Our identities in virtual reality have become inseparable from our real ones. Everything we do on the Internet, including sending messages and sharing photos and videos, assists in creating our digital personas. There are various ways to prevent police, cybercriminals, or someone else from digging into our personal lives. Those prevention methods include using virtual private network systems, using browsers that cannot be tracked, and end-to-end encryption. Here read how to spy on your phone without physical access.
What is Spyware?
Spyware is a malicious program that can be installed on a user’s device without knowledge. Its target is to invade and hack the user’s information, which violates the latter’s privacy and has a risk of abuse. Currently, spyware is the most common threat to Internet users. Once it is located on a device, it starts monitoring and controlling Internet activity, stealing information, and sharing it with third parties. Spyware is mostly used to hack a user’s bank account, card numbers, or other valuable information, which can be beneficial for a spy. Besides stealing information, spyware is used to detect a user’s location. It can also help the installer eavesdrop on the device owner’s phone calls and read messages.
How to understand if your device is spied on or not
If you occasionally get an unusual or suspicious email or messages from social media, this may be the first sign of spyware. Once you get such messages, you are highly recommended to delete them without opening them. The messages will include eye-catching headlines to make the message more attractive to victims. If your device continues installing strange applications, works ineffectively, etc., you had better check whether there is spyware.
Android
A giveaway program on Android devices gives access to other applications to be downloaded and installed outside Google Play Store. If this is done, you will get a sign that there has been a jailbreak; however, not all spyware requires it. Most modern Android devices allow users to find unknown programs in the system. If you want to check, follow these steps;
- Go to Settings,
- Then Security,
- And click on “Allow unknown sources.”
Here is another way;
- Go to the Apps,
- Then click on Menu,
- Choose Special access,
- And finally, click on Install unknown apps.
However, this does not guarantee that the spyware will pop up immediately in the list. Some types of malware use special icons and generic names to avoid being detected. If a search process brings up a suspicious program that you have never downloaded or are not familiar with, a quick search may help you understand whether it is spyware.
iOS
iOS devices, compared to Android, are harder to install spyware if you have not used a zero-day exploit. You can use the no jailbreak iphone spy app to detect whether your phone has been hacked. There is an application called Cydia which can be downloaded and installed on a jailbroken device and may help you detect any suspicious program on your phone.
Other signs of the presence of malware program
If you unexpectedly notice that the handset battery drains quickly, is overheating, and something strange happens with the operating system, all these can signify a spyware presence on your device. Surveillance without permission is illegal and unethical. Generally, because of this, many may suffer. However, if your gut feelings tell you something is wrong, you should listen to them. Regardless of the cost, any material is not worth your security and privacy.
You may compromise the situation entirely by erasing the previous operating system from your device and uploading a new one. With your domestic applications, any spyware program will be deleted. However, make sure that the spyware will not find another way to threaten your privacy. If you have kept a piece of critically important information and if someone else has access to it may cause huge trouble, you had better apply to authorities. They may help you do a deep investigation, revealing what kind of spyware is installed on your phone and even who has done it. Overall, it is easier to tackle such situations with the help of a professional team that knows how to solve the problem with the least damage rather than compete with hackers alone.
