Is My Father Invading My Privacy? A Disturbing Discovery

Recently, I stumbled upon a perplexing and rather unsettling incident that has left me questioning the security of my personal devices. Even though I consider myself somewhat tech-inept, I felt it was crucial to share my experience in hopes that others can learn from it or possibly advise me on the matter.

I reside approximately 40 minutes away from my parents, and during a recent visit, my mother expressed concern about my father’s unusual interest in her personal matters. Today, while I was at their home, she discovered a strange USB drive that caught our attention—one that has a button and a switch on one side. Out of curiosity, I connected it to my laptop, only to uncover something deeply alarming.

To my shock, I came across several recordings. They included conversations my mother had, discussions I shared with my sister earlier that very day, and even a phone call I had with my boyfriend while I was downstairs shortly before plugging in the USB.

To clarify, both my mother and I have never given my father permission to access our devices—myself with a Galaxy Note 9 and my mother with a newer iPhone. Naturally, this raises significant concerns about how he could possibly manage such a breach of privacy when I’m at my own home.

I’m hesitant to confront him directly, as this issue involves a complicated dynamic between him and my mother. Meanwhile, if my phone is indeed compromised, I’m eager to understand how I can counteract any potential invasion of my privacy.

I didn’t anticipate the overwhelming response to this post when I initially shared it. I’m in the process of going through all the suggestions and advice offered, and I appreciate the kindness and insights that have come my way. If you have any additional tips or strategies for securing devices against unauthorized access, please don’t hesitate to share. Your expertise could help someone else who finds themselves in a similar situation!