Jakarta - Are you sure your phone isn't being tapped, monitored, or hacked by someone else? You can identify signs or indications of a tapped phone in several ways. Check out these 10 signs your phone is being tapped and monitored by hackers in this article. Also, learn how to handle a tapped phone and ways to prevent it.
Signs Your Phone is Being Tapped
Here are 10 signs your phone is being tapped and monitored, summarized from Norton and AVG websites:
Battery Issues
The first sign or indication relates to the battery. The temperature of your phone's battery may increase, feeling hot even when not in use. This could happen because your phone is secretly transmitting data. Additionally, your phone's battery capacity may decrease rapidly, even if you're not using it for heavy applications. You can check the battery usage and which apps consume the most battery.
Strange Sounds During Calls
Pay attention during calls, whether you're making or receiving them. A tapped phone may produce strange sounds like clicks, distortion, choppy audio, or distant noises.
Activity While Idle
If your phone shows unusual activity when not in use, it might be tapped or hacked. For instance, your phone might emit sounds or the screen might light up on its own when not in use.
Delayed Shutdown
When shutting down your phone, it should close all applications and remaining tasks. The more apps you have, the longer it takes to shut down. A tapped phone also takes a long time to shut down because it might be sending information to third parties, especially after making calls, texts, emails, or web searches.
Strange Text Messages
Another sign is receiving strange text messages, which could be random numbers, symbols, or characters. You might also receive links from untrustworthy sources. Hackers might use remote control features by sending coded text messages.
Unusual Advertisements
A tapped phone may display ads unusually, such as pop-ups appearing when you haven't opened any applications. There might be background apps running that generate these ads.
Camera and Microphone Activation
When the camera or microphone is activated, a green or orange dot usually appears. Hackers may use your phone's camera and microphone without your knowledge, causing them to turn on by themselves.
Increased Data Usage
A tapped phone will send information to hackers, which usually requires internet data. If your data usage suddenly increases, and your quota or credit runs out faster, be wary as your phone might be tapped.
Altered Website Appearance
Malware can change how your phone performs tasks, such as displaying websites. One sign is the unusual alteration of website appearances.
Blocked Emails
A hacked or tapped phone might block emails, preventing them from being sent to the intended recipients. Conversely, emails from others might not reach your inbox.
Handling and Preventing Tapped Phones
Here are some ways to handle and prevent tapped or hacked phones, as cited from How-To Geek and Wootechy:
Only Download Trusted Applications
Make sure to always install trusted applications, such as those from Google Play Store, App Store, Samsung Galaxy Store, and others. Also, ensure that the apps on these stores match those on the developer's official website.
Use Anti-Malware Applications
Install reliable anti-malware and antivirus applications on your phone. Use them regularly to check for issues on your phone.
Check with MMI Codes
Also, check using Man-Machine Interface (MMI) codes to see if any calls are being forwarded. These codes may vary depending on the network you're using. Dial codes like ##002#, *72, *73, or *#21# to see if there's any call forwarding or similar activities.
Enable 2-Step Verification
Don't forget to enable two-step verification for various applications. This prevents hackers from using your apps.
Turn Off GPS Location
Others might also track your whereabouts through GPS. You can turn off the GPS Location feature in your phone's settings. In apps like WhatsApp, ensure that you're not sharing live locations with others.
Those were the 10 signs your phone is being tapped or monitored by someone else that you can check yourself. Take immediate preventive measures or actions if you notice any of the above signs on your phone!
