Does Genius Wave scam attack iPad

Hokma wrote:

Cute; a simple no would have been adequate..or better yet, a discussion of whether a scam can hijack your iPad browser or upload malware or suspicious apps should you happen to have clicked where you shouldn’t.

You received a straight answer to your question. You didn't ask for a debate or discussion.

However, assuming that you would now like something actionable...

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.

If you have given your personal details to a malicious website, this may be the cause of attempted fraud. If necessary, change account passwords (including your AppleID Password) if you suspect that they may have been compromised. If you have cause to believe that your AppleID has been compromised, follow the advice outlined here:

If you think your Apple ID has been compromised - Apple Support

If you have exposed your Credit Card details, you may wish to contact the Card Issuer - who may cancel and reissue your Card as a precaution.

Threat Mitigation

Other than malicious websites that will attempt to capture information that you willingly enter, 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

Security focused DNS providers intentionally "sink hole" known bad or malicious websites and resources - this providing an additional layer of protection beyond that provided by your device and its Operating System. These DNS services will, when used alongside 1Blocker or other reputable Content Blocker, provide defence in depth.

There are advanced techniques to further “harden” iOS/iPadOS (such as using DoH, DoT and DNSSEC). Apple has introduced its new Private Relay to its iCloud+ subscribers - in part employing ODoH (a variant of DoH) as an element of this new functionality. If you have subscribed to iCloud+, and have a device capable of running iOS/iPadOS 15.x or later, this feature is included. 

Hokma wrote:

…or better yet, a discussion of whether a scam can hijack your iPad browser or upload malware or suspicious apps should you happen to have clicked where you shouldn’t.

That basically doesn’t happen. Not outside of cases where an immensely well-funded adversary decides to make your day worse.

Here is what usually happens with scams and sketchy advertisements: Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

A description of “Genius Wave” is hilarious, though: “Elon Musk endorsing a secret brain boosting technology that can enhance your IQ”. 🤪

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.

Scams are not malware - and cannot "infect" anything other than the mind of the victim that falls for the scam...

Hokma wrote:

Cute; a simple no would have been adequate..or better yet, a discussion of whether a scam can hijack your iPad browser or upload malware or suspicious apps should you happen to have clicked where you shouldn’t.

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!