Can an iPhone be hacked? A breakdown of common hacks.
iPhone hacks aren’t incredibly common, but they can still occur if you aren’t careful.
From malware and trickster apps downloaded from the App Store to targeted attacks on a specific device, your information can be stolen in myriad ways.
Here we’ll break down the common types of hacks, how to tell if you’ve been hacked, and what to do about it.
How an iPhone can be hacked
Hacking occurs when someone else gains access to private information on your device or controls it without your consent. It’s a broad term, and lies on a gradient of bad to very serious. Some hackers want to make a quick buck selling advertising. Others want to hurt you.
Experts said there are a few main types of iPhone hacks:
Suspicious websites or links
Just like on your computer, your iPhone can be hacked by clicking on a suspicious website or link. If a website looks or feels “off” check the logos, the spelling, or the URL.
Try to avoid connecting to a password-free public Wi-Fi network, which opens the possibility of a hacker accessing unencrypted traffic on your device or redirecting you to a fraudulent site to access login credentials.
Messages from numbers you don’t recognize are also suspect. Fortunately, modern smartphones are good at resisting malware and ransomware.
Suspicious apps on the App Store
Apple devices exist in a much more closed and monitored digital ecosystem when compared to Android devices.
The company has a vetting process for apps on its store, but it’s not bulletproof.
Ning Zhang, who leads the Computer Security and Privacy Laboratory at Washington University in Saint Louis, said to watch out for apps that ask for more information than they’ll need to function.
For example, if you’ve downloaded a wallpaper or flashlight app and it’s asking for your location or contact list, camera, or microphone, that’s a red flag. Likely, the developers are tricking you into giving out this information so it can be sold.
Targeted attacks
The average person probably won’t be singled out and remotely targeted by hackers because it’s expensive, sometimes costing millions for hacks of newer phones, said Matthew Green, an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Internet Security Institute.
Ways to protect yourself from an iPhone hack
iPhones can absolutely be hacked, but they’re safer than most Android phones.
Some budget Android smartphones may never receive an update, whereas Apple supports older iPhone models with software updates for years, maintaining their security. That’s why it’s important to update your phone.
Apps on the App Store are also vetted for malware.
However, if you’re considering “jailbreaking” your iPhone — removing the software restrictions imposed on iOS — you’re opening yourself up to potential vulnerabilities in the software because you’ve eliminated some of Apple’s existing security measures. It is possible to download incompatible spyware or malware apps on a jailbroken phone, and this is also how remote takeovers can occur with iPhones. A jailbroken phone should be avoided as it can dangerously allow malicious apps to go undetected.
If you backup your phone in iCloud, make sure to have a strong password. If someone gets ahold of your password, they don’t even need to hack your phone because they can download a backup from the cloud.
Turning on Apple’s two-factor authentication is another good way to stay safe and can prevent your iCloud account (Apple ID) from being hacked by requiring another step of verification.
How to tell if your iPhone has been hacked
You can’t always tell if your iPhone has been hacked, Sekar said. But you may notice a few things.
- Your phone is unusually hot, or frequently dying.
- Your phone is sluggish when trying to load websites.
- The battery is draining even when you’re not touching your phone.
These symptoms indicate the phone is running all the time, even when you’re not using it. Sometimes, the best indicators come from the outside, such as when friends say they’re getting odd messages from you. However, the most sophisticated hacks can be somewhat invisible. There’s no definite way to check for every type of hack. Experts told us that one reliable way to investigate is to download a mobile security app called iVerify, which scans your phone’s operating system for suspicious behaviour and can also detect if your phone has been jailbroken.
What to do when your iPhone has been hacked
If you know your phone has been hacked, you have a few options depending on what happened.
For minor problems, like an app stealing your information, delete the app and update your software.
In serious cases, you’ll want to wipe your phone and restore it to factory settings. But even if you do that, it may note be completely clear if you’ve gotten rid of the malware installed on your phone — especially if it has been jailbroken.
If you can’t get a new phone right away, a hacked iPhone is likely not safe to use, so you’re best to leave it turned off.
