Security applications
I saw a convincing advertisement about a security application called TotalAV,
my question is this a good application?
and do I need this type of additional security?
Question marked as
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.
Be wary of the myth that Apple devices are immune to malware; consider that if the myth (and over-generalisation) were true, Apple would not expend considerable resources in developing and issuing regular security updates and patches for their products - of which we do see regular security updates in response to emerging and established threats, vulnerabilities and exploits.
While your iPad is unlikely to be directly infected by malware, it is still possible to easily download an “infected” file to the iPad - which if transferred elsewhere still has the capacity to infect other computer systems with malware.
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 generally be avoided due to their limited efficacy.
Should you wish to add a degree of useful protection to your iPad, whilst acknowledging that there are no bona-fide anti-virus products for iOS/iPadOS, there are a small number of Apps which do add useful defences. Browser and network-based attacks can largely be mitigated by installing a good Content and Ad-blocking product. One of the very best and most respected within the Apple App Store - designed for iPad, iPhone and Mac - is 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. 1Blocker has also recently introduced new “Firewall” functions - that are explicitly designed to block “trackers”. Being implemented at the network-layer, this additional protection works across all Apps.
A further measure to improve protection is to use security focussed DNS Service in preference to automatic DNS settings. This can either be set-up on a per-device basis in device Settings, or can be configured on your home Router where all your devices can benefit from this protection. Use of secure DNS services will help to shield you from “known bad” websites and URLs - and when used alongside 1Blocker, or other Content Blocker provides defense in depth.
There are advanced techniques to further “harden” iOS/iPadOS - such providing encryption of cleartext network protocols, such as using DoH, DoT and DNSSEC. These are more advanced techniques, but some installable Apps can add this protection by way of network extensions.
If you’d like more details of these protections, more detail can be provided. A free (and easy to set-up) network extension App that provides simple addition of DoH and DoT protection is DNS Secure:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/dnsecure/id1533413232
In summary, Apps that claim to provide AV (Anti Virus) capabilities are of limited (if any) value. At best they are not clear in the level of protection that they can (and importantly can not) provide. There are security Apps and techniques for iOS/iPadOS that provide useful utility and protection - which combined with specific DNS services can mitigate significant threats to which you are otherwise exposed.
