Unfortunately, Yes!

Your iPhone can be hacked, but it’s safer than most Android phones.

Experts say the best way to stay safe from hacks is to be vigilant of strange links or sketchy apps and to only give out information when necessary.

Common Hacks

• Your iPhone can be hacked in various ways, although iPhones are safer than Androids.
• Poor battery life and sluggish performance can be indicators of an iPhone hack.
• You might need to restore your iPhone to factory settings or get a replacement if it’s been seriously hacked.

iPhone hacks aren’t incredibly common, but they can still occur if you aren’t careful.

From malware and trickster apps downloaded from the App Store to targeted attacks on a specific device, your information can be stolen in myriad ways.

How an iPhone can be hacked

Hacking occurs when someone else gains access to private information on your device or controls it without your consent. It’s a broad term and lies on a gradient of bad to very serious. Some hackers want to make a quick buck selling advertising. Others want to hurt you. 

Suspicious websites or links

Just like on your computer, your iPhone can be hacked by clicking on a suspicious website or link. If a website looks or feels “off” IT IS!

Try to avoid:

• Connecting to a password-free public Wi-Fi network, which opens the possibility of a hacker accessing unencrypted traffic on your device or redirecting you to a fraudulent site to access login credentials.
• Clicking on Messages from numbers you don’t recognize are also suspect. 

Suspicious apps on the App Store

Apple devices exist in a much more closed and monitored digital ecosystem when compared to Android devices. 

The company has a vetting process for apps on its store, but it’s not bulletproof.

Watch out for apps that ask for more information than they’ll need to function. 

For example, if you’ve downloaded a wallpaper or flashlight app and it’s asking for your location or contact list, camera, or microphone, that’s a red flag. Likely, the developers are tricking you into giving out this information so it can be sold.

Being vigilant, even with official apps, is helpful. If we are able to do that, I think for the average person, you should be fairly safe.

The average person probably won’t be singled out and remotely targeted by hackers because it’s expensive, sometimes costing millions for hacks of newer phones.

Ways to protect yourself from an iPhone hack

iPhones can absolutely be hacked, but they’re safer than most Android phones.

Some budget Android smartphones may never receive an update, whereas Apple supports older iPhone models with software updates for years, maintaining their security. That’s why it’s important to update your iPhone.

Apps on the App Store are also vetted for malware (though there are questionable apps that go unnoticed).

If you backup your phone in iCloud, make sure to have a strong password. If someone gets ahold of your password, they don’t even need to hack your phone because they can download a backup from the cloud. Hackers can access your information by downloading a backup from the cloud.

Turning on Apple’s two factor authentication is another good way to stay safe and can prevent your iCloud account (Apple ID) from being hacked by requiring another step of verification. 

How to tell if your iPhone has been hacked

You can’t always tell if your iPhone has been hacked. But you may notice a few things.

• Your phone is unusually hot, or frequently dying.
• Your phone is sluggish when trying to load websites.
• The battery is draining even when you’re not touching your phone.

These symptoms indicate the phone is running all the time, even when you’re not using it. Sometimes, the best indicators come from the outside, such as when friends say they’re getting odd messages from you. However, the most sophisticated hacks can be somewhat invisible. 

What to do when your iPhone has been hacked

If you know your phone has been hacked, you have a few options depending on what happened.

For minor problems, like an app stealing your information, delete the app and update your software. In serious cases, you’ll want to wipe your iPhone and restore it to factory settings. But even if you do that, it may not be completely clear if you’ve gotten rid of the malware installed on your phone — especially if it has been jailbroken.
 

If you suspect your phone has been hacked, sometimes the safest bet is to get a new phone, depending on the severity of the breach.