{"id":12970,"date":"2019-06-13T02:42:26","date_gmt":"2019-06-13T09:42:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hellotech.com\/?p=12970"},"modified":"2023-02-06T23:55:39","modified_gmt":"2023-02-07T07:55:39","slug":"can-iphones-get-viruses-a-definitive-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hellotech.com\/blog\/can-iphones-get-viruses-a-definitive-guide","title":{"rendered":"Can iPhones Get Viruses? A Definitive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For decades, Apple products have been the \u201cit\u201d gadgets in the tech industry. This is especially true for iPhones. But Apple’s fame doesn\u2019t just come from their design. Their phones also come with one of the most impenetrable security measures ever, but that doesn’t mean iPhones can’t get viruses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So\u2026 Can iPhones Get Viruses?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By default, Apple devices have excellent security measures in place to protect you from malware and viruses. So your iPhone is relatively safe as long as you leave its closed system alone. However, some people choose to disable Apple\u2019s security system so they can install certain apps, but it might not be worth the risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple\u2019s \u201cWalled Garden\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apple\u2019s security system is known as a “walled garden” or a “closed platform.\u201d It only allows users to install apps that have been reviewed and approved by Apple engineers. Also, you can’t easily share files with other devices, unless they’re from Apple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Apple\u2019s \u201cwalled garden\u201d isn\u2019t there just so that they can have a legitimate claim to exclusivity. It\u2019s actually a very strict security measure that closely monitors and limits the chances of malware getting into your system. And Apple has been mostly successful at this, so far.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"iPhone<\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you\u2019re using a Mac desktop computer, it is possible to install applications that are not from the App Store. Unlike the iPhone, Mac computers have a feature called \u201cGatekeeper,\u201d which verifies the signature of downloaded applications to make sure they are legitimate before letting them run. This effectively keeps Mac users from installing and running harmful programs on their system, even though they\u2019re not from the Mac App Store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, iPhone users can\u2019t download an application unless it is in the App Store. That is, unless you\u2019ve had your iPhone or Apple device \u201cjailbroken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Jailbreaking?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In essence, a jailbroken iPhone has been set free from the limited confines of Apple\u2019s closed platform. Once you jailbreak an iPhone, you have root access to the iOS file system, which basically means you can then install and run a host of programs that don’t come from the App Store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, if your iPhone is tied to a specific telecom carrier, once it’s jailbroken, you\u2019ll be free to jump ship to another carrier. However, not everything about a jailbroken iPhone is exactly hunky-dory. By jailbreaking your iPhone, you will be violating the iOS end-user software license agreement and voiding your warranty. Your device will lose its \u201ccountry club\u201d privileges at any Apple Store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, more importantly, once you\u2019ve jailbroken your phone there\u2019s a possibility your device could get infected, if it’s not already.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do I Know if My iPhone has a Virus?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you want to know the symptoms of an infected iPhone, here are some of the things you can watch out for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n