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My old iPad is software 10.3.4 because that is as far as it will update. It gets frozen sometimes so I want a malware check. What is available? My favorite Malwarebytes won't go back to my old software.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPad Pro 12.9-inch, 2nd Gen, Wi-Fi, Cell
What causes you to believe that your iPad might be infected with malware?
There are no true anti-malware Apps for iOS/iPadOS. Those that claim such capabilities are nothing more than “snake oil” and should be avoided.
Providing that you have not attempted to jailbreak your device - or have bypassed protections by side-loading third-Apps (if you don’t know what this is, then don’t worry about it), then it is highly unlikely that your device will have been infected with a virus or other malware.
Most alerts that you see are pop-up messages from websites - these being designed to scare the unwary into giving away sensitive information - or to fool you into doing something that you shouldn’t.
Due to the system architecture of iOS/iPadOS, unless jailbroken, 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 at risk. Immunity from malware is a myth perpetuated by those with little understanding of the threat.
Browser-based attacks can largely be mitigated by installing a good, trusted, Content and Ad-blocking product. One of the very best and most respected within the Apple App Store - designed for older versions of iOS on iPad and iPhone - is 1Blocker Legacy:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/legacy/id1025729002
More recent versions of iOS/iPadOS can instead use 1Blocker for Safari:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/1blocker-for-safari/id1365531024
1Blocker is highly configurable - and crucially 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.
When using a good quality Content blocker, a high proportion of otherwise inescapable risk when using your Safari browser, or linking to external sources from email, is effectively mitigated before it even reaches you. It should be understood, however that Content Blockers are not virus/malware scanners; instead they block malicious content from being accesssed.
There are additional protections that can enhance protection further, such as using one of the better Recursive DNS Services 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 recommend using one of the following services, for which IPv4 ad IPv6 server address are included here:
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 reassurance and guidance proves to be helpful in resolving any issues with suspected malware issues.
What causes you to believe that your iPad might be infected with malware?
There are no true anti-malware Apps for iOS/iPadOS. Those that claim such capabilities are nothing more than “snake oil” and should be avoided.
Providing that you have not attempted to jailbreak your device - or have bypassed protections by side-loading third-Apps (if you don’t know what this is, then don’t worry about it), then it is highly unlikely that your device will have been infected with a virus or other malware.
Most alerts that you see are pop-up messages from websites - these being designed to scare the unwary into giving away sensitive information - or to fool you into doing something that you shouldn’t.
Due to the system architecture of iOS/iPadOS, unless jailbroken, 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 at risk. Immunity from malware is a myth perpetuated by those with little understanding of the threat.
Browser-based attacks can largely be mitigated by installing a good, trusted, Content and Ad-blocking product. One of the very best and most respected within the Apple App Store - designed for older versions of iOS on iPad and iPhone - is 1Blocker Legacy:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/legacy/id1025729002
More recent versions of iOS/iPadOS can instead use 1Blocker for Safari:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/1blocker-for-safari/id1365531024
1Blocker is highly configurable - and crucially 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.
When using a good quality Content blocker, a high proportion of otherwise inescapable risk when using your Safari browser, or linking to external sources from email, is effectively mitigated before it even reaches you. It should be understood, however that Content Blockers are not virus/malware scanners; instead they block malicious content from being accesssed.
There are additional protections that can enhance protection further, such as using one of the better Recursive DNS Services 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 recommend using one of the following services, for which IPv4 ad IPv6 server address are included here:
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 reassurance and guidance proves to be helpful in resolving any issues with suspected malware issues.
The 1Blocker Legacy won't load either. My pad must be really old. My ipad has not been jail broken and I have removed most of the programs that auto update but still freezes periodically. I suspect an add tries to load or a process tries to run but can't. Most of the time it is a good reader or news catcher.
Model ME4077LL/A. 100.24 Gig available, version 10.3.4. So maybe I just live with a pad that goes catatonic when some web pages load. It still works Kindle and iBooks.
1BLocker Legacy requires iOS9 or later.
Old iPad gets frozen sometimes so I want a malware check
