How do I protect my iPhone and iPad from Malware and Virus?

what protection do i need for my iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPad Air 4th Generation.



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPad Air, iPadOS 18

Posted on Jan 22, 2025 08:15 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 23, 2025 02:21 PM

Providing your iPad has been kept up-to-date with system software updates, you should not be overly concerned for your iPad being directly compromised by malware. Due to the sandboxed system architecture of iOS/iPadOS, unless jailbroken, your iPad is not susceptible to traditional malware infection per-se. However, as with all computer systems, there are still vulnerabilities and exploits to which you remain vulnerable. 


For older devices, no longer benefiting from regular security updates, the risk of an unpatched vulnerability being exploited increases. Regardless of the installed version of iPadOS, there are useful mitigations that can be used to significantly reduce your exposure to risk. For iPad, ensure that you have updated to the most recent version of iPadOS - the current version being iPadOS 18.2.1.


Be wary of an often repeated myth that Apple devices are immune to malware; those that perpetuate this fallacy, perhaps with good intention, do not necessarily comprehend the broader threat landscape. Apple expend considerable resources in developing and issuing regular software security updates and patches for its products; if the myth had any substance, regular security updates would be unnecessary.


The majority of threats to which you will be invariably exposed will surface via web pages or embedded links within email or other messaging platforms. Browser-based attacks can be largely and successfully mitigated by installing a good content and Ad-blocking product. One of the very best and most respected within the Apple App Store - designed for iPad, iPhone and Mac - is 1Blocker for Safari:

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/1blocker-for-safari/id1365531024


1Blocker is highly configurable - and crucially does not rely upon an external proxy-service of dubious provenance, often utilised by so-called AntiVirus products intended for iOS/iPadOS. Instead, all processing by 1Blocker takes place on your device - and contrary to expectations, Safari will run faster and more efficiently.


Unwanted content is not simply filtered after download (a technique used by basic/inferior products), but instead undesirable embedded content is blocked from download. 1Blocker has also introduced its new “Firewall” functions - that are explicitly designed to block “trackers”. Being implemented at the network-layer, this additional protection works across all Apps. Recent updates to 1Blocker has introduced additional network extensions, extending protection to other Apps.


A further measure to improve protection is to use a security focussed DNS Service in preference to automatic DNS settings. This can either be set on a per-device basis in Settings, or can be set-up on your home Router - and in so doing extends the benefit of this specific protection to other devices on your local network. I recommend using one of the following DNS services - for which IPv4 and IPv6 server addresses are listed:


Quad9 (recommended)


9.9.9.9

149.112.112.112

2620:fe::fe

2620:fe::9



OpenDNS


208.67.222.222

208.67.220.220

2620:0:ccc::2

2620:0:ccd::2



Cloudflare


1.1.1.1

1.0.0.1

2606:4700:4700::1111

2606:4700:4700::1001



Security focused DNS providers intentionally "sink hole" known bad or malicious websites and resources - this providing an additional layer of protection beyond that provided by your device and its Operating System. These DNS services will, when used alongside 1Blocker or other reputable Content Blocker, provide defence in depth.


There are advanced techniques to further “harden” iOS/iPadOS (such as using DoH, DoT and DNSSEC). Apple has recently introduced its new Private Relay to its iCloud+ subscribers - in part employing ODoH (a variant of DoH) as an element of this new functionality. DoH and DoT are now natively supported by iOS/iPadOS, however these protocols are only surfaced through adding a management profile to the device; this is easily implemented through using a third-party App such as DNSecure:

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/dnsecure/id1533413232


I hope this information and insight proves to be helpful. 

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 23, 2025 02:21 PM in response to Jackie19Ted42

Providing your iPad has been kept up-to-date with system software updates, you should not be overly concerned for your iPad being directly compromised by malware. Due to the sandboxed system architecture of iOS/iPadOS, unless jailbroken, your iPad is not susceptible to traditional malware infection per-se. However, as with all computer systems, there are still vulnerabilities and exploits to which you remain vulnerable. 


For older devices, no longer benefiting from regular security updates, the risk of an unpatched vulnerability being exploited increases. Regardless of the installed version of iPadOS, there are useful mitigations that can be used to significantly reduce your exposure to risk. For iPad, ensure that you have updated to the most recent version of iPadOS - the current version being iPadOS 18.2.1.


Be wary of an often repeated myth that Apple devices are immune to malware; those that perpetuate this fallacy, perhaps with good intention, do not necessarily comprehend the broader threat landscape. Apple expend considerable resources in developing and issuing regular software security updates and patches for its products; if the myth had any substance, regular security updates would be unnecessary.


The majority of threats to which you will be invariably exposed will surface via web pages or embedded links within email or other messaging platforms. Browser-based attacks can be largely and successfully mitigated by installing a good content and Ad-blocking product. One of the very best and most respected within the Apple App Store - designed for iPad, iPhone and Mac - is 1Blocker for Safari:

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/1blocker-for-safari/id1365531024


1Blocker is highly configurable - and crucially does not rely upon an external proxy-service of dubious provenance, often utilised by so-called AntiVirus products intended for iOS/iPadOS. Instead, all processing by 1Blocker takes place on your device - and contrary to expectations, Safari will run faster and more efficiently.


Unwanted content is not simply filtered after download (a technique used by basic/inferior products), but instead undesirable embedded content is blocked from download. 1Blocker has also introduced its new “Firewall” functions - that are explicitly designed to block “trackers”. Being implemented at the network-layer, this additional protection works across all Apps. Recent updates to 1Blocker has introduced additional network extensions, extending protection to other Apps.


A further measure to improve protection is to use a security focussed DNS Service in preference to automatic DNS settings. This can either be set on a per-device basis in Settings, or can be set-up on your home Router - and in so doing extends the benefit of this specific protection to other devices on your local network. I recommend using one of the following DNS services - for which IPv4 and IPv6 server addresses are listed:


Quad9 (recommended)


9.9.9.9

149.112.112.112

2620:fe::fe

2620:fe::9



OpenDNS


208.67.222.222

208.67.220.220

2620:0:ccc::2

2620:0:ccd::2



Cloudflare


1.1.1.1

1.0.0.1

2606:4700:4700::1111

2606:4700:4700::1001



Security focused DNS providers intentionally "sink hole" known bad or malicious websites and resources - this providing an additional layer of protection beyond that provided by your device and its Operating System. These DNS services will, when used alongside 1Blocker or other reputable Content Blocker, provide defence in depth.


There are advanced techniques to further “harden” iOS/iPadOS (such as using DoH, DoT and DNSSEC). Apple has recently introduced its new Private Relay to its iCloud+ subscribers - in part employing ODoH (a variant of DoH) as an element of this new functionality. DoH and DoT are now natively supported by iOS/iPadOS, however these protocols are only surfaced through adding a management profile to the device; this is easily implemented through using a third-party App such as DNSecure:

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/dnsecure/id1533413232


I hope this information and insight proves to be helpful. 

Jan 23, 2025 12:11 AM in response to Jackie19Ted42

will malware and vira is software, on a non jailbroken ios device the only! way you can install software of any kind is apples app store, unlike normal computers ios devices can't have software installed from websites or links or mails or sms's or any such things.


so unless you fall for a phishing scheme and provide third parties with your banking login and password you should be safe.

Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

and

Phishing - Wikipedia


these days for the most parts people are their own worst security threat


Feb 8, 2025 06:01 AM in response to Bu--cy__70

Bu--cy__70 wrote:

My iPhone pro 13 has been hacked, how do I fix it?


What, specifically, causes you to believe that your iPhone has been "hacked"?


Unless you have interacted with a malicious web-link, or been manipulated into exposing your device Passcode or AppleID account credentials, it is very unlikely that your device has been compromised.


If you have any reason to believe that your Apple account or its credentials have been compromised, follow this link:

If you think your Apple Account has been compromised - Apple Support


This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

How do I protect my iPhone and iPad from Malware and Virus?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.