Is There Spyware on My iPhone? Creepware is Here.

Since the start of the pandemic, there has been an alarming increase in phones infected with spyware. Whether you call it “Spyware,” “Stalkerware” or “Creepware,” if you have it on your phone, someone is spying on you. One of the most nefarious examples of mobile hacking is “cyber stalking.” If a cybercriminal has managed to hack your calls, texts, emails and photos without your permission, you can be sure that spyware has been installed on your phone.

How Do I Know if There Is Spyware on My Phone? What Does it Look Like?

Cellphone spyware detection and removal on the user level is possible. Almost all spyware will cause some kind of malfunction on cell phones. Here are some typical symptoms of cell phone cyber stalking:

• The Battery Drains Easily – Spyware, secretly running in the background, can consume a lot of power and drain your battery unusually quickly. If your phone is dying halfway through the day and it began the morning fully charged, you might have a form of Creepware working overtime to spy on your mobile activities.
• A Sudden Increase in Data Usage – An unusual increase in data usage is a very common sign that your cell phone might be the victim of a stalkerware attack. Examining your phone bill and your data usage may indicate that you’ve been hacked. In addition to spying on your cell phone activities, the cybercriminal can be logged on to the internet through your phone and engaging in many unwanted activities using your data. If you have an unlimited data plan, you will have to examine your cell phone bill to do an accurate analysis.
• Your Phone is Malfunctioning – If simple functions on your phone start to take too long, it could be a sign that you are the victim of cyber stalking. Strange glitches and unusual slowdowns might also be clues that malicious spyware is installed on your phone.
• The Appearance of Apps You Don’t Recognize – If you see an app you know didn’t come with your phone and that you don’t remember downloading, it could be the unwanted Creepware plaguing your cell phone operations.

Removing Spyware From an iPhone

With the current level of cybercrime, a small to midsized business should enlist professional IT Consulting services to ensure you have removed any spyware from your iPhone and are not putting the rest of your network at risk. Remember, a cell phone can be a cybercriminal’s entry point for your entire network. To help avoid an attack, here are some tips for identifying and removing spyware from your iPhone:

• Remove Any Apps You Don’t Recognize – If you don’t remember downloading an app, delete it.
• Check Which Apps Use Location Services – Spyware usually contains “Location Services,” and hackers can be using them to spy on where you are and what you’re doing. If you don’t recognize the app, you certainly don’t want to authorize Location Services and should delete the app.
• Install All System Updates – As regular IT Maintenance, it is essential to install all updates. Many of Apple's updates are security-related fixes for previous issues. It is a best practice to make sure your system software is entirely up to date at all times.
• Clear Your Browser History – If you’ve been attacked by spyware, all of your browser history might be visible and therefore useful to a cybercriminal in tracking and abusing your online activity.

Cyber security involves many layers of protection well beyond protecting your computer from cyberattacks. Now, there are so many moving parts to securing your network and all your devices. Unfortunately, most small to midsized businesses have neither the time nor the expertise to handle cyber security on their own. Enlisting professional IT Consulting services will help you determine the right level of protection and ongoing security protocols to protect your hard-earned data.

Mobile Device Management is an Integral Part of Cyber Security

Every device connected to your network, from anywhere in the world, is a vulnerable access point for cybercriminals to breach your network. Mobile Device Management is now an integral part of cyber security. Computers and all your devices must also have established security protocols and defenses in place. With the expanded use of remote and work-from-home employees, having a team of IT experts to support your systems is imperative for small to midsized businesses. Your IT support team can train your staff, update your software, inspect and monitor your hardware and provide iron-clad cyber security for all your devices and networks.

GEEK-AID^® Computer and Network Support specializes in customized Managed IT Services for small to midsized businesses. GEEK-AID^®'s team of experts is comprised of top specialists in different areas of IT services, serving clients on-site and remotely for Macs, PCs and all your connected devices. The GEEK-AID^® team doesn't clock out at five o'clock on Friday. They are available 24/7, remotely or in-person, to ensure your computers, network and data stay healthy and secure. As your business grows, expands its network and adds more devices such as smart controls, smart devices, wireless access and remote access, your network's cybercrime vulnerability and need for cyber security will grow, too. In addition to maintaining the hardware, software and security, employee training and regular IT support must be ongoing. New users and new devices will require additional training to use those devices efficiently. Hardware and software installation and maintenance, repair, cyber security and network protection are all related and must be consistent and proactive.

Call (877) GEEKAID (877-433-5243) to evaluate and discuss all your IT needs before any of your devices are breached by spyware.