With nearly half of UK consumers reporting experience with mobile fraud or cyber attacks, and mobile devices becoming increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated threats, your smartphone security has never been more critical.
Cybersecurity expert Akash Mahajan, Founder and CEO of Kloudle, reveals that the most reliable indicator of smartphone hacking is unusual battery drain.
When your fully charged phone suddenly starts depleting much faster than normal without any change in your usage patterns, it’s a strong indication that malicious software is running in the background,” Mahajan says.
This battery drain occurs because hacking software continuously operates behind the scenes, sending your data to remote servers, monitoring your activities, or using your device’s processing power—all of which consume significant energy.
Recent research by Appdome showed 41% of UK consumers have experienced mobile fraud, malware, or cyber attacks either first-hand or second-hand. This represents a significant threat across industries like banking, healthcare, gaming, and eCommerce that rely heavily on mobile applications. Moreover, 62% of UK consumers now cite fraud as their top concern, a rise of nearly 10% compared to 2022.
Mahajan recommends these five immediate steps for mobile users who suspect their smartphone has been hacked:
- Disconnect from All Networks Immediately
Activate airplane mode and turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This cuts the connection between your device and potential hackers, preventing further data theft while you address the problem. - Run a Comprehensive Security Scan
Install a reputable mobile security application from your official app store (such as Google Play or Apple App Store) and perform a full system scan. These tools can identify and remove most forms of malware that might be hiding on your device. - Change All Critical Passwords
Using a different, uncompromised device, immediately change passwords for your email, banking apps, social media, and other important services. Create strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication wherever available. - Update and Clean Your Device
Update your operating system to the latest version, as updates often include security patches for known vulnerabilities. Remove any suspicious or unfamiliar applications, and revoke unnecessary app permissions, particularly those requesting access to your contacts, camera, or location. - Report the Incident
Report serious cybercrime incidents to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. For financial fraud, contact your bank immediately as UK banks have specific protocols for handling such incidents.
Mahajan adds:
“Unlike computers, smartphones rarely show obvious signs of compromise until significant damage has occurred. Battery drain serves as one of the few early warning systems available to everyday users. Being vigilant about battery performance could be your first line of defence against these increasingly sophisticated threats.”