The proliferation of Pegasus spyware, a tool frequently employed for monitoring journalists, politicians, business figures, and activists, underscores the critical need for heightened vigilance in safeguarding our mobile devices against unauthorized intrusion.
Hackers possess the capability to intercept calls, access messages and emails, and manipulate user interfaces. Yet, determining whether one’s smartphone has fallen victim to such intrusion remains a paramount concern.
Here are key signs to discern if your mobile device has been compromised:
- Anomalous Battery Behavior: Unusual warmth emanating from your device’s
battery should raise suspicions. If your phone becomes excessively hot, even
during regular usage, it may signify covert surveillance. Similarly, a rapidly depleting battery, especially when not actively in use, warrants scrutiny. A failure
to charge properly should also be considered a red flag. - Unexplained Surge in Data Usage: Diligently monitoring your phone bill can
both save money and preserve your privacy. A sudden, unaccounted surge in
data consumption necessitates investigation. Malicious software frequently
utilizes data to transmit collected information to external sources, regardless
of your network connection. - Unwanted Advertisements and Unfamiliar Apps: Prudent app management
is essential. Keep an eye out for unfamiliar applications running surreptitiously
in the background. Instances of fraudulent apps infiltrating official app stores
have been reported, some disguising themselves as Trojan malware, while
they actually serve as adware designed to display intrusive advertisements and
potentially gather data. - Performance Deterioration: Sluggish phone performance can be an indicator of cybercriminal interference. To pinpoint potential culprits, inspect which
apps are consuming a disproportionate amount of system resources. On iOS,
navigate to Settings > General > iPhone Storage; on Android, access Settings Apps and scroll to the “Run” category. - Suspicious Messages: Exercise vigilance when encountering unusual messages, particularly those comprising random numbers, characters, or symbols. Such communications may serve as indicators of a security breach or cybercriminal activity. If acquaintances report receiving peculiar texts or emails purportedly from you but that you did not send, it may suggest that your device has been compromised.
- Modified Website Appearances: Malicious apps can alter the appearance of frequently visited websites. They might function as proxies, intercepting your communications with these sites and potentially displaying fraudulent pages or capturing your keystrokes. This poses a substantial risk, especially for online banking and activities necessitating personal information.
- Android Forwarding Codes: For Android users, employing forwarding codes like *#21#, *#67#, or *#62# can unveil whether your data is being redirected to third parties. By entering these codes in your phone’s keypad interface, you can assess the status of call forwarding. Any indication of “Forwarded” suggests potential hacking. To address this, input ##002# into the dial screen and press the dial symbol until “Deletion successful” confirms the removal of any cyber threats.
While it’s essential to strike a balance and not succumb to undue paranoia, staying informed about fundamental security practices remains prudent. Minimizing the risk of compromise entails downloading apps exclusively from official, trusted sources
