How to find out that your phone is being tapped: simple instructions

The modern world is full of technological advances that make our lives much easier. Thanks to them, we can stay connected, get information and have fun anywhere and anytime.

However, along with these benefits comes a growing number of cybersecurity threats. Speka Media explained how to protect yourself from one of them, namely wiretapping.

A few decades ago, wiretapping seemed to be something that existed only in spy novels or movies about secret agents. However, with the advancement of technology, this possibility has become a reality for many people. And while most of us believe that our everyday conversations are of no interest to strangers, any personal information can be very valuable to criminals.

Causes and methods of phone tapping

The reasons and methods for wiretapping can be divided into two parts: malicious intent and law enforcement.

The protection of conversations is guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine, but to prevent or investigate a crime, the police may sometimes use professional listening equipment.

Another case is when privacy is violated by intruders, who want to steal data for further fraud or blackmail. In this case, the thieves either forward all phone calls to a third-party number or take control of cameras and microphones through malware that you may have unknowingly installed together with strange apps or clicked on unknown links, etc.

Codes to check phone tapping

Detecting wiretapping in today's world is not easy, as attackers are always improving their fraud techniques. However, if your phone number has been set to redirect calls and messages, you can check it using USSD commands. To do this, simply enter the code instead of the phone number and press the call button:

*#21# - checks whether data is being redirected from your phone;

*#62# - allows you to find out to which number you have set call and SMS forwarding. For iPhone - *#67#;

##002# - allows you to disable all data forwarding;

*#33# - allows you to activate or deactivate the SMS and MMS blocking function, and shows information about all blacklisted contacts.

Signs that your phone may be tapped

Unexpected noises during calls

If you hear strange noises, clicks, or echoes during a phone call, it could be a sign that your calls are being intercepted.

Phone battery is draining quickly

If your phone starts to drain quickly, even though you're not using it more than usual, this could be a bad sign. Some spyware apps run in the background, constantly transferring data, causing the battery to drain quickly.

Unusual activity

If you notice that some apps on your phone open by themselves or you receive strange messages or calls from unknown numbers, it could mean that your phone is being remotely controlled by a third party.

However, it's worth noting that these signs can be the result of wear and tear on the device or incorrect installation or configuration of apps.

How to protect yourself from tapping

• Use anti-virus software.
• Download apps only from trusted and reliable sources.
• Never click on questionable or unfamiliar links.
• Avoid connecting to the Internet in public places.
• Do not give unnecessary permissions to applications.
• Use apps that block calls.
• Communicate through encrypted communication programs (messengers).
• Install apps that monitor camera and microphone activity.
• Use data encryption apps to ensure your anonymity.
• Use programs to check installed applications.

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