Numerous world leaders have expressed concerns regarding espionage-related malware being surreptitiously planted on their personal devices by their adversaries. This clandestine practice aims to gather classified information or monitor their activities.
Apple Inc. issued a statement yesterday, urging iPhone users to exercise caution, as certain states have been reported to hire hackers to engage in surveillance on prominent political figures and public personalities in over 158 countries globally.
Setting aside the potential targets of these hackers, it’s essential to understand how to detect signs of a compromised smartphone:
Rapid Battery Drainage: While 5G networks can deplete a phone’s battery faster than 4G networks, malevolent apps operating in the background can also significantly impact battery life. By monitoring battery usage, users can identify apps responsible for the drain and either uninstall or disable them to prevent damage.
Overheating: Modern phones are equipped with cooling mechanisms to regulate temperature, and regular activities should not cause the device to overheat. If your phone consistently heats up, it may be due to a malicious background process.
Social Media Anomalies: If you notice posts on your social media accounts that you don’t remember sharing, change your password and report the breach to the respective social networking site.
Sluggish Performance: Slower response times when opening apps may indicate the presence of malware operating discreetly in the background.
Application Failures: If apps, especially payment wallets, fail to load or if your phone freezes when launching an app, consider installing available software updates or occasionally rebooting your phone to reduce the influence of malicious background apps.
Pop-up Notifications: Users with Android versions beyond 8-9 have automatic pop-up detection and neutralization, but those on Android versions 7 and 8 might encounter adware issues.
Unwanted App Installations: The appearance of new apps in your phone’s menu, which you didn’t download, may signal the presence of spyware. Stick to official app stores and rely on reviews to assess an app’s legitimacy before downloading.
Abnormal Data Usage: Unusually high data consumption could signify the presence of malware, including data-mining software, which can lead to unexpected, costly bills.
Gallery Monitoring: In countries like Spain, Britain, and South Africa, cybercriminals are known to infiltrate phones via public Wi-Fi and take control of the camera, capturing images without the user’s knowledge. If your phone’s flashlight activates without any user input, it may indicate a potential device takeover.
Calls and Messages: Keep a vigilant eye on your call and message logs, as certain rogue applications can access premium online services, resulting in unexpected costs.
