Good news—you can protect yourself from the hidden menace of spyware and keep control of your digital security by remaining aware and vigilant.
Here are the methods and tools you’ll need to detect and remove spyware from your Android phone or iOS device, ensuring peace of mind in an increasingly interconnected world.
Indicators of a Spyware infection attempt
First, does your phone contain spyware?
Indicators of a spyware infection attempt on your device typically involve suspicious activities or behaviors that may signal an attempt to compromise your privacy or gather information covertly.
Here are several indicators to watch out for:
Unsolicited Messages or Emails: If you receive unexpected messages, emails, or social media requests from unknown or suspicious sources asking for personal information or enticing you to click on links, it could be an attempt to install spyware.
Phishing Attempts: Phishing emails or messages often mimic legitimate sources (like banks, government agencies, or familiar
contacts) and encourage you to click on links or download attachments that contain spyware.
Learn more about ransomware vs. malware
Unexpected App Downloads: If you notice apps on your device that you did not download or that were not installed by you, it could indicate an attempt to install spyware remotely.
Pop-up Ads or Redirects: Unexpected and persistent pop-up ads or browser redirects, especially to unfamiliar or suspicious websites, may be attempts to deliver spyware to your device.
Suspicious Permission Requests: Be cautious of apps that request unnecessary permissions to access sensitive information such as your contacts, location, microphone, or camera. These permissions could be exploited by spyware.
Overheating or Battery Drain: Spyware often runs processes in the background that consume resources, leading to increased battery usage or device overheating.
Changes in Settings: Spyware may alter your device’s settings, such as changing your homepage or default search engine in browsers or modifying system configurations.
How to Remove Spyware from Your Device
Spyware can be difficult to identify and delete by design. Most of the time, it is not impossible, but you might need to do some significant action. Giving up on your smartphone can occasionally be the best course of action. Some attackers will receive an alert alerting them that the victim’s device has been cleaned up after malware.
If your information suddenly stops flowing, the attacker will know for sure that the malicious program has been eliminated.
If you think that tampering with your device could put your physical safety in danger, don’t do it. Speak with the authorities and other agencies instead.
Here are a few possibilities for removal:
Update Your Operating System
Ensure your phone’s operating system (OS) is up to date. Manufacturers often release security
patches that can help protect against spyware.
Restart in Safe Mode
Some spyware apps can be disabled in safe mode. To boot into safe mode, press and hold the power button, then tap and hold “Restart” until you see the option to reboot in safe mode.
Uninstall Suspicious Apps
Go to your phone’s settings, then to “Apps” or “Applications,” and uninstall any apps you suspect could be spyware. Look for recently installed or unfamiliar apps.
Factory Reset
If you suspect a severe spyware infection and cannot remove it through normal means, consider performing a factory reset. This will erase all data on your phone, so make sure to back up important information beforehand.
Use Anti-Spyware Apps
There are reputable anti-spyware apps available for both Android and iOS devices. Research and install a trusted app from a verified source to scan your phone and remove any detected spyware.
How to Prevent Spyware From Entering Your Device:
Preventing malware from entering the device requires a combination of proactive measures and cautious behavior.
Download Apps from Trusted Sources
- Use official app stores like Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iOS) to download apps. These platforms have security measures in place to detect and remove malicious apps.
- Avoid downloading apps from third-party sources or unverified websites, as they are more likely to host malware.
Read Permissions for Apps
- Pay close attention to the permissions the app requests while installing it.
- Refuse permissions that don’t seem required or relevant to the use of the app.
- Exercise caution when downloading apps that request a lot of rights without providing a good explanation, such as access to your contacts, messages, or location.
Maintain Updating Your Operating System and Apps
- Update the operating system (OS) and apps on your smartphone to the most recent versions on a regular basis.
- Updates are released by developers and manufacturers to address security flaws that could be used by malware or stalkerware.
Use Anti-Malware and Anti-Stalkerware Software
- Install reputable anti-malware and anti-stalkerware apps from trusted sources. These apps can scan your device for threats and provide real-time protection against malicious software.
- Keep the anti-malware software updated to ensure it can detect the latest threats.
Enable Security Features on Your Device
- Use built-in security features such as device encryption, PINs, passwords, biometric locks (fingerprint, face recognition), and remote wipe capabilities (in case your device is lost or stolen).
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your important accounts to add an extra layer of security.
Be Cautious of Links and Attachments
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links in emails, text messages, or social media posts, especially from unknown senders.
- Do not download or open attachments from unfamiliar sources, as they could contain malware or stalkerware.
Secure Your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connections
- Use strong, unique passwords for your Wi-Fi network and avoid using public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive activities like online banking.
- Disable Bluetooth when not in use to prevent unauthorized access to your device.
Regularly Backup Your Data
- Back up important data (contacts, photos, documents) regularly to a secure cloud service or an external storage device.
- In case of a malware infection or device compromise, you can restore your data without paying ransom or losing valuable
information.
Monitor Your Device for Unusual Activity:
- As mentioned above, keep an eye on your device for any unusual behavior, such as sudden battery drain, unexpected pop-ups or ads, unfamiliar apps, or changes in settings.
- If you suspect your device has been compromised, take immediate action to scan and remove any malicious software.
Case Study
Google and Apple are often quick to address harmful programs that manage to avoid the privacy and security safeguards provided by their respective official app stores.
In 2019, Google banned seven applications from the Play Store advertised as employee and child trackers are listed below:
Track Employees Check Work Phone Online Spy Free
- Spy Kids Tracker
- Phone Cell Tracker
- Mobile Tracking
- Spy Tracker
- SMS Tracker
- Employee Work Spy
Since then, Google has blocked stalkerware advertisements, and the company’s Threat Analysis Group is continually publishing information on new commercial spyware strains and possible targets. Google researchers routinely cover the privacy and security risks raised by mobile spyware, and they have written investigative papers warning of the hazards of the commercial spyware sector.
Conclusion
To summarize, keeping your phone free of spyware is critical for safeguarding your privacy and security. Spyware offers major threats by covertly collecting sensitive information and reducing device performance. Throughout this blog, we’ve highlighted significant signs of spyware infection, such as abnormal battery depletion, excessive data usage, and strange app behavior.
