Can someone Hack my Phone by Texting me?
There is always a question in everyone's mind "Can someone hack my phone by texting me?"
Smartphone has become an intact part of everyone's life. It
carries almost everything essential to you like your bank details, social media
accounts, personal data like photos or videos, contact details, search history,
and more such information. So, it is evident that losing out on such essential
data through hacking can be devastating.
The question remains the same, can attackers hack into your
phone just by a text message. Well, technically, text messages are one of the
top ways through which cybercriminals get entry into the victim's system. But
that involves the victim's contribution too.
Let us discuss more on whether it is possible to hack into a
mobile phone just by sending a text. We will also discuss the most common ways
attackers use to infiltrate a system.
Suppose you received a few text messages from an unknown
sender that contains some links. Now it solely depends on your further actions
whether or not your device will be hacked or infected with malware.
Merely opening the message wouldn't do any harm, but if you
click on those suspicious links, you might be redirected to some untrustworthy
webpages or sites. Some texts messages might also contain links that can
trigger the download of an unwanted app. This is done just to increase the
download numbers or other promotional gains.
Some messages are designed to trap users into following
malicious links, such as the Nbryb web page, to gain control of the system.
Clicking on such a link would download a malicious spying app in the
background, and users would have no idea that their device is being spied on.
Cyberattackers also use text messages as a medium to send
too good to be true offers. Such offers are entirely bogus and sent just for
initiating malicious tasks.
All in all, even though the technology is advancing rapidly,
hacking a phone just by sending a text is still too far-fetched until the
receiver is also involved.
Can Someone Hack My Phone by Calling Me?
This is another query that makes people anxious - "Can
someone hack my phone just by calling?"
Again, no such technology exists that can introduce the
hacking codes or apps just by receiving a call from a hacker. Imagine if such
tech exists, what havoc it would have created till now.
Similar to text messages, on phone calls too, scammers trick
users, through social engineering techniques, to provide their confidential
information like banking credentials. Scammers professionally create a sense of
urgency or fear among people to gain their trust and sensitive details.
Clearly, without the victim's involvement, hacking through
call is impossible.
What are the common methods used for Hacking?
Other than text messages and phone calls, hackers use the
following common methods to conduct hacking.
1. Phishing
The phishing attack is the most popular method used by
cyberattackers for hacking. Attackers use social engineering techniques to
create a sense of fear or urgency in the victims' mind so that they don't have
time to think about the situation. For example, an attacker can pretend to be
an executive from a bank and ask users for their credentials to save their
account from blocking. The users, in the sense of urgency to protect their bank
account, would quickly provide the details.
2. Public Networks
Public Networks such as Wi-Fi at restaurant or malls are
very loosely encrypted. Cyber intruders take advantage of this vulnerability to
infiltrate into the devices connected to that network. Private networks are
more secure than public ones; therefore, it is never recommended to connect to
a public network without the cover of VPNs.
3. Keyloggers
Keylogger is a malicious application that would record all
the keystrokes that you enter on your device. In this way, it would collect all
the sensitive information like credit card details, banking information, login
credentials, and more.
4. Spyware
Spyware is specially designed software that can monitor the
activities of the person who is using the device. Hackers can also use spyware
for activating the front cam and microphone of the device. Spyware can store
and share your information and data to the hackers involved in its development.
5. Brute Force
Brute Force is the technique used by infiltrators to break
into any account. In this, the attacker tries combinations of different
username and password to gain access. There are various dedicated software for
conducting the brute attack. It is like an army attacking the entrance of the
fort to break it.
Bottom Line
In the current scenario, in order to infiltrate into
someone's device or account, the action from both the attacker and the victim
is necessary. Yes, your phone can be hacked by a text or call, but only if you
allow it to. The best thing you can do on your part is to avoid installing the
apps from unknown or unverified sources and never let yourself fooled into
"Too Good to be True" offers.
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