Smartphones are readily available, affordable, and heavily relied upon by countless individuals around the world. However, with all the convenience they offer, comes the potential for darker consequences. Many people don’t realize how easy it is for someone to track their phone and gather their personal information. Fortunately, there are a few subtle indicators that could help you determine whether or not someone is seeking to be privy to your daily activities. In this article, we will explore ten primary warning signs that someone is tracking your phone, allowing you to protect yourself and maintain your privacy.
Have you ever had a feeling that someone may be tracking your phone? While iPhone users allow friends and family to track their movements with permission, some spy apps can be downloaded from the App Store without consent. These apps have the ability to track your location, unauthorized access to your conversations, collections of your bank details, and sharing of your messages or media with unknown devices. In this regard, MailOnline has a 10-point guide to help you identify the hallmark signs of someone tracking your phone. While spyware apps are easily accessible in phone application stores, what can you do if you suspect someone is using them on you?
For instance, if you notice unfamiliar applications on your device, be careful, especially if they are disguised as other software. Keep a close eye on your phone’s storage to detect any unknown apps. Some examples of such apps include Kaspersky Safe Kids, Norton Family, Net Nanny, and Qustodio. Also, an uncharacteristically fast battery drainage could be a sign that an app is continuously running in the background of your phone, leading to the rapid depletion of its battery life. Similarly, a phone that is hot to the touch despite being unused could also be the result of a continuously running app.
If your phone was given to you without your consent or is second-hand, be cautious. There is a likelihood that such phones are “jailbroken” or “rooted,” enabling the installation of apps that are not available on the official stores. Use apps like Root Checker for Android devices and Cydia for iOS to detect whether your phone has been jailbroken or rooted without your knowledge. In such cases, it’s advisable to reset the device to its original factory settings.
If you are concerned about how much data your phone is using, it’s worth noting that spyware apps may use your device’s internet connection to transmit information to others continuously. Hence, it will help if you keep an eye on your phone’s data usage regularly. Similarly, if your phone takes an unusually long time to switch off, then it could be due to apps designed to stop it from shutting down entirely, giving the perpetrator unrestricted access to your phone.
Also, if your phone behaves oddly, like lighting up or pinging without any notifications, it could be a sign of suspicious activity. Be sure to check your sent messages for any unsent text messages and take note of received texts that you were not expecting. Perpetrators can use spyware apps to send commands to your device, access screenshots, take pictures, or send emails without your knowledge. Similarly, inconsistent autocorrect behavior could indicate that someone is monitoring your texting activity. Lastly, watch out for low-quality screenshots as they could signify that someone is spying on you.
If you suspect that someone is tracking your phone, you can take measures to clear your device. For starters, it’s advisable to install anti-virus software, backup your phone’s storage, then factory reset your device. Also, remove any apps that you cannot recognize, check the legitimacy of app developers when downloading apps, and update your phone regularly to the latest system update. Additionally, remove monthly subscriptions you cannot identify, and avoid giving permissions to all apps to track your location or usage, unnecessary apps like maps excluded. Vodafone experts recommend exercising caution when browsing, avoiding jailbroken devices, using app stores to download apps, and installing anti-malware software like Vodafone’s Secure Net to protect against threats.
In today’s digital age, it’s important to be aware of the potential threats to our privacy and security. By following the warning signs in this article, you can take steps to protect yourself from covert surveillance and tracking. Remember to always be vigilant and proactive when it comes to safeguarding your personal information and staying one step ahead of potential threats. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and stay safe.
