No electronic device connected to a network is completely unhackable, but the most secure options include devices with no internet connection, analog machines, or specialized, privacy-focused hardware. The most secure, "hard-to-hack" devices often include GrapheneOS-run Pixels, Purism Librem 5, or Bittium Tough Mobile 2C, which offer hardened security.
The Librem 5—by Purism—is the most secure phone available today for a long list of competitive reasons.
Android vs. iPhone: Which is harder to hack? This is a long-standing debate with no simple answer. iPhones are generally considered more secure due to Apple's walled garden approach: a closed ecosystem, a strict vetting process for the App Store, and timely security updates for all supported devices.
Security Cameras and Smart Home Devices
These devices are highly susceptible due to weak default passwords, outdated firmware, and exposure to public internet connections [1].
For Android: Google Play Protect + one of Malwarebytes, Bitdefender Mobile. For iOS: Built-in protections are strong; use iOS security hygiene, a VPN when on public Wi‐Fi, and a reputable password manager. Home router: Enable built-in firewall, keep firmware updated, disable UPnP if not needed.
Yes, you can remove a hacker from your phone, usually by disconnecting from the internet, removing suspicious apps, running a security scan with trusted antivirus software, changing all passwords (especially email/banking) from a different device, and as a last resort, performing a factory reset to wipe the device clean. Always back up essential data before a factory reset and monitor your accounts afterward for any lingering issues.
Financial Institutions: It may seem obvious, but hackers often target financial institutions in hopes of exposing personal information, such as Social Security numbers, or gaining fraudulent access to financial services, such as credit cards. Savvy hackers can find any number of ins to a customer's private profile.
Both Android and iOS offer powerful security features, but with different approaches and philosophies in how they manage security and user control. iPhones, which run on Apple's iOS, are often considered more secure due to their closed ecosystem.
For general users, Apple iPhones (iOS) and Google Pixels (especially with GrapheneOS) offer top-tier security with strong encryption and regular updates, while specialized phones like the Bittium Tough Mobile or Purism Librem 5 cater to high-security needs with military-grade features, hardware switches, and open-source principles. The "best" depends on your threat model: iPhones for ease-of-use security, Pixels for hardening Android, and specialized devices for extreme privacy.
No, dialing *#21# does not tell you if your phone is genuinely "tapped" by surveillance software or the government, but it does check if unconditional call forwarding is enabled, which redirects calls and texts to another number, a common, but different, form of interception. While codes like *#21# (check forwarding) and ##002# (disable forwarding) can manage call routing, modern spyware is sophisticated and leaves no simple dial code to detect it, requiring checks for suspicious battery drain, overheating, or performance issues instead.
In some cases, hackers use scareware and phishing tactics to install illegitimate apps that contain spyware on people's phones. Then, the spyware runs in the background, allowing the hacker to continuously monitor and record the user's activity, including everything they type.
You can pick from many secure smartphones. The Pixel 9 Pro with GrapheneOS, Purism Librem 5, and Galaxy S25 Ultra are known for strong encryption. These phones also get updates often. Apple's iPhone 16 Pro Max has privacy tools that are simple to use.
A critical vulnerability has put Samsung mobile device owners at risk of sophisticated cyberattacks. On November 10, 2025, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added a vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-21042, to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
To check if your Android device has data encryption enabled, go to Settings > Security > Encryption & credentials. If your device is encrypted, you will see the message “Encrypt phone” or “Encrypt tablet.” If you don't see this option, your device may not support encryption.
Modern hacking tools include social engineering and selling malware on the dark web. The majority of the world's hackers live in The United States, Russia, and China.
Internet safety: How to protect yourself from hackers
Yes, turning your phone off temporarily stops most active hacking by cutting connections, but it's not a permanent fix; sophisticated spyware might survive a restart, and features like Apple's "Find My" can still allow tracking via low-power Bluetooth signals even when "off," though it requires compromised account access for hackers to exploit it, so regular restarts (weekly) and other security steps are crucial.
Here are a few indications you've been hacked: Your email has been sending messages you didn't create. Your passwords have changed without you knowing. Your device is installing the software you didn't authorize.
Do