Rogue applications are the most common reason phones are hacked, according to Which? Tech Support. Conor Houlihan, a Technical Support Adviser at Which? Tech Support, stated that the majority of hacked phone cases they handle are linked to problematic apps.
These apps can lead to a range of issues, including a bombardment of adverts, the installation of additional unwanted software, and in some instances, making it very difficult for users to regain control of their devices. Examples encountered by the Tech Support team include apps disguised as simple tools like QR code scanners and PDF readers.
Even downloading from official platforms such as the Google Play Store does not guarantee safety, as harmful apps have occasionally managed to bypass their security checks. In more severe cases, a rogue app can replace a phone's launcher or imitate system screens, making it harder to identify and remove.
Most cases observed by the Tech Support team involve Android phones, which allow app installation from outside Google Play. While iPhones have stricter controls on third-party software, users can still encounter scam apps and nuisance browser notifications.