts on your wall you did not write
- Suspicious links from friends
- Suspicious logins at strange times or from remote places
- An increase in your number of friends
- Changed passwords locking you out
Let your contacts know
If your social media accounts have been hacked, inform all your contacts. Warn them to look out for messages asking for money or links that might unleash malware. Contact the social platforms hosting the hacked accounts and change your passwords.
Check for unusual apps
Check your apps. If you see any that you did not install—uninstall it immediately. Update your anti-malware program and run regular scans to ensure your phone is clean.
Protect your phone from hackers
We provide an antivirus and anti-malware solution using our cloud-based AI technology for your devices, along with our own Virtual Private Network with bank-grade encryption for up to 15 devices on our IDShield Family Plan. We also offer 24/7 credit, dark web, and social media monitoring, social media reputation management, up to a $3 Million Identity Theft Protection Plan, and an in-house team of Licensed Private Investigators to restore your identity to its pre-theft status.
Important FAQs for smartphone security
As we conclude, it’s crucial to address some of the most frequently asked questions about phone security. These answers will help reinforce your understanding and provide additional clarity on how to safeguard your personal information against hackers. Here key point to keep in mind:
What happens if I reply to a spam text?
Do not click any link, give out any personal information, or accept any follow-up phone calls. These are just “scammer tactics” designed to extract your login credentials. If you’re wondering what to do after being hacked—the first thing to do is run an anti-malware scan.
Can someone steal your information through a text?
Yes, it’s possible. Avoid clicking any links in texts or emails from unknown senders. However, hackers can also steal your information without you clicking a link. They can exploit ‘interaction-less’ bugs found in iOS iMessage code to access your data. You can help protect yourself by keeping your phone’s software updated so that it has the most current security patches.
Can someone hack your phone with just your phone number?
No. You would have to respond to a text or phone call that would then compromise your device. If you wonder: “Am I being hacked via a suspicious text, email, phone call?”—do not respond in any way.
Can someone hack my phone by texting a photo?
No. You would have to respond to that photo via an attached link. If you are worried about recognizing identity theft—get the identity theft protection plan from IDShield that works for you.
How to tell if your password was hacked?
You may see logins at strange times, or from remote places. Or you may get locked out of your account.
Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. (“PPLSI”) provides access to identity theft services through membership-based participation. IDShield is a product of PPLSI. All Licensed Private Investigators are licensed in the state of Oklahoma. The information made available in this blog is meant to provide general information and is not intended to provide professional advice, render an opinion, or provide a recommendation as to a specific matter. The blog post is not a substitute for competent and professional advice. Information contained in the blog may be provided by authors who could be third-party paid contributors. All information by authors is accepted in good faith; however, PPLSI makes no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of such information.
