Tuesday, March 26, 2024

How To Check My iPhone For Viruses

Must read

How To Check Your Phone For Viruses

How To Check iPhone for Viruses & Remove Them !

Smartphones are far from immune to getting attacked by malware. A variety of viruses can cause all kinds of problems, and while some of these viruses are very obvious, others play a more subtle game to steal money or information. Heres what to watch for if you think your phone may have a malware problem and what you should do if you confirm something has gone wrong.

Bonus: Traced Free Web Browser & Network Protections For Ios Users

Traced is a free and lightweight iOS app that provides good web and network protections without compromising user privacy. Traced doesnt gather any user usage data, which most security apps do even top-quality apps like McAfee compile scan data to help keep their threat databases up-to-date.

During my tests, I was really impressed with Traceds network scanner it has live intrusion detection, which can help protect users from ARP spoofing attacks, man-in-the-middle attacks, and exploit attacks. I also like that Traced provides live browser protection, which can integrate with Safari on your iOS device.

Traced doesnt provide important features like an app scanner or anti-theft tools, but its not a bad option for users that just want a Wi-Fi network monitor and additional browser security. Plus, Traced is completely free.

The Battery Is Draining Faster

Irregular battery drainage can be caused by power-hungry apps or wear and tear due to age. That said, there is a chance, however slim, that a piece of malware is working in the background without your knowledge.

If you experience any of the above issues, or other strange behavior, then its high time you look into cybersecurity protection for your Apple devices.

Also Check: How To Edit Bitmoji On iPhone

Restore Your Phone From A Previous Backup Version

Apple provides a small sliver of iCloud storage for backups, but its often not enough to store many backups. Its also not a useful method if youve had a virus on your phone for a long while. Each backup iCloud has may also be corrupted!

This is why its best to have your own backup program, and why AnyTrans is an app you should download for Mac right away.

AnyTrans allows you far more control over your backups than Apple allows via iCloud. The app allows you to download any files or folders to your Mac, and sync iOS devices to your Macs storage. The wired connection to your Mac also sidesteps the often clumsy iCloud syncing protocols, and lets you get direct access to backups of your iPhone stored on your Mac or an associated external drive.

Because you have full control of where your backups are housed and how many you hold onto you can keep a reliably safe backup of your iPhone tucked away, and restore to it if you ever run into issues with viruses or malware on your iPhone. AnyTrans is really the safest solution for backing up and syncing your iPhone.

Clear History And Website Data

Can iPhones Get Viruses? Things You Should Know

Understanding how to delete virus from iPhone history is critical, too. Viruses can live in your browser history or website data, especially if you revisit a suspect website on your phone often. Viruses can re-inject files onto your phone, perhaps doing more damage.

Heres how to reset your website history and data:

  • Open the Settings app on your iPhone
  • Select Safari
  • Select Clear History and Website Data
  • Choose Clear History and Data from the menu that appears
  • Read Also: How To Start A Pool Game On Ios 10

    Phone Viruses From Third

    The most frequent way iPhones become infected with viruses is through malicious third-party apps downloaded outside the App Store. This scenario usually applies to jailbroken iPhones with no software restrictions. If you have safe iOS firmware that hasnt been tampered with, and youre using the App Store, it is unlikely that you will ever download a malicious application.

    How I Ranked The Best Free Ios Antivirus Apps:

    No free security app is going to provide the kind of protection that I consider essential for an iOS device but some of the apps on this list get pretty close. Heres what I looked for in all of the apps that made it to my top 5 free apps for iOS:

    • 100% free. All of the apps I recommend offer long-term functionality at zero cost, not just free trials. However, all of these apps do offer premium versions that are much better and most of them are pretty cheap .
    • Data privacy. There are a lot of free apps that exist solely to log and sell user data there arent that many ways to make money with free products! However, all of the free apps on this list protect user data, and some of them even include additional tools that ensure your sensitive data doesnt get compromised.
    • Ease of use. Apple already provides some great security features for iOS, but a lot of them are really hard to access. If youve ever tried to use the Find my iPhone web tool from Apple, you know it can be a real hassle. The tools and apps on this list provide increased security protections with convenient, well-designed user interfaces.
    • Efficiency. Many antivirus apps are buggy or slow down your iOS device. I analyzed my iPhone and iPads performance and battery life before and after installing each app, making sure that none of the apps slow down devices or drain batteries.

    Read Also: How To Change Photo Background On iPhone

    Delete Apps That Look Suspicious

    Dig through the apps on your phone: do any look suspicious? Do you recall downloading each of them, and do you use them often enough to keep around?

    The answer to how do i get a virus off my iPhone? is often as simple as deleting an app. Apps have associated files, and deleting them typically removes the files they imported. All you need to do is press and hold on the app icon, and select Remove App from the menu that appears.

    Clear Your iPhones Browsing History And Data

    How To Check iPhone for Viruses and Malware and Remove Them

    If your iPhone is still acting up after you restarted it, your next step is to clear the history and data from your browser. Since Safari is the stock browser on iOS, well show you how to delete your browser data using Safari. You can follow a similar procedure if you use Chrome or another browser.

  • Open the Settings app and select Safari.

  • Select Clear History and Website Data.

  • Tap Clear History and Data. This should get rid of any malware on your iPhone.

  • Recommended Reading: What Is Sound Check On Itunes

    Reset With Factory Settings

    If all else fails, or you simply want to start completely over with your iPhone, you can always reset your device to factory settings and start anew. Know that any data you havent backed up will be lost, so its a good idea to take advantage of everything AnyTrans has to offer before going this route.

    First, youll need to remove your iPhone from Find My iPhone, if its enrolled. Heres how:

  • Open the Settings app on your iPhone
  • Select your name banner at the top of the screen
  • Select Find My
  • To reset your phone to factory settings, follow these steps:

  • Open the Settings app on your phone
  • Select General
  • Select Erase All Content and Settings
  • Enter the passcode for your iPhone
  • Tap Erase
  • Your phone will begin the process of deleting all of your data and settings. It will then reboot as though it were a brand new phone.

    Can iPhones Get Viruses From Safari

    Not directly. Safari acts as a gateway for hackers, but hackers can utilize other browsers as attack vectors, such as Chrome. In general, its best to only visit websites that are legitimate and well-known. Be careful if youre trying to stream a movie or a sporting event, however.

    With these security tips in mind, its critical to understand how your iPhones operating system works.

    Recommended Reading: Disable Private Browsing Safari

    Short On Time Heres The Best Free Ios Antivirus In :

    • Avira Mobile Security: Includes a privacy monitor, anti-theft protection, a limited VPN, a call blocker, and a performance optimizer.

    Heres something most antivirus companies wont tell you virus scanning isnt actually possible on iOS. This is because iPhones and iPads use an advanced security mechanism called sandboxing, which prevents apps from making changes to any other apps, files, or processes on your system. So basically viruses cant infect iOS devices, because viruses cant do anything on an iOS device.

    So when most people say antivirus for iOS, they mean internet security for iOS covering a wide range of features that keep iPhones and iPads safe. Because iOS devices arent naturally protected against a wide range of other security threats, including:

    • Phishing links.
    • Browser trackers.
    • Device theft.

    I spent dozens of hours digging through scam apps, useless free apps, and fake security apps on the App Store, looking for products that could provide decent security coverage for all iOS users. I was able to find 5 free security apps for iOS that provide solid cybersecurity protection with no hidden fees or tricky trial periods.

    However, there isnt a single free security app for iOS that includes all of the features for complete iOS protection if you understand that your data and your privacy are worth more than a few dollars per month, you should look at Nortons fantastic iOS app.

    Can Your iPhone Actually Get Viruses Myth Vs Reality Faqs

    How To Check My iPhone For Viruses

    Can you get a virus on your iPhone by visiting a website?

    It is highly unlikely for an iPhone to get a virus online, but malicious websites will try and convince you that you have one in order to steal your information.

    Can an iPhone get a virus from Google?

    Conventional use of the internet with an iPhone is highly unlikely to result in a virus. More than likely a website is hoping to trick you into thinking you have a virus.

    Can an iPhone get a virus from Safari?

    Regular use of the internet is unlikely to result in viruses on iPhones. Most of the time, malicious websites are hoping to scare you into putting in your personal information.

    If I get a virus on my iPhone, what damage can it cause?

    The damage caused by a virus depends on the virus, but mostly results in personal and financial information being stolen.

    How do I clean my iPhone from a virus?

    Follow these steps:

  • Clear your web browsing activity
  • Update your phone and apps
  • Hard reboot your phone
  • Recommended Reading: Edit Siri App Suggestions

    How To Clear Viruses From iPhone

    Now that you know how to tell if your iPhone has a virus or malware from the symptoms detailed above, the next question that will come up how to clear viruses from iPhone if it is found to be infected.

    If your device is acting strangely and showing any of the symptoms of virus infection mentioned above, the best way for removing viruses from iPhone is to reset your device to factory settings. Follow the steps below for iPhone virus removal if you suspect that your device is infected with virus:

    1. Use iCloud or iTunes to back up your iPhone

    2. Go to Settings > General > Reset

    3. Tap Erase All Content and Settings which would clear all apps and data on your device

    4. Restart your device and follow the steps to set it up again

    5. Sign in to iCloud while setting up the device to restore your iPhone from iCloud back up

    6. Download the apps again you consider necessary from the App store

    If you are unsuccessful in removing viruses from iPhone even after restoring your device to factory settings then you should fix an appointment with Apples Genius Bar. They have system-scanning software that performs a thorough check on your device for detecting and removing any hidden malicious files.

    Your iPhone Is Jailbroken

    If youve jailbroken your device, its probably because you wanted to install an app from elsewhere other than the official App Store, right?

    While we get the rationale, just know that if you have a jailbroken iPhone, the chances are higher that you might have unwittingly invited a piece of malicious software, called a worm, into your device at one time or another.

    The presence of a worm is significantly more likely if youre witnessing odd behavior on your iPhone, such as apps redirecting you to dodgy-looking web pages. If this happens and you suspect a virus is present, then you need to follow these steps:

    • Delete all suspicious apps. If you think a recently downloaded app is causing the issue, try uninstalling it to see if this helps.
    • Restore from an earlier, safe backup. Or, if all else fails, restore to the factory settings.

    If you need a more detailed walkthrough of how to locate and remove viruses on your iPhone, check out our earlier post: How to Get Rid of Viruses on Your iPhone or iPad.

    Don’t Miss: How To Play Pool On iPhone

    #: 5 Tips To Do After Checking iPhone For Virus/malware

    After checking all the steps above, if you find something suspicious or unknown apps, you need to take actions on this situation.

    Tip 1.Turn off & Restart your Device

    Step 1. Hold down the power button of your device until you see a slider.

    Step 2. Slide and turn the iPhone off.

    Step 3. To restart, hold down the power button until you see the Apple logo.

    Tip 2.Clear History & Website Data

    Step 1. Open Settings on your device and tap Safari.

    Step 2. Again tap Clear History and Website Data.

    Step 3. Confirm by tapping Clear History and Data.

    Tip 3.Reset Your iPhone as a New One

    If nothing works, you need to factory reset your iPhone.

    Step 1. Go to Settings -> General -> Reset -> Erase All Contents and Settings.

    Step 2. Enter your passcode to confirm the reset.

    Step 3. The process will take some time to complete. Then set up your device as a new one.

    Tip 4.Restore your iPhone from Backup

    You can also restore the backup to your device to remove the viruses. You can restore either the iTunes backup or iCloud backup to your iPhone. If the most recent backup is corrupted and if for any reason you are not able to restore, it might contain malware. So, restore one of other backups to your device.

    Does Safari Have Pop

    How to check for an iPhone virus

    To enable the pop-up blocker, go to Safari > Preferences > Websites > Pop-up Windows > choose how to handle pop-ups. To block pop-ups on iOS, go to Settings > Safari > General > Block Pop-ups. Another way to enable or disable pop-up blocker in Safari, select Preferences > Security > Block pop-up windows.

    Can iPhone Safari get viruses?

    Theres no Safari virus on iPhone, but Safari can be a gateway for hackers to load malware or other bloatware onto your device. You should also think about which apps youve recently downloaded. Apps are a direct way for hackers to gain entry to your phone, and its not always as direct as it seems.

    Recommended Reading: Set Up Favorites On iPhone

    How To Protect Your iPhone From Future Viruses Or Malware And Data Leaks

    Luckily, protecting your iPhone from viruses is a fairly straightforward business. Our top tips include:

    • Avoid public Wi-Fi. Cybercriminals regularly explore public Wi-Fi vulnerabilities to steal information and distribute malware. Avoid public Wi-Fi altogether or, at least, protect your iPhone with a security app before accessing a free hotspot.
    • Only install apps from the App Store. And while were at it, please dont jailbreak your iPhone. Not only does this void your warranty, but any apps you download outside of the App Store are exponentially more likely to put you in harms way.
    • Restrict your app permissions. Even if you don’t end up making any changes, it’s still worth being vigilant about the level of permission you’re giving over to any apps on your device, especially if they want to access data irrelevant to their functions.
    • Update your iPhone regularly. This can be done in the background while youre getting some zeds, so theres no excuse for procrastinating! This simple step will help iPhone users avoid the vast majority of threats.
    • Use an iPhone security app.Install Clario for more secure internet experience. The app comes with a VPN for guarding your privacy, ad-blocker with anti-tracking feature for clean browsing, 24/7 breach monitoring and expert support.

    Restore Your iPhone From Backup

    You can also restore the backup to your device to remove the viruses. You can restore either the iTunes backup or iCloud backup to your iPhone. If the most recent backup is corrupted and if for any reason you are not able to restore, it might contain malware. So, restore one of other backups to your device.

    Recommended Reading: Spy On iPhone Without Apple Id And Password

    How To Check If Your iPhone Has A Virus

    Its very unlikely that your iPhone is infected with a virus. The App Store does an excellent job of vetting potential threats, which usually keeps iOS free from any nasty agents. If youre experiencing issues with performance or particular apps having hiccups, its always worth running any updates that are available, both for iOS and apps, to see if that rectifies the issue first. Should you still have your suspicions after that, you can follow some of the steps outlined below.

    Bear in mind that the majority of successful virus and malware attacks on iPhones are usually those directed at models that have been jailbroken by their owners. If thats you, then breaking out of Apples walled garden could be the reason youve been exposed to infected software, as other app stores are known to suffer from viruses and malware-laden apps.

    The good news in either case is that iOSs sandbox structure should prevent the malware attack from getting access to other applications or to the underlying operating system.

    There was a recent problem with apps managing to get spam appointments on to the Calendar app, usually through tricking users to sign up to third-party calendars. If youve experienced this, then you can read how to remove iPhone calendar virus spam.

    For a more detailed look at this topic, read do iPhones get viruses?

    More articles

    Popular Articles