Have you noticed suspicious messages in Contact (VK) sent on your behalf? or has Xiaomi Redmi phone started to slow down after clicking on a questionable link? These are classic signs of hacking. Attackers often attack accounts through vulnerabilities in mobile applications, especially on devices with root access or outdated firmware. In this article, specific steps for the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and other models, including removing malware and restoring control of the account.
The important thing is to act quickly: the longer an attacker has access, the greater the risk of data loss, spam to your friends, or even locking your device, and weβll learn how to turn off sessions, check your phone for viruses, reset security settings, and protect against repeated attacks β with MIUIβs firmware in mind.
Signs of hacking βContactβ on Xiaomi Redmi
The first signal is unusual activity in your account, such as messages in dialogs you haven't sent, or notifications of login from an unknown device. On Xiaomi Redmi, this may be accompanied by:
- π΄ Fast battery discharge β malware runs in the background, consuming resources.
- π± Spontaneous reboots are typical of Trojans masquerading as system processes.
- π Unknown connections to Wi-Fi/mobile Data - check the settings β SIM-maps and mobile networks β Using traffic.
- π€ Disappearance of files β especially photos or screenshots with a confirmation code.
On MIUI 13/14, look at Settings β Applications β Application Management β Rights. If Contact or unknown programs have permission to SMS, Calls or Device Administrator, this is a worrying sign.
Messages from friends about spam|Unknown devices in the history of entrances|The phone started to slow down.|Other-->
Emergency: Disconnecting the attacker
If your account is not blocked, log off from all devices immediately:
- Open the official VK website on your computer or other phone.
- Go to Settings β Security β Activity history.
- Find suspicious sessions (especially from unfamiliar cities or browsers) and click Complete all activities.
On the Xiaomi Redmi itself:
- π Remove the Contact app through Settings β Annexes β Application management β VK β Delete.
- π‘οΈ Turn off autocomplete passwords in Settings β Passwords and security β Auto-filling.
- π± Restart your phone in Safe Mode (click the power button) β long-tail β Safe regime).
β οΈ Note: Do not enter passwords on your phone until you make sure that there are no keyloggers. Use another gadget to change the password in ContactΒ».
Disable all sessions VK|Delete the appendix VK phone-on|Restart Redmi in Safe Mode|Change password from another device-->
Xiaomi Redmi checks for viruses and spyware
Malware on Xiaomi is often disguised as system utilities or updates.
- Built-in MIUI: Settings β Security β Scan Remove all threats found, especially those marked RiskWare or Trojan.
- Third-party antivirus (installed from the official website): Dr.Web Light is a free version without ads. Malwarebytes specializes in spyware.
Please note the applications with administrator rights:
Settings β Passwords and security β Device administratorsRemove any unknown programs from there, they can block the removal of viruses.
| Sign of infection | What do you do? | Tool. |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising on the status line | Remove the Addon Advertiser | MIUI Security Scan |
| Unknown Processes in Task Manager | Complete the process β remove APK | DevCheck (viewing processes) |
| Redirecting to phishing sites | Reset browser settings | Settings β Applications β Browser β Storage β Clear data |
β οΈ Note: On Redmi with an unlocked bootloader, viruses can be fed into the system partition, in which case only a full reset via Fastboot will help.
Recovery of the Contact account after hacking
If the attacker has changed the password or the associated number, act through the confirmation of identity:
- On the VK login page, click Forgot your password? β Restore access.
- Select the confirmation method: π SMS to the old number (unless changed). βοΈ Letter to backup email. π Documents (passport, self-selling) - if the account is tied to real data.
two-factor authentication
On Xiaomi Redmi after restoring access:
- Remove all VK sessions in the web version.
- Revoke the permissions to access the account from suspicious applications (VK Settings β Security β Access Applications).
- Install the official VK app only from Google Play or AppGallery.
π‘
If the attacker has linked his number, write in support of VK via the form vk.com/support with the IMEI of your Redmi (find in *#06#) - this will speed up the verification.
Reset security settings on Xiaomi Redmi
If malware is deeply integrated into the system, perform a partial reset (without data loss):
Settings β About Phone β Resetting β Resetting Network/App SettingsTo completely remove threats:
- Back up your important data (Settings β Additional β Backup and Reset).
- Perform hard reset: Settings β About Phone β Reset β Delete All Data
- After reset, do not restore data from the backup β it may contain a virus!
On the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and newer models with MIUI 14, the option Clean installation in the reset menu is available - it reinstalls the firmware without saving user files.
What if the reset didn't help?
Xiaomi Redmi protection from repeated hacks
After you restore control, set up multi-level protection:
- π Password of the annex: B MIUI can be set up separately PIN for "Contact": Settings β Passwords and security β Application lockdown
- π‘οΈ Limitation of background activity: Settings β Annexes β Application management β VK β Battery β Limit background activity
- π Regular checks: Set up a weekly scan in the MIUI Security.
- π± Firmware Updates: Install the latest version MIUI through settings β Updating the system.
For root-access models (Redmi K50 Gaming, Black Shark):
- Install Magisk with Universal SafetyNet Fix to pass SafetyNet.
- Turn it off. ADB-debugging β For developers, if you donβt use it.
π‘
Even official Google Play apps can contain vulnerabilities. Regularly check the permissions of installed programs through Settings β Privacy β Permission Manager.
Frequent errors of Xiaomi Redmi users after hacking
Many people make things worse by doing the wrong thing.
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | The right decision |
|---|---|---|
| Ignoring notifications of new entries | The hacker gets more time to steal data | Complete all sessions immediately |
| Recovering data from an old backup | The virus is coming back into the system. | Set up your phone as new |
| Use of one password for VK and MI-account | Theft of both accounts | Generate unique passwords via Bitwarden or KeePass |
| Disabling MIUI updates | Exploitation of outdated vulnerabilities | Enable automatic installation of updates |
Especially dangerous on Redmi with custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) - they may not receive security patches. CPU Identifier.