Our smartphone is a device capable of knowing where we are thanks to GPS technology, this is of great use in many situations, but it can also be a threat to your security if malicious people use it. Numerous apps allow you to share your location in real time, and many how-to articles provide info on the "how to track someone's location without them knowing" topic. So there's no wonder someone may try to track your device without your permission.

Below we will try to figure out what signs usually stay unnoticed but may prove someone is monitoring your phone location, and what you can do about it.

How to know if someone is tracking your iPhone (News - Alert)

When you install and use an application on your iPhone, you can request access to the real-time location of the application.

By going to Settings > Privacy > Location, you will see a list of applications that can access the iPhone's location.

An arrow next to the app's name in that list means it has recently accessed the iPhone's location.

Typically applications request authorization from the user to access the location, but someone can activate this function without the smartphone owner realizing it.

How to know if you are sharing your location on Google (News - Alert) Maps

Google Maps allows you to share your real-time location with another contact or Gmail user. Enter Google Maps, click on your profile and Share location; that's how you start sharing your location in real time.

By entering the Share location tab in Google Maps, you will see all the contacts you are sharing your location with. So if there is someone you don't know or don't want to access your location, you need to click on Stop sharing location. Problem solved.

How to know if you are sharing your location on WhatsApp

Using WhatsApp, you can share your location for quite an extended period. And since this feature is relatively new, you may not know how to avoid it.

To disable this feature, do the following:

• Enter WhatsApp, and tap on Settings at the bottom of the screen.
• Now you have to go to your Account and then Privacy.
• There is a section called Real-time location; if you share it with other users, you will see a complete list of those people.
• You can disable that feature or choose the users you want to share your location with.

How to get rid of spyware on your phone

If you suspect someone is tracking your phone, there is something you can do to protect yourself:

• Reset your device - If you want to be 100% sure your smartphone is safe, you can back up all the data on your device and reset it. This will delete all apps and data on your smartphone, so it's essential to back up any documents you don't want to lose.
• Avoid rooting or downloading unofficial apps - While there's a chance someone who has physical access to your phone may try to monitor it, they may do it via a particular app that you are using.
• Try to find the spy app manually - If you suspect a spy app on your phone, check all the apps installed on the device from Settings. Look for apps that you don't recognize or that have suspicious permissions.
• Change your Google account password - If someone has access to your Google account, they can access all the data on your device. Change your password to protect your account.
• Keep your phone updated - Software updates provide security fixes and can help protect your device against potential threats.

About the author: John Smith has been a technology expert for over a decade. He has written over 100 articles and is constantly learning about new software launches and mobile security.