IPads and virus Protecrion

[mr__ed]

I have an iPad Air tablet which is working fine. I've always been curious if iPads are somehow inherently immune to viruses and other types of malware. I don't believe I've seen any anti virus programs designed for iPads. Does the OS have some kind of protection built in?

[BPRescue]

In IT by career here. Apple users liked to brag for years that their devices were superior because they just "don't get viruses", malware or the like. They like to think that iOS was more secure than MS. The reality however is they weren't targeted even close to the same capacity since Microsoft had, and still has an immense presence over iOS. Per the iPhone/iPad, Apple is gaining, which has also garnered the attention of bad people so you do see it today. The good news is Apple does a pretty good job in securing, if not limiting the applications and vulnerabilities of their mobile devices. The bad news is, you can still get malware or viruses that could release private info.

The biggest issue you will have is with the Apps you download. Just look for Apps with MANY reviews. If you see an App that only has 10, then you don't want it. You would be surprised how many apps track your info and report it back. Stay away from the Facebook games, or many free games for that matter and do read the privacy agreements. Also, just like a PC, pay attention to where you browse, what you click/allow, and don't click email links you are unsure of. It's not something you need to be paranoid of, but instead just use a little common sense and you will be fine. Just don't be that guy who has a warrant for his arrest and was amazed at his good fortune in being selected to win a vacation to Hawaii...

Keep your hotspot off unless you are using it at that moment, and ensure your bank apps or the like are not set to logon automatically. To be honest, your biggest concern is losing the device, so just ensure you have a passcode and a good backup. You could setup "find my iPhone", which would prevent someone from using your phone if they stole it/found it. Honestly though, I'm not sure why anyone would care. If it's gone, it's gone for you and having your GPS enabled all the time is more of a risk than someone stealing my phone, wiping it and using it. (They can wipe it even with a passcode, they just can't get to your data).

[ReadyToGo]

You may not get a virus but you do get a lot of security issues which Apple won't talk about until they do an update weeks or months later.
Plus the apps you have to get from ITunes are not as clean as Apple wants you to think. Just do a search on Apple iTunes issues.

[tragusa3]

I don't know what I'm speaking about, but will repeat what I've read on the internet. It is the architecture of the operating system that helps protect Apple products. The OS doesn't do all of the file sharing that other OS do. Therefore, if there is ever a problem, it remains isolated to one location.

I also read that Chromebooks are also fairly immune due to everything being browser based. It stores nothing (very little) locally. I'll have experience in that soon, as I just bought a Chromebook. I was at the Apple store with a $1500 MacBook pro in my hands and couldn't see spending that for a "second" machine. So far, I'm very impressed with the Chromebook, at 1/5th the price.

Again, I have no idea, but those are the responses I've chosen to put weight on.

BTW, I was a frustrated PC owner for decades and bought my 27"Mac for the house 3 years ago. I use it heavily for video editing (as in thousands of hours) and it has never so much as blipped. It does everything I ask it to do, the first time.

What I've learned from making the switch is that there is more to happy computing than hardware specs.

All that, and no response to the OP. 🙂 The only thing I've seen that slows iPads down is built in obsolescence . By that, I mean, Apple updates the IOS/OS in ways that pretty much insures that in 5-6 years you have a device that isn't compatible with much that is current.

[SCVJeff]

IPhone/ iPad iOS and Mac OS are two different birds. I'm not aware of any problems with iOS unless it's been jail breaked as mentioned above, all Apps are vetted through Apple and the Apple Store. As far as Mac OS, there have been a very very few cases I remember. The first one was WDEF that I think was all the way back in the 80's on my original 1984 Mac. I don't remember how I got it nor how I even identified it, and it wasn't destructive but just irritating it was there. I think this was a proof of concept.

I do wish Apple would quit daring/ challenging the code writers by bragging about no virus's. Thats just a challenge to write one.

(Edit: spelling)

[mr__ed]

Well, I guess you folks have satisfied my curiosity. Thanks.
FWIW, I've seen AV products available for Macs.

[wa8yxm]

Apple likes to brag "Our Products Don't Get PC Viruses" which is true, they don't.. BUT.. Well have you ever had an apple with a WORM in it? Kind of nasty right.

Same with Apple IOS products,, they don't get PC viruses but more and more hackers are seeing all those I-Phones and I-pads out there and .. Well "What can we disrupt" And the folks who wrote mal-ware for Apple.. are really kind of nasty.

One of the reasons I have the product I know best, it may be a Poor Computer, but I know how to protect it.

What I'd like to have, alas they stopped making... But man was it a nice machine (No, I won't name it).

[accsys]

I don't believe it has anything to do with Apple's quality and I will admit Apple quality is high. However it has more to do with the virus giving a payoff to the perpetrators. Compared to PCs, there are very few Apple devices so the writers of malware do not write for the Apple products. They get much better results from targeting the greater number of PCs out there. Even though Apple's share has grown to 7.4 percent of the world market, that is not sufficient to waste time targeting them.

[Nicholsfamily05]

Apple builds a lot of protection into their devices software which directs you away from bad websites or mal-ware.
Apple takes its time designing software for instances like that. Why they cost more and last longer than a windows or android operating system cellphone or computer.

Have had Apple for the past 10 years. From iMacs to still iPhones and iPads. Never had an issue where our friends and family run into all types of issues.

I'll continue to pay a little more for their quality

[Toddupton]

Nope but you really don't need any either unless you jailbreak it and install non approved apps. There have been a few issues over the years where you could send a specific text message and shut an iPad down but really that is all I can remember.

[2oldman]

Or smartphones. I just trust they're ok.