How Can I Tell if My iPhone Has Been Hacked? Good Question.

There was a time when your cell phone data felt safe simply because the device was tucked away in your pocket. However, the rapid rise in cybercrime has been driven in many ways by hackers’ increasing ability to attack remotely, leaving smartphones as vulnerable as any other connected computer.

How Can I Tell if There’s Spyware on My iPhone?

The good news is that most of the time, there are symptoms that could indicate your iPhone might have been attacked:

• Your Data Usage Has Suddenly Increased – Check your data usage and your phone bill. An unusual increase in data usage might mean that your phone has been hacked. If so, it’s likely a hacker has installed malware that can connect to the internet and forward your information to third parties. If you have monthly data limits, you might notice that you’re hitting or exceeding your plan maximum when you haven’t in the past. If you are on an unlimited data plan, you will have to look at your cell phone bill to do a proper analysis
• Your iPhone is Doing Strange Things – If your iPhone feels “glitchy” and simple operations are taking too long, it could be a sign that you’ve been hacked. Often, a cybercriminal’s program runs in the background and competes for memory and power. Receiving odd texts from unknown senders can also be a symptom that your privacy has been breached
• Your Battery is Draining Too Quickly – Batteries wear out after several years, but if your phone isn’t very old and your battery is suddenly draining much faster than it used to, it could be another sign of spyware running in the background 
• Unusual Static or Noises – If you begin hearing strange static, clicking noises or any sounds you haven’t heard before on your usually crystal-clear cell connection, it could mean that someone is listening in on your calls
• Jailbreaking – If you notice an app that didn’t come with your phone or wasn’t installed by you, this could be a sign you’ve been “jailbroken.” Jailbreaking is an extensive and dangerous hack that gives attackers complete remote access to everything on your phone. In addition, beyond the data stolen, the cybercriminal can continue to monitor your activities, your private data and your location. The most advanced jailbreaker apps can even be hidden from the average user. For your phone to fall victim to jailbreaking, the hacker must physically have the phone to install the spyware.

Q: How can I tell if my iPhone has been hacked?

A: Watch for subtle signs like unfamiliar apps, sudden battery drain, overheating, unexpected spikes in data usage, strange pop-ups or unauthorized charges on your Apple account. If you notice a green or orange dot indicating camera or mic usage when you're not actively using them, that could suggest spyware is monitoring you. Also, look under Settings > General > VPN & Device Management for unexpected configuration profiles that may enable remote control.

How Do I Remove Spyware from an iPhone?

It is smart for small and midsized businesses (SMBs) to enlist professional IT Consulting services to ensure all malware gets removed from your iPhone. However, here are a few simple steps you can take to identify and remove spyware from your iPhone:

• Install All System Updates – Apple is always working to improve and fix its programs. Many of their updates are security related. Before trying anything else, make sure your system is completely up to date.
  • Go to “Settings”
  • Click on “General”
  • Click on “Software Update” and follow the prompts to update your system
• Review Your Apps and Remove Any Apps You Don’t Recognize – If you’ve never seen it, don’t remember installing it and don’t use it, delete it
• Review Which Apps Use Location Services – Spyware might utilize “Location Services” to spy on your whereabouts. You should review and turn off apps you do not wish to know your location.
• Go to “Settings”
• Click on “Privacy and Security”
• At the top of the screen, you have the option to turn off ALL Location Services
• To turn off or adjust Location Services for a specific app, scroll down and select whether to allow the app to use Location Services “While Using” or “Never”
• Clear Your Browser History – Strong cyber security demands routinely reviewing and clearing your browser history. It is even more important to clear your history if you suspect that your phone has been the target of a cyberattack

Q: How do I clean and secure my iPhone long-term after removing a hack?

A: Review and revoke unnecessary app permissions, especially for location, camera and microphone in Settings. Update iOS to the latest version to patch vulnerabilities, change your Apple ID and iCloud password and enable two-factor authentication. If your device still behaves oddly, a factory reset — after backing up important data — is the most thorough way to eliminate deeply embedded spyware.

How Can I Tell If My iPhone Has Been Hacked? The Expert Opinion

There are many moving parts to securing your network and all your devices. Unfortunately, most small and midsized businesses do not have the time or expertise to handle cyber security on their own. Unfortunately, every device connected to your network, from anywhere in the world, is a vulnerable access point for cybercriminals to breach your network.

Q: Is there a service that will review my phone or tablet security?

A: Yes. Your local IT service professionals can review device security settings and check your mobile devices for malware.

That’s why mobile device management is now an integral part of cyber security. All your devices must also have established security protocols and defenses in place. Having a team of IT experts to support your systems is imperative for a small and midsized businesses. The pros know how to remove spyware from an iPhone. Moreover, enlisting professional IT services will help you determine the right level of protection and ongoing security protocols to protect your hard-earned data. Contact your IT provider for a maintenance appointment.