{"id":562,"date":"2023-04-12T09:51:18","date_gmt":"2023-04-12T09:51:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dataprot.net\/?p=562"},"modified":"2023-07-14T07:13:24","modified_gmt":"2023-07-14T07:13:24","slug":"how-to-clean-your-iphone-from-spyware","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dataprot.net\/guides\/how-to-clean-your-iphone-from-spyware\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Clean Your iPhone From Spyware & Keep Your Data Private"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We once used our phones mainly for calls<\/strong>, but their current utility has exceeded almost everyone\u2019s expectations. Today, we use them for everything from traveling to buying cars<\/strong>. We can even complete bank transactions<\/strong> with our iOS or Android devices in a matter of seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this has made our lives much easier, certain risks have emerged. Our data can be compromised<\/strong>, money stolen, and one of the ways to do that is via spyware<\/strong>. If you want to know how to clean your iPhone from spyware, we\u2019ve got you covered. This article will serve as a step-by-step guide to removing this threat from your favorite gadget, so let\u2019s get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Spyware?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Spyware is a type of malware<\/a> whose primary goal is to steal sensitive data<\/strong>. This data can be sold to advertisers and companies or kept for personal use. Spyware is installed<\/strong> on a phone or other computing devices without the user\u2019s consent, and very often, it stays hidden for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This software is dangerous because it keeps track of user activity and keystrokes<\/strong> and collects important information<\/strong>. Hackers mostly opt for spyware to obtain financial information or passwords from their victims. However, this type of software is sometimes used by overbearing parents or partners, too. Spyware attacks on iPhone devices are rare, but they still do happen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is often very hard to detect, and the affected devices must be equipped with anti-spyware tools<\/strong>. These are essential in combating the spyware threat and effectively preventing it from getting onto your computer, tablet, or phone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does Spyware Get Onto Your iPhone?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can get spyware via a download, or someone can intentionally hack you<\/strong> and remotely place the spying software on your phone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in most cases, physical access to a device is required, and often we install it ourselves without knowing it by downloading apps from third-party sites. Someone from the family can also do it, or it can be a friend or a coworker. In any case, once detected, you\u2019ll want to do everything you can to remove spyware from your iPhone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of Spyware<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although the best way to know if you have spyware is to run a scan with proper software<\/strong>, some signs can indicate that your device might be infected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Phone Keeps Overheating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While there can be many reasons your phone is overheating, spyware is one of the possible culprits<\/strong>. A significant increase in your phone\u2019s temperature should not be ignored, so if you notice that your phone is warmer than usual, check it for malware and run full diagnostics.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You Suddenly Have Apps You Don\u2019t Remember Downloading<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you see an app on your iPhone that you don\u2019t remember downloading, this can easily be spyware.<\/strong> Very soon, you might have to learn how to remove spyware from your iPhone. Usually, when someone wants to install spyware on your phone, they need to access it physically or have an app installed locally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is no option for this app to stay hidden, you can check for new apps on your phone and see if there was something new installed without your knowledge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Battery Needs Charging All the Time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your battery is always low, this may be a sign of spying malware running on your phone. Since these programs run non-stop and track your activity, your battery gets drained faster than usual<\/strong>. Unless you often play games on your iPhone or use it more than an average user, it would be wise to run a check for iPhone spyware or other malware as soon as you start experiencing battery issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You Reach Your Monthly Data Limit Too Quickly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every process run by the spyware is done with your mobile data<\/strong>, and there are many processes run in the background. With that in mind, you can expect spyware to tank your mobile data cap just like it will do with the battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Random Messages Keep Popping Up on Your Phone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Spyware on your iPhone may often produce unwanted pop-ups. Sometimes, these pop-ups can appear like text messages or app notifications<\/strong>. However, if you establish that spyware is not to blame, maybe check if adware <\/a>is at fault. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It Takes Ages To Start Any Program<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Similar to overheating, the slower performance of your device can stem from different problems, and one of them is spyware. Since the spying software uses your data and runs in the background, the speed of your device is often affected adversely<\/strong>. Pay close attention if you notice that your iPhone runs slower than usual. If so, perform an iPhone spyware removal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Remove Spyware From Your iPhone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can take various steps to remove spyware from your phone. These range from updating your iPhone to performing a factory reset<\/strong>, and we\u2019ll discuss them below. In any case, it is essential for all users to use anti-malware software because manually removing the spyware might not work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start by Updating All of Your Software<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some people\u2019s iPhones get infected with spyware because they haven\u2019t updated them in a long time, and the bad actors can use system vulnerabilities that were since patched out. If iPhone spyware detection is not done regularly, the likelihood of infection is greater. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Older system vulnerabilities are often removed with the latest iOS updates, and if you\u2019re still stuck with the previous version, attackers might take advantage of this<\/strong>. Here\u2019s how to do it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Go to Settings<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iOS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Scroll down and tap on General<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iOS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Tap on Software Update<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iOS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Proceed to install the software update: click on Download & Install, check the Agree to Terms popup, and enter a password as needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find Apps You Don\u2019t Remember Downloading and Delete Them<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If there are apps on your phone that you didn\u2019t download, you can simply try deleting them as the first step. Make sure to scan your iPhone for spyware after this. This is done by pressing and holding the app icon<\/strong>. Tap the Remove app button from the menu and then tap on Delete app. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different app-deleting programs and iOS versions may have a slightly different interface, but all of them should provide you with the \u201cDelete the app\u201d option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check Your Purchase History on the App Store<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

To ensure that apps weren\u2019t downloaded without your knowledge, you can check your iPhone’s purchase history within the App store. Here\u2019s how it\u2019s done:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Open the App Store<\/strong> on your iPhone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iOS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. The first step is tapping the Profile<\/strong> icon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iOS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. By tapping Purchased<\/strong>, you\u2019ll be able to view the app history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iOS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Go through the app history and review them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to see deleted and downloaded apps, you should click on the Not on this iPhone option<\/strong>. All apps will be shown in the Purchased menu. Spyware for the iPhone is typically sneaky, so this option might not always help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check for Apps With the Location Services Turned On<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Spyware software usually uses location services, so it\u2019s wise to check which apps on your phone use this feature. If you do see that some apps use location services, this should not worry you right away because multiple legitimate apps, such as Google Maps, need it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, you should act if you see an app you\u2019re unfamiliar with and notice that it uses location services. To check this, follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Tap on Settings<\/strong> and go to Privacy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iOS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Open Location Services<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iOS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Check apps with access to location data<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analyze and Delete Browsing Data<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re asking, \u201cCan spyware be installed on an iPhone?\u201d the answer is yes, and it often affects your browser adversely. By visiting the infected websites repeatedly, the damage only gets worse. You want to avoid these websites and delete your browser data and history. To do so, follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Open the Safari app<\/strong> on the bottom part of the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iOS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Go to the open book<\/strong> icon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iOS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Tap the History tab<\/strong>. It looks like a clock icon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iOS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Swipe left and tap Delete<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iOS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Click on Clear<\/strong> to delete your browsing history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iOS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

6. You can decide whether to delete data from all time, today and yesterday, only today, or within the last hour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Nothing Else Works \u2013 Do a Factory Reset<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If iPhone spyware detection fails, there\u2019s one last option – a factory reset. We\u2019ll explain how to do this. Remember that all your data will be lost after a factory reset, so it\u2019s vital to backup everything you need. If you want to proceed with a factory reset, follow these simple steps: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Tap on Settings<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iOS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Click on General<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iOS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Go to Transfer or Reset iPhone<\/strong> near the bottom of the menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iOS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Tap on Erase All Content and Settings<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iOS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Click once more to confirm.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Spyware Dangerous? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The times we used mobile phones only for calling and texting are long gone. Today, we store multiple vital pieces of information on our phones.<\/strong> Imagine if someone with bad intentions managed to access all of this. So yes, it can be very dangerous, and spyware on your iPhone could cost you thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you store your personal information on your iPhone and someone gets access to it in real-time, you can quickly become a victim of identity theft<\/strong>. Worse still, some iPhones are used as endpoint devices, so if one company phone is breached, the entire enterprise can fall victim to spyware<\/strong>, and businesses can lose millions of dollars in the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Prevent Spyware Infestations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In addition to employing software to scan your iPhone for spyware, you can take some extra precautionary steps to prevent it from ever getting onto your phone in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set a PIN<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Setting a PIN is a simple solution<\/strong>, but a very effective one since most spyware attacks are made by someone else gaining physical access to your iPhone. If you set a PIN, the attacker won\u2019t have a chance to install anything on your phone unless they trick you into doing it yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enable 2FA<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

2FA<\/strong>, as the name implies (two-factor authentication), sets up two layers of protection<\/strong>. Even if the hackers get the password for your account, they won\u2019t be able to log in without physical access to a 2FA device, providing you have this type of protection turned on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use an Anti-Spyware Solution Regularly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Aside from cleaning your iPhone from spyware, anti-spyware solutions work to detect and prevent these attacks from ever happening<\/strong>. You\u2019ll have an option to run regular scans or targeted on-demand hunts for spyware, which can isolate problematic files or directories for easier cleaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Anti-Spyware Solutions for iPhone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While you can take steps to prevent spyware from getting on your iPhone, a much more practical option is downloading an anti-spyware or antivirus software<\/strong> with features that can help protect your smartphone. Most of these services can prevent and remove spyware, but here\u2019s a quick look at our top three picks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

McAfee Mobile Security <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

McAfee is a reputable antivirus company that offers protection for mobile devices, tablets and computers<\/strong>. If you\u2019re asking how to detect spyware on your iPhone, they have an answer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other than protecting devices from spyware, McAfee Mobile security provides iOS users with a range of different security options<\/strong>. These include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n