For essential phone security, use strong passcodes/biometrics, enable Find My Device, limit app permissions (camera, mic, location), keep software updated, use MFA, and control lock screen notifications, while regularly reviewing settings for privacy and security, say experts at Tech Safety Australia, IDX, and Android.
Some of the best smartphone security apps or antivirus available in the market are: avast! Mobile Security & Antivirus (for Android) Bitdefender Mobile Security and Antivirus 1.2. 3 (for Android) Lookout Security & Antivirus Premium (for Android) 8.13 Kaspersky Mobile Security (for Android)
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To keep your iPhone safe, enable Face ID or Touch ID for secure access. Regularly update iOS to patch security vulnerabilities. Use strong, unique passwords and activate two-factor authentication for your Apple ID. Avoid jailbreaking, which compromises security.
Use a device passcode or password and Face ID or Touch ID. For better security, you can set a passcode on your device — or login password on your Mac — to help protect your data. Use Face ID or Touch ID if your device supports it. Keep your software up to date.
Keep an eye out for significant changes in device temperature and battery life, as these might indicate remote access. During calls, pay attention to any strange noises or voices, as they could indicate unauthorized call monitoring or recording. Be cautious of increased service messages and pop-up ads.
Which app permissions should you avoid
Popular apps such as 'Noizz', 'Essential Horoscope', 'UC Webbrowser' and 'SuperVPN' have been removed after being accused of spying and violating privacy. If you still have any of these apps on your phone, it is strongly recommended that you uninstall them immediately.
Dialing *#21# allows you to check if unconditional forwarding is enabled for your number. This setting automatically redirects all incoming calls or texts to another phone number.
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What's the hardest phone to hack? Android phones are generally considered less secure than iPhones thanks to Apple's focus on encryption. But both are more susceptible to hackers thanks to their popularity.
Signs on your device
To know if someone's tracking your phone, watch for quick battery drain, high data usage, overheating, strange call sounds (clicks/echoes), slow performance, or unfamiliar apps/pop-ups, which suggest spyware running in the background, but remember these can also be normal; unusual activity, especially a combination of these signs, points towards monitoring, as explained by Norton and AirDroid and AirDroid.
Not surprisingly, the top three apps that are searched for in order to be hacked are owned by Meta. They are Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. These three have a boatload of info on us and our friends. But some other popular ones are on the list too and they also know a lot.
50 Most Used Apps in the United States (2025)
Many free apps, especially those found outside of official app stores or from unknown developers, contain hidden tracking tools or malware. These apps can: Access your microphone and camera without permission prompts.
Key Privacy Settings to Monitor
According to what I found on Naijaloanapps its a No, loan apps cannot access your contacts after they have been uninstalled. Once an app is uninstalled, it is removed from your device, including its data and permissions.
Three-finger gestures on iPhone primarily activate accessibility features like VoiceOver (for screen reading and navigation) and Zoom (magnification), allowing scrolling, zooming, and text manipulation (copy/paste/undo) with specific taps and drags, though some text actions work without VoiceOver enabled for quick editing. Common gestures include three-finger double-tap to toggle VoiceOver speech, triple-tap for the screen curtain, and pinching/spreading with three fingers for copy/paste actions, notes this YouTube video.
If your Apple ID has been hacked remotely, attackers can see your photos, erase your phone, read your backups, and access iCloud data. Unexpected password prompts, being signed out without cause, or sudden lockouts are signs that someone else may already be trying to control your account.
On an iPhone, dialing *#21# is a USSD code used to check the status of your unconditional call forwarding, revealing if your calls, SMS, or data are being redirected and to which number, without actually changing settings; it's a simple privacy check to see if someone has secretly set your phone to forward everything, though it doesn't detect advanced spyware. Dialing this code brings up a message from your carrier about your call forwarding status, often showing "Disabled" or a specific number if it's active.