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

There was a time when one could feel cell phone data was safe if it was in your pocket. But with the rapid and dramatic rise in cybercrime, cybercriminals have become increasingly adept at hacking remotely.

I Thought I Couldn’t Get Spyware on iPhones. How Can I Tell?

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. In this instance, the hacker has installed, which can connect to the internet and forward your information to third parties. If you have limited monthly data, you might notice that you’re hitting or exceeding your plan data limit 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 attacked. Often, a cybercriminal’s program is running in the background and competing 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 suddenly 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 hackers complete remote access to everything on your phone. For your phone to fall victim to jailbreaking, the hacker must physically have the phone to install the spyware. In addition, beyond the data stolen initially in this manner, 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.

How to Remove Spyware From An iPhone

It is smart business for small to midsized businesses to enlist professional IT Consulting services to ensure you have removed all malware from your iPhone and are not putting the rest of your network at risk. 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 on improving and fixing its programs. Many of their updates are security-related. Before trying anything else, make sure your system is completely up to date.
  • First, go to “Settings.”
  • Click on “General.”
  • Click on “Software Update” and follow the rest of 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. Period.
• Review Which Apps Use Location Services – Even spyware might have “Location Services” and be using them to spy on your whereabouts. You should review and turn off apps you do not wish to know your location.
  • Go to “Settings.”
  • Then, click on “Privacy.”
  • 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” use it.
• Clear Your Browser History – Strong cyber security demands routinely reviewing and clearing your browser history on your computer. It is even more important to clear your history if you suspect that your phone has been the target of a cyberattack.

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 do not have the time or 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.

IT Maintenance

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 a small to midsized business. 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) GEEK-AID (877-433-5243) to evaluate and discuss all your IT needs before your business falls victim to a cyberattack.