In spite of Apple’s robust built-in security, hackers continue to devise innovative and cunning ways to gain access to your iPhone, iCloud, and Apple ID accounts.
Users are encouraged by Apple to frequently upgrade their accounts to two-factor authentication security. Due to the ease with which unexpected login attempts can be turned down, this significantly lowers the likelihood that phishing assaults will finally succeed.
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How to Know if Your iPhone Has Been Hacked?
Here are a few key signs to look for if you suspect your iPhone has been hacked:
Strange pop-up ads
You can tell whether your device is infected with malware if pop-up advertisements are flashing in vibrant colors or include improper information.
Excessive data use
If your data consumption has suddenly increased after you hadn’t been using much, malware activities might be running in the background.
Calls or texts you didn’t make
It’s possible that your contacts will notify you of texts (or messages sent via apps like WhatsApp) and calls that you didn’t make. Suspicious links or files may be attached to messages.
A limited battery life
Similar to high data usage, if you use your iPhone or iPad at the same rate yet notice that it loses battery life quickly, hidden processes are probably at work without your awareness or approval.
Slow performance
Although it isn’t visible, hacking software can be time- and energy-consuming. Malware may be to blame if your apps, messages, and files load slowly or not at all.
Unknown applications
It’s possible that newly downloaded apps contain spyware that gives hackers access to your smartphone. These apps can infiltrate your iPhone or iPad through malicious websites and shady links.
Items on your iPhone change
Changes you know you haven’t done, including contacts that were deleted at random or unidentified items that were added to your calendar, are indications of malware and hacking.
Here are some practices to avoid if you’re concerned about how your iPhone or iPad can be compromised:
Using a jailbroken iPhone or iPad
While this can open up more customizing options and programs for you, it also exposes you to non-Apple software. You run the risk of downloading malicious programs as a result.
Selecting an untrustworthy link
It only takes one inadvertent click on a phoney link to download a questionable file or make your iPhone or iPad vulnerable to viruses. To safeguard your device from unwanted software, a program like TotalAV stops phishing and fraud sites.
Getting a third-party program downloaded
There is no way to determine how safe the software is unless the app you download has been reviewed by Apple. Obtain programs only from the App Store.
Using unprotected WiFi to connect
Unsecured WiFi is a common target for hackers looking to access your iPhone and install malware. Some WiFi networks that appear to be secure are actually phoney hotspots that are there to steal your data. In order to keep you safe when you’re not connected to well-known, secure networks, Norton 360 has WiFi security and a free VPN.
Use of a public charging station
When you connect to a USB charging site, this is known as “juice jacking” and takes place. During charging, it has the ability to copy private data from your iPhone or infect it with malware.
What to Do If Your iPhone Has Been Hacked?
Step 1: Run a Scan With Security Software
Download and use a reputable security program like Norton 360 to do a scan. This will reveal whether you have actually been hacked, as well as evaluate and rapidly fix any faults your iPhone may have.
Step 2: Warn Your Contacts About Scam Messages
You should inform your contacts of the hacking as soon as you have confirmation of it. Inform them that any links they may find in your communications are probably part of a phishing scam and not to click on them.
Look over the scan report. The app will detail any faults and show you how to address them after the scan is complete. It is advised to keep the app open in the background to guard against any threats.
Step 3: Change Your Passwords
Your passwords and login details might have been exposed if your iPhone or iPad has been hacked. Your iCloud and Apple ID accounts are included in this.
Reset and establish new, distinctive passwords for your online accounts after performing the security scan. If you’re worried that you’ll forget your new passwords, a service like Norton 360 offers a password manager for iOS; this way, you only need to remember one master password, and Norton 360 will keep track of the rest.
Step 4: Delete Suspicious Apps
Hackers frequently use apps to get access to your iPhone or iPad. You should erase any apps you’ve recently downloaded from third-party stores other than the Apple App Store from your iPhone or iPad.
Delete any apps you don’t recall downloading when making an inventory of the apps on your iPhone or iPad. These might have been stealthily added when you were using unprotected WiFi or when you visited a phishing website.
Step 5: Reset Your iPhone or iPad
Resetting your iPhone or iPad to factory settings will eliminate the majority of hacking spyware. All downloaded apps, along with your messages, contacts, photographs, and files, will be deleted as a result.
It is, therefore, a good idea to make a backup of this data before you reset your iPhone or iPad. In addition to 50GB of cloud storage for your photographs and personal files, Norton 360 has contact backup for mobile devices.
