One of the major outcomes of the Snowden revelations is that many of us are now thinking twice about what we say and do on our phones and online. Social media, blogs, emails, and phone calls have all been subject to surveillance by the NSA and GCHQ over last few years, and now many people are worried about the security of their devices. To give you peace of mind about your mobile or landline telephone, here’s a list of four surefire signs that your phone has been bugged.

1. Slow to turn off

If your phone is slow to turn off or shutdown, then this is a sign that it could be bugged. When your device shuts down, the bug inside will usually shut down too, but will take considerably longer to do so. This can mean that your phone takes longer to shut down than normal, or that after shut down the back light remains on. Other similar signs are it being slow to start up, awake from sleep mode, or go into the lock screen.

2. Background noise on calls

Any kind of background noise on telephone calls, including clicks, white noise, or static, are telltale signs that your phone is bugged and could be subject to surveillance. Also look out for echoes on the line, noise from other phone calls, or generally unusual sounds. These noises are usually being made by the person or the equipment listening in to your calls. If you do hear any of these noises, and are experiencing the other issues in this list, then it’s likely you’re bugged.

3. Low battery, high temperature

Bugging and surveillance uses a lot of battery life, and makes your device work harder than usual - so high temperatures and low battery life are also signs of bugging or surveillance. 

4. High data usage

A higher amount of data usage than usual is another sign of possible surveillance. When a person bugs your phone, they get access to all of it, and are even able to use your apps and internet services. Therefore if you are seeing more data or internet usage than usual, then this could be a sign that someone else is accessing your phone, and using it remotely.