Phone Security: How to Tell if Your Phone is Hacked

Summary: This 3-minute article explains how you can tell if your smartphone has been hacked. Learn how professional mobile device management performed by IT experts can prevent data breaches. Contact DIGIGUARD CYBER SECURITY at 833-33-CYBER (833-332-9237) or visit www.DIGIGUARDsecurity.com to schedule a cyber risk analysis and discuss the many tools available for locking down your smartphone and all your endpoint devices.

In the world of cyber security, malicious software attacks have become endemic. Malware will continue to plague businesses for the foreseeable future. However, the increase in remote access work has made it crucial to apply the same cyber defense protection to all your endpoint devices, even smartphones. Hackers love to attack smartphones because most of our phones now store large amounts of much of our most private data. All kinds of private information, including passwords, bank accounts, credit cards and other personal details, are stored on smartphones and have become easy targets for cybercriminals. Also, as new devices are added to networks all the time, the target landscape for hackers continues to grow daily. However, many small to midsized businesses do not take smartphone cyber security as seriously as they do for their office and home computers, thus making attacking their phones appealing to cyber thieves.

You do not need to be a techy to recognize some basic signs that your phone may have been hacked:

• Your Phone is Malfunctioning –You know how your phone is supposed to work. A good rule of thumb is if something has changed in the way your phone operates, If strange software appears, you receive unexplained error messages or if simple functions are getting slow or cannot be executed, don’t run out and buy a new phone. The malfunctioning could simply be a sign that you’ve been hacked.
• Loss of Battery Life – All phone batteries stop holding a charge sooner or later. They just wear out. But if you’ve had your phone for only a short time, unexpected battery drainage could signify that a hacker has installed an app running in the background.
• Data Usage Has Increased – Many users are on phone plans that offer unlimited data. However, even if there is no chance of going over a limit, you should still be aware of your average data usage. A substantial increase in your phone’s data usage could mean a hacker has placed hidden apps on your phone, not just running in the background, but being used to connect to other parties without your knowledge, thereby consuming a lot of your data.
• Mysterious Apps Appear – Be aware of every app you have installed on your phone. Your iPhone has probably been hacked if you see apps you don’t remember downloading.
• Unfamiliar Texts or Calls – If you experience an increase in the number of mysterious texts or calls you receive from untrusted sources, your phone may have been compromised.
• Pop Up Ads – Pop-ups are not the problem they used to be. Pop-up blockers have been around for a long time. So if you suddenly are receiving unwarranted pop-ups, it is likely from a malicious software attack.
• Phone Becomes Hot – If your phone seems unusually hot, it could be because its resources are being taxed by hidden malicious code.
• Websites Don’t Look Right – A malware attack on your phone could allow cybercriminals to redirect your web browsing to untrusted, insecure websites that are not where you intended to land. If websites look strange, it could be a sign that your phone has been hacked and you are being directed to unsafe websites

Your iPhone is Hacked? What to Do When You Think Your Phone Has Been Attacked

Unfortunately, cyber threat protection against hacks has become too complex for amateurs. Many essential considerations are far beyond the expertise of the most tech-savvy users. Professional IT security consulting is the best way to protect your business data. In addition, IT pros can offer mobile device management and help you devise a detailed cyber incident response plan in the event of an attack.

SMBs would be wise to enlist the assistance of IT consulting services to help make informed and cost-conscious decisions about the specific system requirements that are best for your company. They can also ensure your system has strong network security from the start for all your networked devices. Robust security will keep them running as safely and efficiently as possible.

DIGIGUARD Cyber Security is an IT security service specializing in cyber threat protection for small to midsized companies. In addition, DIGIGUARD can provide your SMB with powerful layers of security, making it more difficult for hackers to access your network. Therefore, your company’s data will be safer and less likely to be breached in the face of our expanding mobile work environment. Furthermore, DIGIGUARD can assess your cyber vulnerability and work with you to ensure you have the best network and data protection solutions for your business.

Contact DIGIGUARD CYBER SECURITY at 833-33-CYBER (833-332-9237) or visit www.DIGIGUARDsecurity.com to explore prevention strategies to guard against deadly cyberattacks on all your networked devices and other cyber defense strategies and protocols to best protect your SMB’s hard-earned data.