Today, knowing about cybersecurity is very important for staying safe online and offline. Using a smartphone that is always connected to the Internet can expose you to various cyber threats. Many people try to access others’ devices without permission to steal personal information or even impersonate them.
To protect yourself from these risks, be alert for any strange activities on your iPhone. If you notice anything odd, don’t ignore it.
Signs of Unauthorized Access
Here are some signs that someone might be accessing your iPhone without permission:
Overheating: If your iPhone feels warm while it’s not in use, it might be running hidden apps.
Slow Performance: A sudden drop in speed could mean a spy app or malware is on your phone.
Frequent Restarts: If your phone restarts by itself often, it could be due to poorly made spyware.
Battery Drain: If your battery dies quickly even when you’re not using it, that could be a sign of unauthorized activity.
High Data Usage: If you notice an unexpected increase in data use, it might be caused by spy apps running in the background.
Sending Messages Automatically: If your phone sends messages on its own, it may have been accessed without your permission.
Strange Pop-ups: Unusual pop-ups, especially when your phone is asleep, could indicate suspicious activity.
What to Do If You Suspect Unauthorized Access
If you think someone has accessed your iPhone without permission, here are some easy steps to take:
1. Update Your iPhone: Always keep your phone’s software up to date. Updates fix problems and close security gaps that could let hackers in. To update, go to Settings, then General, and select Software Update.
2. Remove Suspicious Apps: Look for any apps you don’t remember installing. If you find any, delete them right away.
3. Check for Unrecognized Faces or Fingerprints: If your phone uses Face ID or Touch ID, make sure only familiar faces or fingerprints are allowed. To do this, go to Settings and select Face ID & Passcode. If you see “An alternate appearance has already been set” and don’t remember doing this, reset Face ID and set it up again.
4. Change Your Passcode: To make your phone more secure, change your passcode. Go to Settings, then Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), tap Change Passcode, and follow the steps.
5. Remove Unknown Devices from Your Apple ID: Check for any devices linked to your Apple ID that you don’t recognize. Go to Settings, tap your Apple ID, then look under Devices. If you find any, remove them. Change your Apple ID password to prevent them from reconnecting.
6. Enable Two-Factor Authentication: This adds an extra layer of security. It requires both your password and a confirmation from another device or phone number to access your account.
Conclusion
Unauthorized remote access to iPhones is a real problem that can happen often if you don’t take steps to protect your device. Luckily, there are many ways to reduce this risk and keep your data safe.
