It only takes a few minutes to install an app that looks legitimate and may contain spyware. Security and privacy breaches on smart devices are commonplace these days.
You can get a link to the application through any platform. Moreover, anyone with access to your phone could also have installed such an application. Due to its ability to attach to a device and its full functionality, it can be difficult to detect spyware on an Android phone.
Before diving into the details, it is necessary to understand what it is, how it works, and how it can be detected.
What is spyware?
Spyware is very adept at hiding. This is usually achieved by connecting to the operating system. Most of the time, spyware runs or functions as a resident program.
It can even masquerade as a harmless and necessary file on your operating system. Spyware may even come bundled with seemingly legitimate programs. Sometimes it’s also mentioned in the fine print if you look closely.
Most likely, it will be obtained as a result of a malicious download or a phishing attack. According to sources, government agencies can even insert spyware through iTunes. Installed software such as FinFisher can allow them to infiltrate platforms such as Skype and Facebook and even read your email.
Spyware can be installed on any device, including desktop or laptop, computer, tablet, iPhone or Android smartphone. Initially, spyware creators focused on computers, but spyware can now be found exploiting vulnerabilities in tablets and phones.
How spyware gets on an Android phone
First, it could have been set up specifically by someone to track you. This is one of the reasons why you should use your phone’s screen lock feature and it shouldn’t be left unattended and vulnerable to interference.
The spyware most likely came with a program or application that you installed yourself. Spyware is often distributed along with programs that masquerade as useful software, including registry cleaners, download managers, etc.
It is sometimes sold along with video games. It can even be a software package with simple useful programs. While both Apple and Google are working to keep spyware out of their operating systems, packages containing spyware have made their way to the Google Play Store.
Spyware can be spread through phishing, which includes emails with links. Once you click on the link, there are several ways that the spyware will be downloaded after you click on it.
You can also become infected with spyware through a fake website that appears to be from a reputable organization but is fake and contains links that start downloading spyware or installing it in your browser.
There are several ways to avoid spyware infection. You can maintain the latest versions of the operating system and software. Regular protection helps close gaps that hackers can exploit.
You can use a strong password or screen lock on your smartphone or computer to prevent unauthorized access. You can also restrict admin access on your devices. When you run your computer as an administrator or with root access, you make it much easier to install spyware.
When you root an Android phone or jailbreak an iPhone, you open yourself up to spyware. Please don’t do this if you don’t need the functionality. If you must use unsecured Wi-Fi, you can use a virtual private network to protect yourself.
You can also check the permissions you give apps when you install them, especially if they ask you to access your microphone, camera, phone, or personal data. If an app asks for more information than seems reasonable, such as a Sudoku game asking for access to your camera, this could be a sign of a spyware payload.
You should only click on links in emails if you are sure you know where they will take you. Downloading files from suspicious file-sharing networks is risky because they are most likely compromised. Keep an eye on antivirus and other protection on your device to be safe.
How to detect spyware on an Android phone
- Disabled antivirus software
- Strange text or multimedia messages
- Weird Apps and Web Pages
- Unusual behavior
- Noises during phone calls
- Unusual files or folders
- Ads and pop-ups
- Low speed and performance
- High battery and data usage
1. Disabled antivirus software
If the tools you normally use to scan your phone for spyware stop working, it could mean that you have spyware installed on your device. Associated malware can attack various parts of the system and also try to take control of them.
This is mainly done by trying to uninstall programs designed to stop it; that’s why your antivirus software might be suspiciously disabled.
2. Strange text or multimedia messages
Spy apps can send text or multimedia messages from your device. You may also receive messages from cybercriminals trying to exploit an Android iOS vulnerability.
These messages may include codes and symbols. Someone is probably spying on you if you receive these messages in your inbox. It’s also a sign if you see a message that you don’t remember sending.
Malware usually takes advantage of MMS, so disable automatic MMS download. If you do this, MMS will no longer be automatically downloaded to your phone and you must click on them.
3. Strange apps and web pages
Another common sign that your device may contain spyware is phone activities you don’t remember. This sign may seem tempting, but it’s useful when looking for spyware on your device.
You should also keep an eye out for any apps on your device that you don’t remember installing. Clicking on malicious links elsewhere, such as spam, can also inadvertently invite these apps to your phone.
You must remember to change or update your password regularly. Rooted devices are more vulnerable to malware.
4. Unusual behavior
If your phone contains spyware, your device will most likely behave differently. Cybercriminals don’t care about properly optimizing a malicious application; the only thing they care about is access to the device.
Such malware causes several numerous incompatibilities and may exhibit unusual behavior. Your phone may automatically open or close applications. It can automatically restart or shut down.
You may also notice some strange sounds coming from your device. Some behaviors do not always indicate the presence of spyware. This may be due to a faulty update in one of your apps. You may also notice abnormal behavior of your device if there is a hardware failure.
5. Noises during phone calls
The call recording app may make strange noises during a call. So if you’re experiencing drop in call quality and noise, spyware might be to blame. A beep may also be heard before your call is connected.
However, sometimes the noise can also be caused by network issues or a hardware issue with the device or the speaker itself. You may also have difficulty accessing password-protected web pages or applications.
When trying to log in, the spyware will use a fake browser. It will then collect all login credentials and send them to a third party. This will be done without your knowledge and you may not realize it until it’s too late.
6. Unusual files or folders
Spyware can create folders or files in various formats in your vault. When your data signal is strong, your activity can be recorded and sent to creators or uploaded to a server.
You can check the vault if you want to detect spyware on your phone. If you notice any unusual files or folders, it could be due to spyware. You can use Google to find out what the name is.
Installing an antivirus application or factory reset may also help. After you back up your important files, you can reset the device to factory settings on your phone.
7. Ads and pop-ups
Spyware may also include adware as part of the deal. These random pop-ups make it difficult to navigate the phone and also degrade the user experience. These ads and pop-ups may be distributed while using your phone or surfing the Internet that was not previously disruptive.
Mobile security on mobile devices will protect them from stalker apps. Using third-party apps from sites that you can’t trust will also result in random ads and pop-ups, which means you have Android spyware.
8. Low speed and performance
One of the most common actions that can help you in detecting spyware on your phone is to check the speed and performance. If your phone suddenly becomes slow or sluggish, there might be spyware.
A spy app requires more resources to run than a standard app. It will use both your CPU and RAM to complete the task. As a result, your phone starts to work comparatively slower.
If your smartphone is not working properly, it may be due to a spyware infection. However, there are many other reasons why your phone might be slow. This may be because the application is using all your resources. So while you may not be sure why your phone is slow, it’s still a warning sign.
9. High battery and data usage
If your device contains spyware, it constantly tries to record your activity. After recording, it is also sent to the creators. Therefore, this will mean that your device will use more battery and you will need to find a charger quickly.
If your device is old, it is obvious that your battery can drain quickly. However, if it’s not old or you’ve recently changed the battery, this could be a sign of spyware. In addition, you can check battery life or device settings usage to see if any app is using the most power.
With the help of the command and control server, spyware communicates to receive instructions or download activity. To do this, they use your device data. If someone is spying on you, they record every action.
These activities include taking photos, GPS data, text messages, and phone calls. This will cause your data to expire or quickly deplete when you download all of this information.
Therefore, if you suddenly have a lot of traffic, it could also mean the presence of spyware. You can view the data usage report on your phone to see which apps are using it the most.
How to Remove Spyware from Android
The best way to remove spyware is to scan your phone with an antivirus app. Without it, you might have to uninstall suspicious apps one by one to see if that solves the problem.
If the problem persists, restore your phone to factory settings or default settings. In addition, you must keep in mind that the data must be backed up so that you do not lose it when performing a factory reset.
- Perform a factory reset
- Download spyware detector
- Remove suspicious apps
1. Perform a factory reset
Before moving forward with this method, make sure all your important data is backed up. Once this is done, you can follow the steps to perform a factory reset to clean your device of any suspicious spyware.
- Go to “Settings”and navigate to “System”or “General Management”.
- Click Reset Options.
- Click Erase All Data or Factory Data Reset.
- Select “Reset Device”and then enter your PIN.
After you complete these steps, the device will perform a factory reset. You will then be prompted to select a backup. You will need to select an available backup before you suspect any malware.
Once you do this, your device will be completely reset with your backup data.
2. Download the spyware detector
Installing a reliable spyware detection and removal tool will help keep your Android device free of malware. Every year more and more people infect their devices. There are many antivirus applications or programs that will protect your phone not only from spyware, but also from other threats.
Most spyware removal tools require you to scan your device through an application that will automatically help you detect and eliminate potential threats.
3. Remove suspicious apps
You may need to go through the list of applications and remove those that look suspicious or unfamiliar to you. You can follow the steps below to do the same.
- Open settings and click Applications.
- Scroll through the list and click on any app that you don’t recognize or think is suspicious.
- Click on the delete option.
After that, you can restart your phone and check if you are still seeing signs of spyware on your device. Since this is a lengthy process, it is usually recommended to perform a factory reset and scan with a spyware removal tool.
How to prevent future spyware attacks
- Avoid downloading suspicious apps
- Change Password
- Update your phone regularly
1. Avoid Downloading Suspicious Apps
There are several pirated Android apps these days and they are also easy to find on third party websites. You must resist the urge to install these apps, even if you get the pro or paid version for free.
These applications often contain spyware that cannot be trusted. Although some apps cannot be found in the app store, you may have to download them from other websites. However, you must download them with care.
In addition, by carefully examining website links before clicking on them, you will save yourself the trouble of finding out if your device has spyware. In most cases, HTTPS with an S at the end indicates that the sites are secure. Only those links with it are verified and safe to use or visit.
2. Change password
Spyware is designed to collect information, including login information and other sensitive information about your phone. Frequent changes to these credentials ensure that even if hackers gain access to your device, they may be out of date to use by the time they decide to use it.
Another important factor is to update your device’s security frequently. This is important if you suspect that third parties may be accessing your device. You can enable face recognition or another method to unlock your phone.
With this method, you can secure your phone; even if you leave it unattended, no one can access it or install any spyware.
3. Update your phone regularly
Regular operating system updates will keep your phone up-to-date with security updates and make it easier to find and remove spy apps on your device.
Most pop-ups are persuasive because they contain false claims or promises of rewards or money. All of these ads should be avoided because they are simple methods to covertly download spyware.
Conclusion
Android users are always advised to be wary of any indication that their devices have been compromised and exercise caution when visiting websites and downloading files. The best option is to install an antivirus or other antivirus software on your Android devices before the spyware does any damage.
Also, it is important to check if the software is running frequently. This is mainly because spyware can disable it automatically. Hence, updating your device’s operating system frequently and changing your passwords can also be very helpful when trying to avoid spyware infections.