In today's digital world, the confidentiality of telephone conversations is becoming increasingly vulnerable. Users of mobile networks, including MTS subscribers, often wonder how to find out whether their device is wiretapped, especially if it is a smartphone based on Android. Fear of leakage of personal information, trade secrets or family secrets forces us to look for technical methods of protection. It is important to understand that there is a difference between real “wiretapping” by intelligence services and the work of malicious spyware installed by attackers.
From a technical point of view, it is almost impossible to check the presence of professional wiretapping through a cell tower at home, since this process occurs at the level of the telecom operator or law enforcement agencies. However, if we are talking about software bookmarks, spyware viruses or call forwarding, then it is quite possible to identify them using standard system tools. In this article, we will analyze in detail methods for diagnosing your device, specific codes for checking call forwarding and signs indicating that your smartphone is under surveillance.
Let's start with the fact that panic is a bad adviser. Before resetting the settings or running to a service center, it is necessary to carry out proper diagnostics. Many symptoms that users mistake for signs of eavesdropping (for example, rapid battery drain) may be a result of battery wear or background applications. However, warning signs cannot be ignored. Next, we will look at a step-by-step algorithm of actions for MTS subscribers using gadgets on Android.
Diagnostics of call forwarding via USSD codes
The easiest and fastest way to find out whether your calls are being forwarded to someone else's number is to use special service commands. These codes work at the MTS operator network level and do not require the installation of additional software. They allow you to check the status of all types of forwarding: when a subscriber is busy, when he is unavailable, when he does not pick up the phone, or unconditional forwarding of all incoming calls.
To start checking, open the “Phone” application (dialer) and enter the command *#21#, then press the call button. An information window will appear on the screen indicating the forwarding status. If the “Voice” or “Data” column contains any phone number other than yours or an empty value, this is a warning sign. Attackers often use this method to duplicate your traffic to their device.
It is also recommended to check other types of redirection by entering the following commands in sequence:
- 📞
*#62#— check for forwarding when your phone is turned off or out of network coverage. - 📞
*#67#—check for forwarding when the line is busy with a conversation. - 📞
##002#—a universal command to cancel all types of forwarding (use with caution if you have configured them yourself).
⚠️ Attention: If after entering the codes you see an unfamiliar number, immediately contact MTS technical support at 0890 to clarify the information. Do not try to figure out the operator’s network settings on your own without consultation.
Remember that these codes only show network forwarding settings. They cannot detect software installed directly into the memory of your Androiddevice, which records conversations locally and sends them over the Internet. For such a check, other methods described below will be required.
Analysis of smartphone behavior and indirect signs
Spyware, often called “stalkers” or Trojans, consumes system resources for its work. It must continuously record audio, track geolocation, and transmit data to a remote server. Such intensive use processor of communication modules inevitably affects the operation of the device as a whole. If your phone begins to behave strangely for no apparent reason, this is a reason for a deep check.
One of the main indicators is abnormal battery discharge. If your smartphone, which previously worked quietly all day, now requires recharging by lunchtime, and you haven’t started playing heavy games or watching 4K videos, you should be wary. Spyware viruses run in the background 24/7, preventing the processor from going into power saving mode. Also pay attention to the heating of the case: if the phone is hot even in standby mode, it means that there are active data transfer processes inside.
Indirect signs of wiretapping or malware also include:
- 📉 A sharp increase in mobile traffic consumption, which does not correspond to your usual Internet usage habits.
- 📱 Spontaneous reboots, interface freezes or slow menu operation Android.
- 🔊 Extraneous noises, clicks, echoes or changes in the interlocutor's voice during a conversation (although this is often a sign of a poor connection, in combination with other factors this is important).
For a more accurate diagnosis, go to the battery settings. In the menu Settings → Battery → Charge consumption look at the list of applications. If you see a app there with an unclear name or a system process that consumes 30-40% of energy, but you have not used it, this is a clear signal of a problem. Often spies disguise themselves under names like System Update, Wi-Fi Service or use icons similar to standard utilities.
Compare the current traffic consumption with previous months in your MTS personal account. A sudden jump in gigabyte consumption without changing your behavior is one of the sure signs of a hidden data transfer module.
Checking installed applications and access rights
Most wiretapping apps are installed on the phone physically or through a phishing link. To detect them, you need to audit all installed applications. Attackers often hide the app icon from the general menu, but it still remains in the list of installed applications in the system settings. Your task is to find something that shouldn’t be there.
Go to the section Settings → Applications → All applications. Please review the entire list carefully. Look for applications without icons (with a white square), with names containing a bunch of random characters, or duplicates of system utilities. Pay special attention to apps that have device administrator rights or access to special features (Accessibility). It is these permissions that allow malware to intercept keystrokes and block itself from being deleted.
Checking access rights is a critical step. Go to Settings → Privacy → Permission Manager. See which apps have access to your microphone, camera, contacts, and SMS. If a simple calculator, flashlight or solitaire game asks for access to the microphone and geolocation, this is a 100% sign of spying. Under normal conditions, such utilities do not need these functions.
| Application type | Normal rights | Suspicious rights | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messenger | Microphone, Camera, Contacts | Device administrator, SMS | ⚠️ Suspicious |
| Flashlight | No or Vibration | Microphone, Geolocation, Internet | 🚫 Dangerous |
| Game | Storage (saving) | Reading SMS, calls | 🚫 Dangerous |
| Antivirus | All system rights | All system rights | ✅ Normal |
If you find a suspicious application, try removing it. If the “Delete” button is inactive or the application appears again after a reboot, it means that it has received rights administrator. In this case, you must first go to Settings → Security → Device administrators, uncheck the suspicious app, and only then delete it.
☑️ Checking rights applications
Using the engineering menu and service codes Android
Operating system Android gives users access to a hidden engineering menu, which contains detailed information about the status of the network, battery and phone. Although the interfaces may differ depending on the manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei), the basic principles remain similar. Through this menu you can find out the IMEI of the device, check the network status and see connection information, which can help in identifying anomalies.
A code is most often used to enter the engineering menu ##4636##. Enter it in the dialer, and if your device supports this command, the Test menu will open. Select "Phone Information". Here you can see the network type, signal strength and connection status. Sudden changes in network type (for example, from 4G to 2G for no reason) may indicate interference with the communication module, although this may also be due to MTS coverage in your area.
Another useful code is *#06#which displays the IMEI of your device. Check this number with the one on the phone box or under the battery (if it is removable). If the numbers do not match or a set of zeros is displayed on the screen, this may indicate serious interference in the device’s firmware, which is sometimes done to hide traces or clone the phone.
⚠️ Attention: Be extremely careful when changing settings in the engineering menu. Accidentally switching radio module parameters or resetting the battery calibration can lead to loss of communication or incorrect operation of the smartphone. Change only what you are 100% sure of.
Some manufacturers block access to standard engineering codes. In this case, you can try downloading special utilities from Google Playsuch as Phone Info SAM for Samsung or universal Engineering Mode applications. They provide the same functionality in a more convenient graphical interface and allow you to test the operation of sensors and communication modules.
What to do if the code does not work?
If entering the code ##4636## does not open the menu, then your smartphone manufacturer has disabled this function in the firmware. This is normal for many modern models. Try using third-party applications from the Play Market store to obtain similar information.
Protection against network interception and MTS recommendations
It is important to distinguish between software wiretapping (a virus on the phone) and traffic interception on the operator’s side or through fake base stations (IMSI-catcher). The MTS operator, like any other legal telecom operator, is obliged to provide data to law enforcement agencies only upon an official request within the framework of the law (SORM). Finding out on your own whether a special service is wiretapping your number through the operator’s equipment is technically impossible for the average user.
However, you can protect yourself from data interception through unreliable networks. If you frequently connect to public Wi-Fi networks, use VPN services. This will encrypt your traffic and prevent attackers on the same network from intercepting your passwords or messages. For voice calls, use messengers with end-to-end encryption, such as Signal, Telegram (secret chats) or WhatsApp. Calls through these applications are encrypted from device to device, and even the telecom operator cannot listen to their content.
If you suspect that your number is cloned or used by scammers, contact the MTS communication salon with your passport. Employees can check the history of connected services and any unusual activity. It also makes sense to change the SIM card to a new one - this will eliminate the possibility of using old vulnerabilities of a specific chip.
Here are some recommendations to improve communication security:
- 🔒 Regularly change the PIN code for the SIM card to prevent its use in another phone.
- 📶 Disable automatic connection to open Wi-Fi networks in the settings Android.
- 🛡️ Install a reliable antivirus from a well-known vendor (Kaspersky, Dr.Web, ESET) and conduct a full scan once a week.
End-to-end encryption in instant messengers is your main protection against interception of conversations. Regular voice calls over a cellular network are less protected and theoretically can be intercepted by special equipment.
Radical measures: Reset and restore the system
If all verification methods indicate the presence of spyware, but it cannot be removed, the only guaranteed cleaning method remains - a complete reset of the device to factory settings (Hard Reset). This procedure completely erases all data from the phone's internal memory, including viruses, bookmarks and hidden applications. Before you begin, be sure to back up your important contacts and photos, but do not automatically restore applications from the backup, as the virus may come back with them.
To perform a reset, go to the menu Settings → System → Reset settings → Delete all data. On some models the path may be different, for example General settings → Reset. The device will reboot and begin the cleaning process, which may take a few minutes. After turning on, the phone will be the same as you bought it in the store.
After resetting, set up the phone as new. Do not immediately log into your old Google account if you suspect it has been compromised. First, change your Google account password from another, clean device. Install applications only from the official store Google Play, avoiding third-party sources (APK files), since it is through them that spyware Trojans are most often distributed.
⚠️ Attention: A full reset will destroy all your data, including photos, correspondence and files not saved in the cloud. Make sure that you have backed up important information to a computer or external drive before starting the procedure.
In extreme cases, if problems are observed even after resetting (which is extremely rare and indicates an infection of the system partition), you may need to completely flash the device via a computer using official software from the manufacturer (for example, Odin for Samsung or Mi Flash for Xiaomi). This is a complex procedure that requires technical skills, and it is better to entrust it to service center specialists.
After resetting the settings, the first thing to do is install the Android security update. Google regularly patches vulnerabilities that allow hackers to gain access to your phone. Current firmware is the best prevention.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can MTS install wiretapping at my request?
No, the MTS telecom operator does not provide services for installing wiretapping on third party numbers for private clients. This is illegal and violates the communications law. Only law enforcement agencies have access to such functions if there is an appropriate court decision within the SORM system.
Is it true that wiretapping can be determined by the sound of clicks?
In modern digital networks (3G, 4G, LTE) this myth does not work. Clicks, crackles, and echoes are most often caused by poor coverage, an overloaded base station, or a faulty phone speaker. Software wiretapping works absolutely silently for interlocutors.
How to find out if someone is reading my SMS remotely?
It is difficult to check, but you can track unauthorized access. If you receive notifications about logging into accounts from unfamiliar devices or see SMS messages sent in your trash that you did not write, this is a sign of compromise. Use two-factor authentication wherever possible.
Will a bug detector work to find wiretapping on your phone?
No, household field (bug) detectors are designed to search for analog radio transmitters hidden in furniture or walls. They will not be able to detect a software virus inside the smartphone or a digital signal transmitted through the phone’s standard communication module.
What to do if, after removing the virus, the phone still slows down?
Perhaps the virus has damaged system files or there are other background processes on the phone. Try clearing the cache of all applications or performing a full factory reset. If the problem persists, it may be a physical malfunction of the battery or memory.