In today's digital era, our phones have become the most important part of our lives. Personal chats, banking apps, important documents, and even biometric details are stored on our phones. But just imagine, what if someone secretly hacks into your phone and spies on all your private things? There are many such spyware that can steal your data by entering your phone without your knowledge. But don't worry, we will tell you how you can avoid this danger by checking your phone.

How will you know if you are being spied on?
Spyware works so cleverly that you do not even realize that something is wrong with your phone. But some small signs can alert you.

1. The phone suddenly became slow, and the battery also drained quickly.
If your phone has become slow without running any heavy apps or updates, then this can be a warning sign. Especially if the battery is draining faster than ever, then some spyware may be running secretly in the background. This spyware consumes your phone's processing power and battery.

2. Unknown apps or camera-mic turning on automatically
Sometimes spyware hides its icon in the phone, but if you go to the settings and check the list of installed apps, you may see an unknown app. If you see an app that you have not installed, be alert immediately. Apart from this, if your camera or microphone is turning on without your permission, then this is a big danger sign. This spyware can record your photos, videos, or conversations.

3. Is data being used up without using the phone?
If you are not using the phone much, but still your data is getting exhausted fast, then this could be a sign that some spyware is sending your files, location, or audio somewhere else. Especially at night or when the phone is locked, increasing data usage is a big red flag. Check the data usage section in the settings and see which app is consuming more data.

4. Are you getting strange SMS, OTP, or links?
Sometimes spyware becomes a part of phishing attacks and sends strange messages on your phone. Such as OTP requests from unknown numbers, login alerts, or any suspicious links. If you get such messages, do not click on those links even by mistake. This may be an attempt to activate the spyware further or steal your data.

These tips will find the spyware
Now the question is, if there is spyware in your phone, how to detect it? The good thing is that there are some easy tools and methods, which can scan your phone and find traces of spyware.

1. CERT-In tool of the Government of India
Cyber ​​Security Wing CERT-In of the Government of India has recently launched some special bot removal tools. These tools can scan your mobile and laptop and find traces of spyware or malware. These are available for both iOS and Android. You can download these from the CERT-In website and scan the backup of your device.

2. Malwarebytes and Avast Mobile Security
Apps like Malwarebytes and Avast Mobile Security are very effective for Android users. These apps scan your phone in real time and catch any suspicious activity. Their free version also works quite well, but if you take the premium, you get more advanced protection.

3. Keep Google Play Protect on
If you use an Android phone, always keep Google Play Protect on. It scans every app installed on your phone and alerts you if any app looks suspicious. Also, avoid downloading any APK file from outside the Google Play Store, because most spyware enters the phone through such files.

Take these precautions to avoid spyware.
The best way to avoid spyware is to be cautious. You can keep your phone safe by following some simple but effective tips:

1. Do not click on unknown links
Whether it is SMS, WhatsApp message, or email, avoid clicking on any unknown link. Many times spyware enters your phone through these links. If any message seems suspicious, delete it immediately.

2. Do not give excessive permissions to apps
While installing every app, check its permission list carefully. If a photo editing app is asking for permission to your camera, mic, or location, then be alert. Give only as much permission as is necessary for that app.

3. Use a VPN while using public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks are easy targets for hackers. If you are connecting to Wi-Fi in a mall, cafe or airport, always use VPN. It encrypts your data and reduces the chances of spying.

4. Keep your phone and apps updated
Always keep your phone's operating system and apps updated to the latest version. Most updates include security patches that help protect against spyware and malware.

What to do if spyware is found in the phone?
If you think your phone has spyware, take immediate action. First, factory reset your phone, but before that, take a backup of important data. After this, change all your passwords, especially of banking and email accounts. If you think the matter is serious, contact a cyber security expert.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from TV9. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.