Computers and smartphones have become synonymous with modern work, entertainment, and communication. The average person spends seven hours per day looking at a screen. It almost goes without saying that we depend on our devices more than ever. That’s why the possibility of someone hacking your screen can be incredibly harmful. In this article, we’ll dive into how you can protect yourself from hacking screen attacks. We’ll also investigate some of the most common signs of a hacker on your device—so that you can stay secure on the web.
Can someone hack my screen?
Let’s take a step back. Is it even possible for someone to hack your screen?
Yes, a person can hack your screen. This is true about phones, computers, and tablets. If your device has a screen, there is a possibility that it can be hacked.
Hacks come in many forms. Here are just a few common examples:
- Ransomware: A ransomware hack is when a virus is placed on your device that locks up your important information. The only way to regain access to your apps, information, or files is to pay a ransom.
- Spyware: Spyware (also known as stalkerware) is software that is installed on a victim’s device without their knowledge, with the intent of collecting information about the victim and sending it to the attacker. Spyware is literally a tool intended to spy on your phone or computer activity.
- Remote access tools: Hackers can use remote access tools to take control of a victim’s device and use it to view or control the victim’s screen. This is probably the most common image we think of when people think of hacking screens.
Signs someone is hacking your phone screen
Being the victim of a phone hack can be a frightening experience, ruining your privacy and giving malicious actors access to your personal information. To help protect yourself, it’s important to recognize the telltale signs that someone is taking control of your device.
Typical signs include:
- Sluggish performance: Most regular phone users can tell when their performance drops: apps load more slowly, programs open or close on their own, and regular tools just don’t work like they used to. These can all be signs of a hacked phone screen.
- Unusually high data usage: If someone is hacking your screen remotely, this can drain your data very quickly. Check with your cell phone provider to see if there are patterns of increased data usage on your phone.
- Battery-draining apps you haven’t installed: Another common sign of a hacked screen is fast battery drain.
- Unauthorized login attempts: If you unexpectedly receive notifications or password requests from unfamiliar users logging into your account from other locations, that could signal a breach.
- Dropped and unseen calls: Some hackers will block incoming calls instead of allowing them to go through. One way to test if you may be hacked is to have a friend call you. If the call doesn’t reach your phone, you may be the victim of a hacker.
It’s best to stay vigilant for any strange activity on your phone and consider installing additional antivirus protection to monitor for suspicious activity.
Signs someone is hacking your computer screen
There are several signs that your computer screen may have been hacked. Here are the most common ones:
- Unfamiliar programs or icons: If you see programs or icons on your desktop that you don’t recognize, it could be a sign that your computer has been hacked. This could be the work of a hacker who installed nefarious tools on your device.
- Unauthorized changes to your computer: If you’ve noticed unusual changes to your device—such as certain changes to your settings or where certain apps are displayed—this can be a sign that someone has hacked your computer screen.
- Slow performance: Is your computer suddenly running slower than usual? This could be a sign that your device has been hacked and is being used by a bad actor.
- Pop-up ads: If you’re experiencing a sudden increase in pop-up ads, it could be a sign that your computer was infected by adware.
How to remove a hacker from your phone or computer
Keeping your phone or computer safe from hackers is essential if you want to keep your data secure. If you think someone has already hacked into your device, the best way to remove them is with a factory reset. This will delete all of the data and applications on your phone or computer, including any malware or malicious scripts that a hacker might have installed.
Important reminder: Make sure to back up any information that you don’t want to lose before performing the reset.
It’s also important to review your security settings and change any passwords or usernames as soon as possible. The same app they used to enter your device the first time might still be an open door. Close that door by changing your passwords.
How to prevent someone from hacking my screen
There are several protective measures you can take to significantly minimize the likelihood of someone hacking your screen. These tips all fall under the standard cybersecurity best practices. The sooner you adopt good cyber hygiene, the less likely you are to experience a hacked screen.
Here are a few tips:
- Use strong passwords on all devices and change these passwords regularly
- Update your software to the latest version to patch old security vulnerabilities
- Use multi-factor authentication on your most important apps and accounts
- Avoid clicking links from people and companies you don’t know and trust (to avoid phishing scams)
- Use a trusted VPN to keep your online activities encrypted and anonymous
More on that last point: A virtual private network (VPN) can help to prevent screen hackers from accessing your device and stealing sensitive information.
When you connect to a VPN, all of your internet activity is routed through an encrypted tunnel, making it difficult for anyone to intercept or monitor your data. This can help to protect you from screen hackers, who might try to access your device through unsecured networks or public Wi-Fi hotspots. Additionally, a VPN can help to mask your IP address, making it harder for hackers to track your online activity and target you for attacks.
