How to Remove a Hacker from Your Samsung Phone

What Is Spyware?

Spyware is a tool used by phone hackers to access and use your information without your permission. It can often be installed on your phone without your knowledge, and it can make your phone behave unusually. We’ll learn about how to remove spyware a little later in the article.

Possible Symptoms of a Hacked Phone

If you’re worried that your phone has been hacked, there are a few warning signs to look out for. Find out more below:

Unusual phone behavior

Spyware makes phones work overtime, since it has to constantly send data to the person or organization hacking it. This can cause a drop in your phone’s performance and battery life, and the battery may drain much faster than usual.

However, it’s important to remember that phone batteries naturally become more inefficient over time. If you have an older phone, poor battery life is not necessarily a sign that spyware is installed on it.

Spyware can also cause your phone to take longer than usual to shut down, or to become too hot.

Use of excessive data is another common sign of phone hacking. Keep track of your data usage, and if you notice anything suspicious you can look into it.

Unfamiliar apps

Most people have lots of apps downloaded on their phone. If you think that your phone has been hacked, check your installed apps to see if there are any you don’t recognize.

Unfamiliar apps with access to your location, camera, and/or microphone are a warning sign. If you see any apps that you don’t remember downloading, it’s possible that someone has installed them on your phone without your knowledge.

Make sure you check your full list of apps, rather than just those that show up on your home screen. Some spyware apps may use different, innocent-sounding names, and others could even be hidden in the Settings menu. Be wary of anything that looks suspicious or out of place.

How to Detect and Remove Viruses on Samsung Phones

If you’re suspicious that your phone has been hacked, there are a few things you can do to get to the bottom of it.

Use safe mode

If you think you are a victim of phone hacking, the first thing you should do is to restart your phone in safe mode. This is a setting that temporarily disables all the third-party apps that you have installed on your device.

You’ll still be able to make calls, send messages, and use the internet via the software that was pre-installed on your phone. But you won’t be able to use any apps.

If your phone behaves normally again once you turn on safe mode, it’s very likely that an app is causing the unusual behavior. This is because in safe mode, all apps are disabled.

The challenge is finding out which app is the culprit! Changes will only take effect after you have exited safe mode, so you’ll need to uninstall suspicious apps one at a time to find out which one is to blame.

How to enter safe mode on a Samsung phone:

1. Press and hold the power button until the “Power off” screen is displayed.
2. Tap and hold Power off until the “Safe mode” option is displayed.
3. Tap Safe mode.
4. Your device will restart and “Safe mode” will be displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen.
5. Once you’ve finished using safe mode, simply restart your phone to return to normal.

Use Samsung’s virus scan

If you can’t fix the issue using safe mode, the next step is to use the antivirus software built into most of Samsung’s devices. This will allow you to scan your device and detect any malware installed on the device.

How to use the Samsung virus scanner:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Battery and Device Care.
3. Tap Device Protection.
4. Tap Scan Phone.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Use Certo Mobile Security

Although using safe mode and virus scan are a great start, the best way to deal with and prevent phone hacking is by using an anti-spyware app like Certo Mobile Security.

It’s free to download from the Google Play Store, and compatible with all Android devices—including Samsung phones. Our app has been developed from the ground up to detect and destroy viruses and spyware.

As well as performing a deep scan, we’ll identify which apps are tracking you and check for critical system settings that can stop hackers from accessing your phone.

If a threat is found after the app has scanned your device, simply click ‘Remove’ and the spyware will be deleted so that you can remove a hacker from your phone.

How to Keep Your Samsung Phone Secure in the Future

In order to avoid getting a virus in the future, there are a few best practices that you should follow.

Use a security app

Use an app like Certo Mobile Security to protect your phone from hackers. Our app has a feature that allows you to automatically ‘set and forget’ a device scan at regular intervals to ensure protection.

Keep your phone updated

It’s essential to keep your Samsung device updated with the latest firmware and software patches. Samsung diligently releases these updates to ensure any known security vulnerabilities are addressed promptly. Regularly checking for updates and installing them will fortify your device against potential security threats.

Use a strong passcode

To bolster the security of your phone, opt for a robust alphanumeric passcode for your lock screen. This passcode, when combined with biometric authentication options like fingerprint or facial recognition (if supported by your device), creates a formidable barrier against unauthorized access.

Only download apps from trusted sources

Your device’s security can be compromised by malicious apps. It’s paramount to download applications only from reputable sources such as the Google Play Store or the Galaxy Store. Furthermore, securing your Google account with a robust password minimizes the chances of unwanted access.

Block unsafe or annoying ads

Intrusive ads or pop-ups can be more than just an annoyance; they can serve as gateways for malware. Protect your device by leveraging the built-in ad-blocker feature found in the Samsung internet app. This will not only enhance your browsing experience but also shield you from potential threats.

Use Samsung Pass

Convenience and security go hand-in-hand with Samsung Pass. This app enables users to employ their fingerprint or facial recognition data for authentication, replacing the need for traditional passwords. This method is not only quicker but also adds an extra layer of biometric security.

Use Secure Folder

Maintain your privacy with the Secure Folder feature available on Samsung phones. This compartmentalizes and encrypts your sensitive data, ensuring that personal files, photos, or apps are safeguarded from curious onlookers or potential hackers.

Don’t click suspicious links

Cyber threats often lurk behind deceptive links that mimic legitimate websites or offers. Always approach links, especially those received in unsolicited messages or emails, with caution. A single misguided click can expose your device to malware or phishing schemes aiming to steal your personal data.

Don’t root your device

You may be tempted to root your device to unlock certain features. Unless you are very experienced, you should not do this as it will seriously weaken the security of your device. If you have the Certo Mobile Security app installed it will be able to detect if a third party has rooted your device without your knowledge.

Key Takeaways

If you need to remove a hacker from your phone, there are a few things you can do to fix the problem.

Here are our top tips on how to improve your phone security:

• Use safe mode and the Samsung virus scan as a first step.
• Use strong passwords for all of your online accounts.
• Download an anti-spyware app like Certo Mobile Security.

FAQs

Is a Samsung phone easy to hack?

No phone is designed to be easily hacked—Samsung phones included. However, it is relatively simple for someone to install spyware on your device without your knowledge. Spyware apps can be purchased for around $30 and installed on your phone by anyone who has physical access to it.

To protect yourself against this type of threat, we recommend downloading an anti-spyware app like Certo Mobile Security.

What is the safest phone to have?

Unfortunately there is no definite answer to this question, since it’s technically possible for all phones to be hacked. Whatever phone you have, our best advice is to use smart passwords, be vigilant, and use an anti-spyware app to protect your phone and your personal information.

Who can I contact about my phone being hacked?

If you’re concerned that your phone has been hacked, use a tool like Certo Mobile Security to investigate. If it becomes clear that you are a victim of phone hacking, you should contact any financial services or online stores that have your credit card or bank account information.

It’s also a good idea to contact your bank to find out whether there have been any fraudulent transactions.

Should I do a factory reset?

A factory reset can be an option if you have a hacked Android phone. This will wipe all information from your phone and restore it to its original ‘factory’ state. However, if you choose this option, you’ll need to make sure you back up your device using the Samsung Cloud or an external device, so that you don’t lose your photos, music, and more.