Modern phones are well equipped to help you keep virtually everything—from your most revered memories through photos to storing crucial information like bank details. Besides, you use your phone daily to make calls, send messages, and sometimes even book a plane ticket.
However, what you may not know is that whatever you do with your phone is not entirely safe from prying eyes. It doesn’t require any magic or something extraordinary for a hacker to gain access to your phone and mess with your data.
As long as someone has malicious intent, they can easily figure out a way to track your phone and steal your personal data. To ensure that you aren’t a victim of such an unfortunate case, you need to learn how to make your phone impossible to track.
Thankfully, it isn’t as difficult as you might think. In this article, we’ll tell you all you need to know about phone tracking, the signs, and what you should do to stop people from tracking your phone. Read on!
Who is tracking my phone?
Anyone can track your phone if they know how to do it. This could be motivated by various reasons, such as when your loved one wants to know where you are or a scammer attempting to steal your personal data.
The list goes on and may also include those interested in using your personal information for their own benefit. For example, some companies track your phone activities, such as browsing patterns, the apps you use, or even your exact location.
They do this by relying on IP address and GPS services with virtually every smartphone. Most of this tracking is to help them make tailored recommendations, such as good places to visit within your neighborhood.
Other companies want to use your information to target you with advertisements. They’ll even go ahead to track your phone and assess the browser cookies to know whether you clicked on an ad or how long you looked at it.
How to tell if my phone is being tracked
Your phone holds crucial information you don’t want to easily share without consent. Unfortunately, nowadays, it’s much easier and cheaper for anyone to access that information with little to no struggle.
Someone who wants to know as much private info about you as possible, including the last place you visited, only needs to track your phone. The only way to stop this is to first know when it’s happening. Let’s take a look at the signs your phone is possibly being tracked:
1. Modifications such as jailbreaking or rooting
A Jailbroken or rooted device is one whose manufacturer’s software restrictions have been intentionally removed to open a door for other software installations. Software other than what the manufacturer made available for that device can be easily installed.
If you haven’t intentionally modified your phone to allow other software installations, chances are high that someone with malicious intent did it. It’s a huge red flag indicating potential unauthorized access.
2. Suspicious app presence
You possibly know all the apps installed on your phone, especially those that were never pre-installed by the manufacturer. So, any app you don’t remember installing should be a sign enough that someone else is trying to access your phone.
Remember that some spyware and tracking apps are adept at concealing themselves within your device. They discreetly operate in the background under the ‘installer’s control’, surveilling your device without your knowledge.
3. Abnormal device behavior: overheating and battery drain
A noticeable increase in your phone’s temperature during periods of inactivity or light usage should cause concern. Though warmth is expected during charging or extensive use, it shouldn’t occur when the device is idle.
The same applies to unexplained and rapid battery drainage, mainly when not attributable to normal wear and tear. It might suggest the presence of mobile spyware consuming system resources in the background.
4. Unexplained data consumption
Keep an eye on your phone’s data usage patterns. A sudden and significant spike in data consumption could point toward malicious software transmitting information secretly. Spyware often necessitates data usage to relay gathered information to those monitoring your device.
Can you protect your phone from tracking
Luckily, there are measures you can take to shield your phone from being tracked. First, get a reliable code to check if phone is hacked and implement the tips below to ensure hackers don’t track your phone beyond.
1. Turn off location services
Your phone is a hub of information, and your location data is a valuable asset. Whether it’s apps or potential hackers, your location is constantly being accessed. However, you can control which apps can access your whereabouts and how they utilize this information.
A quick solution to prevent tracking is to turn off your device’s location services. On iOS and Android devices, navigate to your settings and turn off location access. For Android users, you can customize app permissions regarding location access within the settings.
2. Shut down your device
The most comprehensive way to stop potential tracking is to shut down your phone entirely. By shutting off the device, you sever its connections and render it virtually untraceable.
However, this method isn’t practical for day-to-day use due to the inconvenience it poses. If considering this option, back up your phone’s data beforehand to maintain access to essential information.
3. Employ a VPN for added security.
Enhance your phone’s security with a Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs create a secure, encrypted connection, masking your IP address and preventing accurate location tracking. They bolster privacy while browsing the internet.
However, it’s important to note that VPNs don’t shield your device from offline tracking, so combining VPN usage with other methods for comprehensive protection is beneficial.
4. Activate airplane mode
Suspect someone is actively tracking your online activities? Consider switching your phone to airplane mode temporarily. This action severs connections to cellular networks, hindering location tracking by some online services.
Yet, remember that while in airplane mode, internet access and essential functionalities like calling and texting are disabled, necessitating a more sustainable solution.
5. Secure your SIM card
Even without direct access to your smartphone, malicious entities can track your device through its SIM card. Locking your SIM card adds a security layer. Before executing this step, ensure you have your carrier’s default PIN for your SIM card to avoid being locked out.
This precautionary measure impedes unauthorized access to your device’s location through your SIM card.
6. Opt-Out of Ads personalization
Advertising entities track your internet usage to create targeted ads. This information is used to inundate you with specific ads based on your search history and the products you’ve shown interest in.
However, you can limit this form of tracking on your phone. If you’re an Android user, follow these steps:
- Launch the Settings app and select Google.
2. Tap on Ads.
3. Delete advertising ID or enable the Opt out of Ads Personalization option.
This simple action restricts the information available to advertisers, reducing how much they can tailor ads to your preferences.
Final thoughts
Being vigilant about your phone’s behavior and staying informed about potential signs of tracking or surveillance is essential in safeguarding your privacy. If you suspect foul play, seek professional assistance to protect your personal information.
Your phone is your gateway to the digital world, so ensuring security is paramount to safeguarding your personal privacy and sensitive data.
