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iPhones have truly opened up a world of possibilities. It’s easier than ever to contact people, play games, research online, take photos, and more, all on the same device. But with these amazing benefits comes the potential for hackers and cybercriminals to target your phone. It can be difficult to tell if your iPhone is hacked.
This guide will help you learn about some common signs that may indicate your phone has been hacked.
How Can an iPhone Be Hacked?
Apple’s operating system has a reputation for having good privacy and security features, proving more secure than Android phones. For everyday use, you will not need to install additional antivirus software on an iPhone. Unfortunately despite these perks, iPhones can still be hacked.
With the right skills, hackers can send malicious software, including spyware, to your phone. This can effectively compromise your privacy and security. It also paves the way for cybercriminals to use the information they find to commit further crimes like identity theft.
There are a few common tactics hackers use to access your iPhone. It’s important to learn about these strategies so you can know what to look out for and protect your phone before it falls into the wrong hands.
Public Wi-Fi Networks
The reliability and safety of public Wi-Fi networks have improved over time, but using one is still less secure than using your private home network. You’ll most commonly use public networks in places like airports, hotels, and cafes. These are places you might be at for a longer period of time without having access to your private home network.
Hackers can use unencrypted and vulnerable public networks to install malware and comb through your device for data if they connect successfully. They can also spoof public networks by creating fake Wi-Fi networks with convincing names. If you connect to one, you essentially connect your device to theirs.
Networks with pop-ups asking for personal information before letting you online and third-party Wi-Fi networks may be even less secure. This is not to say that you can’t or shouldn’t use public Wi-Fi, but you may want to use a VPN or a secure browser as an extra precaution.
Phishing Scams
Phishing is a common tactic used by hackers and scammers to send malware to your phone or trick you into giving up personal information. Regarding iPhone hacks, a phishing scam can come in the form of an email, phone call, text message, social media ad, or free software download.
It will likely include a link for you to click on or ask you to reply with personal information. Many phishers will pose as legit companies to appear more convincing. Once you click on a link they’ve sent, malware might be immediately installed on your phone.
From there, it’s free to operate in the background, looking through your information at will and feeding it back to the hacker. It could also affect the performance quality of your phone, causing glitches and slow speeds.
Spyware
Spyware is a type of malware that can be installed on your device after you click on a malicious link from a phishing email, pop-up ad, etc. Spyware literally spies on your device, monitoring and extracting all sorts of data like sms messages, contacts, photos, and more.
Advanced spyware can also access your microphone or camera and literally see what you’re doing. Scary, right?
Suspicious Apps
Similarly to phishing, hackers can create malicious apps on the Apple app store that appear normal. Once you download them, they can run in the background, stealing your information and using up high amounts of data or storage. These apps usually offer simple things like free wallpaper or special photo effects.
If an app asks for unnecessary permissions, like a wallpaper app asking to use your microphone, you should be suspicious. Changes in your phone’s performance after you get the app can indicate something’s up, too.
Suspicious People
Unfortunately, your iPhone can also be compromised by someone you know or encounter in person. If you lose your phone, anything can happen. But even if you keep it close, there may be sketchy people in your life who take the opportunity to install trackers and spyware or use your passcode to access your accounts.
7 Ways To Tell if Your iPhone Is Hacked
Now that you know what hackers can do to get inside your iPhone, it’s time to figure out how to tell that they’ve done so. The sooner you can figure out your phone has been hacked, the better. The longer you let malware and viruses run undetected in the background, the worse the damage can be.
1. A Drop in Your iPhone’s Performance
If you notice all of a sudden that your iPhone battery runs out quicker than ever before, it may be an indicator that malware of some kind is running through your phone and draining it.
These are other indicators your phone may be working overtime to run a malicious program:
- Glitches when opening and closing apps
- Long lag times/slow loading speeds
- Phone overheating without being in direct sunlight
2. Calls and Messages You Didn’t Make
Hackers that have gotten into your phone might use your number to message other people. If contacts report that you’ve been spamming them or sending odd things, but you never sent anything, your phone has likely been hacked. 3. High Storage or Data UsageMalicious apps and malware might take up a large amount of data or iCloud storage to run. If you find that your storage is all of a sudden running low or that your data limit has been reached unusually early, you may be hacked. 4. Odd or Uninstalled AppsIf you’ve recently installed any lesser-known or third-party apps and see that they haven’t actually been installed on your phone, it might mean the app was only supposed to install malware, not actually work. If you notice any of the above signs on your iPhone, it’s a good idea to sweep your apps and clear out anything that seems even slightly suspicious or unfamiliar. 5. High Levels of Unknown Texts or CallsIt’s common for people to receive a few wayward spam calls and texts every so often. But if you find your phone overflowing with unknown notifications, it may mean someone has hacked your phone or leaked your number. 6. Unauthorized Activity or PurchasesIf you notice any odd activity in any iPhone app you use or see any unauthorized purchases, it may mean someone has accessed your accounts. This doesn’t always mean that your entire phone is hacked, but someone certainly has infiltrated one of your accounts, at the very least. 7. Locked Out of AccountsIf someone has hacked one of your accounts or your entire phone, they may have changed your password, so you can no longer get in. If any of your accounts are inaccessible to you and the “forgot password” option isn’t working, you might be hacked. What Can I Do if My iPhone Is Hacked?If your iPhone is hacked, you should:
- Immediately change your passwords for essential accounts
- Limit your activity so there is less for hackers to track
- Delete any suspicious apps
- Install a trusted antivirus app
- Contact Apple Support, visit an Apple store, or contact your phone carrier
- If all else fails, perform a factory reset to erase all content
How Can You Prevent iPhone Hacking?
There is no foolproof way to prevent hacking, but there are certainly security measures you can use to strengthen your defenses. Here are some suggestions:
- Strong Passwords: Use only strong, unique passwords for every account you make (no two are the same).
- Use a password manager to organize passwords.
- Make sure your iPhone password is set up and doesn’t form a word (you can create custom passwords that are larger than four digits and include letters).
- Software Updates: Install iOS updates as soon as possible (keep your iPhone updated).
- VPN: Use a VPN while on public Wi-Fi networks.
- Two-Factor Authentication: Set up two-factor authentication to protect your accounts, including your Apple ID password.
- Find My iPhone: Set up Find My iPhone so you can find your phone if it’s lost or misplaced.
- Turn Off Bluetooth: Turn off Bluetooth when not in use (skilled hackers can use Bluetooth by spoofing devices you have connected to before so that you connect to them instead).
- Use a Second Phone Number: You can install a second phone number app like Burner phone or get a second SIM card from your mobile carrier so you can use a second number. You can then give your second number out online in place of your real one, limiting the chances for your iPhone number to be hacked. Try Burner today to experience the cybersecurity benefits of a second number.
So, How Do You Know if Your iPhone Has Been Hacked?
The key is to stay vigilant and look for any red flags on your mobile device. If your phone is acting weird or slow, look into any recently downloaded apps. Never click on links from unknown senders, and use a VPN while on public Wi-Fi. Do your best to protect against digital vulnerabilities in advance.
If you exercise caution and stay alert, you’ll be able to use your iPhone to its fullest capacity without worrying about hackers.
Sources:
Can an iPhone Be Hacked? | Security.org
How to check if your phone is hacked
