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Level 1

32 points

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

Best reply

Phil0124

Community+ 2024

Level 10

199,351 points

Posted on Jul 3, 2015 9:05 PM

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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16 replies

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,660 points

Jul 4, 2015 7:17 PM in response to NewbMacUser

You haven't told us what iOS version you are using or what files you are obtaining.

You should take a lot of care when sourcing ANY file from an independent source, especially if those files are on sites you consider 'a bit odd' or if the files are content that requires payment elsewhere (if it is too good to be true, it probably is).

iOS 4 was jailbroken by a flaw in its PDF handling (subsequently fixed by Apple).

http://www.informationweek.com/mobile/apple-ios-zero-day-pdf-vulnerability-expos ed/d/d-id/1098770

iOS 7 and Apple TV 7 have at least one way to crash applications via a PDF file (it's not fixed in iOS 7 as far as I can tell, iOS 8 & Apple TV 7 do have fixes).

http://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2014-4377/

Crashes can occasionally provide the potential for access to other parts of the system to be combined with other exploits.

Whilst I'd agree with the general idea that iOS is safe, you should not be lulled into a false sense of security, it has been shown to have flaws previously. Your best hope is to keep up them to date & use care when using the internet.

Please help: VIRUS from a PDF File?