Apple’s security and privacy features are famously tight, but that doesn’t mean your iPhone can’t ever be hacked. Criminals are constantly on the lookout for flaws in new or outdated versions of iOS that they can exploit. Meanwhile, iPhone users are no less vulnerable to phishing attempts than anybody else. Indeed, according to research last year from cloud security company Lookout, iOS devices were targeted by threat phishing attempts more often than Android devices. We look at the signs that your iPhone has been hacked, what you should do if it is, and how to keep it safe in future.
Can Your iPhone Get Hacked?
Apple’s iOS is generally considered more secure than Android, thanks to its closed ecosystem, stricter app review process and control over hardware and software.
However, any phone can get hacked — and that includes the iPhone. To be fair, the most common way this happens is through the user’s error, for example by engaging with a phishing email and inadvertently downloading malware. Another route for an iPhone to be compromised is via the hack of another service: if one of your social media accounts is hacked, for example, and you’ve used the same credentials on both accounts. Jailbreaking your iPhone also carries a significant security risk, as you may compromise its built-in security.
How To Check If Your iPhone Has Been Hacked
There are a number of signs that your iPhone may have been hacked, some of which are more immediately noticeable than others.
One indication that your iPhone has been hacked is that your phone is overheating or running out of battery more quickly than usual; similarly, you may notice that it’s running slowly or that you’re using much more data than usual. Unfamiliar apps may appear on your homescreen, along with pop-up ads. Meanwhile, strange messages may start going to your family and friends as the hackers attempt to trick them. You may even find unauthorized purchases being made from your account.
Sign 1: Your Phone Seems Overworked
If your iPhone is hotter than usual or runs out of battery quickly, this may be a sign that unauthorized apps or processes are running in the background, taking up your iPhone’s resources.
Sign 2: Unfamiliar Apps On Your Home Screen
One of the first things that hackers are likely to do is install malicious applications on your phone. Their aim is to access your files or spy on you. These apps may look perfectly innocuous, but shouldn’t be ignored. Similarly, pop-ups and ads may start showing up.
Sign 3: Strange Messages
You may be contacted by friends and family saying they’ve been receiving strange messages from you. This is a sign that hackers are attempting to phish them by sending suspicious links. You yourself may spot sent messages that didn’t come from you.
Sign 4: Performance Drops
A sluggish phone may be a sign that your iPhone has been compromised, whether it’s loading web pages, playing videos or opening apps. Like an overheating phone, this may be a sign that a dodgy application is running in the background.
Sign 5: Unauthorized Purchases
If you spot unauthorized purchases being made via your Apple ID or linked credit card, beware. And don’t disregard what appear to be tiny purchases: criminals often put through purchases for tiny amounts to check that they can, before going ahead with larger, account-draining amounts.
Sign 6: High Data Usage
If hackers are running unauthorized software in the background, this may show up in terms of high data usage. If your data plan shows a spike in usage when you haven’t been using your iPhone any more than usual, it’s a sign that someone else is using it instead.
What Should You Do If Your iPhone Is Hacked?
If you find that your iPhone has been hacked, the most important thing is to move quickly. Run a scan for malware, and change all passwords immediately to new, strong ones.
Remove any apps that you didn’t install yourself, along with any unfamiliar devices, and go to Settings, General and then Software Update to make sure that all your software is the latest version. Do the same with apps via the App Store icon, tapping your Apple ID picture in the top right corner, followed by Update All. And let your friends and other contacts know that your phone has been hacked, warning them to ignore and delete any messages that appear to be coming from your phone.
How Can You Secure Your iPhone From Future Hackers?
While the iPhone’s inbuilt security is good, there are a number of steps you can take yourself to help keep it safe.
Make sure you keep up to date with all software updates, as these often fix known vulnerabilities. Make sure your passwords are strong, turn on two-factor authentication, and enable Find my iPhone. It’s a good idea to be wary of public charging stations and public wifi, and you may want to use a virtual private network for extra security. Be wary of using third-party app stores, and don’t open links in texts or emails unless you’re completely sure that they’re safe.
Bottom Line
You might be forgiven for thinking that it’s almost impossible to hack an iPhone — but it can, and does, happen. And there are a number of signs that should tip you off if this is the case, from poor performance to a stream of pop-up ads.
