Your smartphone knows a lot about you —it tracks where you go, what you eat, who you talk to, what keeps you awake at night, and what wakes you up in the morning. Often, someone else is monitoring this information as well. From shady applications to insecure Wi-Fi networks and hidden spyware, it has become increasingly easy for your phone to be tracked or hacked without your awareness.
However, you’re not powerless in this situation. It’s essential to stop viewing your privacy as an afterthought and start treating it like a crucial safeguard for your digital life. Regardless of where you are in the world, here’s how to reclaim your phone from unwanted surveillance.
First, Let’s Talk About Tracking: How It Really Happens
When people say “my phone is being tracked,” they usually mean one of four things:
- Their location is being monitored by an app, person, or service.
- Their microphone or camera is being accessed without consent.
- Their phone activity (texts, calls, browsing) is being mirrored or logged.
- Their device is part of a surveillance or stalking setup, like via spyware.
Sometimes it’s corporate surveillance (ads, data sales), sometimes it’s personal (a jealous partner), and sometimes it’s criminal (cyber theft, blackmail, or identity fraud).
Signs That Your Phone May Be Compromised
- Your battery drains unusually fast.
- You experience excessive data usage.
- The phone feels hot to the touch.
- You receive unexpected pop-ups.
- You notice unrecognised texts or calls.
- There is unusual activity on your accounts.
- Your phone performs slowly.
- You encounter unwanted ads or pop-ups.
- New apps appear on your device that you didn’t download.
If any of these signs seem familiar, it’s time to take action.
7 Ways to Block Your Phone from Being Tracked or Hacked
1. Turn Off Location When Not in Use
Simple but powerful. Disable location services for apps that don’t need it—especially weather, games, and flashlight apps (yes, some of them track you).
On Android: Settings > Location > App Permissions
On iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services
2. Don’t Trust Free Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is a trap. Yes, it’s convenient. Yes, it’s free. But if you’re not careful, it can turn into the most expensive “freebie” of your life. Hackers can intercept your data—logins, emails, even the last five things you Googled—within minutes.
Take this real-world example: In a story shared by Francis Ebuehi back in 2014, ethical hacker Wouter Slotboom used a small device in a café to quietly connect to people’s laptops and phones through the free Wi-Fi. Within 30 minutes, he accessed personal info like birthplaces, schools attended, and browsing history—all without anyone knowing. That article still reads like a digital horror movie. Read it here.
So here’s the real talk: If you must use public Wi-Fi, never enter sensitive info (like bank logins, passwords, or private messages), and always use a VPN. That extra layer of encryption can block most of the shady business happening behind the scenes.
3. Uninstall Suspicious or Unused Apps
That “cleaner” app that’s 4MB but needs access to your camera, contacts, and calls? Delete it. Check app permissions regularly and remove anything you don’t use or trust.
4. Use Strong, Unique Passwords & 2FA
Yes, even for Instagram. And never reuse the same password across apps. Use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.
5. Install Anti-Spyware Tools
Use trusted security apps like Norton, Kaspersky, or Malwarebytes to scan for hidden spyware. These tools often catch stalkerware and remote-access trojans (RATs) before you notice.
6. Keep Your OS and Apps Updated
Updates aren’t just about new emojis—they patch critical security holes. Update your phone and apps immediately when updates become available.
7. Turn Off Bluetooth & Microphone Access When Not Needed
Bluetooth can be hijacked. So can your mic. Go to app permissions and restrict mic access for any app that doesn’t need to listen. Especially social media, keyboard apps, or unknown utilities.
Bonus: Use Airplane Mode Strategically
Want to go fully dark for a while? Turn on Airplane Mode. It shuts off all signals—no cellular, no Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth. Perfect when travelling, sleeping, or having conversations you really don’t want leaked.
The Truth Is… You Don’t Have to Be a Hacker’s Target to Be a Victim
Most people don’t get hacked because they’re important. They get hacked because they’re available. Because they clicked a sketchy link. Because they trusted an app that looked innocent. Because they never changed the default password.
You don’t need paranoia. You need protection. You need habits that put your privacy first—even when you’re busy, distracted, or under pressure.
Final Words: Privacy is Freedom. And Freedom is Power
In this age of constant connectivity, privacy is the new rebellion. The new wealth. The new peace. You don’t have to go off-grid to be secure. You just have to be intentional. Track less. Click smarter. Share slower. Because what you protect today could save you tomorrow.
Did this article help? Let your people know. Share it with someone who always says, “my phone is acting weird.”
They might just need this.
