In conclusion, all users should be aware that tracking applications are becoming more prevalent as smart phones become more popular.
How to use GPS to locate things and track people
We should all educate ourselves on the risks and threats of downloading unfamiliar software from an unfamiliar source. Hopefully this above explanation and quick tips will help you steer clear of any malware or tracking threats. Lots of cell phone apps track your location and report back information about the way you use your phone. Most of it is completely harmless and sometimes even very helpful to increase the usability of the programs.
But did you know that most tracking software is voluntarily downloaded and installed by you, the user. It is thus important to divide cell-phone tracking technology into two groups — consensual tracking and non-consensual tracking. A consensual tracking application is one that you have personally downloaded and explicitly granted permission to access your location. For example, when you check in on Foursquare, Facebook, and Yelp, you are explicitly allowing those apps to know your GPS location.
Four best phone tracker apps
Nevertheless, this article does not address these consensual tracking apps because these are voluntarily downloaded by you. The more concerning form of tracking software, and probably the main reason why you are still reading this article, are the non-consensual apps. These are apps that track you without your explicit approval and most likely, without your knowledge that they have ever been installed.
Such apps are sometimes even downloaded onto your phone by a third party friend, parent, ex-lover, etc. Non-consensual tracking software can make it on to your phone in a number of ways. We have listed two of the more common ways this occurs:.
8 Best Apps to Track Lost or Stolen Android Devices - Hongkiat
Although tracking software may be installed on almost any smart phone, a quick review should help clarify. The main reason why we want to differentiate between phones is to help you narrow down your research. When you are researching software concerns of your smart phone you should focus almost exclusively on your brand because each phone is different and has different security concerns. Value legal services for internet users and creators? Support them. What's the best way to avoid legal problems for your business or creative work?
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Operating System
The app that tells you which programs are currently running keeps showing a suspicious program running in the background. Your cell-phone interface will change automatically by itself or the brightness and color combination will not work properly. Your phone becomes slower while surfing the internet or other application You see different system files in file manager of the phone which cannot be manually removed. Your phone indicates that there is free space available yet you are unable to access it. This includes both the software updates and firmware updates.
Look for unfamiliar programs that are installed : Look through all your apps and installations for anything unfamiliar. There may be quite a few strangely named programs and services running that are perfectly normal. But if you see a program or app that you did not install, then you should do your research into what it is because that could be the center of your troubles. Install anti-malware software and scan your phone : Install an anti-malware application to protect your phone.
These programs work just like they do on your computer — it will scan your phone for any possible threats, isolate those threats, and then delete the threats. Make sure to keep your anti-malware apps up to date. Lifehacker lists a few. Delete Programs : If you are able to locate an unfamiliar program or if you are able to locate the exact program that you believe is threatening your privacy, simply delete that program. The majority of the page is taken up by a big map, with a pin on it — hopefully pointing straight where your device is.
If Find My Device can't locate your phone, you can try again by clicking the round arrow by the image of your phone, which will tell the tracker to try again. Hopefully this time, it'll find your device. But you might need go to certain lengths to find your handset. The first option is Play Sound, which will make your device play a shrill sound for up to 5 minutes. If someone's near your phone, this will alert them to the fact you're looking for it, so hopefully they can help you out. To aid the communication is 'Secure Device'. This lets you lock your handset and sign out of your Google Account.
You can also leave a message to someone who finds the phone, including leaving a phone number to a friend or relative so the rescuer can contact you. Sometimes you might need to take the nuclear option though, if you have an inkling you won't get your phone back. Erase Device totally wipes everything from your handset, including logging out of your Google account, so if you click this there's no going back — it's an irreversible option. Only do this if you know there's no hope of getting your phone back. Image credit: Google. How to track your Android phone The first thing you'll want to do is head over to Find My Device , Google's tracker website — either search it in Google, or simply click the link above to get there.
Image credit: Google The majority of the page is taken up by a big map, with a pin on it — hopefully pointing straight where your device is.