Unknown Pdf appeared then disappeared in Files

I check my Files folder every now and then to make sure I have no sign of malware presence.

Today I checked and saw a pdf with a website title I visited over the last week (without downloading anything from it nor clicking on ads) date of 5 days ago.

I clicked on it twice to visualise it but it wouldn’t open. I clicked on some option, now I don’t remember, maybe “edit” or “open” and it disappeared.

Now it’s nowhere to be found.

Why was there a pdf file in first place and why it disappeared?

Settings: no app has authorised access to Files - iCloud backup has always been off - iCloud sync was maybe still on on the day the file is dated but I’m not too sure, also I haven’t manually synced anything, maybe the last updated set it like that - I cleared website data on Safari yesterday.


Thanks

iPhone SE, iOS 18

Posted on Mar 29, 2025 11:41 AM

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Mar 30, 2025 01:12 AM in response to gingerbreadrevolution

gingerbreadrevolution wrote:

I check my Files folder every now and then to make sure I have no sign of malware presence.

Keep the iPhone updated to the latest iOS always and never Jailbreak. That's it.


iOS / iPadOS devices cannot be infected with Virus / Malware / Spyware *** unless you have intentionally downloaded spurious software or unauthorized apps directly from the internet and installed them on your device or/and have Jailbroken


It (Hacking) also depends on how careful you are in sharing sensitive and valuable information pertaining to your iPhone such as Passcode, Password, etc with your friends and family members.


Be judicious when sharing the device's sensitive and valuable information with friends and family members.



**The primary reason for this is Sandboxing. All third-party apps are “sandboxed”, so they are restricted from accessing files stored by other apps or from making changes to the device. Sandboxing is designed to prevent apps from gathering or modifying information stored by other apps.


Security of runtime process in iOS and iPadOS - Apple Support



The sandbox on an iPhone is a security feature that creates a restricted environment for each app to run in isolation from other apps and the operating system. It is a core component of iOS's security architecture and plays a crucial role in making iPhones more secure.



If you doubt the authenticity of the information provided earlier, you have two alternatives:

  1. Accept the credibility of the information; it is impervious to Virus / Malware / Spyware.
  2. Live with the misconcept as some individuals hold unconventional beliefs, such as a flat Earth or moon landing denial, one has the freedom to believe in anything. The choice ultimately rests with you in this open and free world.


Mar 30, 2025 01:42 PM in response to SravanKrA

Thank you.

My phone is locked in a safe that it’s locked in a specific place when unsupervised. Switched off so when I turn it on I can see in “battery” if someone switched it on.

It’s a second-hand phone from a reputable company.

I don’t think it has been jailbroken, how long does it take to do that? How can I recognise the signs? Can Apple Genius Bar check this?


What do you think about the appearance of the file? It is irrelevant to investigate and worry if I took all the measures to keep the phone safe, that’s what you mean?

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Unknown Pdf appeared then disappeared in Files

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