We’ve put together this handy checklist of tell-tale signs that your iPhone has been hacked. If it has, you need a VPN for iPhone devices to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
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A Sudden Surge in Your Data Usage
You’ve been sticking to your set data limit for months, but suddenly, your bill shows a spike in data usage, which may come with uncomfortably higher fees. This could indicate that unknown apps and data-hungry viruses are using data while running on your device.
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Unknown “You’ve Been Hacked” Notifications Keep Popping Up
If you get any notifications on your iPhone that say something like, “Your device has been hacked,” do not click on it. This is a way that cybercriminals prey on your fear to get you to click on links in hopes of solving the problem, which only leads to them gaining access to your device.
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You’re Unexpectedly Locked Out of Your Apple ID
You may find that you can’t get into your Apple ID, or you may even get a strange notification saying that another mobile device has been signed into using your Apple ID. This is a sign that a hacker has accessed your data and is now using your Apple ID. You may start to see your account being used for unauthorized Apple purchases.
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Your Mic or Camera Indicator Light Turns On
If your phone has a malicious app or spyware, the mic or camera light may randomly turn on when you’re not using it. This could be a sign that your device is being used to listen to and watch you—a way of gathering personal data.
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You’re Seeing Unexpected Pop-Ups and Ads
If hackers have managed to get malicious apps and software on your phone, you’ll receive a series of strange adverts popping up. Worst of all, you may not be able to find these apps on your phone to remove them. It can become frustrating, especially as the ads may ramp up over time.
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Everything Slows Down, the Battery Too
Find a noticeable lag when opening apps or trying to access web pages? That could be a sign that malware on your iPhone or unknown apps are running strange processes that are draining your phone. You’ll also find that your battery drains quicker and needs charging more frequently.
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You’re Receiving/Sending Unsolicited Messages and Calls
Receiving weird calls and texts? That’s a possible sign you’ve been hacked. Even if you’re noticing calls in your call log and texts in your messages that you don’t remember making or sending, or your family and friends are receiving weird messages from you – it’s a good sign that your iPhone is hacked. Cybercriminals can use your device to send messages and make phishing calls to trick people into giving out their personal data.
Use a VPN for iPhone to Prevent Your iPhone from Being Hacked
If you think you’re safe downloading apps from Apple’s Play Store, you’re wrong. In 2022, which really wasn’t all that long ago, the HUMAN Satori Threat Intelligence Research Team reported statistics showing 9 malicious Apple App Store apps and 80 malicious Play Store Android apps were downloaded a whopping 13 million times.
This alone shows that having a VPN for iPhone may be a better option than unquestioningly trusting apps available in the official app stores.
Using a VPN will hide your IP address from cyber criminals, meaning they can’t use it to target you and your device. If you’re not using a VPN, your IP address is visible and can be used to launch cyber-attacks.
