Heed These Warnings If Your Phone's Battery Is Dying Faster Than Normal

With the developments in Android and iOS operating systems, phones have become portable smart devices that can do the tasks of laptops and PCs by gaining features far beyond search and text features. We use our phones to take photos, send and receive emails, communicate via social media platforms, wallets and banking apps

All this wealth of data also attracts threat actors who want to commit identity theft and fraud. ESET malware researcher Lukas Stefanko shared his knowledge on this subject with users.

How can your phone be hacked?

One of the most common tactics used to hijack a victim's device is to use phishing and spam emails that contain malicious links or attachments. After the victim clicks on the attachment or link, this malware allows hackers to accomplish their original purpose. Another strategy is fake websites where cybercriminals impersonate websites of popular brands or organizations. These are full of malicious links that download malware onto your device once clicked. It's also not uncommon for cybercriminals to distribute fake apps that look like real apps, unwittingly directing victims to download keyloggers, ransomware, or spyware masquerading as fitness tracking tools or cryptocurrency apps. These apps are usually distributed through unofficial app stores.

Check if your phone has been hacked

There are several signs that your smartphone may have been compromised. According to ESET malware researcher Lukas Stefanko: “The most common signs of a device being compromised are the battery draining faster than usual, experiencing spikes in your internet data usage even though your browsing habits have not changed, your GPS capability or your internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data) ) can be enabled or disabled on its own, and random ad pop-ups or unknown apps are installed without your authorization.”

Another sign is when apps that were working well before start to behave strangely, including suddenly closing and opening or failing completely and showing unexpected errors. Other signs that your device has been compromised are when you start receiving strange calls or strange messages, your phone automatically tries to call or text premium international numbers. You can sometimes see them in your outgoing call list. Let's not forget one of the most obvious signs: if your Android phone has been compromised by ransomware, you may not be able to log into your phone.

Keep malware out of your phone

There are no magic fixes or one-click solutions when it comes to reducing the chances of your device being compromised by malware. However, you can protect yourself from threats by following a combination of preventive and proactive steps:

Update both your operating system and applications as soon as the latest versions are available,

Safely keep a backup of your data in case your device is compromised,

Use a reputable mobile security solution with a proven track record to protect you from most threats.

When downloading apps, stick with the official store and always make sure to check the reviews of both the app and its developer, and

Be aware of common tactics cybercriminals use to infiltrate and compromise devices.