Reply to: Ipad’s & viruses

[NickFitz]

It would be wrong to claim that any system is immune to viruses, but the question is moot, as there isn't any anti-virus software for iOS that he could install.

Interestingly, there is an app in the App Store that sounds like an anti-virus product if you don't read the description properly: VirusBarrier, but on closer examination it's actually letting you check for PC and Mac malware in email attachments and downloaded files. This makes sense, as an app can't examine the data stored by another app except in very limited ways instigated by specific user interaction, so it's impossible to have an iOS app that automatically scans an iOS device in the first place. (N.B. for pedants: a jailbroken device is not an iOS device in any meaningful sense.)

[d000hg]

That's a pretty hard way to attack any OS though. Browsers these days operate in a pretty secure sandbox and if anyone figures out a way to break out of it it's usually through Flash or some other dodgy plugin.

I'd have thought the same, which is why I think "iPads don't get viruses" is not THAT inaccurate even if it shows a core naivety.

[VectraMan]

I reckon there are probably more people running unprotected versions of Windows than there are people running OS X, and being descended from FreeBSD means it's inherently more secure than Windows.

See above, Re: gullible.

[Bunk]

OSX is one thing, but iOS is very locked down. Malware has to get onto the app-store to be installable.

So presumably drive-by attacks on websites which can target the OS are the biggest worry. You'd think this would be happening a lot already if it was vulnerable though?

That's a pretty hard way to attack any OS though. Browsers these days operate in a pretty secure sandbox and if anyone figures out a way to break out of it it's usually through Flash or some other dodgy plugin.

[d000hg]

OSX is one thing, but iOS is very locked down. Malware has to get onto the app-store to be installable.

So presumably drive-by attacks on websites which can target the OS are the biggest worry. You'd think this would be happening a lot already if it was vulnerable though?

[Bunk]

Except near enough every Windows user will have some kind of security software these days. If you were a bad man, where would you focus your efforts? I'd go after the gullible Apple user who believes security concerns don't apply to hom, not the threat savvy Windows user.

I reckon there are probably more people running unprotected versions of Windows than there are people running OS X, and being descended from FreeBSD means it's inherently more secure than Windows.

[VectraMan]

Nothing is immune, but on the balance of probability more vulnerabilities exist to exploit on Windows than any other operating system so thats where the bad men focus their efforts with viruses

Except near enough every Windows user will have some kind of security software these days. If you were a bad man, where would you focus your efforts? I'd go after the gullible Apple user who believes security concerns don't apply to hom, not the threat savvy Windows user.

How long did it take Apple to patch that Java flaw earlier in the year? The Windows version was patched pretty early on, but then for weeks Apple did nothing, only advising not using Java (which is good advice I admit).

[Halo Jones]

OK thanks chaps, I thought I was right (makes a change)

The chap who said this is not in a IT related role so I will forgive him of the comment

[cojak]

Generally speaking, iPads, iPhone and iPod Touch are less prone to viruses compared to Android and PC's, however it is not immune to software being installed that steals data and causes other privacy issues.

Turning off wifi and bluetooth when not in use will be more beneficial than anything else.

[SimonMac]

Nothing is immune, but on the balance of probability more vulnerabilities exist to exploit on Windows than any other operating system so thats where the bad men focus their efforts with viruses

[northernladuk]

He's not an Apple Fanboi per chance?

[pmeswani]

Ok one for the geeks:

My line manager has claimed that he has no need for any virus protection on his ipad as they are immune.

Is this true? I did not believe so but before saying anything I thought to check with the oracle that is CUK.

My understanding is that apple products (therefore including ipads) use a different OS to PC’s, and as that OS is in the minority for being used globally, the writers of malware generally don’t bother with writing them for Apple products as statistically it will be a PC

So what is the wisdom of the Geeks of CUK?

Generally speaking, iPads, iPhone and iPod Touch are less prone to viruses compared to Android and PC's, however it is not immune to software being installed that steals data and causes other privacy issues.

[Mich the Tester]

it does not suit the vested interests of those who work in security software to allow people to think that anything is safe

That's why they're busy writing a virus for the ipad right now. A week after a mass infection, an expensive anti-virus app will be revealed.

[northernladuk]

Interesting read for your manager

Apple Explains Why iOS Don't Need No Steenkin' Anti-Virus - Forbes

[DodgyAgent]

it does not suit the vested interests of those who work in security software to allow people to think that anything is safe