Have you ever wondered how secure your iPhone is from potential cyber threats? Malware and phishing attacks indeed are two of the most common ways cybercriminals can gain access to your data, but there are several other ways they can breach your privacy as well.

For example, did you know your phone can be spied on without you even knowing it? That's right, your private conversations and text messages aren't as safe as you might think. If you make online calls through a mobile network, it makes it even easier for cybercriminals to reroute your calls to a different number. All they need is a few seconds on your device and they could have access to all your conversations.

So, what can you do to protect yourself? Stay vigilant and keep an eye out for any suspicious activity on your device. And if you're ever in doubt, don't hesitate to reach out to a professional for help.

The secret codes

People like black hat hackers, scorned lovers, and even law enforcement agencies can easily hijack your phone conversations by exploiting SS7 protocol vulnerabilities on your network or using a software-defined radio to hack into your LTE calls.

However, some secret codes can be used to test if your calls and texts are being tapped on an iPhone:

  • If you're wondering whether someone is secretly hijacking your iPhone calls and text messages, dial *#61# to clear your doubt. Next, if you see any unknown phone number listed next to "Voice Call Forwarding" or "Text Message Forwarding," it's a clear indicator that someone is spying on you
  • Dialing *#62# will bring up a list of all the call forwarding numbers that are currently set up on your iPhone. Look for any unknown number and block if need be
  • *#67# is another secret code you can dial if you are curious about which numbers your calls are being forwarded to

Keep your iPhone away from hackers

There are a few things you can do to keep your iPhone safe from hackers. First, make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. Hackers often target older versions of iOS because they are easier to exploit. Second, use a strong passcode to protect your device. A strong passcode should be at least six digits long, and should include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.

Third, be careful what you download and install on your device. Only download apps from trusted sources, such as the App Store. And be sure to keep your apps up to date to ensure that they are not vulnerable to exploitation. Finally, use a VPN to encrypt your data and protect your privacy when using public Wi-Fi networks.

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