Given that the United States holds the distinction of being the most frequently targeted nation for cyber attacks, it is crucial for Americans to learn how to safeguard their digital presence.
A key aspect of this protection involves recognizing the three warning signs that could indicate your mobile phone is compromised, necessitating an immediate shutdown.
Firstly, let’s examine the statistics.
According to data from cybersecurity experts at AAG, in the first six months of 2022, 53 million Americans fell victim to cybercrime. This figure represents 15 percent of the population within that period alone.
During the time span from July 2020 to June 2021, the United States emerged as the prime target for cyber attacks, responsible for 46 percent of all global online assaults.
In 2021, cyber-related crimes led to an astounding loss of $6.9 billion for individuals in the U.S., with $1.4 billion lost to investment scams, $956 million to romance fraud, and $2.39 billion due to business email compromises, as reported by the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
Now that we understand the threat landscape, let’s explore the signs indicating a potential attack.
It’s normal for your phone to warm up while charging or operating power-intensive features.
However, if your device becomes hot during routine activities such as browsing Instagram or checking your schedule, it might suggest that malicious software is active in the background.
Such harmful processes can exploit phone functions that consume significant power, causing your device to overheat.
A rapidly depleting phone battery may indicate suspicious activity on your device.
Android users may be aware of the Gorilla SMS stealer, a new scam that, once downloaded, circumvents battery management systems.
If you notice an unusual battery drain, try restarting your phone for a potential remedy.
Lag is particularly frustrating for gamers, especially when it disrupts online experiences such as playing Call of Duty or Madden.
If your phone lags, like when there’s a delay in opening applications, it is advisable to power it off and restart it.
Ultimately, exercising caution is preferable to facing potential risks.