If your organization does not have proper security for the hardware devices connected to your network that store and transport data, it can result in malware attacks like mobile spyware and cyberattacks.
This can result in sensitive data being compromised, leading to damaged business reputations, legal consequences related to compliance issues, lost customers, and lost revenue.
Malware like mobile spyware is difficult to detect when it is on a device and can go unnoticed. Unfortunately, the longer it goes unnoticed, the more damage it can cause.
COEO understands how important securing data and endpoints are and has helped secure thousands of endpoints to prevent malware, such as spyware, from damaging the network and compromising data.
We want you to understand the signs of spyware and how to remove it so you can easily detect when it has entered your network and prevent it from causing extensive damage.
By the end of this article, you will understand what mobile spyware is, the signs that it’s present on a device, and the steps to remove it.
What is mobile spyware?
Mobile spyware is a form of malware that installs itself on a user’s smartphone or tablet and collects personal information and business data without their knowledge.
Although spyware can target any device, it is especially common and highly effective on mobile devices due to the amount of data they store.
Mobile spyware can access call logs and text messages, capture passwords and credit card information, and even activate the device’s camera or microphone.
Spyware often finds its way onto a device through malicious apps, links, or file attachments. A user might unknowingly click a harmful link in a text message or email or download an app that appears legitimate but contains hidden malware.
Once the link is clicked or the app is installed, the spyware runs silently in the background, giving attackers full visibility and access to the user’s activity and sensitive data.
For organizations, understanding how mobile spyware works and how to prevent it is critically important.
Employees rely on mobile devices every day, and without proper protection, a single compromised device could expose confidential information, create compliance risks, and threaten overall business security.
The signs that mobile spyware is on a device
Now that you understand what mobile spyware is, it is important to recognize the signs that spyware is on a device, so you can quickly remove it to prevent compromised devices and data. Some of the signs that mobile spyware is on a device include:
Device performance issues
If spyware is present on a mobile device, one of the ways to tell is if the device begins having performance issues. Some examples of these issues include apps running slowly or crashing, or the device overheating and crashing.
Excessive battery drain or data use
Another sign of mobile spyware on your device is excessive battery drain. If your device seems to decrease the battery charge faster than normal, it could be a sign of mobile spyware on the device.
Additionally, if your cellular data usage or data storage increases without you knowing, it can be another sign that spyware is on your device.
Unfamiliar apps
If you notice unfamiliar apps that you don’t remember downloading or using on the device, it may be a sign of mobile spyware on the device.
These unfamiliar apps can be software that is downloaded by the malicious actor as a result of mobile spyware being on the device.
Strange background noise during phone calls
If a malicious actor has placed spyware on your device, it may be able to access phone calls and text messages. As a result, you may hear background noise during phone calls, which can be a sign of mobile spyware.
Apps requesting unnecessary permissions
Another sign of mobile spyware is apps requesting unnecessary permission they would not typically need. For instance, if an application asks for permission to access text messages and the camera, it may be a sign that mobile spyware is on the device.
Additionally, it is important to note that these issues can also be caused by other kinds of malware. It is important for your IT team to take a multi-layered approach to address any type of malware that might be to blame.
The steps to remove mobile spyware from devices
Now you understand what mobile spyware is and the signs that it may be present on your devices. However, it is important that you also understand how to remove spyware from your devices so that they cause minimal damage. Some of the steps to remove mobile spyware from your devices include:
Use MDM and MTD tools
Mobile Device Management (MDM) focuses on managing and securing devices by enforcing security policies and configurations.
In addition, Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) can be incorporated for specialized threat detection and can integrate with MDM tools to provide more enhanced security features.
Typically, MDM and MTD tools detect mobile spyware on a device before it causes damage or accesses data and tracks the device.
However, if the signs of mobile spyware appear on the device, these tools, along with antivirus software, can be used to scan the device for malware.
If the scan shows that there is mobile spyware present, these tools can be used to remove the malware either automatically or following approval from an IT admin.
Find and remove suspicious apps and files
If MDM, MTD, antivirus, or any other security services and solutions don’t work, it is important that your IT team accesses the infected devices to find and remove suspicious apps and files.
Malicious apps and files often hide in the background and are difficult to see. It is important to view apps and files through the settings of the devices and look for apps and files that seem unfamiliar or suspicious.
Updating software
Updating the device software can remediate infections and vulnerabilities in security. It is important to remind employees of the importance of updating software on their devices whenever updates are available to ensure that security on these devices is constantly up to date.
Keeping up with software updates helps prevent security vulnerabilities that result in cyberattacks, data breaches, and malware.
Factory reset
If, after performing all of the other steps to remove mobile spyware or any kind of malware, the spyware is still seen on the device, a factory reset may be necessary.
A factory reset, also known as a full wipe or hard reset, wipes the device of all data, restoring it to its factory settings, removing any malware in the process.
Because the factory reset wipes all data from the device, it is important to make sure your data is backed up in the cloud or data center; otherwise, all data on the device will be gone.
For this reason, it is important to ensure all other options are attempted before the factory reset is performed.
Identifying and removing spyware from your devices
Now you understand what mobile spyware is, the signs that mobile spyware may be on your devices, and the steps to remove it. This will help you understand what to look out for when identifying spyware and how to prevent it from causing significant damage.
No organization can afford to have devices and data compromised by malicious actors. This can result in damaged business reputations, legal consequences caused by non-compliance, lost customers, and lost revenue.
To prevent these consequences, it is important to understand how to identify and remove mobile spyware.
COEO understands how important security is and has helped secure thousands of devices to prevent malware from infecting them and data from being compromised.
If you would like to speak with our team to learn more about network security solutions and how they can help you prevent malware such as mobile spyware, click the button below to schedule a meeting.
Now that you understand the signs that mobile spyware may be on your devices and how to remove it, read this article to understand the most common types of malware attacks and how to prevent them:
