Our phones are essentially glued to our hands these days, and they have more than just phone numbers! Smartphones are also mini-computers that hold your financial information, passwords, and personal data. Obviously, you want to keep your phone safe from hackers. So let’s find out if your phone can be hacked by opening a text message. 

With the latest malware technology, your phone can be hacked by opening a text message. You no longer need to open a site or an app in order for the hacker to gain access to your phone. To keep your phone safe from hackers, you can and should download a mobile security app. 

If you want to find out if someone can steal your information through a text, as well as what happens when you accidentally open a spam text, and even more importantly, what to do next if it happens, read on! We are going to answer all your questions right now. 

Can Someone Steal Your Information Through a Text?

Now that you know that your phone can be hacked by simply opening a text message, the next thing you’re probably wondering is: Can they steal your information through a text?

Unfortunately, the answer is yes. A hacker can steal your personal, financial, and pretty much every other kind of information you store on your phone when you open a spam text. 

Essentially, new technology has allowed hackers to put malware and viruses into a text message that, upon being received, immediately take over your phone. 

Hackers

It’s important to understand that your phone is not just a phone; it’s also a computer. So the same viruses that can infiltrate and harm a computer can be used on a cell phone. 

Once they have access to your phone, hackers can use your mobile data, access your personal and financial information, and even get a hold of your passwords for apps, websites, and online banking. 

It’s safe to say that a hacker getting into your phone is something you really want to avoid. So let’s find out how to do so!

How Can You Protect Your Phone From Hackers?

Protecting your phone from hackers is essential, and luckily, there are several ways to do so. 

First, you should understand that hackers can get into your phone on open WiFi networks, through Bluetooth, by physically stealing your phone, or, as you now know, by sending you a text message. 

Here are some of the best ways to protect your phone against any of these hacking tactics:

  • Install a mobile security system app. Have a passcode on your phone (and change it regularly.)Do not store passwords or personal information on your phone. Require a password login every time for all apps (especially banking and personal data.)Avoid public WiFis.Turn off your Bluetooth when you’re not using it. Delete your browsing history, cookies, and cache regularly. Turn off autocomplete. Never open unknown messages, links, or app recommendations.

Even if you do everything right, there is still a possibility that a hacker could get into your phone through a text message. 

So what should you do if this happens to you?

What Should You Do If You Open a Hacker’s Text?

If you think your phone has been hacked, there are some immediate steps you need to take. 

While some research shows that turning off your phone won’t stop a hacker, some believe it still will. So the best thing you can do is to sign out of all your accounts and then turn the phone off. 

Then, you should bring your phone to your mobile service network store. They will run diagnostics on the phone and be able to tell if malware or virus has actually infiltrated the phone. 

If it has, they will most likely wipe your phone and reset it to factory settings. Now, while that will do the trick this time, as the hacker still has your phone number, you may want to consider changing your number, so it doesn’t happen again. 

Next, it’s important to check that the hacker hasn’t also stolen money from you! 

You should navigate to your online banking, personal email, and any other platform that you use on your phone on a secured computer to ensure everything is where it should be. 

Luckily, if you logged out of all your profiles immediately, they probably couldn’t get to your information. 

Final Thoughts 

So, can your phone be hacked by opening a text message? Unfortunately, it certainly can.

But you now know how hackers get into your phone, and much more importantly, what you can do to stop them and what you should do if it happens to you. 

Just remember, hacking phones is getting easier by the day, so you should never save banking or personal information passwords on your phone.