Can Hackers Really Listen in on Your Mobile Phone Conversations?

The mobile phone in your hand may feel secure, but could someone be secretly listening in on your conversations? According to cybersecurity expert Vidit Sehgal, founder of Australian mobile tech firm V4 IT, the answer is yes and many people don’t even realise it’s possible.

V4 IT is Australia’s fastest-growing onsite tech service for households and businesses.

Sehgal warned that phone listening is a growing problem and people need to be more aware of the risks and implications. He outlined some of the ways people can listen in to calls.

Yes, your mobile can be hacked and used to listen to your calls

“Advanced spyware can turn your phone into a remote listening device without you knowing,” Sehgal said.

“These tools are often installed through phishing links, malicious apps or even through fake mobile towers that intercept your calls.”

He added that in high-risk environments such as business, legal or political settings, devices can be physically compromised as well.

“If someone gains physical access to your phone, they can install software that listens to your calls or activates your microphone,” Sehgal said.

Encrypted apps offer better protection

“Most people are still using standard mobile calls, which aren’t end-to-end encrypted,” Sehgal said.

“Apps like Signal, WhatsApp and Telegram offer encrypted calling, meaning even if someone intercepts the data, they can’t understand it. For private or sensitive conversations, encrypted apps are the smarter choice.”

Keep your phone software updated

“Hackers exploit known vulnerabilities and phone manufacturers release updates to patch these,” Sehgal said.

“If you delay installing updates, you leave your device exposed to threats that could have easily been blocked.”

Be selective with app permissions and downloads

“People often download apps without thinking twice about what they’re granting access to,” Sehgal said.

“Be careful about microphone permissions in particular. Some apps don’t need it to function, but they’ll ask for it anyway and that’s a red flag.”

Avoid public Wi-Fi or use a VPN

“Public Wi-Fi is one of the easiest ways for hackers to intercept your data, including voice calls,” Sehgal said.

“If you have to use it, always activate a trusted VPN to create a secure, encrypted tunnel for your activity.”

Turn off your phone or use airplane mode during sensitive conversations

“When the stakes are high, during legal discussions, corporate deals or confidential meetings, the best protection is to switch your phone off or put it in airplane mode,” Sehgal said.

“That simple action disconnects the device from all signals, which makes remote interception impossible.”

Know the warning signs of a compromised device

“If your phone is acting strange, draining battery fast, heating up or showing unknown apps, don’t ignore it,” Sehgal said.

“These can be signs of spyware running in the background. It’s important to investigate and, if necessary, do a full security audit.”

Protecting your phone is protecting your identity

“People think mobile surveillance is something out of a spy movie, but the truth is, we’re all carrying around devices that hold our entire lives,” Sehgal said.

“Your photos, messages, banking apps, private conversations – it’s all there. You need to protect it like you would your most valuable asset.”

The post Can Hackers Really Listen in on Your Mobile Phone Conversations? appeared first on Small Business Connections.