Cybersecurity expert reveals one major warning sign your phone has been hacked
Unusual battery drain could indicate spyware or malware stealing your data, expert warns
If your smartphone battery is draining much faster than usual, you might be under attack — not from an app, but from a hacker. According to cybersecurity expert Akash Mahajan, unusual battery depletion is often the first and most overlooked sign your phone has been hacked.
“When malware runs in the background, it consumes resources, especially energy,” Mahajan told UNILAD. “If your phone’s battery is vanishing quickly even without active use, it may be a red flag that malicious software is operating silently behind the scenes.”
Mahajan’s warning comes amid a global rise in mobile spyware and malware, some of which can secretly harvest sensitive data, track user locations, and even activate microphones or cameras without consent.
Other Signs Your Phone May Be Compromised Include:
-
Sudden overheating without use
-
Increased data consumption
-
Strange apps or settings you didn’t install
-
Slow performance or app crashes
-
Pop-ups and ads appearing more frequently
How to Protect Yourself:
-
Monitor Battery Usage: Check your settings to identify which apps are using the most power.
-
Run a Security Scan: Use trusted antivirus or mobile security apps to scan for spyware.
-
Update Regularly: Keep your OS and apps updated to patch vulnerabilities.
-
Uninstall Suspicious Apps: Remove any app you don’t recognize or didn’t download.
-
Reset if Necessary: If in doubt, perform a full factory reset (after backing up your data).
