SMARTPHONE owners have been warned about hackers who try to steal their information for profit.
Cybersecurity giant McAfee has shared some tips with people on how to recognize if their device has been hacked.
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“A smartphone can get hacked just like any other device,” McAfee wrote in a blog post.
“And they make prize targets as well. Loaded as they are with personal and financial information, access to payment apps, files, photos, and contacts, bad actors have plenty to gain by tapping into your smartphone,” the company added.
There are warning signs one can look out for to mitigate the damage of a hacking attack.
INCESSANT POPUPS
If you notice pop-ups suddenly appear on your phone, that could be a sign of hacking.
“It might be a sign that your phone has been hit with adware—a type of malicious app that hackers use to generate revenue by distributing ads without the consent of the user,” McAfee explained.
“Furthermore, those ads might be malicious in nature as well. They might take you to pages designed to steal personal information,” the company continued.
MYSTERIOUS CALLS/APPS APPEAR
Another sign that your phone has been hacked is apps that you didn’t download showing on your interface.
Similarly, if you see calls in your phone’s call log that you didn’t make, that’s a telltale sign.
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RUNNING OUT OF DATA
One huge indication that your device has been hacked is running out of data or seeing unknown charges pop up.
“Big red flag here,” McAfee said. “This is a possible sign that a hacker has hijacked your phone and is using it to transfer data, make purchases, send messages, or make calls via your phone.”
ONLINE ACCOUNT PROBLEMS
You may notice that you have issues with your online accounts if your phone is hacked.
“Phones infected with spyware can skim account credentials and then transmit them to the hacker behind the attack,” McAfee said.
“This could lead to credit and debit fraud. In some cases, hackers will hijack an account altogether by changing the password and locking out the original owner,” it added.
WHAT TO DO
If you think your phone is hacked, you can install and run online protection software on your smartphone.
”From there, delete any apps you didn’t download, delete risky texts, and then run your mobile security software again,” McAfee said.
“If you still have issues, wiping and restoring your phone is an option,” it added.
Lastly, check your bank accounts and credit card statements for any unauthorized purchases.
If so, you should report them, freeze those accounts immediately, change your credentials, and order a new card.
