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Hello. I have an old iPad with iOS 9.3.5. I am aware it cannot be upgrated to iOS 10 or higher. I cannot find any security software (i.e. -- Norton, McAfee, etc.) that is compatible with 9.3.5. Everything I find is only compatible with 10 of higher. Is there any security software that I can use on this old iPad? Don't know if you need it, but the model number is MD528LL/A. Thank you.
iPad mini, iOS 9
There are no Antivirus Products available for iOS/iPadOS. Those that claim to provide AV protection are nothing more than “snake oil” - and should be avoided.
Due to the system architecture of iOS/iPadOS, unless jailbroken (don’t go there!), your iPad is not susceptible to traditional malware infection per-se. However, as with all computer systems, there are still vulnerabilities and exploits to which you remain vulnerable.
Browser-based attacks can largely be mitigated by installing a good, trusted, Content and Ad-blocking product. Given the age of your iPad - and the diminishing availability of compatible App for older devices pre-dating iOS 11/12 - choices are very limited. However, in this case you’re in luck!
One of the very best and most respected within the Apple App Store - designed for iPad/iPhone that remains compatible with iOS 9.x, is 1Blocker Legacy:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/legacy/id1025729002
1Blocker Legacy is highly configurable and effective in blocking browser-based attacks and unwanted content. This blocker App does not rely upon an external proxy-service of dubious provenance. All processing takes place on your device - and contrary to expectations, Safari will run faster and more efficiently.
Unwanted content is not simply filtered after download (a technique used by basic/inferior products), but instead undesirable embedded content blocked form download. A further benefit on metered services, such as cellular connections where you data may be capped or chargeable, this not only improves speed but also saves you money.
A further measure to improve protection, that is independent of iOS version, is to use a trusted Recursive DNS Service in preference to automatic settings. This can either be set on a per-device basis in Settings, or can be set-up on your home Router. I strongly recommend using one of the following services - for which IPv4 and IPv6 server addresses are listed:
Quad9 (recommended)
9.9.9.9
149.112.112.112
2620:fe::fe
2620:fe::9
OpenDNS
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
2620:0:ccc::2
2620:0:ccd::2
Cloudflare+APNIC
1.1.1.1
1.0.0.1
2606:4700:4700::1111
2606:4700:4700::1001
Use of the above DNS services will help to shield you from “known bad” websites and URLs - and when used alongside 1Blocker, provides defense in depth.
I hope this information proves to be helpful.
The current version of 1Blocker for Safari requires iOS13 or later. Legacy, by contrast, still lists compatibility as iOS9 or later.
Regrettably, during the current madness, I don’t currently have access to a device sufficiently old to verify compatibility of the Legacy version with an iOS9 device. Given the above declared compatibility, I can only speculate as to why you have difficulty downloading.
That said, use of Recursive DNS is platform independent. Any computer can benefit from this mitigation.
iPads are not capable of getting a virus and the people who foist their dungware on unwary users know that. I believe that fits the definition of "fraud."
Unless it is a s cellular version that has been "jailbroken" outside of Apple's intentions and policies to use a another provider, your iPad is bulletproof as far as virus go. Do nothing but use it.
iPads do not need any type of security, antivirus software, however, with that stated.
I would STOP using that nearly 3-year old Safari web browser, as it is, probably, not safe and secure to use any longer, and seek out a third party web browser that is STILL currently being updated and STILL being supported on iOS 9.3.5.
Here are a few third party web browsers that I know are STILL being updated and supported on iOS 9.
Available and more popular third party Web browser choices are dwindling faster, now.
There are still a handful of iOS 9 and earlier supported third party Web browsers.
Most of these have had recent updates, too!
Here’s what’s left.
iCab Mobile Web browser
Aloha Web browser
ALook Web browwer
Dolphin Web browser
DuckDuckGo Private Web browser
Snow Bunny Web browser
Maxthon Web browser
Private Browsing Web browser by Savvy Soda
Private Browser Deluxe
TOR browser anonymous
Turbo VPN browser
TOR + VPN web browser private
Search for these in the iOS App Store app and choose one that has had a fairly recent app update.
Good Luck to You!
Allan -- thanks for the quick response. The situation is that I received an email from
someone who is extorting $$ by claiming that they loaded some type of malware on my
iPad when I visited a certain site. This email is fairly general in nature, yet this person
did "know" one of my passwords. So, whether it is a total scam or not, I thought it
prudent to try to find something that might prevent malware in the future. Thank You.
Update to my last reply. I have managed to lay my hands on an iOS 9.3.5 device to test with Legacy...
Whilst Legacy is compatible with iOS 9.3.5, there appears to a caveat; whilst iOS 9.x 64-bit devices are still supported, 32-bit devices sadly are not. Having spent [only] a few minutes looking, I’ve not found any 32-bit Apps for iOS 9.x.
Sorry, but for your old iPad, this mitigation isn’t now an option. My apologies for introducing a “false hope”. Recursive DNS from one of the suggested sources will, however, provide some protection from internet threats.
Thanks much for the followup. I have kinda, sorta come to the conclusion that
the original "threat" I received was probably not based on any actual violation
of the iPad but rather it could have been based on data from a website that was hacked.
The "threat" was an email, it was not a message on Safari. And the only two
valid bits of info that this person had were (1) my email address and (2) a password.
Everything else contained in the email could have been fabricated just to make me
think that they knew everything about me. But with that said, I have stopped using
Safari and am now going to use a more secure browser...............and I will just make
sure that I don't log into any really important sites on the iPad but rather will
do all my most important work on a secure network computer.
Thanks to all for taking the time to help me.
Thank you. Can Safari be deleted?
No.
Safari cannot be removed.
And that message you got is just a scam message. It can be ignored and you can just quit Safari and simply re-launch it to get rid of the message.
Thank you to all who replied. Very helpful information.
Just tried to load 1Blocker Legacy and received the message -- for both 1Blocker and Legacy versions --
that they are not compatible with my iPad.
security software compatible with ios 9.3.5
