iOS devices like iPhones and iPads are generally considered more secure than their Android counterparts when it comes to malware infections. However, iOS devices are not completely immune to malware. In this article, we’ll explore whether iOS can get malware and viruses, the risks, and how to keep your device secure.
Can iPhones and iPads get a virus?
Yes, iOS devices like iPhones and iPads can get infected by malware, but it is less common than on Android. Apple’s “walled garden” approach means all apps are vetted through their App Store review process before being published. This makes it much harder for malware to get installed. However, there have been some cases of malware sneaking through the review processes or being distributed through third-party app stores.
What are the risks of iOS malware?
The risks posed by iOS malware are similar to other platforms:
- Stealing personal data like photos, messages, and passwords
- Spying through the camera and microphone
- Holding devices ransom by locking the screen
- Using devices in botnets to carry out DDoS attacks
- Stealing banking and financial login credentials
- Running up expensive bills through premium calling and SMS
That said, due to Apple’s tight control over app distribution, iOS malware infections are far less common than on Android. Statista data indicates less than 1% of iOS devices contain malware vs over 10% for Android.
How can malware get on my iPhone?
There are a few ways malware can find its way onto an iPhone or iPad:
- Third-party app stores – Installing apps from outside the official App Store increases risk.
- Phishing links – Tapping links to malicious sites can trigger drive-by downloads.
- Public WiFi networks – Unsecured networks can expose you to man-in-the-middle attacks.
- Jailbreaking – This removes iOS protections, increasing vulnerability.
- Outdated software – Failing to update to the newest iOS leaves you open to fixed flaws.
- Physical access – Someone with physical device access can potentially install malware.
However, avoiding these risks is generally enough to keep your iOS device malware-free.
Has Apple ever had malware on the App Store?
There have been a few instances of malware sneaking through Apple’s App Store review processes:
- XcodeGhost – In 2015, hundreds of apps were infected via tampered developer tools.
- Zmapp – Games infected with adware and spyware made it into the App Store in 2019.
- ShiningFlare – More adware and spyware was found in photo editing apps in 2020.
- Jekyll – This account hijacker infected dozens of apps in 2013.
However, Apple quickly removes any malicious apps once detected. The number of affected apps is typically small vs the almost 2 million apps in the App Store.
Can you get a virus from Safari or other browsers?
iOS browsers like Safari can be infected by viruses and malware through:
- Malicious browser extensions
- Phishing sites designed to trick users into installing malware
- Exploit kits searching for unpatched browser or system vulnerabilities
However, browser-based attacks are less common on iOS than desktop operating systems due to Apple’s security protections. Key measures include:
- Extensive app sandboxing to prevent malware escape
- Mandatory app code signing and entitlements
- Data execution prevention to block code injection attacks
- Address space layout randomization to make malware operation harder
So while possible, browser-based malware attacks on iOS are challenging to pull off.
Can iPhone malware lock your phone?
Yes, some iOS malware strains attempt device lockout and ransomware capabilities, such as:
- Lockdroid – Displays pornographic ads until a ransom is paid.
- Popcorn Time – Free movie streaming app that locks devices.
- Jekyll – Could change passwords and remotely lock devices.
However, Apple has adopted several safeguards against lockscreen malware:
- Mandatory user passcode makes lockout harder.
- New unsigned code cannot run on non-jailbroken devices.
- Mandatory code signing means malware can’t hide itself.
- iPhones can be force restarted to break any lockouts.
So while lockscreen attacks are theoretically possible, iOS offers strong protections vs Android.
Can iPhones get spyware?
Spyware that covertly monitors and extracts data is a threat on any device platform. iOS spyware examples include:
- Pegasus – Developed by NSO Group, this is used to target journalists and activists.
- Skygofree – Sophisticated Italian state-sponsored surveillanceware.
- XcodeGhost – Could secretly upload device pictures and info.
iOS does have extensive technical safeguards against spyware. However, some spyware still manages to exploit zero-day vulnerabilities before Apple issues fixes.
What’s the most dangerous iOS malware?
Some of the most dangerous known iOS malware includes:
- Pegasus – Powerful spyware used to target dissidents and journalists.
- XcodeGhost – Infected thousands of apps and collected private data.
- KeyRaider – Stole over 225,000 Apple IDs from jailbroken devices.
- YiSpecter – First malware to abuse Apple’s developer certificate for evil.
- AceDeceiver – Broke into App Store DRM protections to spread itself.
However, Apple responded quickly to patch vulnerabilities used by these malware strains. Overall, the iOS threat level remains lower than for other mobile platforms.
How can I tell if my iPhone has a virus?
Signs your iPhone may be infected by malware include:
- Unexpected ads popping up
- Apps crashing frequently
- Higher than expected data usage
- Device overheating
- Reduced battery life
- Sluggish performance
- Unknown apps installed
You may also notice other suspicious behavior like keyboards activating on their own to record taps. If in doubt, run an antivirus scan.
How to check your iPhone for malware
To check for malware on your iPhone or iPad, you can:
- Use antivirus apps like Malwarebytes or Bitdefender to scan your device.
- Check for unknown or unusual profiles under Settings > General > Profiles.
- Look for suspicious apps under Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Monitor network traffic in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data.
- Factory reset your device if you believe it’s seriously infected.
Also watch for warnings from Apple about malware-infected apps that need to be removed.
Can antivirus software detect iPhone viruses?
Antivirus apps for iOS can detect and remove many malware strains. However, Apple restricts the antivirus tools available on the App Store to ensure they don’t impact performance or privacy. As a result, iOS antivirus apps have the following limitations:
- They can only scan apps in isolation, not the full system.
- They have limited view of other processes running on your device.
- They are mostly focused on anti-phishing protections.
So while they offer another layer of defense, they don’t provide the full protection of desktop antivirus equivalents.
Does resetting your iPhone remove viruses?
Yes, performing a factory reset on your iPhone will wipe it clean and remove any malware present. To reset your iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
- Confirm the reset when asked.
This will wipe your device back to factory settings. You can then restore apps and data from an iTunes or iCloud backup.
Can iPhones get computer viruses?
No, due to architectural differences, traditional Windows, macOS, Linux, etc. computer viruses won’t run on iOS. However, iOS isn’t immune to all threats:
- Specially crafted iOS malware could still infect iPhones.
- Browser-based phishing attacks may target login credentials.
- Unauthorized access can compromise unencrypted local data.
- iOS devices syncing to infected computers could transmit malware indirectly.
So while traditional computer viruses won’t directly infect your iPhone, other attack vectors still exist.
Does Find My iPhone protect against malware?
Find My iPhone doesn’t directly protect against malware, but can help recover devices that are:
- Lost or stolen
- Being held for ransom
- Acting erratically due to malware
Key features that help against malware activity include:
- Remotely locking or wiping devices
- Viewing location history
- Putting device in Lost Mode
- Receiving notifications when offline
So while Find My iPhone doesn’t scan or remove malware, it provides useful tools to counter some malware actions.
Does encrypting my iPhone protect against malware?
Encrypting your iPhone via the passcode or biometrics makes it harder for malware to access your personal data. It prevents malware from:
- Reading your private messages and emails
- Accessing your photos and videos
- Obtaining your stored passwords
- Seeing your health and location information
However, encryption doesn’t prevent malware from installing or running in the first place. So it’s best used alongside other preventative measures.
Should I jailbreak my iPhone to remove malware?
No, jailbreaking your iPhone is not recommended as a way to remove malware, for several reasons:
- The jailbreak process itself can introduce new vulnerabilities.
- Jailbreaking disables Apple’s security protections.
- Malware may be able to persist even after jailbreaking.
- It voids your device warranty and support options.
In most cases, a factory reset is better than jailbreaking for malware removal. Jailbreaking is risky and reduces your defenses against future attacks.
Can I get malware from charging my phone?
It’s very unlikely you could get infected malware from simply charging your iPhone with a public charger. However, there are some risks to consider:
- “Juice jacking” attacks are possible where chargers load malware onto devices.
- Chargers could also copy data from unlocked phones when plugged in.
- Some chargers can “brick” devices via voltage spikes.
So while malware infection just from charging is improbable, it’s smart to take precautions like:
- Using your own charger instead of public ones when possible.
- Keeping your phone locked whenever charging via an unknown charger.
- Installing a firewall app to monitor data transfers.
- Keeping your device up-to-date with the latest OS version.
Can iPhone malware spread to other iPhones?
iOS malware generally can’t spread itself directly to other devices like a traditional computer virus. However, there are some potential infection vectors:
- iCloud syncing could transmit malware to linked devices.
- Infected iOS backups could reinfect devices they’re restored to.
- AirDrop file sharing could share malware-laden apps or documents.
- Text messages with malicious links could trick users into downloading malware.
- Jailbroken iPhones are more vulnerable to self-spreading malware.
Practicing safe file sharing habits, avoiding unknown links, and keeping reliable backups can help prevent malware spread.
Can iPhone malware infect my computer?
An infected iPhone can’t directly transmit iOS malware to your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer due to incompatible architectures.
However, the infection could still spread through:
- Syncing and backups to your computer.
- iOS malware inadvertently downloaded by your computer browser.
- Sharing malicious iOS documents via Airdrop.
- iCloud sync of malicious data like photos.
Practicing caution when syncing and sharing content between devices helps avoid cross-contamination.
Conclusion
To summarize, iOS devices like iPhones and iPads are generally very secure, but not completely immune to malware. A small number of threats have managed to sneak into the App Store or exploit vulnerabilities in iOS. However, infections are still far less common than on Android thanks to Apple’s tight control of apps. As long as users stick to trusted apps, keep devices updated, and avoid risky links, their chance of infection remains negligible. Antivirus apps provide another layer of protection. Overall, the iOS platform offers superior security against malware attacks, though a residual risk will always remain.