HELP How to detect spyware/stalkerwear or hidden apps??

[Android Central Question]

spyware/stalkerware or hidden apps on my android Stylo5 metro pcs phone. I think my ex boyfriend has hacked my phone. Ive tried everything but I dont know anything about this kind of stuff. Hoping to find a way to detect and uninstall it so I don't have to factory reset my phone if possible?=/

 

[mustang7757]

You think your ex is capable of this?

What's the phone doing that you think this?

I'll leave a Link to register so you can communicate here as a guest account you can only post questions but can't reply
https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Why do you think your ex has hacked your phone? In general, your chances of getting "hacked" in terms of malware or spyware from an acquaintance is very low, unless your ex happens to be Elliot Alderson. If you're like the average young adult and share your entire life on social media, that's a very easy way for anyone to know what you're doing, where you're doing it, and with whom, without having to resort to any kind of fancy hacking.

 

[stevenjb2020]

Make all your communications interesting. So it looks like you are a foreign intelligence agent.

 

[B. Diddy]

Make all your communications interesting. So it looks like you are a foreign intelligence agent.

The blackbird sings at midnight.

 

[customshopkv1]

The blackbird sings at midnight.

You read my mind, what a minute!!!

 

[belodion]

Robins sometimes sing at midnight, because they are deceived by bright street lighting. Blackbirds do not. Plainly, the capitalist spy Diddy is referring to the Lockheed SR-71 aircraft. Arrest him and bring him in for questioning.

 

[B. Diddy]

Robins sometimes sing at midnight, because they are deceived by bright street lighting. Blackbirds do not. Plainly, the capitalist spy Diddy is referring to the Lockheed SR-71 aircraft. Arrest him and bring him in for questioning.

Do you expect me to talk?

(Correct response: No Mr. Diddy -- I expect you to die!)

 

[Mike Dee]

Do you expect me to talk?

(Correct response: No Mr. Diddy -- I expect you to die!)

Blofeld:
James Bond. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Ernst Stavro Blofeld. They told me you were assassinated in Hong Kong.

James Bond:
Yes, this is my second life.

Blofeld:
You only live twice, Mr. Bond.

 

[mustang7757]

Do you expect me to talk?

(Correct response: No Mr. Diddy -- I expect you to die!)

 

[Dconerly4]

I think it's a travesty that would make light and joke about a genuine concern that someone has for their privacy and safety. She could be in a situation that involves abuse, law-breaking, ans not to mention, potential violence. On the contrary, it's not that difficult to install spyware on someone's Android device and its relatively inexpensive.

 

[belodion]

I think it's a travesty that would make light and joke about a genuine concern that someone has for their privacy and safety. She could be in a situation that involves abuse, law-breaking, ans not to mention, potential violence. On the contrary, it's not that difficult to install spyware on someone's Android device and its relatively inexpensive.

The questioner did not respond to members’ attempts to help, which left the way open for a little humour to fill the vacuum. If he or she had responded, members would have been ready again to advise.

 

[Mooncatt]

On the contrary, it's not that difficult to install spyware on someone's Android device and its relatively inexpensive.

Only if you don't practice the most basic of security measures, or allow others unfettered physical access to your device. It is possible this could happen in an abusive relationship if the abuser gains that access, but it's not good for us to jump to conclusions when there aren't other signs. The OP hasn't responded to this thread (and likely won't at this point), but it follows the same pattern as most of these threads.

They make an anonymous post claiming to be hacked, they give little to no real info, members try to help, the OP never returns, and we are left wondering what happens. The lack of any mention of reporting to the police also calls the legitimacy into question. It happens so often that we have a sticky thread at the top of this sub-forum covering this topic.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=966023

In the rare case the OP does respond, it usually turns out to be a misunderstanding of how Android works.

 

[B. Diddy]

I think it's a travesty that would make light and joke about a genuine concern that someone has for their privacy and safety. She could be in a situation that involves abuse, law-breaking, ans not to mention, potential violence. On the contrary, it's not that difficult to install spyware on someone's Android device and its relatively inexpensive.

Sorry you think it's a travesty, but we see these kinds of posts all the time. Most of the time, when we try to help, we get no response back. We made some legitimate points and asked some questions of the OP, but of course have gotten no followup.

If you'll notice, these jokes you find offensive are not directed specifically to the OP. If the OP were to actually register on this forum and give us more details, we could continue trying to give a serious answer. Regardless, I stand by my initial response. As long as a person follows some very basic precautions, it's very difficult to get hacked (as my esteemed colleague Mooncatt said above).

 

[Dconerly4]

Sorry you think it's a travesty, but we see these kinds of posts all the time. Most of the time, when we try to help, we get no response back. We made some legitimate points and asked some questions of the OP, but of course have gotten no followup.

If you'll notice, these jokes you find offensive are not directed specifically to the OP. If the OP were to actually register on this forum and give us more details, we could continue trying to give a serious answer. Regardless, I stand by my initial response. As long as a person follows some very basic precautions, it's very difficult to get hacked (as my esteemed colleague Mooncatt said above).

Alright, I can appreciate where you can guys were coming from given that it was an unregistered post with no follow up from the client and the fact that you consistently have to respond to unfounded concerns/fears about suspicious apps and phone behavior. However, this thread may have found and continue to find individuals with very legitimate findings but may be discouraged from reaching out by posting given how they may perceive the banter as potential ridicule if they try. I get the levity but maybe you could save those for PMs. Just my thoughts and I don't mean to come in stomping around like SJW, because I'm not. I'm definitely new here. Take it easy. I'm think I was quoted three other times by guys in the thread but I'll just go with this and inatead of replying to each person's quote

 

[Golfdriver97]

Anyone who may be in a similar situation should do this: from another computer change ALL email passwords with the help of a password manager. The longer and more special characters the better. Enable 2 factor authentication on your device. Change your phone number, possibly the SIM card, and do a reset on the device in question. Anything less leaves possibility of recurring. Is it a hassle? Yes. Are all theses steps necessary? YES! Are these the only steps to take? No. Those are just a start.

 

[B. Diddy]

Alright, I can appreciate where you can guys were coming from given that it was an unregistered post with no follow up from the client and the fact that you consistently have to respond to unfounded concerns/fears about suspicious apps and phone behavior. However, this thread may have found and continue to find individuals with very legitimate findings but may be discouraged from reaching out by posting given how they may perceive the banter as potential ridicule if they try. I get the levity but maybe you could save those for PMs. Just my thoughts and I don't mean to come in stomping around like SJW, because I'm not. I'm definitely new here. Take it easy. I'm think I was quoted three other times by guys in the thread but I'll just go with this and inatead of replying to each person's quote

I understand your concerns, and will keep this in mind.