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Is someone spying on your iPhone? Spyware is a type of malware (or app) that snoops through your phone, records your Internet activity, monitors what you type, and even activates your camera and microphone. Learn how to detect and remove spyware from your iPhone and see why a strong security app like Avast Mobile Security should be the front line of privacy protection.

Can someone spy on my iPhone?

Yes, someone can gain remote, real-time access to your iPhone using spyware. Spyware can track your GPS location, record everything you type, such as credit card numbers and passwords, or monitor calls and texts, app usage, email, voice, and other personal data.

How to detect iPhone spyware

Do you want to know how to check if someone is spying on your iPhone? If you already know the answer, skip ahead to the section on how to remove spyware from iPhone. If you want to know more about detecting spyware on iPhone first, here's how to check if your device is infected:

overheating

A healthy iPhone shouldn't overheat. If your device seems unusually hot, even burning hot, someone may be spying on you. The presence of spyware isn't the only reason for overheating, so don't get overwhelmed.

Maybe just learning how to clean iPhone is enough. Also, all devices can benefit from a cleanup of junk files and unnecessary apps.

dead battery

Does it always go with the battery in red? Spyware works in the shadows 24/7 to spy on your digital movements. Therefore, a constantly drained battery can be an indication of spyware. Eating up data is normal if you regularly watch videos or play a lot on your phone, but you should be vigilant if the battery drains at an unusually fast rate.

unusual messages

Do you get unexpected pop-up messages on iPhone when browsing the Internet? Unsolicited advertisements could indicate a spyware infiltration, as spyware is often bundled with adware. These strange messages could also be text messages, or app notifications if you have jailbroken your phone and installed apps from outside the App Store.

Excessive data usage

Spyware can drain your battery, but it can also drain your data. This malware uses mobile phone data to send the information it collects about you. This means that you pay the bill for sending data about your digital activities (and maybe even video or audio material) to the stalker, hacker or snoop on duty. If your iPhone is dragging for reasons other than surreptitious data usage by others, learn why your iPhone is running slow and how you can speed it up.

New applications

In many cases, spyware is secretly installed by a suspicious parent or partner. The presence of unknown apps that you don't remember downloading is a good reason to install a mobile security app, as this may indicate that someone else has access to your iPhone.

How to remove spyware from iPhone

Spyware removal from iPhone can be done by updating the software, removing suspicious apps, or doing a factory reset. Because spyware on iPhone often hides in an unknown file or app, it's not always as easy as hitting a delete button. A spyware removal tool can detect and remove spyware on other types of device.

Update the software

Some iPhone spy software is only effective because of some iOS security flaw. Hackers are always looking for software vulnerabilities to exploit, but Apple releases regular patches through security updates.

You will only be able to take advantage of these antispyware patches if you update your software to the latest version of iOS. An iOS update can also help you remove iPhone ransomware (or copycat ransomware, which is more prevalent on iOS).

How can you tell if you have the latest updates for iOS? You will see red notification prompts in Settings app, General tab, Software update tab.

To get the latest version of iOS:

1. Click the Settings app icon.
2. Scroll down and tap General.
3. Next, tap Software Update.
4. Follow the prompts to install the software update: Download and install, Accept terms, Enter password.

Remove suspicious apps

Have you seen an app on your phone that you didn't download? To remove the suspicious app from iPhone, long press the icon of it. Several options will appear. Tap Delete app (or Remove app, depending on your iOS version), and then tap Delete app to confirm.

Each app offers different options when you long press its icon in order to activate the settings. However, they all show Delete app in red as the first or last option.

If you have jailbroken your iPhone, you are at a higher risk of being exposed to unsafe apps obtained from the Cydia app store. Although there are no iPhone viruses (yet), your iPhone can be infected with other forms of malware. Learn how to remove malware from your iPhone and get rid of suspicious apps right away.

Factory reset

And, as a last resort, try a factory reset to remove the spyware. This will wipe all data from the device (and hopefully spyware), so don't forget to back it up with iTunes or iCloud before you wipe it clean.

We say that it is to be expected that the spyware will be removed because you will need to restore the device from a backup created before the malware was installed on the phone. A backup created after that point will still contain the spyware. So if you restore from that backup, you'll be reinstalling the spyware along with everything else.

Here's how to reset the iPhone to factory settings:

1. Click on the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and select General.
3. Scroll to the bottom and select Reset.
4. Select Erase content and settings, and then confirm the option.

Now keep spyware off your iPhone!

You've taken the time to learn how to detect and remove spyware on your iPhone. Now, to keep it protected, take the easy way out and download a comprehensive privacy app like Avast Mobile Security for iOS.

This lightweight, highly rated, and completely free app protects you from vulnerable Wi-Fi networks, data leaks, and prying eyes. It's the easiest way to stay in control of your digital life, without compromise. INSTALL AVAST MOBILE SECURITY FOR FREE

Get it for PC, Android, Mac

Why is iPhone spyware so dangerous?

Spyware is monitoring software that invades your personal space. Despite Apple's best efforts, spyware for iOS continues to appear, albeit in different guises. This type of malware is dangerous because it is not easy to detect on an iPhone. Spyware stays hidden on the iPhone and records your every move, including your location, your passwords, your emails and calls… Basically, your entire digital life.

Think of everything you do with iPhone. Now, imagine that a stalker, hacker, cyber criminal, or even someone you know has access to everything. It is disturbing, for being generous.

Spyware takes many forms, depending on the needs of the spy. The target device may be affected by adware that follows your movements on the Internet, Trojan malware that poses as something useful but secretly records your activities, or a keylogger that makes a note of all the codes you type.

Although Apple has tried to increase security to block this threat, the iPhone is still vulnerable to spyware. Pegasus spyware, which appeared in 2017, was the first capable of infecting iPhone and iPad. It exploited an unknown (zero-day) vulnerability in iOS that allowed the device to be opened (rooted) and activities monitored. Apple quickly released a security patch, but spyware still exists for this platform.

Even a legitimate paid app from the official App Store can be a Trojan that opens the door to spyware software, such as Adware Doctor (2010), Exodus (2019), and apps like mSpy, officially marketed as “parental controls”. And in this regard, a standard parental control app can easily fall into spyware territory, even if it is installed on your phone with your consent.

How to protect your iPhone from spyware

If your iPhone is already infected with spyware, you should remove it immediately - don't wait to become a victim. Take these basic steps to protect yourself from spyware infiltration.

Protect your phone from physical access

Spyware can be loaded onto your iPhone remotely, through a malicious app, or physically, if the device is accessed. Always protect your device with a secure PIN or through Touch ID and Face ID, depending on your iPhone model.

Download a security app

If you're looking for protection that lets you browse public Wi-Fi networks or encrypt your personal photos, check out our list of the best privacy and security apps for iPhone. If you want to combat annoying ads and defend against malvertising, check out the best iPhone ad blockers.

In addition to protecting iPhone from spyware, you should also protect all of your devices from all types of viruses and malware. You can check our comparison of the best free antiviruses and choose the most suitable one for your device and your needs.

Protect iPhone from spyware and other threats

Although you don't want to have any unwanted software on your phone, spyware is a particularly nasty privacy threat. A good iPhone privacy app can prevent sensitive data from being sent inadvertently, and give you peace of mind when you're taking photos, chatting, or whatever else you do with your phone.

Luckily, the best iPhone security app happens to be free. Avast Mobile Security for iOS goes beyond the basics of virus protection and is designed specifically for iPhone and iPad. It's the best and easiest way to keep your phone protected.

Source: Avast

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