Over the last few years, there has been an explosion of malicious spyware and stalkerware infiltrating our phones through apps and links. While there are countless scams being conducted by hackers that are aimed at strangers, there is a possibility that your spouse or a jealous ex-partner has downloaded spyware to your phone.
This spyware can be used to read text messages, see your location, record phone calls and even eavesdrop on live phone calls.
Cyber security experts at VPNOverview reveal the top spyware apps that can be downloaded onto your phone and what each one is capable of. The study also reveals the warning signs of spyware being present on your phone, as well as detailing how you can prevent and remove spyware that an ex may have installed onto your phone.
Warning signs of spyware being present on your phone
Unfortunately, spyware and stalkerware are quite popular among cybercriminals. Some even willingly download it on their partners’ phones to keep track of them. Cyberstalking is highly illegal and a serious invasion of privacy.
If your phone displays any of the following signs, it might mean your calls, chats, and app usage aren’t as private as you’d like:
- Random reboots
- Slow performance
- Strange text messages
- Overheating
- Unusually high data usage
- Unfamiliar apps in your app list
- Battery draining fast
- Taking long to shut down
- Weird sounds during phone calls
- Signs of activity in standby mode
Common spy apps for Android and iPhone
There are many apps that have been designed to spy on people that can be downloaded in the app store or on Google Play today. Most of these spyware apps are aimed at parents wanting to keep an eye on and protect their children. However, these can be used by spouses who believe their other half to be cheating on them or jealous ex-partners.
Below is a list of common apps that can be used to spy on you. Many spyware apps require a phone to be ‘jail broken’ or ‘rooted’ before being installed, this is when the phone’s operating system is changed to allow the phone to become unlocked and customizable.
mSpy: An undetectable spying app for iOS devices. It can be used to read your chats, see your location, view your email, check your call history, record your keystrokes, and more.
Spyera: This app requires rooted and jail-broken iPhones to work. It can go undetected and monitors phone calls and your call history. It even allows call recording and eavesdropping of live calls.
Flexispy: Flexispy prides itself as the #1 phone monitor for parents and can monitor everything from calls to social texts.
Umobix: This powerful spyware app has a dashboard that allows users to easily monitor someone’s location, calls, texts, keystrokes, all major social media, and more. You can detect Umobix because it heats up the infected phone and greatly affects the battery life of the infected device.
Ikey Monitor: Although it requires the device to be rooted for Android or jailbroken for iPhones, this spy app captures keystrokes, passwords, and screenshots, allows for call recording, and supports multiple languages.
Clevguard: Available for both iOS and Android, Clevguard allows users to track GPS and Wi-Fi locations, capture screenshots remotely, and more. Due to a recent update, the spy app drains the target phone’s battery significantly.
How to remove spyware from your phone
Remove spyware from your apps list
If you suspect that someone is spying on you through your smartphone, the first thing you need to do is locate and get rid of any spyware. If any of the above apps are present on your phone, you can go to your apps list and delete or uninstall them:
- Press and hold the icon of the app you would like to uninstall.
- From the options, tap ‘Delete App’ (iPhone) or ‘Uninstall’ (Android).
- Confirm you’d like to remove the app by tapping ‘Delete’ (iPhone) or ‘OK’ (Android).
Use a good antivirus program for smartphone
If you believe that someone has downloaded spyware to your phone and you have already searched through your apps, using antivirus software is recommended to catch any spyware. A good antivirus software specifically for iPhone and Android phones will thoroughly scan your phone for any stalkerware or spyware and delete them. Once you’ve chosen a provider and downloaded the software, click ‘Scan’ and the program will do the rest for you. Norton 360 is good antivirus software that can also protect your phone from being infected by spyware in the future.
An expert from VPNOverview said: “Advancements in surveillance technology are allowing jealous spouses to keep tabs on their partner more than ever before. These apps are easy to find and can be a serious invasion of privacy if gone unnoticed.
It is important not to trust anyone with your phone and be wary of real-life dangers. The best way to protect your phone from those who have ill will towards you is to use a passcode, facial or fingerprint recognition. Keep any passcodes or passwords to yourself, and make sure to always keep an eye on your device.”
