Is Your Android Phone Compromised? Discover and Fix with Simple USSD Codes

Harrison E. Efijemue
3 min readNov 5, 2023

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In an era that significantly leans towards digital connectivity, safeguarding personal devices is not a luxury, but a necessity. Our smartphones are storehouses of personal and sensitive data. Among the diverse range of smartphones, Android phones are extensively used, making them a lucrative target for hackers. Staying vigilant and ensuring the security of your phone is crucial to prevent unauthorized access. One straightforward way to ascertain the security status, especially against unauthorized forwarding, is through Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) codes. This article elucidates how to utilize these codes to identify and rectify potential hacking on your Android phone.

Checking for Unusual Forwarding:

Hackers often exploit forwarding features to intercept your communications. A quick method to inspect if you’ve fallen victim to this is by utilizing a simple USSD code.

  • Dial *#21# on your Android phone.
Smartphone Dial Screen with USSD Code
  • This code triggers the MMI code, displaying any forwarding settings related to Voice, Data, FAX, SMS, SYNC, Async, Packet, and PAD. Should you observe any unauthorized forwarding in these categories, it’s a strong indication that your phone may have been compromised.
Call Forwarding Status Notification.

Identifying the Source:

If unauthorized forwarding is discovered, it’s imperative to ascertain where your communications are being forwarded.

  • Dial *#62# on your phone.
Code For Identifying Source
  • This code will exhibit the number to which your communications are being forwarded.
Output.

Mitigating the Issue:

Having identified the issue, it’s time to rectify it by cancelling all forwarding settings.

  • Dial *#002# on your phone.
Code For canceling all forwarded Services.
  • This code will cancel all forwarding settings, potentially resolving the issue.

Other Indicators of Hacking:

While the USSD codes offer a rapid check for forwarding issues, other hacking indicators should be monitored:

  • Unusual battery drain.
  • Unexpected data usage.
  • Presence of unfamiliar apps.
  • Slow performance.

Additional Security Measures:

For enhanced security of your Android phone, consider the following steps:

  • Regularly update your phone’s software to the latest version.
  • Install a reputable security app.
  • Avoid installing apps from unknown sources.
  • Change your passwords and monitor app permissions periodically.

Conclusion:

Proactive measures in checking and ensuring the security of your smartphone are vital in today’s digital landscape. The USSD codes provided are a simple yet effective method to check for unauthorized forwarding, a common hacking tactic. Pairing this with other security measures can significantly bolster the security of your Android phone, keeping your personal information shielded. Share this article to spread awareness and aid others in staying protected against potential smartphone hacking.

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Harrison E. Efijemue

Distinction In MSc Cloud and Network Security| Information Technologist| Cybersecurity Professional ☠️| Multi Cloud Associate| ISC² CC.