Stay alert to these signs and take steps to protect your privacy. Don’t let cybercriminals spy on you and steal your personal information, documents and banking details.
Your mobile phone is an indispensable tool that you carry everywhere and that contains a wealth of personal information . From your contacts and photos to your bank details and documents, it is a treasure that, in the wrong hands, can become a double-edged sword.
Cybercriminals are aware of the value of this data and are constantly looking for ways to access it.
One of their most common tactics is tracking , a practice that allows them to spy on your activities, conversations, location and even your most sensitive data.
Signs that someone is tracking your phone
While the idea that someone could be watching your every move may seem like science fiction, the reality is that it is a real threat.
Fortunately, there are signs that can alert you that your phone is being tracked , allowing you to take steps to protect yourself .
Below, we share the most common signs that someone is tracking your smartphone and offer practical advice to avoid falling into the hands of hackers. Stay alert and protect your information, otherwise, your security and privacy could be at risk.
- Bluetooth devices: Accessories like AirTags can be used to track your location, so if you receive notifications about unknown tracking devices near you, investigate immediately. Make sure there are no unauthorized devices tracking your movements.
- Strange behavior: If your phone keeps restarting itself, turning on for no apparent reason, or freezing, these could be signs that spyware is at work. While these issues can be hardware-related, if they persist, it’s best to investigate whether a malicious app is installed on your device.
- Excessive mobile data usage : If you notice that your data usage is higher than usual, it’s possible that some software is sending information without your knowledge. Regularly check your data usage for any unusual activity and make sure there are no strange apps.
- Suspicious apps : Have you ever come across apps on your phone that you don’t remember downloading and installing? If this happens, it could be spyware in disguise, so you should quickly investigate its source and if you’re not convinced, delete it immediately.
- Abnormal browsing history : If you notice websites in your browser history that you don’t remember visiting, it could be that a malware-laden app is manipulating your browsing history to hide its activities or direct you to malicious websites.
- Battery drains quickly : Tracking apps consume a lot of power as they are constantly collecting and transmitting information. If you notice your battery draining faster than usual, it could be an indication that something strange is going on with your phone.
- Check that your phone is not rooted : If you have rooted your phone, this is dangerous, because a hacker can more easily access and disable crucial security and privacy functions, allowing unauthorized access and being much more vulnerable to cyber attacks .
- Permission requests : Receiving unexpected permission requests can be a sign that someone is trying to gain more control over your device. If an app requires permissions that don’t seem necessary for its operation, such as the camera, microphone, or your location, uninstall it immediately.
- Your phone gets too hot : It should be noted that if your phone gets too hot without being used intensively, it could be a symptom that a malicious application is working in the background, consuming resources and generating heat.
To keep your phone safe, install apps only from official stores like the Google Play Store . Keep your operating system and all your apps up to date to protect against known vulnerabilities.
It is also recommended that you use strong and unique passwords, avoid using the same one on multiple sites, and combine letters, numbers and symbols. Finally, if you suspect that your phone has been compromised , performing a factory reset can remove any malicious software.
Being alert to signs of tracking and following the security recommendations mentioned above can help prevent your device from being hacked or monitored by cybercriminals without your consent.