Spying on me

[Rhose314]

I recently downloaded a spyware app and i no longer use the wifi in my house or give certain apps permission to use proxy. I also switched my vpn but i am not sure if thats enough to keep my phone activity private. I strongly feel as if my ex can see everything i do on my phone

 

[Hadron]

You downloaded spyware? Okay... However, if you can tell us what spyware it was someone might be able to advise on how to completely remove it.

The nuclear option is to factory reset and reflash the phone's firmware completely. The reset removes user-installed software, the reflash will remove anything that is installed to /system. Between the two that will clean your phone no matter what is installed - just make sure you don't reinstall the spyware from a backup.

I'd also make sure that you have secured any accounts linked to the phone (change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, block access from any other devices but those you control and trust). Assume that if you have been running with spyware installed it's possible that anything you've been accessing from the phone is compromised, but your Google account is the most dangerous thing and hence the one you must secure first.

 

[Mikestony]

You downloaded spyware? Okay... However, if you can tell us what spyware it was someone might be able to advise on how to completely remove it.

The nuclear option is to factory reset and reflash the phone's firmware completely. The reset removes user-installed software, the reflash will remove anything that is installed to /system. Between the two that will clean your phone no matter what is installed - just make sure you don't reinstall the spyware from a backup.

I'd also make sure that you have secured any accounts linked to the phone (change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, block access from any other devices but those you control and trust). Assume that if you have been running with spyware installed it's possible that anything you've been accessing from the phone is compromised, but your Google account is the most dangerous thing and hence the one you must secure first.

I'm thinking he installed a spyware app, i.e. an app that detects spyware; not spyware from an app, or spyware itself.

 

[Hadron]

Ah, I guess that's possible. To me "spyware app" simply means "an app that spies on your phone".

In which case, what is the feeling that the Ex can see everything based on? My instinct is to secure your Google account (which is a back-door into your information), but whether you need to do something about the phone first/at the same time will depend on whether there's a real chance that the phone is compromised (especially whether a keylogger might be present).

 

[Mikestony]

Ah, I guess that's possible. To me "spyware app" simply means "an app that spies on your phone".

In which case, what is the feeling that the Ex can see everything based on? My instinct is to secure your Google account (which is a back-door into your information), but whether you need to do something about the phone first/at the same time will depend on whether there's a real chance that the phone is compromised (especially whether a keylogger might be present).

Oh yeah, I suppose that also is possible, so I guess we need more clarification from the OP
Either way, I think your suggestion here would remedy his issue:

You downloaded spyware? Okay... However, if you can tell us what spyware it was someone might be able to advise on how to completely remove it.

The nuclear option is to factory reset and reflash the phone's firmware completely. The reset removes user-installed software, the reflash will remove anything that is installed to /system. Between the two that will clean your phone no matter what is installed - just make sure you don't reinstall the spyware from a backup.

I'd also make sure that you have secured any accounts linked to the phone (change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, block access from any other devices but those you control and trust). Assume that if you have been running with spyware installed it's possible that anything you've been accessing from the phone is compromised, but your Google account is the most dangerous thing and hence the one you must secure first.