How to Stop Someone from Accessing My Android Phone Remotely

How to Stop Someone from Accessing Your Android Phone Remotely

In this digital era, protecting your smartphone is absolutely essential. Our phones hold a treasure trove of personal data, from banking information to private conversations, making them prime targets for unauthorized access. Whether it’s a hacker or someone you trust, there are many reasons someone might try to gain remote access to your Android device. Fortunately, there are proactive measures you can take to keep your information safe.

This guide will help you learn how to prevent someone from accessing your phone remotely and how to fortify it against any potential breaches.

1. Lock Your Device with a Strong Password/PIN/Pattern

To keep your phone safe from prying eyes, one of the easiest and most effective steps you can take is to lock it with a strong password, PIN, or pattern. This way, only you or anyone you trust who knows the code can get into your device.

How to set up a screen lock on Android:

1. Open your Settings.
2. Look for Security (or Biometrics and Security, depending on your device).
3. Tap on Screen lock and pick your preferred method (PIN, Password, or Pattern). Just a tip: steer clear of simple patterns like "1-2-3-4" or "1111" for better protection.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for Google Account

Your Google account is closely tied to your Android device and if someone gains access, they can control a lot of things like syncing your data, accessing apps and even wiping your phone remotely.

By enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), you add an extra layer of security to keep unauthorized users at bay.

Here’s how to set up 2FA for your Google account:

1. Open Settings on your phone.
2. Scroll down to Accounts > Google.
3. Tap on your account, then go to Google Account > Security.
4. Under Signing in to Google, enable 2-Step Verification.
5. Follow the prompts to complete the setup. You’ll usually need your phone number for text messages or an authentication app like Google Authenticator to generate codes.

3. Review and Revoke Remote Access

Google has a handy feature called Find My Device, which allows you to locate, lock, or even wipe your Android device from afar. If someone has remote access to your phone, they might be using this feature. It’s a good idea to regularly check the list of devices linked to your Google account and remove any that you don’t recognize.

Here’s how to review and revoke remote access:

1. Go to the Google Device Activity page.
2. You’ll see a list of devices signed into your Google account.
3. If you spot any unfamiliar devices, click on it and select Sign out to revoke access.

Also, make sure Find My Device is turned on by navigating to Settings > Security > Find My Device. If you suspect someone might be using it without your permission, go ahead and disable it.

4. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A VPN is a great way to keep your phone secure while you’re surfing the web or using apps, especially when you’re on public Wi-Fi. Without one, hackers could easily intercept your data, potentially gaining remote access to your device.

Setting up a VPN on Android is simple:

• Just download a reliable VPN app from the Google Play Store, like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or ProtonVPN.
• Once it’s installed, follow the app’s instructions to connect to a VPN server.

Using a VPN encrypts your online activity, making it much tougher for unauthorized users to access your information.

5. Disable Remote Control Apps and Unknown Apps

Apps like TeamViewer, AnyDesk can allow remote access to your device. If you’ve installed any of these apps whether knowingly or not, they could let someone control your phone from afar.

It’s important to keep an eye on your app list for anything suspicious.

Here’s how to check and remove any questionable apps:

• Go to Settings > Apps.
• Scroll through the list of installed apps and look for anything that seems unfamiliar or odd.
• If you find an app you don’t recognize, tap on it and select Uninstall.

Also, steer clear of downloading apps from third-party sources. Stick to the Google Play Store, where apps go through security checks.

6. Monitor App Permissions and Security Settings

Some malicious apps might ask for permissions they don’t really need, which could give them access to sensitive information like your location, camera, or microphone and even let them control your phone remotely. It’s a good idea to regularly review the permissions you’ve granted to your apps.

To check app permissions:

• Go to Settings > Privacy > Permission manager.
• Here, you can see which apps have access to features like your camera, microphone, or location.

Revoking unnecessary permissions can help prevent apps from spying on you or taking control of your phone without your consent.

7. Update Your Phone’s Software Regularly

It’s crucial to regularly update your phone’s software because security flaws can be a hacker's gateway to your device. By keeping your Android phone updated, you ensure that any known vulnerabilities are patched through the security updates provided by the manufacturer or Google.

Here’s how to update your Android device:

• Navigate to Settings > System > Software Update.
• If there’s an update waiting for you, install it right away. You can also enable automatic updates so you never miss an important security patch.

8. Turn Off “Developer Options”

If you’ve turned on Developer Options on your Android device, you might have unintentionally opened the door to features that hackers could exploit, like USB debugging. Turning off Developer Options is a straightforward yet effective way to close this potential security gap.

Here’s how to turn off Developer Options:

• Go to Settings > About phone.
• Tap the Build number 7 times to enable Developer Options (if it’s not already on).
• Then, head to Settings > System > Developer options and switch off the toggle.

9. Use Anti-virus and Anti-malware Apps

Installing a trusted anti-virus or anti-malware app can help you spot and block any malicious apps or files that might be trying to sneak into your device. Some solid choices for Android security apps include Avast Mobile Security, Bitdefender Mobile Security, and McAfee Mobile Security.

10. Factory Reset as a Last Resort

If you think your device has already been compromised and nothing else has worked, a factory reset can help bring your phone back to its original state. Just keep in mind that a factory reset wipes all your data, so be sure to back up any important files before you go ahead.

Here’s how to perform a factory reset:

• Go to Settings > System > Reset > Factory data reset.
• Follow the prompts to reset your device.

Indications of Mobile Access by Someone

Have you ever felt like someone might be snooping on your phone? There are definitely some signs that could suggest your device is being accessed remotely or monitored without your permission. While it’s possible that these issues could stem from app glitches or network troubles, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and take action if you notice any of the following red flags:

1. Unfamiliar Apps Running in the Background

If you spot apps you don’t recognize running in the background or draining your device’s resources, it might mean someone is remotely controlling or spying on your phone. Some spyware and remote access tools can operate quietly, often without your awareness.

What to check:

• Open the Settings app and navigate to Apps & notifications > See all apps. Look for any apps you don’t remember installing.
• In the Battery Usage section, see if any apps are using an unusual amount of power. This could signal an app running in the background that you’re not aware of.

2. Unexplained Increase in Device Temperature and Rapid Battery Drain

If your phone is getting unusually hot or the battery is draining quickly without much use, it could be a sign of remote access. Malware or remote access tools can make your phone perform unnecessary tasks in the background, leading to power consumption and heat.

What to do:

• Keep an eye on battery usage in Settings > Battery. If you notice unexplained drain from unfamiliar apps, that’s a warning sign.
• If your phone frequently overheats, try restarting it and monitor how it behaves afterward.
• Consider using a battery optimization app to identify which apps or services are causing excessive power drain.

3. Strange Noises or Voices During Calls

If you start hearing odd echoes, weird background sounds, or voices that don’t belong during your calls, it might be a sign that someone is eavesdropping on you. Certain spyware and remote access tools can actually listen in on your conversations or even record them.

What to check:

• If this happens often, hang up and take a moment to look for any unusual apps or permissions on your phone.
• Consider switching to secure messaging apps like Signal or WhatsApp, which provide end-to-end encryption to help protect your privacy.

4. Excessive Pop-Up Ads or Service Messages

Noticing a surge in random pop-up ads or strange service messages? This could mean that adware or malware has found its way onto your phone. These pesky apps might be gathering your data or trying to infect your device even more.

What to do:

• Go to Settings > Apps and check for any suspicious apps, uninstalling anything that looks unfamiliar.
• Think about installing an ad-blocker or a malware scanner to help identify and remove any intrusive apps or malware.
• Be cautious about clicking on pop-up ads or unknown service messages, as they could lead to phishing attempts or malware downloads.

5. Sudden Slowdowns or Lag

If your device suddenly starts lagging or feels much slower than usual, it could be a sign of remote access. Some malicious software or remote tools can hog system resources, causing your device to slow down.

What to do:

• Check for apps that are using up a lot of CPU or memory in the Battery and Storage sections under Settings.
• Try restarting your device to see if that helps with the slowdown.
• Clear cached data by going to Settings > Storage > Cached data, which can sometimes give your device a performance boost.

Conclusion

Keeping your Android phone secure from remote access is crucial for safeguarding your privacy and personal information. By taking a few simple steps like setting up strong screen locks, enabling two-factor authentication, reviewing app permissions, disabling any remote control apps, and ensuring your phone is always updated, you can greatly lower the risk of someone getting unauthorized access to your device.

It's important to stay alert about the apps and services you use, and make it a habit to regularly check your security settings. If you ever feel uncertain about your device's security, don’t hesitate to reach out to a trusted professional for assistance.