Does an iPhone Need Antivirus Software?

If you're one of the countless Apple iPhoneowners out there, there's a good chance that one of the reasons you love your smartphone is because you've heard that Apple devicestend to have fewer vulnerabilitiesto viruses.

Because of their shared operating system, iOS devicesenjoy Apple's security measures, which keeps them protected from malwareand viruses differently from most Android devices.

This is great, right? Certainly! But it's also important to remember that nothing digital or internet-related is ever foolproof, and while it's rare, even iOS operating systemscanbe affected by malicious software.

The great news is that protecting yourself from iPhone virusesand hackersisn't hard. Read on to learn more.

Can iPhonesget viruses?

Although Applehas designed its iOSsystem to be pretty untouchable, it's still possible to get a virus on your iPhone.

The biggest way this can happen is through something called "jailbreaking," which is when you bypass the restrictions on the Appleoperating system. You might do this to gain more control over your device, downloading any apps or programs from anywhere on the internet. It basically lets you do whatever you want with your iPhone.

A major reason that mobile securityis so seamless with Apple's iOSis that - unlike Androidand MicrosoftWindowsproducts - Apple devicesare designed to work only inside set parameters that "talk" exclusively to other approved Appleapps or devices.

This is all controlled by Appleencryption, making your iPhone securityrather impervious to malicious apps. You might also notice that there are no antivirus appsin the App Store, which isn't a coincidence!

But when you jailbreakan iPhone, this means you've opened the iOSto a wider range of apps, features, and themes - none of which are approved by Apple!

So, you won't benefit from the virus protectionthat comes from having a closed system, meaning you can expose your iPhoneto adware, scams, and other internet securityissues that Applepermissionsblocked.

Potential threats to your iPhone

So, you've jailbroken your iPhoneand are out of Apple's famously closed sandbox. While it's not an ideal situation, it's not the end of the world. You may need antivirus protection now. This is especially true if you frequently use public Wi-Fi.

Here are a few potential threats that a jailbroken iPhonemight face:

• Phishing:Unfortunately, malicious websitesdon't come with a fraudulent website warning. Phishinghappens when a cybercriminal sends a fraudulent message aimed at getting you to reveal important data like your personal or financial information. If your iPhoneis successfully phished, private data on the iCloudand your device can be compromised.
• Ransomware:Unsecured Wi-Fi networkscan expose connected devices to ransomware. This type of malwarethreatens users with permanently blocked access to their devices unless they pay a certain amount of money. Some ransomwareprograms will even try to coerce money from users by warning that private information will be published if they don't pay a ransom.
• Malware:The reason so many different security appsand antivirus programsexist is that malwareis everywhere. It also comes in many forms! Malwareis a general term used to describe any software program intended to gain unauthorized access to a computer system or device. Malwarecan disrupt or disable a device, network, or specific user. It can also actively leak private information and create privacy concerns.

5 signs your iPhonehas a virus

If you're worried about the Wi-Fiyou used at a coffee shop last week and are searching for the "best antivirusprotection for Apple," don't curse that java-inspired Safarisurf just yet.

There are a few telltale signs that your iPhoneor another Apple devicehas been infected with a virus. They include:

• Overheating:Being out in the extreme sun or having an old battery can be culprits for overheating. But if you're repetitively seeing that feverish red thermometer on your screen, your iPhonecould be letting you know it's infected with malicious software.
• Unexplained data usage:If you don't have an unlimited phone plan, you probably keep a pretty close eye on data usage. So, if you see big increases in usage that don't match your activity, this could be a sign that your iPhonemay have a virus.
• Pop-ups:Sometimes, there's no escaping those pesky "look at me" boxes that pop up when you're online. But seeing many pop-ups can indicate that your Apple deviceis harboring unwanted guests. You can minimize pop-ups by using a virtual private networklike McAfeeSecure VPN.
• Suspicious apps:Make a habit of scrolling through your list of apps from time to time. This could be a red flag if you see anything that you don't remember downloading yourself or that didn't come with your iPhone.
• Quick battery drainage:If your iPhoneis older or has many big apps, your battery will typically drain faster. But it could also mean an unwanted and unseen program is running in the background.

How you can protect your iPhone

The first and best way to protect your Apple devicefrom cybersecurityconcernsis to avoid jailbreakingit. While an iPhonemight be limited in what apps and themes you can enjoy, its built-in security featuresreally can't be beaten.

Here are some other ways you can keep your iPhonesafe from malwareand viruses:

• Keep software updated. Each new version of AppleiOShas patches for security holes discovered by Apple's internal hackers. Be sure to keep your iPhonesoftware up to date to make sure you're enjoying the latest security features. You can even set up automatic software updates to make things easier.
• Set up USB restricted mode.Protect your data from "juice jacking," which is when someone steals your data through your phone's USB port as it's plugged into a public charger. Head to "Settings" and then to "Face ID and Passcode." Enter your passcode and toggle "USB Accessories."
• Use a password manager.A password managerlike McAfeeTrue Keycan lend several additional layers of security to Apple's already highly encrypted operating system. Consider a password managementsystem that can help you create strong passwords and uses biometric security featureslike fingerprint recognition.
• Enable Touch ID.This may seem like an old-school feature compared to facial recognition. But having touch IDenabled can reduce the chances of someone gaining unauthorized access to your iPhonesince it requires your physical presence to open it.
• Use a VPN.If you use public Wi-Fia lot, you risk exposing your personal information. McAfeeSecure VPNuses bank-grade encryption to keep your data protected while you live your life online - no matter where you are.
• Consider antivirus software. Antivirus softwarecan handle many potential vulnerabilitiesby looking out for online threats like hackers. McAfeeantivirus softwareoffers real-time threat protection across multiple devices and can help keep your iPhonefree of data breaches.

Keep your everyday devices secure

In this day and age, we all live on our devices. And while it's great to have the built-in security of Apple's iOS, why settle for just one line of defense?

For complete protection against malicious softwarelike viruses, malware, and more, look to McAfeeTotal Protection. Our all-in-one approach means you're shielded from data breaches, have access to a secure VPN, and can receive up to $1 million in identity theft coverage. The best part is that it works for multiple devices, including Mac OSand iOS.

Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with having McAfeein your corner.

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