Handling unexpected messages...

[Ambrosia7177]

First time mobile user here with an iPhone 6S Plus and iOS 13.5

After a few weeks online, I have had one or two random IM's/messages appear on my phone.

From what I have heard, if you open one of them it could be analogous to an email phishing attack, so you shouldn't open messages that say things like: "Bad Romanceee >"

From a UI standpoint, I don't see how to delete a message without tapping on it first to open it.

How can I delete unwanted IMs/messages/whatever-you-call-them WITHOUT opening them and possibly exposing my iPhone to malware?

Thanks!

 

[C DM]

First time mobile user here with an iPhone 6S Plus and iOS 13.5

After a few weeks online, I have had one or two random IM's/messages appear on my phone.

From what I have heard, if you open one of them it could be analogous to an email phishing attack, so you shouldn't open messages that say things like: "Bad Romanceee >"

From a UI standpoint, I don't see how to delete a message without tapping on it first to open it.

How can I delete unwanted IMs/messages/whatever-you-call-them WITHOUT opening them and possibly exposing my iPhone to malware?

Thanks!

You should be able to slide to the left and reveal some options for a conversation one of which should be the option to delete.

That aside, in pretty much most cases nothing much should really happen if you open a message -- it's mainly if you take some action as far as replying to the message or clicking on any links that might be included where something might come up (and in case of iPhones there really isn't much in the way of malware either, at best it's mostly phishing type of attempts which would require some action like actually providing and submitting some information).

Somewhat unrelated, but just recalling some threads in relation to upgrading to iOS 13, iOS 13.6 was publicly released last week.

 

[cdcastillo]

You should be able to slide to the left and reveal some options for a conversation one of which should be the option to delete...

This is correct, see attached example

 

[Apple_Robert]

If you get an unexpected message, once you tap on it to see who it is from, just make sure not to tap on any link within the message or respond to any unknown message in any way, and you will be fine. Swipe left to delete as suggested above.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

If you get an unexpected message, once you tap on it to see who it is from, just make sure not to tap on any link within the message or respond to any unknown message in any way, and you will be fine. Swipe left to delete as suggested above.

I prefer not to do that since I could see who it was from being in my inbox (?).

So all of you seem pretty confident that if I did open a message it wouldn't automatically install malware, huh?

Obviously I'd never click on a link or enter info or download something unles I was 110% certain and expercting such a request!

 

[Apple_Robert]

I prefer not to do that since I could see who it was from being in my inbox (?).

So all of you seem pretty confident that if I did open a message it wouldn't automatically install malware, huh?

Obviously I'd never click on a link or enter info or download something unles I was 110% certain and expercting such a request!

At this point in time, merely opening a message as we all typically do, will not introduce malware. Engaging a link is what can introduce browser hijacking and other annoying types of malware.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

At this point in time, merely opening a message as we all typically do, will not introduce malware. Engaging a link is what can introduce browser hijacking and other annoying types of malware.

Okay, just being cautious (and paranoid) as usual! =)

Thanks!
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Somewhat unrelated, but just recalling some threads in relation to upgrading to iOS 13, iOS 13.6 was publicly released last week.

How do I update my iPhone?

I just upgraded from iOS 10 to iOS 13.5, but I already forgot how I did that. (I recall it was manual on my part.)

Don't minor updates just push out to your iPhone automatically, or not?

 

[C DM]

Engaging a link is what can introduce browser hijacking and other annoying types of malware.

Although in the iOS environment even that isn't something that really happens, at least in the sense of something getting installed or something else of that nature. Nevertheless, it's certainly good practice in general to avoid opening unknown links, or downloading (let alone opening) any unknown attachments or files.
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How do I update my iPhone?

I just upgraded from iOS 10 to iOS 13.5, but I already forgot how I did that. (I recall it was manual on my part.)

Don't minor updates just push out to your iPhone automatically, or not?

Aside from connecting your iPhone to a computer and running iTunes and following prompts there to check for/install updates, you can do it right from your iPhone by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

In terms of updates automatically being downloaded or installed, that depends on a few things, like whether or not you have that enabled (also located in the same area of Settings) and even if you do automatic download typically would only happen if you are connected to a power source and you are on a WiFi connection (and often it would be something that happens after an update has been out for at least a little while).

 

[Ambrosia7177]

@C DM,

Is it safe to do an iOS update using Wi-Fi and my personal hotspot, or should I plu into my rMBP?

 

[C DM]

@C DM,

Is it safe to do an iOS update using Wi-Fi and my personal hotspot, or should I plu into my rMBP?

Should be safe either way. There's validation that happens after the download when the update is being unpacked before it's installed to make sure everything that's necessary has been downloaded properly and is all correct.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Should be safe either way. There's validation that happens after the download when the update is being unpacked before it's installed to make sure everything that's necessary has been downloaded properly and is all correct.

I guess to be extra safe, I might as well plug in my USB cable.

 

[cdcastillo]

At this point in time, merely opening a message as we all typically do, will not introduce malware. Engaging a link is what can introduce browser hijacking and other annoying types of malware.

Although BGG is technically correct, if you get targeted, you'll likely be out of luck.

Last year they found out just receiving a WhatsApp call was enough to hack you (pegasus spyware), even if you didn't answer. I think Apple already patched this vulnerability, but there might be another one we still don't know about.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Although BGG is technically correct, if you get targeted, you'll likely be out of luck.

Last year they found out just receiving a WhatsApp call was enough to hack you (pegasus spyware), even if you didn't answer. I think Apple already patched this vulnerability, but there might be another one we still don't know about.

Very scary...

 

[Apple_Robert]

Although BGG is technically correct, if you get targeted, you'll likely be out of luck.

Last year they found out just receiving a WhatsApp call was enough to hack you (pegasus spyware), even if you didn't answer. I think Apple already patched this vulnerability, but there might be another one we still don't know about.

If I am not mistaken, the malware with that app was from people using a illegal hacked version of the app. It wasn’t from the app found in the App Store.

 

[cdcastillo]

If I am not mistaken, the malware with that app was from people using a illegal hacked version of the app. It wasn’t from the app found in the App Store.

No, it was the regular app from facebook available in the App Store. The issue was that the people wanting to hack you needed to pay a bazillion dollars to NGO for a license to use Pegasus. In México it was documented that the federal government payed the Israeli intelligence group to spy on certain journalists.