I think my iPad may have a virus

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Level 1

5 points

I think my iPad may have a virus

I received an email which appeared to be from a friend. It contained a link to a new "web album" and as I was keen to see the supposed photos I clicked on it. As soon as the webpage loaded it was obvious that it wasn't a web album, it was a site ending in .ru and the screen of my iPad flashed (like when you take a screen shot). I immediately closed safari and also went to the task bar and shut it down automatically.

I then turned the screen off and didn't think much of it until later in the day when I went to use my iPad again and it had turned itself completely off despite have over 80% of battery when I put it to sleep. I turned it on and it powered up to the start screen, I slid the bar at the bottom across and was met with a screen telling me to enter a passcode, but it is not the normal Apple passcode box i.e. the numeric keypad, and when I touch the white bar at the bottom of the screen the entire keyboard appears and allows me to enter letters as well as numbers (sorry about the reverse image, I've only had a Macbook pro for a month and it was the first picture I have actually taken with it :-) . anyway, I have never had a passcode on my iPad and I have no idea what to put. i have tried things like my apple password, icloud password etc. but they aren't accepted. Each time I get it wrong, the iPad is disabled for a period of time which steadily increases with each incorrect attempt (I'm up to 1 hour now).

Does anyone know what is wrong and what to do other than what I'm dreading (i.e. setup from scratch as a new iPad using iTunes). Thanks Sue

iPad, iOS 4

Posted on Jan 19, 2012 11:41 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 19, 2012 12:01 PM in response to HarleyGirlNZ

That's the screen you see when a simple (4 digit passcode) has been switched off.

Are you able to enter a passcode?

If so check Settings>General>Passcode.

Nevermind, you already answered that. I just re-read your post.

Is this your own iPad or is it one that you were given from work or school that is administered by someone else?

Matt

Message was edited by: Matthew Morgan

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Answer 2

HarleyGirlNZ Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 19, 2012 12:40 PM in response to Matthew Morgan

Hi Matt,

Thanks for your answer. This is my own iPad purchased in October 2010. I cannot get to settings as the iPad is locked. Thanks for telling me about the simple pass code being turned off, I didn't realise that it was possible to do. I have only ever seen the numerical block for a 4 numeral PIN type code as my sone uses it on his iPhone. At least I know that it is kind of normal and perhaps not the sinister thing I thought it was. Still a problem though, as I haven't ever used a pass code and don't know what it could be.

It also wasn't possible for someone to access my iPad without my knowledge as when I turned off the screen, I put it in my handbag and it was there until I tried to use it approx 5 hours later

Thanks

Sue

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