I was shocked when I took this test that determines whether your phone is spying on you right away
Have you ever felt like your phone was listening to what you were saying? You’re talking to a friend about a trip to the beach, and suddenly you see ads for hotels. Coincidence? Maybe. But there’s a theory that smartphones can listen in on conversations even when we’re not using them, in order to serve targeted ads.
To clear up any doubts, cybersecurity company NordVPN has shared a test to see if you have a spy phone at home. Using this method, you can quickly check if your phone is listening and use this information to gather data about your tastes and interests.
Here's How to Tell If Your Phone Is Listening to You
The NordVPN test is very easy to perform and will quickly tell you if your phone is listening to what you are saying. All you have to do is pick a topic of conversation that you have never talked about before or search for it online.
It could be completely random, like talking about a car brand that you haven't mentioned in your searches or even a specific place that you don't care about and have never talked about in your life.
For a few days, make sure to talk about this topic near your phone without searching for information about it on the web. After that, see if ads related to what you mentioned start appearing. If this happens, it may be a sign that your device is receiving or processing information from your environment.
It’s important to note that phones aren’t necessarily “spying” directly, but apps installed on them can access microphones and collect data without your knowledge, and things get complicated if you agree to terms without reading them. If an app contains malicious code or spyware, the situation becomes even more worrying.
For example, apps like virtual assistants are always listening, which can make it feel like your phone is picking up more information than it should. To prevent your phone from listening to you, experts advise taking some precautions.
For example, it is ideal to review the permissions of the apps on your device. Make sure that only essential apps have access to the microphone, and most importantly, install apps only from official stores, as apps from untrusted sources may contain spyware.
Additionally, it’s important to keep your operating system up to date and use a good antivirus or security program. If your phone has malware or suspicious apps, your best bet is to remove any apps you don’t recognize or don’t use regularly. You can also configure your device’s privacy features to limit apps’ access to your microphone and other services.
So, if you suspect your phone is spying on you, this test can be a quick and easy way to find out. But remember, even if the phone itself isn’t “listening” to you, apps can be the key. Keep an eye on permissions and privacy settings to make sure you’re not revealing more information than you’d like.