How to remove virus from iPhone?

Can iPhones get Viruses?

iPhone users often ask the query – Can iPhones get viruses from websites or other sources despite the strong security of Apple devices?

Apple is very particular about the security of its devices. In fact, the iPhone is by far one of the most secure smartphones currently on the market. This, of course, does not mean that the answer is an unqualified ‘no’ to the query- can iPhones get viruses?

As long as you update your iPhone regularly and don’t jailbreak it, then the chances of getting a virus on iPhone are very low. Let us, therefore, see how can iPhones get viruses from websites or outside sources despite Apple’s strong security and how to remove virus from iPhone when infected.

How can iPhones get viruses from websites or other sources?

We all know that the security of its devices has long been one of Apple’s biggest priorities. But you may still find many iPhone users are worried about – can iPhones get viruses despite such strong security.

The chances of getting malware or virus on iPhone from outside sources are extremely low. This is because all the Apps in the Apple store go through thorough security checks before being uploaded to the store. If any virus or malware is detected Apple will not approve the app to be uploaded. Moreover, Apple does not allow any downloads from the web.

Another reason that iOS devices are relatively safe compared to Android devices is that there are many more Android users than iOS which makes Android a bigger target of hackers. Therefore, my first response to the query – ‘can iPhones get viruses’ would be – this is unlikely unless your phone is jail-broken.

However, although the likelihood of iPhone getting infected by viruses is very low, it may be technically possible for iPhones and other iOS devices to get viruses or malware from websites or the internet. There are incidences where legitimate apps in the iOS App Store were infected with viruses or malware. Now, how can you get a virus on your iPhone in rare cases?

When you download any app from the Apple store it is always virus or malware free. But when the app is updated there is a chance of it getting infected. This is because the data for updates come from developers who might transfer viruses in the process. However, in this case, the chances of getting a virus on iPhone are low because its internal security will not allow the infected app to feed any data into the device and the app may eventually crash.

But it cannot be an unqualified no to the query –  can iPhones get viruses? The fact remains that your iPhone could potentially be infected by viruses or Malware. iPhone has become more of a target by hackers as it has grown in popularity.

Though Apple has taken many precautionary steps to ensure the safety of its iOS devices, which include encrypting all messages and strict security screenings of all App Store offerings, you might have heard a lot about iPhones acting strangely or running slow due to viruses or malware infection.

How can iPhones get malware from websites or other sources?

Though it’s rare, it has been found that iOS devices at times can be infected by malware or viruses, even if the devices aren’t Jail-broken. Now, how can iPhones get malware from websites or other sources?

It needs to be remembered that, no matter how strong a platform may be, there will be still some exploitable weaknesses. The malware, which is ‘malicious software’, may come from infected websites, e-mails, and third-party programs.

Although malware typically tends to be more associated with PCs and Windows devices, it has been detected that it can also affect Macs, iPads, iPhones, and other Apple devices. Even if you don’t jailbreak your iOS device, despite very rigid control from Apple, the App Store cannot always keep malicious apps from finding their way into your device. Hackers can find alternative methods to compromise it. One way hackers distribute malware is by tricking iPhone users into downloading free versions of apps that users would otherwise have to pay for.

Security researchers at Google have also recently found evidence of efforts to hack iPhones using websites that would discreetly implant malware or malicious software to gather contacts, images, and other data. Nevertheless, these exploits tend to live only for a very short period as Apple issues regular updates of its devices to the latest software to make sure they are adequately protected.

However, the facts remain that very few malware and viruses are targeted at iOS devices as compared to Android. According to a report, only 0.7% of the total malware threats around are aimed at iOS devices. The reason for such a low percentage of threats is simply that it is very hard to target iOS and infringe on its security.

Therefore, the true answer to the query, can iPhones get viruses or malware from outside sources, can be made in one sentence  – even though the instances of infections from viruses or malware on iPhones are not so common, the security of iOS devices is not totally impregnable. Updating your iOS regularly is one of the best ways to protect against such infections.

How to check for viruses on iPhone?

Once you know how can iPhones get viruses, your next question may be – how to check for viruses on iPhone?

Despite the strong security of Apple devices against viruses if you notice your device acting strangely or running slow, doubt may obviously arise in your mind that your iPhone may be infected with the virus. In such a situation, you should first need to ensure that it is actually a virus that is causing the unnatural behavior in your device. Now, how to check for virus on iPhone? 

Here are some common symptoms of virus checker for iPhone

• Overheating of the device: When your device is running hot, malicious apps could be overusing CPU resources and memory, causing your device to overwork;
• Slow speed: Your device runs much more slowly than usual;
• Data usage: The first sign of an iPhone virus is that there will be rapid data depletion. This is because the virus (malicious software) can eat away your data by communicating with its creator via the internet and running different tasks in the background. Therefore, if you notice a huge spike in data usage, there’s a good chance that a virus has managed to intrude on your device;
• Crashing apps: If you have a virus on iPhone, the apps will no longer function properly and will tend to crash too easily and frequently. This is because the iPhone’s internal security won’t allow the infected app to feed any data into your iPhone and the app may eventually crash;
• Pop-up ads: While surfing the net if you start getting pop-up ads all over the place on your device, especially for dubious products and services, then that could be the result of virus infection of your device. In such a situation you should never click those ad links because it may worsen the situation further;
• Unwanted apps: Trojans download apps that look just like other real apps on your device. They are designed in the same manner as legitimate apps to avoid detection. Therefore, if you see an app that looks familiar, but you don’t remember downloading it, check its authenticity. There’s a good chance that a virus has managed to intrude on your device. If the app looks suspicious, delete it;
• Battery drain: All kinds of viruses consume lots of power and cause the battery of your device to run out faster. Therefore, if you find your iPhone battery draining fast all of a sudden then you also need to check if your device has a virus;

How to remove virus from iPhone?

Now that you know how to check virus on iPhone from the symptoms detailed above, the next question that will come up is – how to remove virus from iPhone if it is found to be infected.

If your device is acting strangely and showing any of the symptoms of virus infection mentioned above, the best way to remove viruses from your iPhone is to reset your device to factory settings. Follow the steps below on how to remove virus from iPhone if you suspect that your device is infected with a virus.

How to get rid of virus on iPhone:

Here’s how to get rid of virus on iPhone by restoring your device to factory settings:

1. Use iCloud or iTunes to back up your iPhone;

2. Go to Settings > General > Reset;

3. Tap ‘Erase All Content and Settings’ which would clear all apps and data on your device;

4. Restart your device and follow the steps to set it up again;

5. Sign in to iCloud while setting up the device to restore your iPhone from iCloud backup;

6. Download the apps again you consider necessary from the App Store;

If you are unsuccessful in removing viruses from your iPhone even after restoring your device to factory settings then you should make an appointment with Apple’s Genius Bar. They have software for performing iPhone virus scans for thoroughly checking your device to detect and remove any hidden malicious files.

You may also like to know: How to Delete Cookies on iPhone

Frequently asked questions

Now that I have explained in detail the actuality of – can iPhones get viruses from websites or other sources or how can iPhones get malware from outside sources, let me also answer some of the related questions often asked by iOS users:

Can Apple iPhones get viruses?

While the answer to the query ‘Can Apple iPhones get viruses’ is ‘extremely rare’, iPhones have been known to get viruses, especially when they are jailbroken.

Can iPhones get viruses from Safari?

iPhone users often ask – can an iPhone get a virus from Safari? The answer to this is – you may rarely get viruses or malware from Safari if you have an updated iOS version.

In fact, the iOS software on your iPhone is very secure and unless you’ve jailbroken your device and subsequently removed the built-in protections and Apple codes into the software, you will not get a virus on iPhone from Safari.

If you still receive mail that claims that you have been hacked with malware, it is probably a scam and not real and you can ignore such a message. But, if the message continues to come, you should clear Safari’s cache by doing the following:

Go to Settings > tap ‘Safari’ > tap ‘Clear History and Website Data’, then confirm by tapping “Clear.”

You may also like to read: How to Clear App Cache on iPhone

How do I scan for viruses on my iPhone?

Like to know how to check for virus on iPhone?

You can perform an iPhone virus scan by downloading Avast Security which is a popular antivirus app for iOS devices. The free Pro version of Avast Security is available in the Apple App Store. It is a fast, stable, and efficient software capable of protecting all your iOS devices from any threat from outside sources.

How to check for malware on iPhone?

Following are a few signs to check for malware on iPhone:

1. The iPhone’s battery life has become shorter than usual;

2. Pop-up ads appearing frequently;

3. Your Apps are crashing for no apparent reason;

4. Unknown apps are installed on your device;

5. Unusually high data usage;

6. The operating system is running slow;

7. Overheating of your iPhone;

Can iPhones be hacked?

The answer to whether can iPhones be hacked is, yes. It is possible to hack your iPhone. But Apple devices being among the most secure devices your iPhone is at much less risk than other electronic devices. If you take the proper precautions, a hacker of average skill will find it too difficult to target your iPhone and he will want to go after easier prey.

Can an iPhone be hacked by visiting a website?

iPhone users often ask – can an iPhone be hacked by visiting a website? The answer is, yes there is every chance of your iPhone getting hacked if you go on visiting unsafe websites.

This can occur if the website contains malicious code or if the hackers exploit vulnerabilities in the iOS operating system or the web browser to deliver malicious code or malware onto the device.

Although there is much less chance of hackers getting access to your iPhone from secured websites, to minimize the risk of hacking, it is important to keep your iPhone’s software up to date and be cautious when browsing unfamiliar websites.

How to know if my iPhone is hacked?

Here are some of the indicative signs that your iPhone is hacked:

> Your phone’s temperature may rise without any visible cause;

> The phone battery tends to drain off too quickly;

> Your phone takes a long to charge;

> The apps that were working alright before may stop working abruptly;

> You may often find your phone echoing amidst voice calls that never happened before;

> Your iPhone may take a very long time or even may refuse to shut down;

How to remove Malware from iPhone?

Head over to the Settings app on your iPhone and tap Safari. Tap the Clear History and Website Data option and confirm by tapping Clear History and Data. This should remove any malware that might have entered the device through a malicious link.

Can iPads get viruses?

There is virtually no chance of your iPad getting a virus. Its operating system (iOS) is designed to keep the applications separate from each other and restricted in how they interact with the operating system. Moreover, Apple’s strong security checks any apps before they are made available in the App Store. Even though the chances of getting a virus are extremely low it is important to take precautions when using your iPad, which include turning on automatic updates of your device and using strong passwords.

You may also like to read this post: How to fix a hacked Android phone – proven solutions

Conclusion

You may find many iOS users often asking – Can iPhones get viruses from websites or outside sources or can iPhones get malware despite Apple’s strong security? It is hoped that after going through the post it should not be difficult for you to answer these queries.

Now that you know how can you get a virus on iPhone, to make sure if your device is actually infected or not you should check for viruses on iPhone from the common symptoms as explained under ‘how to check for viruses on iPhone’. In case you guess that your iPhone is infected, remove the virus or malware from your device by following the steps shown under – how to remove virus from iPhone.

IOS users should take as many precautionary measures as possible to avoid such virus infections. No matter how robust a platform may be, there are still some weaknesses that can be exploited and you need to plug those holes to keep your device secured and free from viruses. Here are some of the precautionary measures all iPhone users need to take to avoid viruses on iPhones:

1. Keep apps updated regularly and remove apps that you do not use;

2. Only download apps from the official App Store;

3. Avoid clicking on links from unknown sources, especially if they come through text messages or emails.

4. Prevent cookies from being accepted in Safari. Clear old cookies;

5. If you are not using any Bluetooth devices, disable Bluetooth to increase battery life and prevent security risks;

6. Never Jailbreak or Root your phone which will bypass most of Apple’s built-in security measures;

7. Any attempt to access the internet through a suspicious hotspot can result in compromised passwords and loss of personal data. Therefore, to use a public WiFi hotspot avoid unprotected hotspots, use a secure channel (HTTPS), and disable automatic connection to WiFi in your iPhone settings;

8. Use a public wireless network by employing a VPN (a virtual private network);

9. Disable WiFi when you are not accessing wireless networks;

10. Remove all payment options after having created your iTunes account;

If any of you have ever experienced viruses on your iPhone, I would be glad if you please share your experience in the comments section below.