How safe is the App Store? And other questions.

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Level 1

11 points

How safe is the App Store? And other questions.

Hi everybody! So a while ago I was surfing the web and I clicked on a few sites, I later learned the sites were known for scamming/viruses and redirecting people. A lot of people have told me that Apple's 'walled-garden' approach keeps viruses from affecting any app other than the infected one, and a few people have told me the only way you can get viruses is by jailbreaking/installing a third party app. So I have a couple of questions:

Does installing 3rd-party software ALWAYS require the user to be prompted?

Is it true that iOS is coded in such a way that apps cannot affect other apps or the kernel?

And,

How safe is the US App Store? Does Apple check the code of every app submitted to them or do they just run it for 30 seconds and let it pass?

If someone were to answer these questions truthfully, I would be grateful, as it would help me decide on a course of action, and help put my mind to rest. I have been stressing over this for a while!

iPad Air Wi-Fi

Posted on Aug 10, 2017 1:30 PM

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Answer 1

Puggerino Author

Level 1

11 points

Aug 10, 2017 1:42 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks, but that's not what I meant by 3rd-party software.... I meant stuff like AirShou where you can't get it via the App Store. So if you downloaded apps/blocks of code like that (knowingly or unknowlingly in the case of malware), would you have to approve the download and give permissions to the app?

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Aug 10, 2017 1:39 PM in response to Puggerino

Put your mind at rest. Apps in the App Store must go through a thorough testing and verification that they are free of any viruses or other malware. Your device is protected as long as you don't jailbreak it or attempt to install apps that did not come from the iTunes App Store.

The OS is set up such that all apps run secluded from one another so if one crashes it will not affect the others provided the developers coded them properly.

Third-party software only comes from the iTunes App Store so the user is always required to approve the download.

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Answer 3

ShagCA

Level 5

6,365 points

Aug 10, 2017 1:49 PM in response to Puggerino

Puggerino wrote:

Oh ok, so to install any software from outside the App Store/iTunes Store would require jailbreaking and can't be done with a non-jailbroken device like mine? Thanks! 🙂

That's correct. All apps that aren't offered on Apple app store requires jailbreaking to install.

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Answer 4

Aug 10, 2017 1:56 PM in response to Puggerino

Puggerino wrote:

Oh ok, so to install any software from outside the App Store/iTunes Store would require jailbreaking and can't be done with a non-jailbroken device like mine? Thanks! 🙂

That's not completely true. It's possible to install a profile on your iPhone that will let a third party push apps to your phone. This is intended to allow companies to send proprietary software to employees. My last employer used such a system to give us access to an app that allowed us to clock in and out. It's also use for beta testing software. Some people, however, have used it as a way to "sideload" software. But you have to chose to install the profile in the first place. Unless the profile is from a trusted source (like your employer) don't.

Even if you did, your risks are still mitigated by the sandboxing of apps.

If you stick to the App Store, the worst that's likely to happen is you'll download a stupid app that you wish you could delete from your purchase history because it's embarrassing. 😉

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Answer 5

ShagCA

Level 5

6,365 points

Aug 10, 2017 2:02 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

IdrisSeabright wrote:

That's not completely true. It's possible to install a profile on your iPhone that will let a third party push apps to your phone.

That is correct too.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

If you stick to the App Store, the worst that's likely to happen is you'll download a stupid app that you wish you could delete from your purchase history because it's embarrassing. 😉

There have been a few incidents where malicious apps are hosted on Apple app store. Apple was quick to respond and remove the offending apps.

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Answer 6

ShagCA

Level 5

6,365 points

Aug 10, 2017 1:47 PM in response to Puggerino

AirShou requires jailbreaking. It's your device, you can do whatever you want. You just can't discuss it here.

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Answer 7

Puggerino Author

Level 1

11 points

Aug 10, 2017 1:47 PM in response to ShagCA

Oh ok, so to install any software from outside the App Store/iTunes Store would require jailbreaking and can't be done with a non-jailbroken device like mine? Thanks! 🙂

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