How to remove a hacker from my phone
For several years now, smartphone hacking has remained an alarmingly upward trend. Many use their phones to access banking apps and social networks filled with personal data, shop online, and do all other virtual activities. It is risky if you don’t know what to do if your phone is hacked.
However, there are indicative signs to know if it happened. You may notice increased data consumption and battery drain, but it can also be more subtle, like spyware stealing your passwords. Luckily, there are several things you can do right now to protect your smartphone. I’ll explain how to remove a hacker from your phone using an antivirus program. In this article, you will also find practical advice on preventing similar risks in the future.
How to remove a hacker from my phone with antivirus
- Get yourself a trustworthy mobile antivirus. I recommend TotalAV, now 80% OFF!
- Download the antivirus app from the official website or app store
- Install it on your device and log in if required
- Run a security scan
- Follow the antivirus instructions to quarantine and remove infected apps or files
How to check if your phone has been hacked?
If you suspect anything malicious, I suggest acting rapidly. Here’s how to check whether your phone is hacked:
- Slow performance. If a hacker installs a malicious app on your smartphone, it will consume additional resources and slow down.
- Unidentified apps. You may notice dubious apps you don’t remember installing. They are the most likely culprit if they appear just before your phone starts acting strange.
- High data consumption is a common symptom of phone hacking. Malware that steals information uses mobile data to send it to hackers. Unusually high data usage is a sign that your phone has been hacked.
- Strange behavior. A hacked smartphone can light up without triggering it, launch apps on its own, display dubious ads, and modify web browser behavior, like the home page or search engine.
- Unintended calls and texts. Smartphone malware can obtain permission to make texts and calls. Then, it makes calls with expensive charges in the background, known as a dialer scam.
How to unhack my phone: detailed guide
The simplest way to remove a hacker from your phone is by using a reliable antivirus. This software is specifically designed to monitor online activities for malicious programs and will promptly locate and remove them if your phone is already infected. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do if your phone has been hacked:
- Choose a mobile-friendly antivirus software. I recommend TotalAV, now 80% OFF!
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Go to Google Play Store or Apple App Store and download the chosen antivirus.
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Subscribe to a plan, create an account, and log in to the app.
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Run a full device scan, which could also be called a Security Scan, depending on your antivirus.
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After your device is scanned, follow antivirus instructions to neutralize found threats.
- Turn on the real-time protection feature to prevent future infections.
How to stop someone from hacking your phone again?
You can do several more things to remove hackers from Android, iPhone, or any other smartphone. Here are additional smartphone safety tips:
- Use a VPN. A mobile-friendly VPN encrypts your traffic, protecting online activities from numerous cyber attacks and data theft over public Wi-Fi networks popular among smartphone users.
- Manage app permissions. Unlike iPhones, Android smartphones are liberal about downloading and installing third-party software. Be mindful about granting such software permissions to your pictures, contacts, or sensitive information.
- Browse responsibly. Avoid clicking on dubious ads, suspicious backlinks, and downloading apps from unverified sources. Such apps can often contain malware. Simultaneously, backlinks can lead to infectious websites ridden with viruses.
- Update your device. Smartphone updates often include crucial cybersecurity patches to fix newly found vulnerabilities, which hackers can exploit if you postpone.
- Read reviews. Even if an app is found on Google Play or Apple App Store, that doesn’t mean it’s 100% safe. In fact, Apple and Google regularly identify and remove malicious apps. I recommend reading user reviews if you notice anything suspicious about a program you’re about to download.
Final thoughts
Smartphone hacking is expected to keep rising as more and more people include them in daily activities. A professional mobile antivirus protects your device in real time, identifying online threats before they cause any damage. I found TotalAV an excellent choice for removing hackers from my phone due to its nearly perfect malware detection and removal rates.
However, hackers exploit public Wi-Fi hotspots, use social engineering, and place fraudulent ads to bypass antivirus detection and steal your data. Be sure to update your device regularly and be mindful about browsing on unknown networks, like an airport or hotel Wi-Fi.
You may also want to read:
How to detect and remove spyware from an Android phone in 2024
How to detect and remove spyware from iPhone
Best VPN for iPhone in 2024
Best free VPN for iPhone in 2024
Best free VPN for Android in 2024
FAQ
What to do if your phone is hacked?
You should install a mobile antivirus as soon as you suspect that your phone is hacked. I recommend TotalAV for smartphone security because independent tests have verified its excellent malware detection and removal capabilities. AV-test professionals have awarded it a Certified badge and assigned it a maximum 6 out of 6 score.
How to remove hackers from Android?
You can remove hackers from Android by subscribing to an antivirus program like TotalAV. Run a complete device scan once you download and install the chosen antivirus. It will locate the threat and quarantine infected files. Follow further instructions to remove them from your device and enable real-time protection afterward.
Will resetting my phone remove hackers?
Yes, resetting your phone will remove malicious programs placed by a hacker. Be sure to back up important files and contacts before doing so, as this will erase all data. I also recommend verifying your password security because a smartphone reset is futile if a hacker has stolen your passwords.
Can someone hack my iPhone?
Yes, it is undoubtedly possible to hack your iPhone. Although iPhones are considered safer due to strict Apple App Store policies and secure software sandboxing, hackers can still use social engineering or exploit zero-day vulnerabilities to hack your iPhone.
What to dial to see if your phone is hacked?
Although there is no universal code for all smartphones to verify hacking activities, you can try a few tricks. You can dial *#62* or *#062# to inspect call forwarding. It shouldn't display information about whether your device is safe, but it will show a redirection number otherwise
