Is possible to get a virus from downloading video directly from Reddit

Since the OP posted in the iPhone forum and has a tagline of an iPhone 14 Pro Max:

• No "codecs" can be downloaded.
• No .exe or .bat files can run on an iPhone.
• Zip files can be downloaded and will be unzipped in the Files app. No executables can run from the zip file.
• Malware must contain an executable that will not run on an iPhone. There is no location in the System files where Malware can be installed.
• The only way an executable file or app can be downloaded from a site is when a Developer Certificate is installed on the phone where you are met with a warning on your phone that your security is at risk if you continue. This has been addressed in the previous post.
• Phishing/scams are the only real risk where those would result in your accounts being compromised, not your device. That is done by the user inadvertently giving information to a scammer, not through a download.

no, in most cases, downloading a video directly from Reddit is safe, especially if the video is hosted by Reddit itself (you’ll usually see links like v.redd.it). These are just regular video files like .mp4, and they don’t carry viruses on their own.

The only time you really need to be careful is if the video takes you to another site to download, especially ones filled with ads or that ask you to click a weird button or download some kind of player or "codec" — that’s where you could get tricked into downloading malware.

Just don’t download anything with a strange file extension (like .exe, .bat, or .zip when you’re expecting a video), and avoid sketchy third-party downloader sites. If it’s just the video from Reddit itself, you’re good.

No, you did not download a virus from a video on Reddit. What you will want to be concerned about on Reddit are fake links to sites that are actually phishing sites that look like legitimate sites and attempt to get your User Name/Password to compromise your accounts. And also never install a Developer Certificate that would allow you to install apps without using the App Store. Your device will warn you that you are reducing your security if you attempt to do that, but some don't take that warning seriously.

• Remember they are just anonymous users who post things and not actually your friends.
• Just because someone says something does not make it true.
• Algorithms dictate which type of posts you are more likely to see, so just realize you are being steered in a certain direction.

I know these are all basic things, but some seem to forget.