How Your phone can be hacked
  • Sim swap attack: By using this attack, hackers can transfer their phone number to their own SIM card and take over their accounts.
  • Spyware that collects your data. Some spy apps are fairly easy to come by and can be used by someone with no advanced IT knowledge. This allows them to remotely control the activities of their phone. A person can install such an application by obtaining direct access to their device.
  • You can receive malware through public Wi-Fi networks or charging stations. Hackers can set up fake Wi-Fi networks, called evil twin networks, to redirect you to malicious websites or steal data using a USB cable at a charging station.
  • Phishing text messages, Facebook or email with malicious links that install malware and snatch your data.
  • You can also download malware from suspicious sites while downloading applications or by clicking on pop-ups or malicious links.
How to know if your phone is hacked
  1. You notice something you don't recognize on your phone (for example, apps you didn't download, messages you didn't send, purchases you didn't make, suspicious phone calls).
  2. Your phone works slow: It uses much more resources and battery power and heats up more than usual. Background malware can significantly reduce their potency.
  3. Mysterious spikes in data usage without any change on your part. Malicious processes may be consuming your mobile data in the background as they track what it does.
  4. Strange behaviour. Applications that do not run as they should turn on and off unexpectedly, or crash or do not load.
  5. Pop-up windows. If you notice that many pop-ups appear on your screen, you probably have spyware or malware.
How to Remove hacker from your phone 
  1. Change your passwords immediately: You can find our tips for stronger passwords here. You can also use our Nordpass app to store your strong and complex passwords.
  2. Run anti-malware software to detect malicious applications and processes. Just be sure to use safe and reliable security software that doesn't track or collect your data.
  3. Turn off your mobile data and Wi-Fi when you don't use it: This could prevent a malicious application from using your data and may interrupt your activity if you use an online connection.
  4. Delete suspicious apps immediately: If your security apps can't find anything, or if you don't have any, it's still a good idea to delete the apps you downloaded right before the issues started to appear. Check out our guidelines on how to remove unwanted applications.
  5. Inform your friends and contacts: and instruct them to ignore suspicious messages coming from you.
  6. Stop broadcasting your personal Hotspot: when you are in public, as this makes it easy for hackers to violate your device.
  7. Restore your phone to its factory settings: That could help if tons of pop-ups or malicious apps have made your phone unusable. This is a nuclear option, so use it only as a last resort.

Restoring your iPhone By using Mojave

1. On a device with macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier, open iTunes.

2. Connect your phone to your computer.

3. Unlock your phone, click Trust and enter your passcode.

4. Click the small phone icon on top.

5. Go to Summary and click Restore iPhone.

6. Reconfirm your choice. If you have the Find my iPhone app open, the system will ask you to turn it off.

Restoring your Android phone

1. Open Settings.

2. Go to General management.

3. Tap Reset.

4. Press Factory data reset.

5. Tap Reset.

How to find out who hacked your phone
 
Unless the attack is specifically aimed at you, finding the culprit can be quite difficult. Try to check all the apps you don't recognize and suspicious phone numbers or social media accounts that have interacted with you. A quick search can find some associations, but tracking hackers generally requires a cybersecurity expert. Such cases are generally worth reporting to local or national authorities for further investigation.

It's also worth considering who might have physical access to your phone. If you have a weak password, someone might have guessed it and had full access to your device.

How to Block hacker from your phone
  • Turn off your access point when you are in public: If you need to turn it on, make sure you have configured the settings as safely as possible.
  • Avoid Wi-Fi connection or charging points you don't trust: If you must use public WiFi, never do it without a VPN. Also, don't forget to disconnect from public Wi-Fi once you have stopped using it.
  • Turn off your Bluetooth when you're not using it, as it can also be an access point for hackers.
  • Lock your phone with a password or lock screen.
  • Never leave your phone unattended and don't allow people you don't know to use it.
  • Periodically check what apps your phone has to see if there are any that you don't recognize.
  • Do not open suspicious messages, links or files. They can be malware or spyware in disguise.
  • Install anti-malware applications and constantly update your software.
  • Use a VPN to protect your online traffic and browse safely and privately.
  • Don't use sites you don't trust. They are a potential source of malware.

An article by Munna Suprathik