How secure is iOS or iPadOS?

[Bubble99]

How secure is iOS or iPadOS?

From the security point of view how secure is iOS or iPadOS? When it comes to hackers or malware?

Well obviously Windows seem to get more viruses and spyware.

But do you run anti virus software on iOS or iPadOS?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

do you run anti virus software on iOS or iPadOS?

no.

iOS is a “closed ecosystem” so it’s not POSSIBLE to run “antivirus software” in the sense you’re used to from Windows - the app wouldn’t be able to even see most of what’s on the phone.

But at the same time - neither can malware.

The only “security” concerns are zero-day exploits which is why it’s important to keep iOS up to date.

 

[iHorseHead]

Nothing is secure. Anything that connects to the internet can be hacked.
The true answer is we don’t know how secure iOS is and neither does Apple.

 

[Bubble99]

no.

iOS is a “closed ecosystem” so it’s not POSSIBLE to run “antivirus software” in the sense you’re used to from Windows - the app wouldn’t be able to even see most of what’s on the phone.

But at the same time - neither can malware.

The only “security” concerns are zero-day exploits which is why it’s important to keep iOS up to date.

What about apps? How do you stop apps spyware?

How do you know what apps are safe and what apps are not safe to download and install?

 

[snipr125]

Nothing is secure. Anything that connects to the internet can be hacked.
The true answer is we don’t know how secure iOS is and neither does Apple.

But in general iOS/iPad OS is more secure than open desktop OS's like Mac OS and Windows.

 

[goldmac2006]

no.

iOS is a “closed ecosystem” so it’s not POSSIBLE to run “antivirus software” in the sense you’re used to from Windows - the app wouldn’t be able to even see most of what’s on the phone.

But at the same time - neither can malware.

The only “security” concerns are zero-day exploits which is why it’s important to keep iOS up to date.

Proprietary software.

Mac users rarely discuss McAfee, Norton, or any antivirus software because Windows users use these as they lack on built-in security features like Gatekeeper, XProtect, and security updates.

Apple’s operating systems (OSes) have robust security features, including permissions and security updates, that don’t require third-party software to protect against computer viruses.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

What about apps? How do you stop apps spyware?

How do you know what apps are safe and what apps are not safe to download and install?

App Store is "pretty" safe - apps are reviewed before publishing. But still, you have to have a little common sense. If the app was just published within the past couple of weeks, I wouldn't install it.

 

[iHorseHead]

Mac users rarely discuss McAfee, Norton, or any antivirus software because Windows users use these as they lack on built-in security features like Gatekeeper, XProtect, and security updates.

That's not really true.
Windows is secure as well and nowadays people don't discuss such things. Windows has Windows Defender in it and receives more security updates than macOS because of their share market. Others aren't that used.
Windows has security features built in as well. Just the other day I wasn't able to install Chromium, but had to work around.
Your statement is just a lie.
Microsoft has secure environment. Especially for the enterprise customers. Azure is better than anything that Apple offers.

Why do you say that Windows has no features like GateKeeper and XProtect and SECURITY UPDATES which it installs quite frequently.

 

[iHorseHead]

App Store is "pretty" safe - apps are reviewed before publishing. But still, you have to have a little common sense. If the app was just published within the past couple of weeks, I wouldn't install it.

Apple's App Store infected with XcodeGhost malware in China

Apple says it is taking steps to remove a malicious software added to dozens of apps commonly used by owners of iPhones and iPads in China.

www.bbc.com

Those were some big apps as well.

As I've said below: Never let your guard down and use common sense. Don't think you're "secure" and don't click "Allow" everywhere (like my mom does) and don't trust "Your device has a virus" pop up ads (surprisingly many people do, including my mom who also called the scammers)…

Nothing and no operating systems are secure.

I use Windows and Mac and I have to say that it's been awhile since I last got a virus or any kind of malware. We're not on Windows XP era anymore (but also I used Kazaa, limewire and torrents etc) a lot, which I don't anymore, so maybe, just maybe this has something to do with it as well.

Your own brain is the best security.
Most of the antivirus software is awful and they try to make money on you as much as possible.

Just use common sense. Don't download random things and always check the hash.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Apple's App Store infected with XcodeGhost malware in China

Apple says it is taking steps to remove a malicious software added to dozens of apps commonly used by owners of iPhones and iPads in China.

www.bbc.com

Those were some big apps as well.

Yeah, it can happen. Which is why the "2 week" caution in my post.

It IS very rare though. Handful of reports like this over the years, vs. some 2 million apps in the App Store.

 

[goldmac2006]

That's not really true.
Windows is secure as well and nowadays people don't discuss such things. Windows has Windows Defender in it and receives more security updates than macOS because of their share market. Others aren't that used.
Windows has security features built in as well. Just the other day I wasn't able to install Chromium, but had to work around.
Your statement is just a lie.
Microsoft has secure environment. Especially for the enterprise customers. Azure is better than anything that Apple offers.

Why do you say that Windows has no features like GateKeeper and XProtect and SECURITY UPDATES which it installs quite frequently.

They do but folks on windows overhaul notion and those third party things. Maybe it is an old thing for now as I haven’t touched on Windows as much, they do security updates on there too.

Ngl all my personal computers I had started from Chromebook and then I switched to Mac not long ago. Chromebook already has built in protections and regular updates imo.

 

[iHorseHead]

They do but folks on windows overhaul notion and those third party things. Maybe it is an old thing for now as I haven’t touched on Windows as much, they do security updates on there too.

Ngl all my personal computers I had started from Chromebook and then I switched to Mac not long ago. Chromebook already has built in protections and regular updates imo.

They do so, because they've been brainwashed by the anti virus companies. You can get the same ads for Macs from the anti virus companies, but as you can see you don't really need an antivirus on a Mac.
Windows Defender has been built in since Windows 10. Windows Defender even sends out Azure alerts and reports. If Windows was as bad as you claimed it to be then I doubt every company (at least in Northern Europe) would use it and my company would use an anti virus as well, but we don't.

I use Windows 11 Enterprise at work and it's not that bad, but I know that Windows Enterprise is very different from Home version that regular people use (No ads) and in my region you didn't get ads anyway. It's like setting your VPN to Albania and going on YouTube. You just no longer see ads.

Android is also a very different subject, since every phone company builds their own versions of it. There is GraphineOS etc which are based on Android.

I've been using Macs since 2008 and I've had fair share of disappointments with Apple. My first computer received only 4 years of updates, while a Windows PC at the same price would've been able to upgrade to Windows 10 from 2008.

In iPhones I'm disappointed with battery life and I think Samsung has better security. (Locking your apps so each app and each app needs a different pin) and now privacy screen etc.

 

[goldmac2006]

In iPhones I'm disappointed with battery life and I think Samsung has better security. (Locking your apps so each app and each app needs a different pin) and now privacy screen etc.

I seen that. The ads on the s26 ultra had that privacy screen thing on a different part of the screen instead of screen protectors doing it

 

[Starfia]

Introductory reading material from Apple, if that's the kind of thing you're interested in.