Smartphone dependency is at an all-time high; they have become indispensable to most of us for the convenience they bring.
That convenience, however, comes with the caveat of having our data tracked.
While most of that tracking is by marketers and data brokers, we are all at risk of being tracked by hackers, spyware, and third parties via unauthorized apps.
Our increasing dependence brings increasing risks and so it is more important than ever before to be able to recognize the signs and protect your personal information.
We can see that it’s happening on a far larger scale than previously thought after the revelation that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) tracks people’s movements with their mobile location data. For anyone who is privacy conscious, recognizing the signs is vital, so let’s discuss.
Potential Tracking Alerts: Recognize The Warning Signs
Fortunately, there are a few tell-tale signs that can help alert you to possible tracking on your mobile.
If you can identify the problem, then you can take action before it’s too late.
Suspicious Battery Drain
Unless you are using your phone for something demanding, such as streaming or gaming, then the battery should drain relatively steadily.
If you have left your phone unused and find the battery draining mysteriously, then you will have background apps and processes running.
This could be potential spyware or unauthorized apps tracking your device.
These programs, such as malware, operate behind the scenes but require power as they track your data and send it to their external servers.
Spontaneous Overheating
When drawing a lot of power, our phones heat, and we have all taken note of a hot ear after a long chat.
If your phone is giving off heat while idle, then it can again suggest covert background processes.
Idle overheating should be treated as a red flag, it isn’t just your data at risk either, you potentially risk the device itself because overheating causes physical damage.
Data Usage Increases
Unusual spikes in your data usage can be another dead giveaway.
Transmitting data from your device through spyware and tracking apps is data-consuming, so be sure to check your data usage on a regular basis.
That way, you can establish a good baseline and spot irregular patterns.
Unwarranted Pop-ups & Mystery Apps
If you find yourself hit with unexpected ads such as pop-ups, then exercise caution; these pop-ups could harbor dangerous links.
Another huge alarm bell is the appearance of apps you don’t recall installing or downloading.
Often, they are gateways used for tracking by unauthorized users.
How to Detect Phone Tracking: 3 Tips
If you happen to spot any of the above warning signs, then your next step should be to confirm your suspicions proactively. Here are three tips for digging a little deeper.
- App Permissions Check
It is recommended to review your app permission settings periodically. Apps with excessive permissions, especially those that are unrelated to the app might be unauthorized.
Tracking Apps will often request access to your camera, microphone, or location, to operate, trust your instincts, if a brain training game wants those details it might not be legit.
- Security Scanning
Trusted antivirus and anti-malware software tools can perform regular scans and keep you notified of your phone’s security.
By automating it, you can relax knowing that anything identified as suspicious will be dealt with upon its encounter without remembering to do it manually.
- Jailbreaking or Rooting Advice
Unsolicited apps and pop-ups are potential indications that the root kernel of your phone has been compromised through methods such as jailbreaking without you knowing.
If that’s the case then your device will be bypassing its typical security measures. This allows those with unauthorized access total freedom and control to operate their devices without safety measures thwarting their actions.
Rectifying it is possible with firmware updates, but it can prove to be more difficult.
Protecting Your Phone from Tracking
Better than having to take the above steps when all might be lost is to approach things proactively with preventative measures.
Adjusting your device settings and habits can go a long way in protecting your data.
Strengthen Device Access
Make sure your passwords are strong and unique and where possible, use biometrics and multi-factor authentication methods for access.
Software Updating
When software becomes vulnerable developers typically fix it with a patch update, so making sure that you are totally up to date is an important preventative measure.
Outdated software is an easy entry for cybercriminals and malicious actors so stay on top of it.
VPNs for Additional Privacy
One last step you can take toward protecting your data is to leverage a decent VPN for privacy and encryption, especially if you use public Wi-Fi connections, which are often riskier networks. Make sure to learn more about a VPN Android download to protect your sensitive data better.
Conclusion
We have all seen a few too many on-the-mark adverts not to feel like our phones were tracking us. However, when the intentions behind the tracking are malicious, then the consequences can be severe.
It is more important than ever to recognize the sign that your device is being tracked with early intervention things can be less devastating.
Now you know the red flags, how to spot suspicious activity, and some tips and tools to use, such as a great VPN.
Securing your phone with preventative, protective measures can give you the peace of mind you need to make the most of your mobile indispensable convenience without risking it all. But the real key to your safety is vigilance!
