I keep getting a pop up on my iPad from a site called log audit.icu that wants to check for a virus and to click on it. Happens when I’m reading a story on Facebook for example. I have to exit Facebook to get it off the screen. What to do? I’ve tried to post this 3 times and maybe this one will go through.
iPhone 11, iOS 17
Scam.
See >>> Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support
Do not, under any circumstances, interact with the pop-up - or attempt to contact anyone using the contact details that may have been provided within the message itself. Just close the associated window.
Most scam alerts are designed to scare the unwary into giving away sensitive information - or to fool you into doing something that you shouldn’t - usually to defraud you financially.
There are no Antivirus Products available for iOS/iPadOS. Those that claim to provide AV protection are little more than “snake oil” - and should generally be avoided. Many are simply a vector to install software that will actually try to cause harm to your data, or perpetuate the scam.
Providing that your iPad has been kept up-to-date with system software updates, you should not be overly concerned for your iPad being directly compromised by malware. 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 vulnerable. For older devices, no longer benefiting from regular security updates, the risk of an unpatched vulnerability being exploited increases. Regardless of the installed version of iPadOS, there are useful mitigations that can be used to significantly reduce your exposure to risk.
Threat Mitigation
The majority of threats to which you will be invariably exposed will surface via web pages or embedded links within email or other messaging platforms. Browser-based attacks can be largely and successfully mitigated by installing a good Content and Ad-blocking product. One of the 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, often utilised by so-called AntiVirus products intended for iOS/iPadOS. Instead, all processing by 1Blocker 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 is blocked from download. The 1Blocker product has also recently introduced its new “Firewall” functions - that are explicitly designed to block “trackers”. Being implemented at the network-layer, this additional protection works across all Apps. Recent updates to 1Blocker has introduced additional network extensions, extending protection to other Apps.
A further to improve protection from exploits is to use a security focussed DNS Service in preference to automatic DNS settings. This can either be set on a per-device basis in Settings, or can be set-up on your home Router - and in so doing extends the benefit of this specific protection to other devices on your local network. I suggest using one of the following DNS 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
2620:119:35::35
2620:119:53::53
Cloudflare
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, or other reputable Content Blocker, provides defence in depth.
Scam.
See >>> Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support
Do not, under any circumstances, interact with the pop-up - or attempt to contact anyone using the contact details that may have been provided within the message itself. Just close the associated window.
Most scam alerts are designed to scare the unwary into giving away sensitive information - or to fool you into doing something that you shouldn’t - usually to defraud you financially.
There are no Antivirus Products available for iOS/iPadOS. Those that claim to provide AV protection are little more than “snake oil” - and should generally be avoided. Many are simply a vector to install software that will actually try to cause harm to your data, or perpetuate the scam.
Providing that your iPad has been kept up-to-date with system software updates, you should not be overly concerned for your iPad being directly compromised by malware. 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 vulnerable. For older devices, no longer benefiting from regular security updates, the risk of an unpatched vulnerability being exploited increases. Regardless of the installed version of iPadOS, there are useful mitigations that can be used to significantly reduce your exposure to risk.
Threat Mitigation
The majority of threats to which you will be invariably exposed will surface via web pages or embedded links within email or other messaging platforms. Browser-based attacks can be largely and successfully mitigated by installing a good Content and Ad-blocking product. One of the 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, often utilised by so-called AntiVirus products intended for iOS/iPadOS. Instead, all processing by 1Blocker 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 is blocked from download. The 1Blocker product has also recently introduced its new “Firewall” functions - that are explicitly designed to block “trackers”. Being implemented at the network-layer, this additional protection works across all Apps. Recent updates to 1Blocker has introduced additional network extensions, extending protection to other Apps.
A further to improve protection from exploits is to use a security focussed DNS Service in preference to automatic DNS settings. This can either be set on a per-device basis in Settings, or can be set-up on your home Router - and in so doing extends the benefit of this specific protection to other devices on your local network. I suggest using one of the following DNS 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
2620:119:35::35
2620:119:53::53
Cloudflare
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, or other reputable Content Blocker, provides defence in depth.
If Facebook allows that on their site, then that should make you question if you want to have an account with them.
Good point. Smiling
Pop up from log audit.icu
