This is one of the most frequently asked questions by users who found out they had a hacked mobile phone for a long time. So that you can stop the advance of hackers on a mobile at the right moment, we will tell you what are the main methods used by cyber attackers to illegally access your device:
Malware
The most common of all is to install a virus, spyware, computer worm or other malware in one way or another. The mission of these malicious programs is to carry out activities without the consent of the user and with the greatest possible discretion. For their tasks to be efficient, they need to enter through trusted user input, install themselves, and hide. Then, execute all the functions for which it was developed.
For example, stealing card and bank account numbers, determining location in real time, accessing the camera and microphone, among other activities, are preferred objectives of this type of program.
Wifi
You must bear in mind that the Internet connection through WiFi is a wireless network in which different devices are connect. When you join an open network, it is very likely that other users, who are connected to the same signal, will be able to see your device. Therefore, these intruders can access your mobile in a simple way through some programs.
Phishing
Phishing is a technique that simulates the identity of an application or platform trusted by the user. It consists of offering an interface very similar to the original one and presenting the user with the opportunity to upload all their data that they have registered on the secure site. In this way, the hacker finds out the identity and password to access the original platform and thus be able to act as if he were the owner of the information.
Links
Other ways to hack a mobile is to send the user malicious links, but disguised as job opportunities, financial opportunities, notices of arrival of a package or any other striking type. Once the owner of the mobile clicks on the link, the intruder enters the personal data.
SIM Swapping
This technique consists of impersonating the owner and personally requesting a new SIM card from the telephone operator. Then, the intruder informs the banks where the mobile phone holder has financial accounts, that he “forgot his password”, requesting a new one. Take text messages as a means of identity verification. The bank sends a code to recover the access password. In this way you can access the page and carry out the banking operations that the hacker wants.
Special Software
There are computer tools develop to hack the SIM card. “Simjacker” is frequently use. It is a program that allows you to send instructions to the mobile chip to perform certain functions. For example, you can open the browser, make calls or send SMS. This makes it possible to impersonate the user’s identity and carry out different types of activities on behalf of the owner.
Questionable Apps
It may be the shortest way for a hacker to get into your phone. It just needs to come up with a catchy name for you to download that app which promises to have amazing and wonderful features, but actually it is a malicious file and nothing works according to what it promises. You must be very careful when downloading these types of apps, especially from those stores that are not official.
Steps to Regain Control of Your Hacked Smartphone and Its Data
When you have detected that your Smartphone has been hacked, you must perform the following steps so that you can regain control of your mobile:
Remove Suspicious Apps
The first thing you should do is remove those applications that you think are suspicious. So that you have a little more discretion and can determine if it is reliable or not, you should consider if you downloaded it from an official store, either “Google Play Store” or “App Store”.
Another way that you can determine if an application is suspicious is when it does not have functions necessary to perform the tasks for which you downloaded it. It goes without saying that if an app does not perform any task visibly, you should uninstall it.
If so, you must delete it permanently. To do so, you will have to go to “Menu” on an Android, click on “Applications” and select the app that you consider unreliable. You can also hold the application on the desktop of your mobile and drag it to the top of the screen, until you see a trash can. Then you must click on “OK”.
When you have an iPhone, the mechanism is similar. You must hold down the app icon until it starts to move, then you must click on the “X” located in the corner of the application.
Do a Hard Reset
To do a hard reset and establish factory settings, it will depend on the phone you have. If you want to do it with an Android 9 mobile, you must go to “Settings”, then click on “Personal” and then click on “Backup”.
Look for the “Personal data” section, select “Factory data reset” and then you will have to click on “Reset phone”. To finish you must click on “Delete all”.
You must not forget that you must make a backup copy of all important data following the same process as above.
In case you have an iPhone and want to restore the values as you had it the first day, you will have to go to “Settings”, press “General”, choose the “Reset” option and click on “Delete content and settings”.
Install an Antivirus
On the market there are powerful antiviruses that detect the existence of malware with very simple steps. Therefore, once you have your phone install with the applications from the factory, it is recommend that you install a powerful antivirus.
We recommend that you use “Avast”. This software is available for Android and iOS and can be download for free. You will be able to receive alerts of any software that has been install and you have not been able to eliminate it with the hard reset. It will also protect you in real time on apps that you install that have some type of malware.
