In this world that is fully based on hyper connection, where every device is connected to each other, whether it is a phone, a personal computer, or a desktop. Each one is connected together, including the printer, speakers, etc, that exchange data and transfer data smoothly. We use our phones for different purposes, for banking apps, sending emails, and for the use of social media. Everyone’s phone is full of very sensitive and personal information that you try to keep safe, but hackers can access your personal data. The cyber criminal steals your data, then blackmails you or sells your personal messages, including visual data, to others. It’s really necessary to know how hackers get access to our devices or personal information to secure yourself.

In this guide, we will dive into the full details of what hacking a phone means and the strategies to safeguard devices. Whether you use an iPhone or an Android enthusiast you can be hacked more easily than you think.  

What Is Phone Hacking?

The hacking of the phone occurs when an unauthorized group or individual accesses the personal data or the features of the device without the permission of the owner. Hacking is the umbrella term for various cybercrimes that make use of software, networks, and even the behavior of humans.  

With the rise of the Artificial Intelligence the phishing and advanced threats have become sharper. The outdated apps lead to vulnerability, for instance, spyware silently starts to monitor text, location, and call data of the user. On the public Wi-Fi, maybe the data of the user is intercepted, even physical access is not needed, a hacker uses remote hacks by sending a malicious link or asking to download the infected files. If you download the files from an unauthorized source, like apart than the Google Play Store you download the application that is mimicked to the original one from a pirated source. Then those files contain different type of viruses that can even leads to the hacker accessing your phone fully. 

After accessing your personal information, the hacker may start to threaten you about the privacy or security. Hackers try to steal identities, financial details, and users’ secrets.  

Common Types of Smartphone Hacks and Attacks in 2025

Hackers are more crafty than we think; they leverage deepfake tools using quantum-inspired kits to breach the devices of users. The method of social engineering commonly known as tricking you into giving up information, it may be personal and secret data of the user, like bank account information or the last digits of the credit card, etc. The following is the breakdown of the relevant attacks:  

1. Malicious Software and Apps

Hackers embed the malware as legit apps from untrusted sources or slip it in via phishing. Mostly hackers make copies of the original, mostly used applications, like as paid applications. Most people don’t pay for the legitimate versions of the apps, then try to start using the copied and illegitimate apps for free. Once the fake and pirated applications are  installed on the phone or any other device of the user, then:

• Keyloggers track every tap, even the movement of the arrow, and start capturing passwords and messages very smoothly.
• Trojans masquerade as harmless tools but siphon off data like bank details, including the credit card’s security number last digits of the card, and even the bank balances.

The signs of these viruses include rapid battery drain, overheating, or unexpected app crashes. When the viruses are spying on a device, then the device also starts to execute those viruses in the background, which makes the phone laggy, slow response, then average, and even fast drain of the battery happens due to unattended background processes. In 2025, cryptojacking—where hackers hijack your phone’s processing power for mining crypto—has surged, often hidden in “free” games or utilities.

2. Phishing and Smishing Attacks

These scams are very often and lure the user through trusted entities, like via mail, text, or even phone calls, in order to convince you to click on the sent link or expose any personal information during a phone call. Many old parents were fooled by saying phrases like I am a friend of your son, he got into an accident we need money for the treatment send the fee for the medical bills. However, clicking on the spyware or irrelevant link can lead to fake sites or stealing the saved payment info, or even clicking on a link can lead to installing a hacking tool. Even with the rise of AI the hackers also use it to make the luring more convincing, and the ransomware elements are increasing day by day, very commonly. 

It’s better not to open any link from an unauthenticated source until you know the sender or the source of the link is verified by tools like Gmail automatically checks for spammy emails and warns the user to open files that contain viruses.  

3. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Exploits

Hacking is not just limited to the World Wide Internet; it just requires any source that allows the transfer of data. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections allow us to send and receive data within the range of 30 feet in most cases. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections can allow hackers to inject the virus into the device to steal the data. Commonly, the unsecured public Wi-Fi networks can lead to different attacks where hackers can easily intercept the traffic being sent and received on that open, unprotected, and unsecured network. 

By using Bluetooth hacker may send you any virus file. Then, after clicking on it, even if you mistakenly clicked on it, it will automatically assemble on your device and will start to spy on you. In advance hacking techniques, hackers started to mimic the legit networks, like the Wi-Fi could be named after a reputable organization to persuade users to connect to the internet to make data transfer through that network.  

4. SIM Swapping and Vishing

Hackers try to find every possible way to steal the data or any other sensitive information, so SIM swapping and Vishing are also a second possibility that most hacker tries. Hackers start posing as you to carry out the attack, they transfer your number to their device for the interception of 2 Factor Authentication codes. Hackers use voice phishing to extract the info or push the malicious app installs.

The importance should be given to privacy, whether you are an iPhone user or an Android lover, the safety should be measured. In 2019, the CEO of Twitter was also hacked in this way, which shows that even tech-savvy users cannot resist these attacks.  

5. Advanced Threats: Zero-Click and Low-Power Hacks

Zero-click exploits infect devices without any user action, often via messaging apps. Low-power mode attacks target “off” phones, exploiting features like Find My iPhone to keep radios active for surveillance. Camera hacks (camfecting) use spyware to spy via your lens—revoke unnecessary app permissions to counter this.

Android vs. iPhone: Which Is Harder to Hack in 2025?

The debate rages on, but iPhones edge out thanks to Apple’s closed ecosystem, rigorous App Store vetting, and uniform updates across devices. Android’s open-source flexibility leads to fragmentation—updates vary by manufacturer, creating vulnerabilities.

That said, no platform is hack-proof. Both use sandboxing to isolate apps, but user habits matter most. A vigilant user with strong passwords and regular updates is secure on either. Android faces more malware due to sideloading, while iOS battles sophisticated state-sponsored spyware.

Signs Your Phone Has Been Hacked

There are no solid signs that the device has been hacked, but some indications can lead us to detect the hacking of the phone. First of all, you have to stay calm while checking. Early detection is the key you notice any weird behavior from your phone, go through the signs provided below:  

• Battery and Data Drain: Unusual spikes suggest background malware activity.
• Performance Issues: Sluggish operation, overheating without any heavy tasks, or random restarts without notifications.
• Weird Behavior: Unknown apps in phone’s app list, pop-ups for no reason, strange texts suddenly appearing, or background noises during calls like scratches, etc.
• Account Anomalies: Unauthorized logins or charges.

Run a security scan immediately if you spot these—apps like Avast or Norton can help.

How to Remove a Hacker from Your Phone

If you noticed suspicious behavior in your phone and think that it is hacked, act fast:

1. Isolate the Device: Enable Airplane Mode to cut connections.
2. Scan for Malware: Use an antivirus to detect and delete threats.
3. Review Apps: Uninstall suspicious ones and check permissions.
4. Change Passwords: From a secure device, update all accounts with strong, unique ones.
5. Factory Reset: As a last resort, wipe and restore from a clean backup.
6. Monitor Activity: Watch for fraud and report to authorities if needed.

12 Essential Tips to Prevent Phone Hacking in 2025

Prevention beats cure. Here’s an updated list tailored for today’s threats:

1. Install Security Software: Choose the widely used security apps that regularly scan the device and provide real-time threat protection.  
2. Update Everything: Enable auto updates of apps to get the regular updates when there are any provided by the parent company of the software to avoid vulnerabilities.  
3. Use a VPN: When you are on a public network, make sure to use VPN, because it will block the intercepted Wi-Fi sessions.  
4. Password Manager: You should choose a complex password, containing different numbers and symbols and save it not to forge then the generated password.  
5. Avoid Public Chargers: You should not plug your phone into any public chargers, because they can steal the data of the user through USB transfer, which is faster than any other medium.  
6. Enable Device Tracking: Every operating system provides the feature of remote device tracking. If you lost your device, you can protect your data by wiping out or making the security strong using the remote device, e.g. laptop or any other device.  
7. Encrypt Your Phone: The device should have the screen lock enabled, which is required to use the phone. If you are using any portable storage, then encrypt it. Samsung phones have the feature to encrypt the connected mass storage. This also boosts the security and protects the data of user.  
8. Lock Your SIM: The SIM Card should be protected by a Lock. Whenever someone puts your SIM in their device, it should ask for a passcode.  
9. Disable Unused Features: If not using features like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, you should turn them off to avoid unintended requests for connections.  
10. Stick to Official App Stores: Don’t take the risk of installing 3rd party apps, stay stuck to the official app stores like Google Play Store and App Store.  
11. Enable 2FA/MFA: For every password, whether it is for a social media or personal account like Google, you should enable two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security.  
12. Be Vigilant with Links/Calls: Avoid clicking on an anonymous link; it may be sent by a hacker with integrated viruses.  

Also Read: Latest Blogs related to technology

Interactive Quiz: Is Your Phone Hack-Proof?

Test your knowledge! Answer these quick questions:

• Do you use public Wi-Fi without a VPN? (Yes/No)
• Have you updated your OS in the last month? (Yes/No)
• Do you review app permissions regularly? (Yes/No)

Score 3/3? You’re on track! Otherwise, revisit our tips.

FAQs About Phone Hacking

Final Thoughts

Your phone is a powerhouse of personal data—don’t let hackers turn it against you. By staying informed on 2025 threats and adopting smart habits, you can minimize risks and enjoy peace in your life without any extra confusion.