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Old 12-04-2012, 13:26
Franglais
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Should anti-virus software and firewall be installed on iPads or is Apple supposed to be virus proof?
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Old 12-04-2012, 13:27
alan1302
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Should anti-virus software and firewall be installed on iPads or is Apple supposed to be virus proof?
No OS is ever, ever virus proof…ever!
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Old 12-04-2012, 18:26
Matt D
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Should anti-virus software and firewall be installed on iPads or is Apple supposed to be virus proof?
AFAIK, there is no AV software for iOS, other than a small number of apps that scan for Windows malware (in case you had e.g. an email infected with a Windows virus, and sent it on to someone who uses Windows).

Don't worry about it.
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Old 13-04-2012, 09:46
Stuart_h
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AFAIK, there is no AV software for iOS, other than a small number of apps that scan for Windows malware (in case you had e.g. an email infected with a Windows virus, and sent it on to someone who uses Windows).

Don't worry about it.
Not really very good advice ....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15635408

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17623422

Just be aware that its not just Windows viruses/malware you are on the lookout for. Apple used to be 'immune' as the numbers of users werent high enough to get the headlines. With that now changing Id wager that the challenge is out there for those who delight in causing damage and/or mischief.

I do wonder if the OP was maybe trying to spark a debate here though
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Old 13-04-2012, 11:10
Gormond
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The best antivirus is Apple's control over the app store and the ability to pull apps from every device of one gets through.

Antivirus software would offer no better solution as it would catch a new virus until definitions are updated, it's less efficient than just pulling the app from your device.
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Old 13-04-2012, 11:18
alan1302
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The best antivirus is Apple's control over the app store and the ability to pull apps from every device of one gets through.

Antivirus software would offer no better solution as it would catch a new virus until definitions are updated, it's less efficient than just pulling the app from your device.
Not all viruses/malware come through apps though so it would not necessarily help.

Also not 1005 sure I am happy with Apple being able to take an app off my phone/pad
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Old 13-04-2012, 13:14
Stuart_h
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Not all viruses/malware come through apps though so it would not necessarily help.

Also not 1005 sure I am happy with Apple being able to take an app off my phone/pad
to be fair I believe that Google can also do this if required ...... Im sure I read that somewhere.
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Old 13-04-2012, 13:49
alan1302
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to be fair I believe that Google can also do this if required ...... Im sure I read that somewhere.
Not happy they can do it either!
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Old 13-04-2012, 13:55
Matt D
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Not really very good advice ....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15635408

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17623422

Just be aware that its not just Windows viruses/malware you are on the lookout for. Apple used to be 'immune' as the numbers of users werent high enough to get the headlines. With that now changing Id wager that the challenge is out there for those who delight in causing damage and/or mischief.

I do wonder if the OP was maybe trying to spark a debate here though
Your first link is about a proof of concept that used a hole I believe has now been patched.

Your second link is totally irellevant as it's regarding Mac malware.

What I said still stands anyway, there are no iOS AV apps, save for a few that cover non-iOS malware
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Old 13-04-2012, 14:43
Izak
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Unless you have a jailbroken iOS device that has access to unchecked apps, I think you a pretty safe on a iOS device because of the security feature Apple use. Obviously its still not a good idea to go into an unknown website and enter your credit card details for example

Android is slightly different because I believe (can't say for certain as I don't own an Android device) that you can get apps from sources other than Google Play/Android Market which would open the platform up to viruses. So for Android devices, it would always be best to get apps from known app stores and not just off the net.

Not all viruses/malware come through apps though so it would not necessarily help.

Also not 100% sure I am happy with Apple being able to take an app off my phone/pad
I don't think Apple or Google would do such a thing unless absolutely necessary and if it saves my iPad from getting hacked into and someone steal my data, I'm quite happy for Apple to have that ability.
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Old 13-04-2012, 14:57
alan1302
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I don't think Apple or Google would do such a thing unless absolutely necessary and if it saves my iPad from getting hacked into and someone steal my data, I'm quite happy for Apple to have that ability.
Generally I do think that way as well but what is on my iPhone/Android Tablet is mine and I don't like them having that power to remove what they wish.

I think Amazon had something recently with a Kindle book they took off peoples devices.
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Old 13-04-2012, 18:12
paulbrock
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to be fair I believe that Google can also do this if required ...... Im sure I read that somewhere.
yep they have a 'kill switch'...and have used it.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fas..._switch_t.html

Not worth the neg publicity to do anything nefarious with it though.
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Old 13-04-2012, 18:39
Matt D
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I don't have a problem with Google or Apple having a kill switch.
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Old 14-04-2012, 23:58
Stuart_h
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Your first link is about a proof of concept that used a hole I believe has now been patched.

Your second link is totally irellevant as it's regarding Mac malware.

What I said still stands anyway, there are no iOS AV apps, save for a few that cover non-iOS malware
ah but my first link was to indicate that holes have been found (and id assume more will be found)

and my second was to point out that its not just Windows malware that could be passed around via email

whilst the locked down/limited hardware nature of Apple limits the likelihood of viruses i dont think anyone should assume that they are totally safe anywhere these days ...

sad but true
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