Have you ever wondered what your iPhone knows about you that you never actually see? Or the number of unseen settings that run without you realizing? Your phone talks to your network on a continuous basis, yet most of that communication stays hidden from you, unless you know where to look.
The good news? Your iPhone has secret shortcuts that let you peek behind the curtain and spot anything that feels “off.” We will explore the codes that help you do exactly that. But before we do, let’s learn some basics first.
What is spyware and why should you care?
Spyware is a harmful program that accesses your iPhone silently. Think of it as a creepy stalker that sneaks into your device to watch what you are doing. It can track your messages, listen to calls, steal passwords, and ship your data off to someone else.
Convinced that iPhones can’t be hacked? Well, it can in some cases. While these devices boast strong security, there are always vulnerabilities that hackers can take advantage of and hack them remotely. The Pegasus affair in 2020 is a good case in point. It is a type of spyware developed by an Israeli company that silently infected iPhones across the globe without users tapping anything. If Pegasus could slip in, lesser spyware definitely can. So yes, as an iPhone user, you should stay alert!
What are iPhone codes?
iPhone codes are little shortcuts you type into the Phone app to retrieve hidden menus and system information. They can show things like call forwarding, network status, or device details. However, they don’t scan for malware or magically detect spyware. What they do is simply help you confirm if your network services are behaving normally.
iPhone codes tell you what’s happening, not who caused it. If your calls are being forwarded without your knowledge, for instance, that’s suspicious. If your network settings look altered, that’s a red flag. So while these codes won’t remove spyware, they are great for spotting unusual activity early.
iPhone codes to help spot potential spyware activity
The codes function like quick check-ins with your mobile network; you just dial them, and your network sends back useful information. Here are the main codes that enable you to spot possible spyware activity:
- Call forwarding (*#21#): This code tells you if your calls, texts or data are being forwarded somewhere else. This can be a big warning sign, especially if you didn’t set up the forwarding. Some types of spyware use call forwarding without your knowledge to intercept your communication.
- Field test mode (*3001#12345#*): It gives you advanced signal details and the towers your device is connecting to. If you notice weird signal drops or connections to strange towers, that could mean potential tracking or interception attempts.
- Call barring (*#33#): Shows you whether call restrictions have been interfered with. If someone has changed these settings without you knowing, it could indicate signal tampering or attempts to restrict what you can see on your call logs.
- Consumption of cellular data (*3282#, #3282, or #932#): These let you check the amount of data you have used without adding any apps. In case you notice that the data being consumed is high and abnormal, there’s a chance the harmful program is secretly sending info from your phone.
Common signs of spyware in your iPhone
Spyware hardly announces itself, but it leaves clues, and some are pretty hard to ignore:
- Battery drain: Does your battery lose power fast? You are sure and have confirmed that it’s not faulty, but somehow, it can move from 100% to less than 10% within a short time. Something (like spyware) could be running behind the scenes…and not in a good way.
- Overheating: Suddenly, your phone is feeling like a mini heater during normal use. This is another sign. This harmful program has a tendency to overwork your device, causing unnecessary heat.
- Strange data spikes: Have you noticed that your data usage shoots up for no apparent reason? You haven’t done anything different, so such spikes are a red flag. There’s a likelihood of a hidden app that’s sending out your information.
- Sluggish performance: One thing? Spyware loves to hog resources. So, if your gadget feels slow or freezes randomly, don’t ignore it.
- Weird apps or settings: New apps, profiles, or settings shouldn’t appear out of the blue. If that happens, clearly something fishy is going on. Your phone can’t install things on its own; someone else might have.
Ways to protect your iPhone from spyware
Ignoring spyware is never a good idea. Taking the measures below should help you :
- Use antispyware: This scans for issues and erases any malware found, preventing further harm.
- Factory reset your device: This helps clean up everything in one go. But before you do, restore your device from a recent backup so you don’t lose any data.
- Keep your iOS up to date: Think of updates as a strategy Apple uses to seal leaks. Each update patches security holes that spyware loves to crawl through.
- Lock your device tightly: Thought a strong passcode is for privacy only? No. It can also keep someone from installing spyware in the two seconds you look away.
- Download apps from App Store: Don’t be tempted to get apps from third-party sites, as their source may not be genuine. Those on the App Store are far safer.
- Steer clear of suspicious links and downloads: If a link appears strange or too good to be true, don’t tap it. Seriously, how many “urgent delivery messages” can a single individual get?
- Password changes: If your phone has been hacked, ensure you change all the passwords as soon as possible. Use a computer to execute the changes, and not the affected phone.
Final thoughts
When left unchecked, spyware can be used to steal your data, and when it’s out there, who knows? It can be used for harm. Your user experience may also worsen due to a sluggish phone, overheating, etc. So, if you notice signs of infection, use the recommended iPhone codes to check for suspicious activity. Then, take steps to secure your device before the situation gets worse.