British mobile phone users are coming under sustained attack from global hackers who are using ever-more sophisticated measures to try and breach security settings. Recent reports have estimated that around half of all UK consumers have been targeted by online scammers – with their mobile device the primary concern ahead of laptop computers and tablets.
But now one leading Cybersecurity expert has revealed to express.co.uk a key giveaway that could put your security at risk. Akash Mahajan, founder and CEO of internet security firm Kloudle, claims the most reliable indicator of Mobile phone hacking is something that should be easy to spot for all phone users.
He says that any suspicion of a phone battery being drained far faster than usual during normal usage means there is a strong likelihood hackers have taken a grip of the device.
He said: “When your fully charged phone suddenly starts depleting much faster than normal without any change in your usage patterns, it’s a strong indication that malicious software is running in the background.”
This battery drain occurs because hacking software continuously operates behind the scenes, sending your data to remote servers, monitoring your activities, or using your device’s processing power—all of which consume significant energy.
Recent research by Appdome showed 41% of UK consumers have experienced mobile fraud, malware, or cyber attacks either first-hand or second-hand.
This represents a significant threat across industries like banking, healthcare, gaming, and eCommerce that rely heavily on mobile applications. Moreover, 62% of UK consumers now cite fraud as their top concern, a rise of nearly 10% compared to 2022.
Mahajan recommends these five immediate steps for mobile users who suspect their smartphone has been hacked:
1 – Disconnect from all networks immediately and activate airplane mode and turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This cuts the connection between your device and potential hackers, preventing further data theft while you address the problem.
2- Run a comprehensive security scan. Install a reputable mobile security application from your official app store (such as Google Play or Apple App Store) and perform a full system scan. These tools can identify and remove most forms of malware that might be hiding on your device.
3- Change all critical passwords. Using a different, uncompromised device, immediately change passwords for your email, banking apps, social media, and other important services. Create strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication wherever available.
4- Update and clean your device. Update your operating system to the latest version, as updates often include security patches for known vulnerabilities. Remove any suspicious or unfamiliar applications, and revoke unnecessary app permissions, particularly those requesting access to your contacts, camera, or location.
5- Report the incident. Report serious cybercrime incidents to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. For financial fraud, contact your bank immediately as UK banks have specific protocols for handling such incidents.
Mahajan adds: “Unlike computers, smartphones rarely show obvious signs of compromise until significant damage has occurred. Battery drain serves as one of the few early warning systems available to everyday users. Being vigilant about battery performance could be your first line of defence against these increasingly sophisticated threats.”