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iPhone virus protection

Does an iPhone need virus protection? Should I believe popups that tell me my phone is compromised? Protection apps are offered. Are they legit?

iPhone 5c, iOS 10

Posted on Mar 19, 2024 9:13 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 19, 2024 9:56 AM

Do not ever trust a pop up to be a legitimate security notification.

Contact Apple support.

To my knowledge there is no antivirus service available that will offer additional security to your iPhone.

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Mar 19, 2024 9:56 AM in response to Moonchild2018

Do not ever trust a pop up to be a legitimate security notification.

Contact Apple support.

To my knowledge there is no antivirus service available that will offer additional security to your iPhone.

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Mar 19, 2024 9:19 AM in response to Moonchild2018

No you don't need it. Malware (including viruses) are applications and on your iPhone may only be installed via the App Store, and Apple makes sure there are none there.


So no, don't believe pop ups telling you your device is compromised. I've no idea if the "protection" apps are legit but I can tell you they are pointless, and frequently sold by means of scary pop-ups. Ignore.


Finally, the once exception to all of this is if you have jailbroken your phone. If you have all bets are off and you're on your own. If do don't know what that means, then you haven't, and no need to worry.

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Mar 19, 2024 9:26 AM in response to Zedairder

Zedairder wrote:

Sideloading can end up in viruses on your iPhone that wasn’t able to happen previously.

There as simply no viruses that can affect an iPhone (unless, possibly, if it hs been jailbroken). There are other kinds of malware that, theoretically, might affect an iPhone.

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Mar 19, 2024 9:29 AM in response to Zedairder

Zedairder wrote:

Apple has also introduced sideloading in the EU as required by the Digital Markets Act (DMA). If you are in the EU and are on the latest version of iOS, I would recommend only downloading from the App Store. Sideloading can end up in viruses on your iPhone that wasn’t able to happen previously.

That’s a good recommendation, but sideloading from approved 3rd party app stores, which have their own security checks, shouldn’t be a problem.

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Mar 19, 2024 9:22 AM in response to Moonchild2018

Apple has also introduced sideloading in the EU as required by the Digital Markets Act (DMA). If you are in the EU and are on the latest version of iOS, I would recommend only downloading from the App Store. Sideloading can end up in viruses on your iPhone that wasn’t able to happen previously.

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iPhone virus protection

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