How To Tell if Spyware Is on Your Phone and How to Remove It

While browsing the internet, you may accidentally install spyware on your phone without even knowing. Android phones are known to be more susceptible to spyware than iPhones; however, anyone who owns a smartphone needs to watch out for spyware – especially if your phone is outdated or jailbroken. Some ways you can tell if spyware is installed is if your phone’s camera and mic turn on randomly, you hear a noise during phone calls, or you see unfamiliar apps and files on your phone. 

Continue reading to learn more about spyware, signs that your phone might be infected, how to remove spyware and how to prevent spyware from infecting your device.

What Is Spyware?

Spyware is a type of malware that monitors activity on your device without your knowledge. It secretly installs on your phone, tablet or computer and gathers your sensitive information such as your login credentials, credit card information and browsing history. Cybercriminals secretly install spyware by exploiting security vulnerabilities or tricking you into installing it. They often use methods such as phishing, fake websites, drive-by downloads, malicious ads and exploit kits.

Once installed on your phone, spyware can gather your information by using your phone’s camera and microphone to spy on you, recording inputted keystrokes, tracking your location and stealing any sensitive files. After the spyware has collected your information, it sends it to the cybercriminal who installed it through your phone’s internet connection. The cybercriminal can sell your information on the dark web, use it to take over accounts, commit identity theft and steal your money.

6 Signs Your Phone Has Spyware

Cybercriminals will try to secretly install spyware on your phone. However, you can detect spyware on your phone if you look for the following signs.

1. Your phone camera and mic turn on randomly

You need to be careful if you notice that your phone’s camera and microphone turn on randomly. If your phone’s camera and microphone turn on without you initiating it, then spyware has likely infected your phone. Spyware will use your phone’s camera and microphone to listen to conversations and gather sensitive information.

2. You hear noises during phone calls

You may notice a beeping noise, distant voices and static when you are on a phone call. Sometimes these issues can be attributed to poor signal, but they can also be a sign of spyware. Spyware will try to tap into your phone calls to listen to your conversations and record them.

3. Your phone is experiencing performance issues

If you ever notice a sudden decline in performance on your phone, then spyware has most likely infected it. Spyware runs in the background of your phone making your phone feel sluggish and unusable. It can cause freezes, long loading times, system bugs, quick battery drainage and issues shutting off or rebooting.

4. You see unfamiliar apps or files on your phone

A clear sign of spyware on your phone is when you notice new apps or files that you do not recognize or remember downloading. These apps themselves are spyware or other types of malware disguised as harmless software.

5. You are getting unusual messages

If you are getting unusual messages such as frequent error messages, pop-up ads or phishing messages, then spyware has most likely infected your phone. These messages can be caused by adware that is installed alongside spyware on your phone. Adware will send you messages trying to trick you into giving up your personal information.

6. Your phone is constantly overheating

Some phones overheat due to degradation of hardware over time. However, if the overheating of your phone is sudden, then spyware has most likely infected your phone. Spyware will run in the background and use your phone’s resources and data to steal and transmit data. 

How To Remove Spyware From Your Phone

If you notice any of these signs on your phone, you most likely have spyware. You need to remove the spyware from your phone immediately to prevent cybercriminals from stealing your information. To remove spyware from your phone, you need to do the following. 

u003c!u002du002d wp:list {u0022orderedu0022:true} u002du002du003ernu003col class=u0022wp-block-listu0022u003eu003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003ern tu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eReboot phone on safe mode:u003c/strongu003e The first thing you need to do if you have spyware on your phone is disconnect from the internet and reboot it on safe mode, which only uses the basic and essential programs needed to turn on your phone. Rebooting your phone on safe mode cuts off any connection between the spyware and the cybercriminals. Safe mode also allows you to restart your phone without any interference from the spyware.u003c/liu003ernu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003ern tu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eDelete unfamiliar apps and files:u003c/strongu003e After you have restarted your phone on safe mode, you need to audit the apps and files on your phone. Look for apps and files you don’t remember downloading or look suspicious. After you have identified any malicious apps and files, delete them from your phone. You should also clear your browser cache to remove any malicious websites.u003c/liu003ernu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003ern tu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eRun antivirus software:u003c/strongu003e Some spyware will look like legitimate apps and files that can be hard to detect by yourself. To help you identify any hidden spyware, you need to install antivirus software on your phone. u003ca href=u0022https://www.keepersecurity.com/blog/2023/03/02/what-is-antivirus-software/u0022u003eAntivirus softwareu003c/au003e scans your phone to find any hidden spyware and will remove the spyware from your phone. You should always have antivirus software installed on your phone to help remove any current spyware and prevent incoming spyware.u003c/liu003ernu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003ern tu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eReboot your phone normally:u003c/strongu003e After you have completed the previous steps, you can take your phone off safe mode and reboot it normally. Once your phone boots up, you need to prevent future spyware from installing on your phone by updating your software and following u003ca href=u0022https://www.keepersecurity.com/blog/2023/09/14/do-you-know-these-cybersecurity-basics/u0022u003ecybersecurity best practicesu003c/au003e.u003c/liu003ernu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003eu003c/olu003ernu003c!u002du002d /wp:list u002du002du003e

In some cases, spyware cannot be removed manually or with antivirus software. If you are unable to do any of the previous steps, you may have to do a factory reset to fully get rid of any spyware on your phone. A factory reset will completely wipe your phone of any apps, files, documents and spyware. After a factory reset, you should restore your backup data.

How To Stay Protected From Spyware

Spyware can steal information without your knowledge. You must protect your information from getting stolen by preventing spyware from installing on your phone. You can stay protected from spyware by practicing the following.

Don’t download apps from untrusted websites

Cybercriminals will try to trick you into downloading software that is actually spyware. This malicious software is known as a Trojan – a method of malware delivery that disguises malware such as spyware as legitimate software. Never download apps from untrusted websites or advertisements to avoid accidentally installing spyware. You should only download apps from reliable sources such as Apple’s App Store and the Google Play store. 

Avoid clicking on unsolicited messages

Spyware can often be delivered through phishing emails that try to trick you into downloading an attachment with hidden malware or clicking on a malicious link. You should avoid interacting with any unsolicited messages that contain suspicious attachments or links. If you are concerned that a message is unsafe, you can scan the attachment to find any hidden malware on it. You can also check the safety of a link by looking for any discrepancies in the URL or using a URL checker.

Only browse on safe websites

Cybercriminals can install spyware on your phone using drive-by downloads. With drive-by downloads, they can infect your phone with malware when you land on an infected website. To avoid drive-by downloads from installing spyware on your phone, only browse safe websites that you trust. Type in the URL of the website you are trying to visit and avoid clicking on suspicious links or searching it on search engines.

Keep your phone’s software up to date

Cybercriminals often exploit security vulnerabilities found in your phone’s software or applications to infect it with spyware. You need to keep your phone’s software up to date to patch any security flaws and add security features that provide better protection for your phone. By updating your software, you prevent cybercriminals from installing spyware on your phone.

Use a password manager

Cybercriminals will try to steal your login credentials using a type of spyware known as a keylogger to record your keystrokes. You can protect your personal information from spyware by storing it in a password manager.

A password manager is a tool that securely stores and manages your personal information such as your login credentials and credit card numbers in an encrypted vault. Your digital vault protects your personal information using multiple layers of encryption and can only be accessed with a strong master password. Some password managers offer an autofill feature that fills in your login credentials when you try to log in to your accounts and prevents spyware from tracking your keystrokes.

Install antivirus software

Antivirus software is a program that detects, prevents and removes known malware from your device. You need to find reliable mobile antivirus software to help you detect any hidden spyware already on your phone and remove it. Antivirus software also helps prevent any incoming malware from infecting your phone. If you are exposed to a potential threat, you will get notified by the antivirus software to leave a malicious website or cancel a harmful download.

How Keeper® Protects Information From Spyware

Password managers are protected by multiple layers of encryption and cannot be accessed by unauthorized users. They can also offer an autofill feature that prevents spyware from recording your login credentials when they’re manually typed. 

Keeper Password Manager is protected by zero-trust and zero-knowledge encryption ensuring that only you have access to your information. It also offers the KeeperFill feature that autofills your login credentials when you need to log in to your accounts. Sign up for a free trial to protect your information from spyware.