Will ipad ever allow true firewall security?

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Level 1

4 points

Will ipad ever allow true firewall security?

Everything I have has firewalls. Even android. By default EVERYTHING is blocked. Tons of apps installed by the user, or in the system, connect and send and retrieve who knows what..

Why no egress filtering?

Why the heck is there NO FIREWALL on ipad?

Why is there NO FIREWALL in the apple store?

I dont mean a fake ad blocking firewall, I mean a true BLOCK ALL OUTGOING/INCOMING connections firewall for each app and service. Plenty of things use the term firewall, but are just basic vpn loops to capture known ad servers.

Theres no need for hundreds of secret background and phantom connections without the users knowledge! Just because I installed an app doesnt mean I want it to have free reign whenever the wifi goes on.

Am I missing some hidden option?

iPad Pro, iPadOS 15

Posted on Dec 11, 2021 4:12 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 11, 2021 4:43 PM in response to sketch16

iOS and iPadOS already block a large number of ports, and apps are sandboxed. The iOS security model is designed such that an additional firewall is not needed -> Apple Platform Security - Apple Support

And no third party firewall could do anything as it, like all apps, would be sandboxed and unable to interfere with the operations of the operating system itself or any other third party apps. Just like antivirus scanners are useless with iOS or iPadOS since they cannot scan anything but their own app silo.

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Answer 2

Dec 11, 2021 4:32 PM in response to sketch16

Because its unnecessary.

An iPad like an iPhone is already restricted in what types of data apps can send and receive. Apple limits that through the App Store requirements. If an app is found to be leaking data they did not disclose there were sending, then it is simply not accepted in the store at all.

Apple’s review process is strict enough, that unlike other OSes, such things are unnecessary.

There are no secret or phantom connections. All connections need to be disclosed and have a purpose within the App’s usage and function.

If are that concerned, then you should have an actual hardware firewall on your network that can stop any connections you do not allow before they exit your own network.

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Answer 3

sketch16 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 11, 2021 5:02 PM in response to Michael Black

Challenge is to make all connections in and out visible! In real time, for approval if the person wants! I get the sand boxing idea but the connections are still the thing.

With 10-30 apps installed you know theres a ton of connections. The permissions havent stopped those. Ideally an app installed needs no connection ever. Until sync for backups or processing. If the app wants a constant store, it should be shown as a constant store by constantly asking for permissions to try to sell to you again. If its a spammy store youd get spammed with permissions and that makes sense.

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Answer 4

sketch16 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 11, 2021 4:50 PM in response to Phil0124

A universal status bar with connection notifications.

You load the app, it connects once and syncs maybe.
You could save and it syncs.

2 connections needed.

2 words in a status bar.

safe and uncluttered and clear and obvious and logical

if i dont use an app it doesnt need a internet connection. if it dont save or request an update.

if im not told a connection is made, and for what, its a phantom thing mystery to me.

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Answer 5

Dec 11, 2021 5:01 PM in response to sketch16

The App will not make a connection unless you are using it or have allowed background refresh for it and if it actually requires it. Not all apps require Background App Refresh, so would make no connections when not being used.

There no phantom connections. It connects when you use it for the things you use it for.

You can turn off background refresh if you don’t want an App doing anything unless its open. Settings->General->Background App Refresh.

As I said a Firewall is entirely unnecessary on an iPad and apps cannot do things behind your back.

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Will ipad ever allow true firewall security?

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