Malware iPhone Myths That Have Been Debunked Already
We’ve all heard business and personal Apple owners claim that both operating systems, from Apple, iOS, and macOS, are invulnerable when it comes to malware. On the other hand, we know that no software is absolutely immune to attacks. Everything with an Internet connection can be hacked, which puts your personal and financial information at risk. So, is the security of an almost completely closed Apple system a myth? Or is it a reality?
Let’s talk about malware iPhone myths that have already been debunked today.
Myth #1. iPhone cannot be infected with a virus
Fortunately for fans of Apple products, viruses on the iPhone are extremely rare. But, alas, not impossible. Hackers are stubborn people. From time to time, they still find vulnerabilities in iOS protection and try to take advantage of them. Here are some recent examples (in fact, there are even more):
- In 2015, many iPhone and iPad owners were stunned by the news that some applications from the App Store were infected and could track the user of the device, sending this data to attackers.
- In 2021, malware called Pegasus from the Israeli company NSO Group was roaming the market. According to rumors, the governments of many countries buy this software to spy on their citizens.
Hackers can still bypass App Store security and install viruses on iPhones to this day. This is done very simply through TestFlight, a utility designed to test iOS programs before publishing them in the App Store.
Got worried? Then check your iPhone for viruses (find out how here https://clario.co/blog/how-to-check-iphone-for-virus/) and set several protection levels on your gadget just in case.
Myth #2. Antivirus will handle everything
The second malware myth is the idea that all you need to do is set up antivirus software, leave it running, and trust that everything will be OK.
But one antivirus tool cannot protect your device from all types of malware. Keep your software up to date, update iOS on your device on time, and stay away from public Wi-Fi connections.
Myth #3. Antivirus companies create viruses for more profit
First, there are already plenty of viruses and trojans out there that justify a person’s need to buy antivirus software. And if companies even believed that more viruses were needed to increase sales, we would hear about numerous virus attacks on the iPhone. But fortunately, there are not many of them.
Secondly, modern viruses, trojans, and bots are not so easy to create. Although we don’t realize it, a modern virus requires hundreds of hours of programming, if not more. Based on the source code of previous viruses, experts have calculated that it takes about 1-3 months of programming to create viruses, if not more. To do this, you need to invest in programmers and time and resources to support the virus so that it remains relevant for a long time. This data alone shows that it doesn’t make financial sense for an antivirus company to create its own viruses.
Myth #4: Malware can only be found on untrusted sites
One of the greatest methods for maintaining internet security is to visit websites you trust. But this doesn’t mean you can drop your guard because these websites can also be hijacked and used to spread malware.
When you see an advertisement on a reputable website, you might decide it is okay to click on it. This can be malware advertising, a type of cyberattack wherein hackers hide dangerous code in adverts that appear normal.
Sometimes you don’t even need to click on the advertisement for dangerous code to infect your device as soon as it loads.
Malicious advertising is hard to spot and might escape website administrators. You will stop advertisements from automatically downloading and playing by activating click-to-play in your browser.
Myth #5. When there is nothing crucial on your device, malware is harmless
If you don’t have anything crucial stored on your iPhone, you could believe you are secure. Even if we overlook the fact that your device may still be used to infect other contacts, this is still wrong.
Spyware may access your gadget and monitor your actions. Thus, while you recall your bank details, for instance, malware may be able to “learn” them when you enter data online. Then, it could distribute information to scammers who might use it to commit fraud against you.
Myths debunked!
Of course, there are many more myths than these. However, the ones mentioned above are common and that is why so many people are vulnerable to malware.
Stay up to date, follow simple security policies (avoid clicking dubious links, use strong passwords, try to avoid public Wi-Fi and third-party app stores), learn about the latest scams and always doubt what you hear about this malware.
Authored by Kristina Ievleva, Promodo Inc.
This post is supported by Promodo Inc. The views and opinions expressed in the post are those of the guest author and not endorsed by HR Gazette.