Please help: VIRUS from a PDF File?

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Level 1

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Please help: VIRUS from a PDF File?

Hey all, I just downloaded a PDF file from a suspicious website and I was about to place it on my iPad Mini 3. I just wanted to know if it was possible for a virus to be inside a PDF file and infect my iPad Mini 3 and send out information from my iPad Mini 3. Since I enjoy reading many PDF files on my iPad Mini 3, I've been getting worried that maybe I've already put an infected PDF file onto my iPad Mini 3 or that I certainly will in the future.

I've only ever downloaded apps from the Apple App Store and I've never installed an app that wasn't directly from the Apple App Store.

I just want someone to put my fears to rest as I haven't been able to sleep well because of this issue.

Thanks for any help!

Posted on Jul 3, 2015 7:05 AM

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Answer 1

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Phil0124

Community+ 2024

Level 10

198,605 points

Jul 3, 2015 9:05 PM in response to NewbMacUser

There are no known viruses that can affect iOS devices.

Is it possible the PDF was tainted. Sure. But even if it was, the likelyhood that it was a virus specifically designed for iOS is so remote, its almost non existent.

If it was a virus for some other platform i.e. Windows, or even OSx, then it absolutely cannot run on an iOS device. And even if it could, iOS is a closed system. Sandboxed. That means one App cant affect another, and a virus in one would not be able to affect any other part of the iPad in any way because it would not be able to run outside of the designated area for the Dropbox App.

In short, its close to impossible for your iPad to be affected in any way.

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Answer 2

Jul 3, 2015 7:09 AM in response to NewbMacUser

Hi, Their are currently no viruses in the IOS operating system. But, Apple Apps are always virus checked. So, i would check where you got the PDF from. Their might be a App for you there. But, always make a backup on ITunes. Then download it. If you think it actually is a virus, Then do a fctory rstart right away and back your Ipad from ITunes. Hope that helped 🙂

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Answer 3

NewbMacUser Author

Level 1

32 points

Jul 3, 2015 6:12 PM in response to AppleBoss613

I'm just wondering if it's possible for me to get a virus from reading a PDF file. I use Dropbox to read PDF files.

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Answer 4

Kurt Lang

Level 9

57,774 points

Jul 3, 2015 6:25 PM in response to NewbMacUser

Unless you've jailbroken your iPad, it's virtually impossible for the device to be infected by anything. What makes you believe it's a tainted PDF?

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Answer 5

NewbMacUser Author

Level 1

32 points

Jul 3, 2015 8:03 PM in response to Kurt Lang

The site I got it from looks a bit odd. I just wanted to know if it was possible to get a virus from a PDF that I opened with say, Dropbox.

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Answer 6

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Jul 3, 2015 8:20 PM in response to NewbMacUser

No.

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Answer 7

NewbMacUser Author

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32 points

Jul 3, 2015 8:38 PM in response to deggie

Umm can you expand a bit more on that?

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Answer 8

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Jul 3, 2015 8:57 PM in response to NewbMacUser

To what point? I answered your question.

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Answer 9

NewbMacUser Author

Level 1

32 points

Jul 3, 2015 9:00 PM in response to deggie

But isn't it even remotely possible?

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Answer 10

NewbMacUser Author

Level 1

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Jul 3, 2015 9:13 PM in response to NewbMacUser

Or is it a case of if it's in .PDF format there's no chance of my iPad Mini 3 getting a virus?

Does it matter if I'm using Dropbox to open the PDF files?

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Answer 11

thomas_r.

Level 7

31,983 points

Jul 4, 2015 5:24 AM in response to NewbMacUser

NewbMacUser wrote:

But isn't it even remotely possible?

No. A PDF file cannot contain malware that would affect iOS, unless someone discovers some currently unknown vulnerability in the handling of PDFs on iOS.

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Answer 12

NewbMacUser Author

Level 1

32 points

Jul 4, 2015 6:01 PM in response to thomas_r.

Thanks!

What do you mean by "vulnerability in the handling of PDFs on iOS"? This has got me worried because I'm using Dropbox to open the PDF files as the PDF files are stored in my Dropbox folder so I can access it in the Dropbox app on my iPad Mini 3.

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