Does The iPhone Get Viruses? Simple Ways To Protect

Last Updated on 3 months by Touhid

iPhones are among the most popular smartphones out there, and one of its key selling points is its strong security system. This raises the question: does the iPhone get viruses?

Technically speaking, it is very hard for an iPhone to get attacked by viruses, but it is not impossible. iPhones can be affected by viruses like Pegasus and AdThief.

So, if you are an iPhone user, this guide is for you; keep on reading to know more about viruses in your phone and prevent this from happening.

What Are iPhone Viruses?

Malicious software or code that targets iOS devices with the intention of undermining their security and operation is commonly referred to as iPhone viruses.

These can also spread across the entire system by self-replicating. Moreover, these threats, which include phishing attempts, adware, trojans, spyware, and ransomware, as well as malware, seek to take control of the device.

They can also steal confidential information, annoy users with intrusive advertisements, or exploit security holes in the iOS operating system.

Does The iPhone Get Viruses?

An iPhone is less likely to get viruses due to its strong security ecosystem, but it is not impossible. Even after the robust security systems, malware can still attack iPhones.

The architecture of the iPhone’s operating system prevents viruses from spreading as easily as those of Windows or Android. Apple’s mobile devices are less vulnerable to hacking than many other products because of the close integration of its hardware and software.

Now, the question is, “Does the iPhone get Viruses?” The simple answer is that getting a virus on an iPhone is extremely rare or very rare. 

Thus, there is little possibility of getting a virus if you don’t jailbreak your iPhone and update your iOS frequently.

While installing programs from unapproved, third-party app stores is one of the largest dangers you can take with your smartphone, it is normally secure if you keep inside Apple’s operating restrictions.

These apps often contain hidden malware, and as soon as you install these apps, malware can take control of your device without you knowing.

How Does the iPhone get Viruses?

How Does the iPhone Get Viruses? There is only one way that iPhones can get viruses or malware when they are Jailbroken. Jailbreaking is the process of modifying settings, and removing the software installation and deletion restrictions imposed on an iOS device.

You can install and use unauthorized apps that are not authorized by the App Store and also remove the security features that Apple has built into iOS.

There are several tools and software used to jailbreak various versions of iOS on your iPhone. It is noted that Apple does not allow jailbreak because they are against their end-user license agreement for iOS.

However, if you want to add new features to your iPhone, and then you can do jailbreaking very carefully.

Apple does not allow users to see the files of the operating system on its devices and can’t modify the settings. But by using jailbreaking on your iPhone, you can gain access to these files and can modify the files.

Can iPhone get Viruses? Simply put, iPhone can get Viruses whenever you install unauthorized apps after jailbreaking.

How Do iPhones Get Viruses?

Even though iOS devices are well protected against viruses, how Does the iPhone get Viruses??

Installing Third-party apps

One of the main ways the iPhone gets viruses is through third-party apps. Often, these third-party apps seem tempting for users to download; they use tactics like you can earn real money if you play these games and more.

So, as soon as you install and open them on your iPhone, the hidden malware can directly enter your device, leading to serious damage.

Your iPhone is jailbroken

Can iPhones Get Viruses? Yes, if your iPhone is jailbroken, its security system is automatically compromised, and it can no longer protect your phone against vulnerabilities.

Hence, this opens up your device, and viruses can easily attack and take control of your iPhone.

To jailbreak on your iPhone, you have to modify settings, remove the software installation, and release Apple’s restrictions. There are several jailbreaking tools that will help you to unlock different versions of iOS on your device.

Here is the list of the 10 best iOS Jailbreaking tools available for iPhone:

• Pangu Jailbreak Tool
• PP 25 Jailbreak Tool
• Pangu for iOS 11.3.1
• Evasi0n7
• P0sixspwn 
• Redsn0w
• Absinthe
• PwnageTool

Through infected devices

There is a significant possibility that malware will be installed on an iPhone if it is connected to infected external devices or data is transferred from hacked computers.

The iPhone is vulnerable to virus transmission when linked to compromised external hard drives, USB devices, or public charging stations.

Transferring data from infected computers can also include malware, such as worms and trojans, which infect the device during the transfer process.

Connecting to an unsecured WiFI network

Connecting to an unsecured WiFi network is another way viruses attack iPhones and other devices. The device is open to possible attacks when it is linked to these networks.

Man-in-the-middle attacks are a cyber threat that gives hackers unauthorized access to data packets, possibly exposing private data and login passwords.

You visited a malicious website

Can iPhones get viruses from websites? Browsing a website with viruses or adware puts your iPhone at risk of infection. Phishing emails or fraudulent websites that successfully imitate reliable sources can trick users into disclosing personal information, leaving them open to virus infestation.

How Do I Know My iPhone Got Viruses?

It can sometimes become tough for iPhone users to detect viruses in their phones. How do I know if my iPhone has a virus? So, you must look for a few common symptoms to understand whether or not your iPhone has any viruses.

Phone overheats

Your iPhone can overheat during long usage or when extra pressure is put on the phone due to multitasking. But, if you notice your phone frequently overheats with regular usage, then there’s a chance viruses are using your phone’s resources.

Sudden App crashing

Your iPhone may be infected with malware if your apps frequently crash without apparent cause. This is because these infections use internal resources, making it more likely that your other app will crash and stop working properly.

Sudden pop-ups

iPhones never have popups displaying while you are normally using your phone. Popups can appear when you are using the internet, but other than that, it is never normal on iPhones.

So, an excessive number of intrusive pop-ups could mean that a virus has infiltrated your iPhone.

Quicker Battery draining

Age-related wear and tear or power-hungry apps might cause irregular battery depletion. On the other hand, there’s a possibility that your iPhone has a virus if all other applications function correctly and the battery is still depleting more quickly.

This is because malware that uses much energy, such as advertising or mining software, might cause your battery to discharge faster than usual.

You find strange apps being downloaded on your iPhone

The sudden appearance of new applications on your iPhone that you hadn’t downloaded on purpose may be a sign that malware is there. Without your knowledge or cooperation, malware, particularly specific kinds like trojans or adware, can covertly install unwanted programs on your device.

These applications can appear strange or shady, or they may even act strangely, displaying advertisements or sending users to questionable destinations.

Increase In Data Usage

Increased sudden data usage is another common way to detect that your iPhone is getting viruses. In the form of spyware or adware, these viruses use a lot of data to send confidential information from your phone to hackers.

So, if you suspect that your phone is using more data, you should check the internet usage on your settings and check what apps use how much data.

How To Remove Viruses From iPhone?

Don’t panic if you find any of the above symptoms on your iPhone; you can remove the viruses, fix your phone, and get it back to normal.

Restart your iPhone

The first step is to restart your iPhone; restarting the device can help remove any temporary glitches or viruses from your Phone. So, try restarting the device, and if your phone still keeps showing these symptoms, move on to the next step.

Use antivirus apps

Many antivirus apps are available in the App Store for your iPhone; they come in free and paid versions. Download any of these apps and scan your phone for any viruses. If any virus is found after scanning, these apps will take care of them for you and remove them from your phone,

Look for any strange apps

Another thing you will need to do is look for any strange or weird-looking apps on your iPhone. Browse through all the apps and delete any ones you didn’t install.

Additionally, go to settings and look for all the apps there, as sometimes these apps hide in the background, making them impossible to find from the home screen.

Remove search history

You might have visited a malicious site mistakenly, which led to the spread of the virus to your iPhone. So, you will need to clear your search history. To clear your search history, click Launch Settings, then select Safari. Select and hit Clear History and Data after selecting Erase History and Website Data.

Restoring from earlier iOS version

One good thing about iOS is that it can be restored from older versions, which makes it easier to degrade your iOS versions in case of viruses and other malware. So, you can try doing this to remove any existing malware from your system.

Factory reset your iPhone

Factory resetting your iPhone will be the last thing you should do. If you have tried all the above fixes and your phone still shows signs of viruses, you must factory reset your iPhone.

Remember that factory resetting will erase all the data on your phone; thus, keeping regular data backups is important. You can do this from the settings option on your phone.

Expert Tips To Prevent iPhones From Getting Viruses 

The iPhone’s security system is well renowned, but still, it can be vulnerable to cyberattacks. So, these expert tips can help you keep your phone safe from viruses.

• Never download or install apps from any third-party stores or websites.
• Avoid connecting to public open Wi-Fi or hotspots unless there is an emergency.
• Try to use a VPN while browsing the internet using public, unsecured networks.
• Do not click on links sent via text messages or emails from unknown sources.
• Always backup your iPhone regularly so you can restore your data in emergency scenarios.

FAQs

If you still have questions on can iPhone get viruses, keep reading our FAQs below to clear all your queries.

Is it safe to use antivirus apps for the iPhone?

Antivirus apps installed from the official Apple App Store are generally safe and add an extra security layer over your phone. They can shield your phone from viruses, phishing scams, and dubious websites. Additionally, these apps can also search for and identify any malicious dangers.

Does resetting the iPhone remove viruses?

Resetting the iPhone returns it to its original factory state, removing all the viruses and malware. But remember, when you reset your iPhone, all the data, your saved info, pictures and videos, and even saved contact numbers are removed from the phone.

What makes an iPhone less vulnerable to cyber-attacks?

A more secure system is guaranteed by Apple’s restricted ecosystem and tight oversight over hardware and software. iOS employs a sandboxing technique that isolates applications and restricts their accessibility to user information and system resources.

Furthermore, Apple regularly provides software upgrades that fortify the system’s security and quickly fix found flaws.

Conclusion

As an iPhone user, you can stay assured that your phone will remain safe from viruses. However, it is still important to follow proper safety protocols to ensure no viruses can enter the system.

Additionally, frequently update your device to remove system bugs and clear loopholes. You should also avoid any apps from third-party stores or sites.

I hope the article Does the iPhone get viruses will be helpful for you to learn how your iPhone can get viruses.