iPad malware/virus Download

[Sms4178]

Hi all!
Recently, I got an email from chase bank saying fraud was detected, etc. There was an HTML file at the bottom and (not thinking) I clicked it. A blank page popped up, sort of like a URL. Don't think the iPad could read it, might not have been a real file. I re read the email (carefully) and it was clearly Spam/fraud with misspellings, etc. Anyway - my question is, can iPads actually download email attachments? Or do they just view them. Furthermore, do I need to be worried about potential malware/ viruses from doing this?

 

[Mrg02d]

Hi all!
Recently, I got an email from chase bank saying fraud was detected, etc. There was an HTML file at the bottom and (not thinking) I clicked it. A blank page popped up, sort of like a URL. Don't think the iPad could read it, might not have been a real file. I re read the email (carefully) and it was clearly Spam/fraud with misspellings, etc. Anyway - my question is, can iPads actually download email attachments? Or do they just view them. Furthermore, do I need to be worried about potential malware/ viruses from doing this?

iOS won't allow anything to run unless it came from the App Store.

 

[Sms4178]

But couldn't it run through safari since it was an HTML file?

 

[Night Spring]

But couldn't it run through safari since it was an HTML file?

No, it can't. Everything in iOS is sandboxed, so only Apple-approved code can run.

 

[Sms4178]

So you're saying there's a 0% chance of contracting malware/spyware/virus

 

[Rodster]

So you're saying there's a 0% chance of contracting malware/spyware/virus

Pretty much what everyone has said. Apple sandboxes their devices, very little gets through. The only known vulnerability of late was some java vulnerability on their PC's.

And before the malicious code runs you'd get asked for your password. So anything is possible but HIGHLY unlikely you have anything to worry about.

 

[K0P Bacon]

Good to know. I was unaware of an iPad getting malware and virus.

 

[Southernboyj]

So you're saying there's a 0% chance of contracting malware/spyware/virus

Yes, the locked down OS prevents anything from running. Whether that is a good thing or bad thing is subjective.

 

[Sms4178]

Thanks all : )

 

[JonLa]

The only thing to worry about is if such an attachment or link takes you to a bogus website that is pretending to be something you'd log in to. If you log in to it, you're giving your username/password away, and if you reuse those credentials on multiple sites...

 

[Dav1]

Hi all!
Recently, I got an email from chase bank saying fraud was detected, etc. There was an HTML file at the bottom and (not thinking) I clicked it. A blank page popped up, sort of like a URL. Don't think the iPad could read it, might not have been a real file. I re read the email (carefully) and it was clearly Spam/fraud with misspellings, etc. Anyway - my question is, can iPads actually download email attachments? Or do they just view them. Furthermore, do I need to be worried about potential malware/ viruses from doing this?

Zero chance? I'd say no...

You don't happen to mention your iOS, on your iPad, nor do you happen to mention its jailbreak status.

To view an attachment you must first download it, so yes you can download on an iPad. Perhaps you've heard about the new iPhone 5? It took less than 12 hours to hack it, and load Cydia on it. That is running unapproved code on an iDevice. Do a little research on Absinthe Jailbreak, if your device is jailbroken you've made it easier for a hacker to attack it.

To my mind all that suggest that there is some risk, but chances are you are okay. But to claim there is zero chance and totally nothing to worry about, just isn't true.

In settings > mail > there is an option to load remote images. In loading remote images you are telling the remote site, your IP address, that is enough info to provide a hacker a foothold, a starting place to attack your iPad. Of course that takes work and effort, so the hacker has to believe you are worth the effort...