Privacy is a growing concern with today’s technology, especially with how we communicate. As Kevin Murray states, “For the average person, wiretapping is no longer a remote, government concern. Nearly everyone carries instant access to phone service, and tapping has become a personal concern.”
There are several signs which might suggest that your phone might be bugged. The most common of these are listed below:
1. Phone Battery Temperature
One indicator of a possible phone tap is the temperature of your battery. If your phone feels hot a while after is was last used, this could be a sign that your phone is bugged.
2. Short Battery Life
Having to charge your cell phone more often than normal is another potential sign. When a cell phone is tapped it loses its battery life faster. A tapped cell phone is constantly recording conversations in the room, even when the phone appears to be idle.
You can use an app like BatteryLife LX or Battery LED (iPhone) to monitor your phone’s battery life and history over time.
However, make sure your phone battery has not gone bad due to overuse and constant charging over time.
3. Delay in Shutting Down
When shutting down your phone, if you experience a delay, the back light remaining lit for a time after being shut down, or refusal to shut off, your phone could be bugged. however, this problem could also be caused by some kind of internal hardware or software problem.
4. More Strange Activity
While turned on, does your phone ever light up, shut down, power up, or install a program on its own? Strange activity such as this could also be a sign of someone else controlling your device.
5. Background Noise
When on a call, a tapped phone will often include background noises. Usually in the form of echoes, static, or clicking, these sounds can either be caused by interference, a bad connection, or someone else listening in. In particular watch out for a pulsating static noise coming from your phone when you are not using it.
6. Distortion
If you are using your cell phone in close proximity to other electronic devices, like a television, and the other devices become distorted, this could be a sign that additional hardware is installed in the cell phone.
If you suspect your mobile phone might be tapped contact Lynch Investigations & Countermeasures to discuss the potential level of threat (if any) and your options for dealing with this threat.
Source: Murray, K. (2011) Is my Mobile Phone Bugged?
