Is Your Smartphone at Risk? Signs of Compromise and How to Protect It

In the 21st century, mobile phones have become as essential as food, clothing, and shelter. Their usage in daily life has grown significantly, making them one of our primary needs. However, with the increased dependence on smartphones, incidents of cybercrime have also risen drastically.

Today, cybercrime is growing alongside other types of crime, and unfortunately, tracking down cybercriminals isn't always easy. Through your smartphone, malicious individuals can access your personal information, putting your privacy—and finances—at risk. A common warning sign that your phone may be compromised is frequent hanging or freezing. If your mobile phone is consistently lagging, it may be a signal that someone else is remotely operating it. Let’s explore the possible signs of such activity:

Common Signs of a Hanging or Compromised Phone:

1. Screen Freezing:
   Your screen becomes unresponsive for a few seconds or remains frozen for an extended period after a touch.

2. Slow or Crashing Apps:
   Apps take an unusually long time to open, freeze during use, or crash unexpectedly.

3. Frequent Restarts Needed:
   You find yourself needing to turn your phone off and on repeatedly due to persistent lag.

4. Overheating:
   The phone becomes excessively hot during normal usage, which could be a symptom of background activity or malware.

5. Rapid Battery Drain:
   If your battery is depleting faster than usual, it may indicate spyware or malicious apps running in the background.

What You Can Do:

To prevent potential data breaches or malware damage, it's recommended to perform a Factory Data Reset—this deletes all apps, data, and potential viruses from your phone.

Additionally:

• Do not click on suspicious links.

• Avoid sharing OTPs or passwords with anyone.

• Use trusted antivirus or security apps.

By staying cautious and managing your smartphone carefully, you can protect yourself from serious financial and data losses.