A list of questions that may indicate that your phone is bugged is provided below. None of them are a dead giveaway on their own, but if you find yourself saying yes to the majority of these questions, it’s time to look into it more.
- Is your phone rooted or jailbroken? If you didn’t do it yourself, this is very suspect.
- Is your data use suddenly increasing and you’re not sure why?
- Is your battery suddenly draining at an alarming rate, and you’re not sure why?
- Take a good look at your apps. Do any of them look familiar, and do they have permission to access your location, camera, or microphone?
- Is it taking you longer to turn off your phone?
- Is it possible that you have an Android device?
- Is your Google Play Protect turned off on your Android device?
- Is iTunes Wi-Fi Sync activated on your iOS device and you don’t remember enabling it?
How can you be certain?
Whether you answered yes to three or more of the questions above, it’s worth checking your device to see if any bugging software is installed. There are several options available to you in this regard.
You can download a selection of anti-virus or anti-spyware apps for Android smartphones that will perform a comprehensive check of your device and notify you if any bugging apps are there. Our own app, Certo Mobile Security, is one of them.
The iPhone and other iOS devices are a little more difficult to use. Anti-virus and anti-spyware programs are not allowed on Apple devices. If you’re curious in why they made this decision, you can read about it here.
How to protect yourself from phone bugging
After scanning your device, you may or may not have found something suspicious on your phone. Luckily, you can protect yourself, your device and your privacy and stop this from happening to you in the future.
Most of the time physical access to your device is needed to bug it. This means that having a strong passcode that no one else knows is your first line of defence. You can also implement two factor authentication wherever possible. This might seem like overkill to some people, but it can really make a difference when it comes to protecting your device. The second thing you can do on an ongoing basis is to keep your software up to date. Every new update that your provider releases patches up holes and vulnerabilities that can be exploited. So even if it takes some time and is inconvenient, it is really important to install all of the updates as soon as they are available.
Best practice in your app store is another key protective measure. Use a good security app to monitor your phone to alert you of any bugging threats, and make sure you only use the official app store to download anything. Apps in unofficial stores are usually blocked from the public by Android and Apple for a reason. They often contain viruses and other malware that can harm your device. For the same reason you should refrain from clicking any links in unsolicited texts and emails. If you are unsure of the validity of an email or text do not click on it. Every single update issued by your provider closes flaws and vulnerabilities that could be exploited. So, even if it takes some time and is inconvenient, installing all of the updates as soon as they become available is critical.
Another important safeguard is to follow best practices in your app store. Use a solid security app to monitor your phone and notify you to any potential bugging concerns, and only download apps from the official app store. Android and Apple normally prohibit public access to apps in unauthorized marketplaces for a reason. They are frequently infected with viruses and other malware that can harm your computer. You should also avoid clicking any links in unsolicited texts and emails for the same reason. If you’re not sure if an email or SMS is legitimate, don’t click on it.
Who might be listening in on my phone?
Your accomplice
There are a variety of reasons why someone could wish to monitor your phone activities. The most common scenario we find is a domineering spouse or partner utilizing spyware or bugging software to appease or feed their jealously or need for control. These programs can make use of your phone’s built-in capabilities and hardware, such as the microphone, camera, and GPS location tracking. This allows others to see not only who you are phoning and texting, but also the images you take, your browsing and social media activity, and your current position. They have the ability to listen in on your phone conversations in real time.
Your superior
Your supervisor could also be a possible spy. Many businesses would agree that having a window into their employees’ phone and online activities during work hours would be ideal, but only a few would go to the trouble of installing software to make it a reality.
FlexiSpy has an employee monitoring feature that can be used to spy on your emails and phone calls, as well as any other activity on your phone or computer. It’s ostensibly used to check for security breaches and misuse of company assets, but it can also be used to spy on your emails and phone calls, as well as any other activity on your phone or computer. If your phone was provided by your employer, it would be significantly easier for them to do so.
Your father and mother
Outwardly, apps like Mspy are positioned as parental control software and offered to concerned parents and guardians. They may use the software to make sure their child isn’t viewing any potentially harmful or improper content online, as well as monitor their correspondence for signs of bullying. They can also follow their child’s whereabouts so that they can find them if they get into difficulty.
Basically, anyone
The truth is that anyone with access to your mobile device has the ability to install monitoring or bugging software on it. This type of software is extremely simple to use and can be installed on any Android or iOS device in a matter of minutes. As a result, vigilance is essential, and if you believe that someone has bugged your phone, however unlikely it may seem, it is critical to investigate.
