• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Bothersome Neighbors

My neighbors have been hacking into my phones. I have tried to factory reset the phone and install anti spyware. They still mess with my phones . They intercept phone calls , stop text messages from getting thru, they turn on the mic and listen to my conversations. They get into files and erase them, won't allow some apps to open up. It is a number of things . If anyone can help I'm open to suggestion.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ayuni
What you are describing is what a rat exploit would do.

But unless you are running android 3.x and lower then it is not possible to be done via wifi.

If its constant then you are either letting them use your phone or constantly redownload the problem.

This is a very hard thing to do other then intercept calls and even then that would require a set of equipment or a laptop with a modified stick to act as a cell tower to intercept calls and txts.
 
Upvote 0
What you are describing is what a rat exploit would do.

But unless you are running android 3.x and lower then it is not possible to be done via wifi.

If its constant then you are either letting them use your phone or constantly redownload the problem.

This is a very hard thing to do other then intercept calls and even then that would require a set of equipment or a laptop with a modified stick to act as a cell tower to intercept calls and txts.
If this is the case what can I do to stop them .
 
Upvote 0
If this is the case what can I do to stop them .

As I suggested earlier, ensure your WiFi is secure, like no open, WEP or WPS. You're not sharing it with them are you? Don't let them have physical access to your phones, maybe change all passwords as well, for things like Google, also see about enabling two-factor authentication.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
My neighbors have been hacking into my phones. I have tried to factory reset the phone and install anti spyware. They still mess with my phones . They intercept phone calls , stop text messages from getting thru, they turn on the mic and listen to my conversations. They get into files and erase them, won't allow some apps to open up. It is a number of things . If anyone can help I'm open to suggestion.
Why are you so sure that your neighbours are actually doing all that? I mean you must have experienced something peculiar to be sure that what you described is happening.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Xyro
Upvote 0
Why are you so sure that your neighbours are actually doing all that? I mean you must have experienced something peculiar to be sure that what you described is happening.
because they have made mention of this to others in passing and I've over heard it. Plus for some unknown reason they want this apartment and have told people in the neighborhood that they are doing this..I just want this to stop and get them arrested.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dontpanicbobby
Upvote 0
As I suggested earlier, ensure your WiFi is secure, like no open, WEP or WPS. You're not sharing it with them are you? Don't let them have physical access to your phones, maybe change all passwords as well, for things like Google, also see about enabling two-factor authentication.
I am not intentionally sharing a thing with them.And I have two step authen. for gmail. I got that to stop them from getting into my gmail but it hasn't. I have changed my password several times on everything. Still getting into my apps. Now I'm experiencing my apps slowing down and that is when I can get them open. They have switched my gaming apps from external storage to internal like three times in hopes that I will erase certain info.like screen shots of apps acting weirdly for instance. I am trying to be patient and get them caught. I have factory reset my phone twice and lost info. they changed my gmail password and caused me to have to erase a bunch of files. If you could please continue to help me I am very appreciative. I look up to people like you that have these tech capabilities and are helping instead of hurting THANK YOU MUCH MikedT
 
  • Like
Reactions: Leon Marco
Upvote 0
I am not intentionally sharing a thing with them.And I have two step authen. for gmail. I got that to stop them from getting into my gmail but it hasn't. I have changed my password several times on everything. Still getting into my apps. Now I'm experiencing my apps slowing down and that is when I can get them open. They have switched my gaming apps from external storage to internal like three times in hopes that I will erase certain info.like screen shots of apps acting weirdly for instance. I am trying to be patient and get them caught. I have factory reset my phone twice and lost info. they changed my gmail password and caused me to have to erase a bunch of files. If you could please continue to help me I am very appreciative. I look up to people like you that have these tech capabilities and are helping instead of hurting THANK YOU MUCH MikedT
And I donot even so much as talk to these people let alone touch my phone. And far as I know my wifi is secure. I could be wrong
 
Upvote 0
Exactly which phone and Android version are you running? I ask because if it's a recent model, it would be very difficult to do anything to your phone via WiFi without you knowing it. It is more likely that they have somehow hacked your gmail account and are pushing apps from the play store that might give them some level of remote access.

Let's talk about security here.

Wifi. Make sure you are using WPA and you do NOT have any guest access enabled. You should also enable MAC filtering and ONLY permit access to your personal devices and deny all others. That will keep them out of your Wireless network.

Speaking of networks, do you have any wired connections? As a matter of fact, it might be helpful if you give us a list of all devices that connect to your network including any IoT appliances like cameras or smart thermostats. Do you have any roommates? Spouse? Children? Tenants? etc. who use your network? We really need to look at all vectors for intrusion if this is ongoing.

It's quite possible that if they could have hacked your phone, they could have also hacked your PC/laptop and installed a keylogger, so every time you change your password, they know the new one. You can easily check this out by going to a different network, use a different PC and change it and then, for a week or so, don't login using any of your devices other than your phone. If the shenanigans stop, then you can be pretty sure they have access to other devices as well, at which point I would consider either taking them to a security professional for evaluation or backing up your data and completely wiping them (start with a new hard disk and reinstall everything from scratch). And, when you do that do not NOT NOT NOT ever make your main account an administrator.

Finally, if you are dead sure they are accessing your communication devices and altering them, then give you local FBI office a call and ask what your options are. That is, after all, a federal crime. Hard to prove if they are, and possibly they are just screwing with you by being a bit more tech savvy and taking credit for things they aren't responsible for but know will happen.

FWIW, I have some whack-job neighbors, too and the only thing that works for me is to completely ignore them. As long as they think they are getting to you, they will most likely keep it up.
 
Upvote 0
How well do you know these neighbors? Is it possible that they ever took your phone, had it in their hands, and then installed an app that would allow them to remotely gain support through a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?

If so, I would look through your list of downloaded apps and see if anything weird exists. And if so, let us know.
 
Upvote 0
How well do you know these neighbors? Is it possible that they ever took your phone, had it in their hands, and then installed an app that would allow them to remotely gain support through a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?

If so, I would look through your list of downloaded apps and see if anything weird exists. And if so, let us know.
Hi , Rob and thanks for responding . I don't talk or socialize with these people at all. A s far as them getting a hold of my phones , Never. i just discovered yesterday in my apps that I have an IMS + , IMS setting app and an IMS sevice app. And after some research I found out that the IMS+ is a keylogger. In your personal knowledge are these apps a problem. Again thanks for the help.
 
Upvote 0
Hi , Rob and thanks for responding . I don't talk or socialize with these people at all. A s far as them getting a hold of my phones , Never. i just discovered yesterday in my apps that I have an IMS + , IMS setting app and an IMS sevice app. And after some research I found out that the IMS+ is a keylogger. In your personal knowledge are these apps a problem. Again thanks for the help.

IMS is a service for sending voice calls (or other data) over the internet. Think of it as a similar technology to Voice-Over-IP (VoIP) services like skype.
 
Upvote 0
Upvote 0
If your wifi router has WPA/WPA 2 security check if it has WPS enabled. If so, disable the WPS and change the password.
Is your phone rooted?
You have not answered to this @fruquanmcdaniel. As I cannotbe physically there I need to know more about your problem to use whatever knowledge I have to help you.
After changing the password check if you are experiencingthe same problem as before.
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones