An Englishwoman admitted that her husband is tracking her every move by installing a tracking app on her phone. She didn’t mind, but a lot of people will agree that any secretly installed tracking apps and spyware hidden in the phone are an invasion of privacy. 

Cell phone tracking or to track a phone can be done with ease. So here are some tips on how to find secretly installed tracking apps and some recommendations on what to do about it.

How to Find Secretly Installed Tracking Apps in Your Phone

How did the spy install it on my phone?

To be able to install a tracking app, a person needs to have direct access to your phone. So, your first defence against possible invasion is a security code. You’re probably wondering how someone had the opportunity to take your phone (unless someone robbed you) when you always have it with you everywhere you go. Thing is, you don’t always have it with you.

When you take a shower or when you are asleep, your spouse or your parents may secretly “borrow” your phone and install spy apps on it. Never underestimate the value of putting a PIN on your phone. Don’t use an easy combination such as your birthday, wedding anniversary, or anything familiar. Make it hard for them.

How do you know if my iPhone is jailbroken?

Apple’s iPhone security is one of the strictest. Only apps and software from the App Store can be installed, so setting up programs not from the App Store, like tracking software, will require jailbreaking. Usually, when your iPhone has been trespassed, you wouldn’t notice it. But if you’re lucky the trespasser is careless, then there might be telltale signs of jailbreaking, like not deleting the app used for jailbreaking.

Software like Cydia, Icy, Installer, Installous, and SBSettings are some of the tools used for jailbreaking. If you find one of these apps in your iPhone, then your phone has most likely been tapped. Look for it in your home screen.

What do unusually high phone bills indicate?

Another way to find secretly installed tracking apps is to look for more signs. If your data charges are abnormally higher than normal, that’s because spy apps used GPS to track your location and will need data roaming to send back information to the spy on you. So, if you check your phone bills and notice a huge increase in your data charges, check your phone right away.

What other signs should I look for?

Here are several other signs that a spyware is installed on your phone without your knowledge:
(1) your phone’s battery drains faster than the usual and is always warm even if you’re not using it.
(2) screen keeps lighting even if you’re trying to turn it off.
(3) other apps run slower than normal.
(4) unknown apps running in the background; and
(5) it takes long to turn off your phone. These signs coupled with some issues below are sure indicators that a spyware is present in your phone.

Why am I receiving peculiar messages?

The remote controller sends text messages to your phone as a command instruction to the tracking software in the form of random characters and/or numbers, like a computer code. You’re not supposed to know this, but there are times it goes astray and appears in your inbox.

How can a tracking app be traced?

Some users don’t bother exploring their phone’s folders and directories. But if you happen to use a file explorer app like ES File Explorer, open file folders in your phone and find files with obvious names such as Stealth, Spy, and Mobilespy. Yes, they are that obvious. Sometimes, it also pays to know what the top spy apps are so you know what to look out for.

If you happen to see these apps on your phone, don’t hesitate to delete them all. And if you suspect certain files related to spyware but you’re not really sure about, ask experts first before wiping them off.

How can observing one’s surroundings help?

If you really think your phone has been bugged, ask yourself, “Is there a reason someone would want to track me?” Do you remember anyone saying or doing anything suspicious? It won’t hurt to pay extra attention to anything or everyone around you.

Are there other ways to prevent spyware?

Protect your phone against virtual attacks like spying and tracking apps. Android phones are the most vulnerable to malware and rogue programs, arm your phone or find secretly installed tracking apps by installing antivirus apps.

How do you remove tracking apps and spyware?

If you are using antivirus software, make sure that it’s always updated. Always check your phone for unfamiliar apps and files mentioned previously and delete all of them. That should keep your phone safe. Also, it might be a good idea to create a backup of all of your files in your computer, so you don’t have to worry about losing important data if you find secretly installed tracking apps and decide to revert your phone to factory settings.

For iOS users, if you feel that your phone has been jailbroken, you can void the problem by upgrading to the latest version of iOS.

Post Updated On 9 May 2024