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Other AV for iPhone or not?
- Thread starter piattj
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The way iOS is designed, it's not possible for an anti-virus program to run on it. The "AV" software is the endless iOS updates apple pushes out constantly that squashes known vulnerabilities.
Since apps can only be installed via the App store your question assumes three things. 1) It assumes that Apple is not vetting apps in the App store, thereby allowing malware to propigate. 2)It assumes that Apple would ACCEPT malware apps in to the App store. 3)If the second assumption were true then it assumes that Apple knowingly is allowing third party software to fix a problem on THEIR hardware instead of taking measures on their own.
If you're installing apps from somewhere else, either sideloading or via Cydia or Sileo then that's a different matter. AFAIK, there is no A/V solutions out there for jailbroken iDevices.
Finally, if Apple isn't offering A/V themselves why do you think they'd allow others to offer it? Apple is all about security and either offering A/V or allowing third party apps in the App store that do A/V would be admitting they are not secure - a PR nightmare for them.
Your question really isn't legitimate.
Every well-known name in security/anti-virus has a product in the App Store. However, you'll find that the focus is on internet security. That almost always means installing a VPN.
VPN has its place if you're using unsecured/public wifi, but it also can create problems connecting to the internet at all (this commonly happens if the subscription lapses and you haven't removed the software).
Apple's approach to device security has made traditional anti-virus software all but meaningless. The key thing for keeping your iPhone secure is updating the OS.
VPN has its place if you're using unsecured/public wifi, but it also can create problems connecting to the internet at all (this commonly happens if the subscription lapses and you haven't removed the software).
Apple's approach to device security has made traditional anti-virus software all but meaningless. The key thing for keeping your iPhone secure is updating the OS.
A simple vote would have sufficed, but I thank you for your contribution. Food for thought.
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You are trending at 100% not necessary in your poll. I did vote…in order to see the results. I'm pointing out the obvious and apparently that isn't appreciated. Why have a poll and a debate when the argument/discussion isn't relevant to iDevice users to begin with?
wow, talk about a prick, he gave a very nice answer that explained why 100% of people are saying no. If you didn't want conversation, maybe you shouldn't have posted on a forum.
But there are AV apps in the app store for macOS. And there are AV apps in the app store for IOS. Your statement seems not legit.
You are a marketers dream. Just because something is available/for sale etc doesn't mean it's required.
Never said they're needed. I don't use AV myself. Just to clarify...the response i got was "if Apple isn't offering A/V themselves why do you think they'd allow others to offer it? Apple is all about security and either offering A/V or allowing third party apps in the App store that do A/V would be admitting they are not secure - a PR nightmare for them." Well, Apple do allow others to offer them. I agree myself that they're not needed. They ARE available though.
Look... I don't use AV on my iPhone. Others might for some reason. I wanted to hear from these people, on why they do use AV. This debate hasn't opened up, hasn't delivered anything of value. Apart from being identified as a prick and a marketer's dream. Well thanks...
for nothing. Thanks to anyone who contributed. To those who just indulge in ad hominem, I thank you for your thoughtful verbiage
You didn't want a debate.Never said they're needed. I don't use AV myself. Just to clarify...the response i got was "if Apple isn't offering A/V themselves why do you think they'd allow others to offer it? Apple is all about security and either offering A/V or allowing third party apps in the App store that do A/V would be admitting they are not secure - a PR nightmare for them." Well, Apple do allow others to offer them. I agree myself that they're not needed. They ARE available though.
Look... I don't use AV on my iPhone. Others might for some reason. I wanted to hear from these people, on why they do use AV. This debate hasn't opened up, hasn't delivered anything of value. Apart from being identified as a prick and a marketer's dream. Well thanks...
Thanks to anyone who contributed. To those who just indulge in ad hominem, I thank you for your thoughtful verbiage
A member gave you their insight and knowledge and you cheekily responded by saying a simple vote would have done.
Food for thought
I disagree. His response was snarky and dismissive. Hence my 'cheeky' reply.You didn't want a debate.
A member gave you their insight and knowledge and you cheekily responded by saying a simple vote would have done.
Food for thought
Now you're getting it.
It wasnt cheeky it was informative and you've just taken it personally.
Christ, I've had enough of this. This wasn't the debate I was looking for. A sideline. I personally think that the member gave useful insight but was factually wrong, dismissive, snarky, as well as being insightful. That is possible, as demonstrated. I thank you for YOUR contribution as well, of course. As it happens I am not a novice or newbie to Apple but, if I was, I would conclude that I wasn't welcome.
Yes, for internet security - not Antivirus.
That was from @ApfelKuchen
You even quoted that member in a reply.
If you point me to any specific app in the App store that does what the standard definition of A/V does I will happily retract my statements.
I've been looking at the Store again and I have to agree with you. Apologies - I should have done more work before posting. Cheers
No worries. At least you know it's something you no longer have to worry about. The day we all start talking A/V for our Apple devices is the day Apple has lost control of security.
Cheers for that. Re macOS, what do you say when people refer to (eg) the XProtect plist and the fact that it's not updated as frequently as eg 3rd party security products. I can see it's updated occasionally (maybe every couple of weeks)...Does that indicate a need for a 3rd party product to fill a gap left by this? I don't use an AV product on Mac but have a standalone scanner (Intego) that I sometimes use to scan a downloaded file (eg pdfs, receipts, etc). Am I being paranoid on THIS platform as well? Many thanks
Mac is a little different now. It used to be a selling point that Mac didn't need A/V. But then the Mac got popular in the last 15 years or so and the people that write malware started focusing on them. Apple has responded with SIP and sandboxing, etc.
My personal opinion is that if it's something that will decrease your anxiety go ahead and use it. While there is not a lot of malware out there for Mac right now, it is out there. But as I don't use A/V myself on my Macs I can't really recommend anything.