Security

Can Your Phone Be Hacked By Your IMEI Number?

Dheeraj Manghnani ,

Mobile phone is a basic necessity today and it is important that we know every aspect of the device that we totally rely upon. From taking calls and receiving messages, banking, ordering food, hiring taxis and much more are all easily manageable on mobiles. There is no limit to what tasks we can perform on these handheld devices, but have you ever wondered about its maintenance?  Every machine, from computers to cars and from our refrigerators to heating units, including ourselves need cleaning and optimization. So, does our phone, and one of the best ways to clean it is by using Smart Phone Cleaner which not only optimizes our device but also frees space by highlighting files which are unnecessary and can be deleted.

Optimize Your Android Device with Smart Phone Cleaner!!

Purchasing the best devices suited to our needs is truly a challenge but there is another aspect which is equally important. And that aspect is security. Many of us may self-discover all the features of WhatsApp, Facebook and other social media apps, but when it comes to security features of our devices, we stand clueless. One such feature of our cellular devices is the IMEI number

What is IMEI Number?

IMEI number is the “International Mobile Station Equipment Identity”. In simplest of terms it is a unique identification number assigned to all mobile devices irrespective of their brand and model. No two cellular devices in the world would have a similar IMEI, something like our fingerprints, vehicle chassis number etc. It consists of random 15 numerical digits.

Also Read: Learn to Deal With Android Phone Not Charging Properly

How Can I see my IMEI Number?

First the IMEI number is printed on a sticker pasted on the box of the device. It resembles a barcode with numbers. Mobile devices with two sim card capacity would have two IMEI numbers.
Note: It is recommended not to discard this sticker and paste it on your warranty bill.

The second IMEI hack would be to type *#06# on your call app, and a box would pop out displaying the required information.

Why is IMEI Useful?

  • A unique identification number helps identify a device and makes it different from all other mobiles across the globe,
  • It is primarily used by the mobile carriers to identify and record the handset in their database.
  • As the IMEI is related to a device and not the sim or account, it can be used to track stolen phones.
  • It can also be used to track phones that are reported lost or damaged to claim insurance.

Also Read: How To Check IMEI Number of iPhone and Android

Why should You Never Share Your IMEI number?

Well, you must never share your IMEI number, as it can be used to block or blacklist your device. If an imposter calls the telecom provider with a report of a stolen phone, then after providing the necessary details for verification and the IMEI number, the mobile device can be blocked, resulting in it being unusable.

So, can you hack a phone with an IMEI number if it’s shared with someone?

How to Hack a Mobile Phone Using an IMEI Number?

If you’ve lost your smartphone, an IMEI number comes in handy to locate your device. Professionals & cybersecurity experts use IMEI Hack software or IMEI Mobile Phone Tracker Tool to easily find the real-time location of suspicious, missing, or stolen devices.

Note: It is not recommended to share your mobile device’s IMEI number with any one and take it to an authorised centre for repairs.

Also Read: Best Secret/Hidden Codes For Android

Common misconceptions about IMEI

  • Using IMEI, a hacker cannot connect to your phone or have even the slightest bit of access to it.
  • No one can get your calls or SMS on another device, Using IMEI.
  • Using IMEI, a person cannot control your phone, or any apps installed.

Though the above-stated points fall under misconceptions, there are other ways to hack mobile phones using IMEI numbers. The most commonly used method is through malware. Malware or malicious software can be disguised as useful software and easily installed by you on your mobile phone. It may then send your data (Name, Credit Card info, Passwords) to the hacker without giving you a hint. It is always recommended to install a powerful mobile security app, that runs a comprehensive scan check for malware, viruses, adware, spyware, and other malicious content that may harm your device and impact overall performance. One of the best anti-malware applications I have been using for a couple of years is Smart Phone Cleaner, which is free to use and comes packed with a wide array of features to clean, optimize, and speed up and protect your device for achieving peak performance.

Here are some of the most significant features offered by Smart Phone Cleaner:

  • Real-time protection from existing and new threats.
  • Powerful malware detection.
  • Schedule malware scanning on a daily/weekly basis.
  • Ability to clean junk files, duplicate data, app caches, and more.
  • Whitelist apps you don’t wish to be scanned.
  • Check what permissions you might be giving to an app.

Make Your Device Malware Proof With Smart Phone Cleaner!

Technically speaking, an IMEI number is hardcoded into the device make it impossible to overwrite it. But there are some tools, but which claim to flash the IMEI number and change it. As these tools are illegal and expensive, they are not available for a quick and easy download and this makes it difficult to determine the truth behind IMEI hacking.

There is another piece of news doing the rounds on the internet about IMEI hack cloning. It so happens that there are certain devices which do not have IMEI number and are of course illegal to use. Hackers might obtain any IMEI number and imprint it on these devices. The mobile carriers would not be able to differentiate between an original or fake IMEI, unless the same IMEI exits in their database which would lead to blocking of both these devices.

FAQ’s

1. How to get someone’s IMEI number?

The easiest way to find an IMEI number is by dialing a code – *#06#. When you type the code, a pop-up showing the IMEI number and other device information will be displayed.

2. How can someone hack a mobile phone via IMEI number?

One possible way to hack a phone with an IMEI number is through ethical hacking. Ethical hackers do it every now & then where they break down the firewall security system of the device to take control of the target device. In addition to that some spy apps are also said to offer mobile hack options using IMEI number.

3. How to check if your IMEI number has been hacked?

If your device starts behaving abnormally, then you can consider it being hacked. One possible way to hack your device is through an IMEI number. Some common symptoms of abnormally behaving devices could be performance issues, battery issues, slow Internet connectivity, hard to work on applications & programs, and more.

4. Can someone hack phone with IMEI number?

IMEI number tracking is done very often by hackers. Yes, it is possible for hackers to track you with your device IMEI number. It is done even in ethical ways where law enforcement agencies track people using their IMEI number with the help of telecom operators. Though, it is done with all necessary approvals.

5. Are IMEI numbers identical?

No, each IMEI number is uniquely assigned to an individual device. It could be used to track your phone’s location, your phone brand, model, capabilities, and more.

6. What can someone do with your IMEI number?

If someone has access to your device IMEI number, then he can track your device location, find out the mobile brand, model, its specifications, and more. Law enforcement agencies and disaster relief agencies use IMEI numbers in case of emergency.

However, till these myths is totally demystified, there is always room for doubt. kindly share your thoughts and comments below. Remember, knowledge turns out to be useful only when it is shared and open for feedback.

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