Should I have antivirus on my iPad?

Kim Komando's advice was probably aimed at Adroid tablets, or even the new Windows Tablets. the iPad's iOs is not susceptible to viruses due to how tis designed.

It is this same design, that prevents any Anti Virus App from working. why? Because the anti virus cannot access other parts of the system, only its oww confined space. So it can't actually scan anytihng outside its area. Which defeats the purpose of the anti virus.

Virii on the other hand dont exist yet for iOS, so there's nothing to scan for anyway. Traditional virii rely on access to the core system of any platform be it a PC, a Phone or a Tablet. iOS prevents this.

Aditionally virii wirtten for other platforms cannot affect iOs because it would be like giving a person that does not read chinese a set of instructions in chinese. They won't understand what to do, so will do nothing. Same happens with the virus. It can't be executed because the iPad does not understand it.

You're welcome.

You are very welcome.

Thank you to James Ward and Steadman. I am new to the apple ipad and have been search for an antivirus software with no success, now I understand why none I have tried will load.

I've read all your comments but I know of someone who lost $9000 because their iPhone was hacked.

I've looked at a few of the anti virus/anti malware options and there isn't much. That doesnt make it safe just ignorant. There needs some good options!

Be careful!

I know of someone who lost $9000 because their iPhone was hacked.

Why are you certain that it was the iPhone that got hacked?

Listen if they can hack into the US government including Apple recently, they can hack into ANY thing anyone puts out. My suggestion is that there needs to be good protection for any system! And I haven't seen any good offerings for Apple mobiles.

Also I wouldn't be transferring any money on a IPHONE or ANY mobile device for that matter as I believe this is how this happened.

Be careful and wise!

No you really dont need.

Its extremely unlikely the Phone itself got hacked. If he was banking on an unsecured network like at a coffee shop his transactions may have gotten intercepted, but that is down to user error, rather than a vulnerability in the iPhone.

Show me a hacked phone were you can actually acess the phoen itslef and look at the files and then we'll start talking about security sofware.

At this time, the communication security between phone and banking insitution may be vulnerable, but there's nothing an antivirus on the phone can do about that.

Also a little common sense with sensitive info is always useful.

Listen if they can hack into the US government including Apple recently, they can hack into ANY thing anyone puts out. My suggestion is that there needs to be good protection for any system!

How can there be good protection when ANY thing can get hacked?

As a cyber-security specialist I find it very worrying to see well-intentioned people advising others that there is no need for AV and cyber security precautions on iOS devices “because of the way they’re designed” and that AV only applies to Android or Windows. Remember, both iOS and Android are Unix derivatives – they are essentially identical if you get deep enough under the hood. There is nothing ‘magical’ about iOS which sadly contains security vulnerabilities just like all other software.

Before there are wails of protest from those who believe they know better, I would point you towards two recent articles, both issued in the same week, to help make my point:

• Attackers increasingly targeting Apple users
• U.S. government issues alert about Apple iOS "Masque Attack" threat

Remember too, attacks are not only from aps installed from the Ap Store. There are browser drive-by, Email, WiFi and other vectors of attack and so even if it were true that Apple could absolutely ensure no store ap ever carried any malware, that is only limiting one route of attack.

So with all this said YES YOU SHOULD consider AV and security suites for your iOS device as they ARE NOT immune from attack.

Lookout has been mentioned and McAfee provide a free iOS product and there will no doubt be others. My advice is just not to listen to those who tell you iOS is magical and incapable of compromise. Sadly they are living in la-la land…

A lot has changed since this discussion took place almost two years ago. For one thing, neither of those so called AV products existed for iOS and the so called Masque Attack threat is actually a feature that could be misused by a determined user in an attempt to obtain something for nothing. Apple seems to feel this is all just FUD in a statement on Thursday Apple downplays Masque threat, 'not aware' of any users affected, but we'll have to wait and see how they handle it going forward. Although some of what you have said may be appropriate now or in the future, you would be better served to use your self-professed expert advise for more current issues.

On the contrary MadMac0, very little has changed in the past two years other than the threat landscape is getting worse. Remember, iOS is simply a Unix kernel with a good UI on top and so there is nothing magical that makes it immune to vulnerabilities. iOS is vulnerable just as every piece of software is vulnerable.

The two items I quoted were simply picked to indicate the point because both had been revealed the previous week. Yes, that’s both in the same week immediately before my post. It doesn’t really matter whether a vulnerability has been reported to be in use *yet*, it makes the point that iOS is not immune as some here have claimed, and left unprotected, these vulnerabilities may yet be exploited.

So let’s get back to basics. The question was; Do I need AV (and other protection) for my iPad (iOS device)?

Several people have said no, iOS is immune. My advice is that all software has vulnerabilities and iOS is no different and pointed to two recent examples from the prior week. You, however, seem to take exception to this advice, even to mock my “self-professed expert advise [sic]”. You clearly feel you are better placed to advise people and to incline them towards the; All’s well and iOS is magically secure viewpoint. I presume that is the point of your post? You feel additional security protection is just nonsense and that I should focus on “more current issues”…even though both quoted examples were current?

So to counter the misinformation you are perpetuating, I would point those that wish to check further, to a more complete list of iOS vulnerabilities. This lists 408 vulnerabilities ranging from low to high risk. You might also note that even Apple detail security fixes in iOS 8.1…which is odd if there are no vulnerabilities to fix don’t you think? And the job still goes on with security fixes already being released for 8.1. For the avoidance of doubt, that *is* a ‘current issue’. Also, those that wish to make up their own minds might like to check the list of known vulnerabilities in Safari.

So this isn’t a dig against Apple, their software is of good quality, but it doesn’t mean there are no security vulnerabilities. Like all software, iOS, Safari etc. do have holes which is why Apple, like all software vendors, issue patches. Consequently my advice is that people would be wise to look at additional layers of security to prevent compromise of their device and subsequent theft of their data. I think it would also be wise not to continue to spread the myth that iOS devices are somehow immune. Hopefully the lists of known vulnerabilities will help people to make up their own minds as to whether your “take your advice elsewhere” comment is helpful or not. I suggest it is not.

CyberSpecialist wrote:

My advice is that all software has vulnerabilities and iOS is no different and pointed to two recent examples from the prior week. You, however, seem to take exception to this advice...All’s well and iOS is magically secure viewpoint. I presume that is the point of your post? You feel additional security protection is just nonsense and that I should focus on “more current issues”…even though both quoted examples were current?

I did no such thing! Nowhere in this discussion nor anywhere in this Forum will you ever find me saying anything even close to that. My only point was that this discussion is way too old to be trying to make your point. There are many more current threads that might benefit from your viewpoint. Practically no one will ever see what you have posted here.

But I will say this. 408 vulnerabilities is minuscule compared to any other OS you might care to enumerate.

That being said, I do try to stay abreast of vulnerabilities, but in my business they are really not all that important. I don't pay much attention until an exploit has been proven and take little or no action until an actual threat has been identified. There just aren't enough hours in the day for me to do otherwise and obviously there aren't enough engineers to patch every CVE out there. Hopefully we can focus them on the ones with the highest risk in the most current versions and hope users will keep up.