Smartphones have become indispensable in our daily lives, but with their ubiquity comes the lurking threat of hackers seeking to infiltrate these devices and gain access to our personal information. This danger is particularly heightened for individuals in the public eye, such as celebrities, elected representatives, or journalists.
If you suspect that your phone may have been compromised, it’s crucial to be vigilant for signs that can vary from person to person or device to device but are common among average online users.
Dot on the Screen: For Android phones, a green dot may appear just below the notification light or above the network antenna signal. Apple iPhone may show an orange dot. If you observe this light emitting constantly or blinking when your phone is not in use, it could indicate a compromised device. Malware may be discreetly taking snapshots or recording audio in the background. Note that Android 13 OS users may see a similar light when using their camera app, disappearing upon app closure. Tip: Review your application count and remove any unknown or suspicious apps.
Mobile Device Warming: A phone heating up when not in use suggests a potential hack. Unusual battery drain is another sign of background malware activity. Malicious software may strain the processor, causing the phone to heat up.
Password Change Email/Message: Beware of alerts requesting password changes for bank or social media accounts. Such messages might be phishing attempts to compromise login credentials. Exercise caution before clicking on email links or those embedded in messages.
Bogus Bank Calls: Be skeptical of calls claiming to be from your bank requesting sensitive information. Legitimate banks won’t ask for sensitive details over the phone; visit a branch in person if necessary. Report suspicious calls to law enforcement.
Note: Any device connected to the internet is susceptible to cyber threats. While it’s not necessary to disable mobile data, take precautions such as downloading apps from trusted sources, keeping your device updated, using anti-malware solutions, and avoiding clicking on links from messaging platforms or emails.
