According to AGV, here are some ways to identify if your mobile phone is being monitored, tapped, or surveilled by spyware:
1. Battery Issues
A sudden drop in battery performance is a clear warning sign that malware is being used to spy on your phone. Collecting your data requires a lot of background processes that use many resources, so you may notice your phone getting unusually warm or draining its battery faster than normal.
2. Increased Mobile Data Usage
An unexplained spike in mobile data consumption is another alarming sign that your phone may have been compromised and spyware is eavesdropping on your device. The data usage surge from spyware is due to the unauthorized transmission of large amounts of your data to a remote server, often for purposes such as extortion, identity theft, or selling to other cybercriminals. This often comes with noticeable lag or slower internet speeds when connected via mobile data.
3. Unwanted Advertisements and Hidden Apps
Pop-ups and other ads may not just be annoying; they can signal that hackers have infiltrated your device. If you notice a series of intrusive ads or apps that you do not recognize running in the background, take immediate steps to secure your device by running scans to detect and remove viruses from your phone.
An unexplained spike in mobile data usage is a warning sign that your phone is being spied on. (Illustrative image).
4. Phone Takes Longer to Power Off
A slow shut down can be another potential side effect of phone eavesdropping. This is often due to apps or malware running background processes that require additional time to shut down, forcing your system to wait for them before powering off.
5. Blocked Emails
If your emails are not reaching their intended recipients or your contacts inform you that they sent you emails that never arrived in your inbox, it is possible that your email settings have been spoofed by hackers. If this is the case, your other communications may also be under surveillance or blocked.
6. Personal Data Leaks
If your personal information has been leaked in a data breach, that information may be available on the dark web, putting you at risk for scams and other forms of identity theft. However, the danger may not end even if you secure your accounts and affected credentials. A data breach can indicate that eavesdropping has allowed cybercriminals access to your personal information.
7. Phone Shows Activity When Not in Use
If your phone lights up, makes sounds, or shows other signs of activity when you are not using it, someone may have remotely accessed your device.
8. Performance Issues
Performance issues such as freezing, crashing, glitches, slow response times, or sluggish processing may be due to software and hardware malfunctions. However, these problems could also indicate that hackers are doing something malicious with your phone, especially if these symptoms coincide with other signs of eavesdropping.
9. Strange Messages
Phone eavesdropping can not only intercept your calls and messages but can also lead to you starting to receive all kinds of spam and scam messages. Avoid clicking on any links sent from unknown numbers and immediately delete any suspicious messages.
10. Unusual Websites
If something seems “off” while browsing websites on your mobile device, it could be a sign that your phone has been compromised by malware acting as a proxy between you and your browser, recording your activity.
Signs to watch for include persistent pop-ups even when you are using an ad blocker or websites appearing or behaving strangely.
