Level 1

1 points

Virus found in iphone backup

Recently backed up iphone for first time to a new computer running latest windows 7 using latest itunes and ios on iphone 4s. I think I understand that the two worm viruses found can not do any harm to the iphone however every time I back it up microsoft security essentials removes the viruses from the backup location then renders the backup as corrupt when trying to restore so essentially I have no backup.

So How do I remove the virus from my pc without rendering the backup as corrupt or how do I remove the virus from my iphone so it is no longer backed up on my computer?

Please dont say restore iphone to factory, that is not acceptable because that means I need to start from scratch. If that is the answer I am moving to android platform asap, selling my apple stock and buying samsung.

Thanks!

iPhone 4S, Virus found in iphone backup

Posted on May 19, 2014 4:46 PM

25 replies

gil44 Author

Level 1

1 points

May 20, 2014 4:32 PM in response to gil44

May 20, 2014 4:38 PM in response to gil44

There is only data in a backup. Probably something in the data matches something that your antivirus has a "pattern" for. It's called a "false positive". All antivirus apps do it, but Microsoft's seems to be more prone to it than most others. A few months ago Windows Essentials "detected" a virus in a updated Windows system file and deleted it, rendering Windows unable to boot.

pogster

Level 5

5,123 points

May 21, 2014 6:00 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

This it true. I remember a while back where Norton AV on my windows laptop had identified a Canon printer driver as a virus. I got rid of Norton instead of the printer.

May 21, 2014 6:16 AM in response to gil44

gil44 wrote:

Dont be supprised if Apple drops like a Rock.

Thanks!

Carl Icahn

Maybe it drops like The Rock delivering The People's Elbow.

Appel stock is higher today than it was a month ago, a year ago, five years ago...

I really don't think you having a technological ignorance issue is goign to negatively affect Apple's stock by a single penny...

paulcb

Level 6

19,245 points

May 21, 2014 6:33 AM in response to Chris CA

$600 (current price) divided by 7 (stock split).

Thanks... forgot that was going to happen. Looks like it's effective on Jun 9.

gil44 Author

Level 1

1 points

May 22, 2014 9:29 PM in response to gil44

Letter to microsoft:

Hello,

Attached is a screen shot of the viruses detected in my iphone backups on my windows 7 PC. I am using the latest Windows 7, itunes and iphone ios. The problem I have is that I can’t remove the viruses from the iphone and each time I back it up to the PC Microsoft Security Essentials removes them from the backup file and then when attempting to restore then iphone it says the backup is corrupt. I verified this to be the problem because I used the uncleansed backup to restore the iphone and that still works. So now essentially I have no iphone backups if I clean them. I notified Apple of the problem on their blog as I am here and they say there are no viruses that affect the iphone and it is not a Apple problem but a Microsoft problem. I do understand where they are coming from too but also feel that the iphone can be a carrier of the viruses that affect other types of computers and that’s not good for anyone. Do you have any solutions that can help me resolve this dilemma?

Carl Icahn

May 23, 2014 5:01 AM in response to gil44

What part of FALSE POSITIVE don't you understand?

May 23, 2014 5:25 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Probably related to the same problem that makes him think this is a 'blog' instead of a 'discussion forum'.

Gil, the iPhone (unless it is jailbroken) CANNOT carry a virus.

Ever notice how you can't go to a website on Safari and download a program directly from the website to your iPhone? That you can only download a program from the App Store? Or how you can't transfer data (other than pictures & videos) directly to or from your computer?

The iOS is a closed, protected system. You cannot install software to the iPhone other than through the App Store on the iPhone or iTunes on your computer. The only allowed programs are those that Apple has specifically inspected, tested & vetted. That's why it's virtually impossible for an iOS device to get any form of malware.

Other operating systems (including Apple's OS X) are more OPEN systems, allowing you to do more, such as downloading any program you want. That's how computers get malware; downlaoding & installing programs that you shouldn't. Since you can't do that on an iOS device, you can't get malware.

aschenk

Level 1

5 points

May 23, 2014 4:46 PM in response to gil44

The reality is there have been examples of Windows malware that have been snuck into the app store (e.g. Instaquotes-Quotes Cards For Instagram). None (that I'm aware of) have caused any real danger and Apple has been good about removing them immediately but it is possible. It is also possible it is a false postive as suggested.

If you really want to get to the bottom of it, you're gonna need to spend a little time. Reset your phone to factory settings and back up. If MSSE doesn't flag anything (it shouldn't), add back your applications one at a time, backing up the phone and scanning your PC after each addition until you find the offending app. When you find it, send a note to Apple and delete the app.

Good luck.

May 24, 2014 5:41 AM in response to aschenk

The issue you're referring to only had the potential to affect OS X devices, not iOS devices.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/adriankingsleyhughes/2012/07/25/windows-malware-snea ks-into-apples-ios-app-store/

The malware is incapable of doing anything to iOS devices.

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Virus found in iphone backup