Have you noticed that your phone battery has begun to discharge too quickly, and strange sounds or rustling noises periodically appear in the background during calls? Perhaps your smartphone Android with a SIM card MTS became the target of wiretapping. In the digital age, espionage has ceased to be the prerogative of intelligence services - now anyone can install spyware on your device if they gain physical or remote access to it.

According to Kaspersky Lab, in 2023 the number of mobile malware capable of tracking calls, SMS and geolocation will increase. increased by 42%. Moreover, 68% of such attacks occur on devices with Android - due to the openness of the platform and the ability to install applications from unverified sources. If you use tariffs MTS, the risks are even higher: the operator actively promotes the “Parental Control” and “Care” services, which, if configured incorrectly, can become a loophole for attackers.

In this article you will learn how check your phone for wiretapping for free without turning to specialists. We will look at the signs of espionage, standard and hidden diagnostic methods, and also provide a checklist of actions if your suspicions are confirmed. All methods have been tested on current versions Android 12–14 and are compatible with popular models Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and others.

1. Signs of wiretapping an MTS phone: when to sound the alarm

Before you rush to download antiviruses or reset settings, pay attention to indirect signsthat may indicate espionage. It is important to understand that none of them individually is 100% proof of wiretapping, but the combination of several symptoms is a reason for a thorough check.

  • 🔋 The battery drains in a few hours without active use (for example, overnight it drops from 100% to 20%). Spyware constantly transfers data in the background, which increases the load on the processor.
  • 📡 Increased mobile data traffic (check in Settings → Network and Internet → Data transfer). Spyware can send call recordings or screenshots via 3G/4G.
  • 🔊 Noise and echo during calls, especially if the interlocutor complains that he hears your conversations “as if from another room.” This may be a sign of duplication of the audio stream.
  • 📱 The phone spontaneously reboots or freezes when working with instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram). Some spies conflict with system processes.
  • 📌 Unknown SMS from short numbers (for example, +79xxxx or 1234). These may be commands to control malware.

Particular attention should be paid to notifications of unauthorized access (for example, “The device is controlled remotely”) or unfamiliar devices in the connected list (checked in Settings → Google → Account management → Security). If you see an unfamiliar gadget here, this is a direct signal of hacking.

⚠️ Attention: Some signs (for example, rapid battery drain) can be caused hardware problems or firmware errors. Before you panic, check your phone for viruses and optimize background processes.
📊 Have you noticed suspicious behavior of your phone?
Yes, the battery drains quickly
Yes, there is noise during calls
Yes, traffic is growing for no reason
No, everything works fine
Difficult to answer

2. Checking for spyware through Android settings

The first step is manual check of system settings. Many spyware apps disguise themselves as harmless applications (such as System Updates or Google Services), but leave traces in the device's control menu. Here's what you need to do:

  1. Check the list of installed applications:

    Go to Settings → Applications → All applications and sort the list by installation date. Pay attention to apps with names like:

    • 🛡️ Mobile Spy, FlexiSPY, mSpy
    • 🔍 Monitor, Tracker, Parent Control
    • 📡 Remote Admin, TeamViewer QuickSupport (if you have not installed them)
  • Learn administrator rights:

    There should be no unknown applications. Spies often request administrator rights to block their removal. Settings → Security → Device Administrators there should be no unknown applications. Spies often request administrator rights to block their removal.

  • Check accessibility:

    Some apps (for example Cerberus) are masked here. Go to Settings → Accessibility and deactivate suspicious services.

    • If you find an unknown application Do not delete it immediately - first take a screenshot of its name and access rights (click on the application icon → "Permissions") This will helplater identify the type of spy.

    ☑️ Checklist for manual scanning

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    3. Hidden methods of wiretapping: verification through MTS USSD codes

    The operator MTS provides service USSD codeswhich allow you to check active services and connected options. Some of them may indicate unauthorized connection of wiretapping services (for example, “Care” or “Expense Control”). Enter the following commands in the “Phone” application:

    USSD code Purpose What to check
    *111*0887# Checking active services Look for unknown options like “Monitoring” or “Remote Access”
    *152# Balance and tariff Unexpected charges (for example, 5-10 ₽ per day) may indicate paid spyware services
    *111*09# Call forwarding If forwarding to an unfamiliar number is enabled, this is a sign of wiretapping
    *111*500# Security services Check whether the “Parental Control” service is activated without your knowledge

    If, after entering the code, you see an unknown service, do not disable it immediately via USSD -first contact support MTS by number 0890 and clarify what this option is. Some spyware can masquerade as legitimate operator services.

    ⚠️ Attention: USSD codes may vary depending on the region. If the code does not work, check the current list on the official website MTS in the "Help" section.

    4. Free antiviruses for detecting spyware

    If manual checking does not produce results, use specialized antivirusesthat can detect wiretapping apps. It is important to choose a solution with a signature database for Androidspyware. We tested 5 free applications - the best results were shown:

    • 🛡️ Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus - detects FlexiSPY, mSpy and other commercial spies. There is a function for checking application rights.
    • 🔍 Bitdefender Mobile Security - scans for vulnerabilities that hackers use to install software remotely.
    • 📱 Malwarebytes - specializes in adware and spyware that disguises itself as system processes.

    How to scan:

    1. Install an antivirus from Google Play (do not download APK from third-party sites!).
    2. Run full scan (not fast!).
    3. Pay attention to warnings like "The application has administrator rights" or "Sends SMS to paid numbers».
    4. If threats are found, follow the antivirus instructions to remove them.

    Important: Some spyware (for example, Cerberus) can block the installation of antiviruses or hide their activity. If the antivirus does not find threats, but suspicions remain, try the method from the next section.

    💡

    Before scanning, disconnect your phone from Wi-Fi and mobile data. Some spies receive a command to self-destruct when an antivirus is detected.

    5. Checking network activity: who is connecting to your phone

    Spyware often “calls home” - sends data to remote servers. You can track these connections using built-in tools Android or specialized applications. Here's how to do it:

    Method 1: Through the "Data Usage" menu

    Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Data transfer → Mobile traffic usage. Pay attention to applications that consume traffic in the background (for example, com.android.system those with unusually high consumption). Click on the suspicious application and see what domains it uses. Settings → Network and Internet → Data transfer → Mobile traffic usage IP addresses Method 2: Application IP addresses or domains it uses.

    Method 2: Application NetGuard (without root)

    Install NetGuard from Google Play is a free firewall that shows all network connections in real time. Launch it and pay attention to:

    • 🌍 Connections to servers in China, USA or UAE (popular locations for spy servers).
    • 🔄 Permanent ping requests to the same IP.
    • 📤 Data transmission in non-working hours (for example, at night).

    If you find a suspicious IP, check it through the service VirusTotal or IPinfo. For example, addresses in the range 45.76.x.x or 103.86.x.x are often used to host spyware.

    What does a normal network connection look like?

    Regular applications (for example, WhatsApp or Chrome) connect to the servers of Google, Facebook, or CDN networks like Cloudflare. Spyware often uses dedicated IPs or domains with a random set of letters (for example, xj234kld.ru).

    6. Hardware check: microphone, speakers and SIM card

    Not all wiretapping methods involve software. Attackers can use hardwaresuch as:

    • 🎤 Bugs in the phone body (rare, but possible in used devices).
    • 📶 Duplicate SIM cards (cloning your cards for listening to calls). data-i="205">How to check: MTS to listen to calls).
    • 🔊 Modified speakers, which work as microphones even when turned off.

    How to check:

    1. Ring the phone in a quiet environment: If extraneous noise is heard during a call (for example, hissing or echo), this may indicate hardware wiretapping.
    2. Check the SIM card:
      • Take out the card and inspect it for foreign microcircuits.
      • Call your number from another phone - if the call goes through, but your phone does not ring, a duplicate SIM may be used.
  • Use a radio signal detector: Free applications like Hidden Camera Detector (available in Google Play) can detect suspicious radio waves.
    • ⚠️ Attention: If you suspect hardware wiretapping do not try to disassemble the phone yourself - this may lead to loss of warranty or damage to the device. Contact the service center MTS or an independent laboratory.

    7. What to do if the phone is really tapped

    If you find evidence of spying, follow the following algorithm:

    1. Reset the phone to factory settings:
      • Go to Settings → System → Reset settings.
      • Select "Delete all data" (including internal memory).
      • Do not restore data from a backup copy - it may contain spyware.
    2. Change passwords:
      • Account Google (required!).
      • Personal account MTS (login.mts.ru).
      • Social networks and messengers.
    3. Check the associated devices:
      • In Settings → Google → Account management → Security remove all unknown gadgets.
      • In In your MTS personal account Check whether additional SIM cards are connected to your number.
    4. Contact MTS support:
      • Call the number 0890 and report suspicion of wiretapping.
      • Ask to check call and SMS logs for redirection.

    If suspicious activity continues after resetting the settings, this may indicate:

    • 🔄 Re-hacking (for example, through a vulnerability in the firmware).
    • 📡 Hardware wiretapping (diagnostics required at a service center).
    • 📱 Problems with the SIM card (replace it in the salon MTS).
    💡

    Resetting to factory settings removes spyware, but does not guarantee protection against re-hacking. After resetting, be sure to update Android to the latest version and install a reliable antivirus.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about wiretapping phones. MTS

    Can MTS listen to my calls without my consent?

    The operator MTS does not have the right to listen to subscribers without court sanctions or user consentHowever, tariffs such as “Care” or “Parental Control” provide a monitoring option - but it is not. activated only with the permission of the owner of the number. If you have not activated such services, but they are active, this is a reason to contact support.

    How to check if call forwarding is connected to my MTS number?

    Enter USSD code *111*09# and select “Forwarding". If an unfamiliar number is indicated there, disable it with the command ##002#. Also check the settings in Phone → Settings → Advanced → Call forwarding.

    Can Is it possible to listen to a phone if it is turned off?

    Modern smartphones on Android cannot be listened to when completely turned offHowever:

    • If the phone is in Flight modebut connected to Wi-Fi, some spyware may continue to work.
    • Some models (for example, Samsung s Knox) have hardware vulnerabilitiesthat allow you to activate the microphone even when the microphone is turned off screen.

    For reliability, remove the battery (if possible) or put the phone in Faraday bag (blocks signals).

    What applications for wiretapping most often installed on Android?

    According to Kaspersky Lab, in the top spyware for Android:

    1. FlexiSPY - records calls, SMS and surroundings through a microphone.
    2. mSpy - monitors geolocation, social networks and instant messengers.
    3. Cerberus - masquerades as an antivirus, but transmits data to a remote server.
    4. SpyEra - can turn on the camera and microphone on command.
    5. Mobile Spy - popular among “jealous partners” for ease of installation.

    These apps are often distributed under the guise of updates for Android or hacked games.

    Is it possible to find out who is tapping my phone?

    Identify a specific one the person behind the wiretapping almost impossible without the involvement of law enforcement agencies. However, you can:

    • 🔍 Check network activity logs (via NetGuard or Wireshark) for IP addresses.
    • 📞 Contact MTS with a request about call details - sometimes you can see numbers to which conversations are duplicated.
    • 🚨 File a complaint with the police under article 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Violation of the secrecy of correspondence").