More users than you think how to tell if you have a virus on your iPhone or iPad. And is that lately some web pages are launching pop-up windows in an attempt to trick the user into downloading an app or signing up for a payment service to protect their device. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about this topic.
The little explanation: there is no virus on your iPhone or iPad
This is the short explanation. Under normal conditions, an iPhone or other iOS device cannot have a virus. By virus is meant:
Software that aims to modify the normal functioning of the computer, without the authorization or knowledge of the user. Viruses usually replace executable files with other files infected with their code. Viruses can intentionally destroy data stored on a computer, although there are also more harmless ones, which only cause inconvenience.
Under normal conditions, an iPhone or iPad cannot be infected with a virus
iOS is the operating system of your iPhone or iPad, from which Apple has strict control and security. Among other security measures, Apple uses the Sandbox to isolate processes and applications, preventing system failures, errors and applications from performing unauthorized actions. iOS also has an App Store as the only way to install apps on your devices, a store that is under Apple’s direct supervision: every app is reviewed before being approved. A point that Epic Games wanted to break into third-party stores, but lost to Apple in a recent lawsuit.
That being said, your iPhone or iPad not free from threats 100% virus. No operating system is completely secure.
The long explanation: iOS is not foolproof
Security measures created by Apple to prevent viruses from entering your iPhone or iPad they are not perfect. iOS may have errors yet to be discovered and without a solution from Apple, but that some hackers they know and know how to use it to their advantage. These errors are not frequent, because Apple constantly searches its systems to find them, to fix them as soon as possible.
A well-known example is the case of Pegasus several years ago. More than an iPhone virus, it was a malware or malicious code that takes advantage of these types of errors to get unauthorized access to certain characteristics and functions of a device, as we said then:
[Pegasus] provides access to cameras, microphones and GPS. But it is also capable of recording the activity of messaging, video conferencing and other communication media chats.
In 2015, a series of iOS vulnerabilities exploited to spy on citizens by the Saudi government were discovered, some errors already corrected by Apple
But you don’t have to worry about this particular bug, because Apple fixed it many years ago with iOS 9.3.5. In the case of apps, there have also been some with dark intentions creeping through the filters and reviews of the App Store. Apple reacted quickly with an iOS security update to limit its negative impact as quickly as possible. Other platforms they are not that easy to fix problems as in the case of iPhone and Apple.
What can I do to avoid viruses on my iPhone
If you are concerned that your iPhone or iPad may be infected with a virus or malware, Here are the recommendations that we can give you:
- Keep your device always updated. IOS updates released by Apple frequently contain bug fixes and security enhancements.
- Avoid doing the jailbreak to your device. The jailbreak It is more and more difficult to do, but it allows you to install apps not authorized by Apple in the App Store or download apps without paying for them. But by doing the jailbreak, you also open the door to other security risks that iOS normally protects you against.
- Always avoid opening suspicious linkswhether you receive them by email, SMS, iMessage or any other means. Messages written with misspellings, in foreign languages, or with strange expressions should sound the alarm bells.
- Another way to compromise your devices used by criminals is to trick yourself into giving them your passwords. Often masquerading as Apple or another supplier you trust. NEVER send your passwords online or to someone who asks you for them over the phone.
- Put it on two-factor authentication to increase the security of your Apple ID and the other services you use. Here we explain how to activate it in your Apple account.
- Set up and use Touch ID or Face ID so no one can access your device. Set a 6-digit lock code instead of 4. Multiple Exploits Security requires physical access to the device.
- Avoid whenever you can log into unprotected Wi-Fi networks for a password. While on vacation, it’s tempting to do this, but you’d expose all of your network traffic to anyone looking at it.
Other options like installing an antivirus application it will only waste your time and money. Those sold in the App Store as an antivirus actually have features already built into your iPhone or iPad, such as protecting photos, backing up, or finding the device if it’s lost.
Horror! I think my iPhone has a virus
The top image is the typical arise that appears on some questionable (or legitimate) web pages with the intention to cheat and pay to “get rid” of viruses that do not exist. Something that is not necessary because the most normal is that your device is not infected. Apple explains how to fix this problem on iOS if it becomes persistent:
If the pop-up window doesn’t close or reappear, you can tap the smart search box and enter a new URL or search term. You can also close the tab directly: press then on this tab.
If your case is different and you think you have a virus on your iPhone, try the following:
- Update your device to the latest version available in Settings> General> Software updates.
- Clear cookies Safari from Settings> Safari> Clear history and website data. This will erase all the user and password data that you entered in the web forms, so you will have to enter them again the next time you visit them.
- Update the apps to their latest version if you notice that your iPhone’s strange behavior occurs when you are in a third-party app. Checking which apps are consuming the most battery can give you a clue, go to Settings> Battery to find out.
- One of the most drastic options is to restore your iPhone and set it up as a new device. That is, when you restore it, don’t install the last backup you made. You will have to configure every aspect of your iPhone manually.
- And what we call thermonuclear is to put the iPhone in DFU mode, to restore it from scratch.
- If you are not sure how to proceed, make an appointment at a Apple Store or Apple Authorized Store.
This is all we can tell you if you are wondering how to tell if your iPhone has a virus. For any questions, you can leave us a comment lower.
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