The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Antivirus for Your iPhone

Key Takeaways

There is no need for antivirus software on your iPhone or iPad as they are already protected by Apple's own security measures.

"Security" apps marketed for iPhones are not antivirus software and do not provide protection against malware.

It is theoretically feasible to install antivirus software on a jailbroken iPhone, but it is needless. It is advisable to refrain from jailbreaking your iPhone altogether.

An antivirus is not necessary for your iPhone or iPad. In fact, the apps advertised as "antivirus" for iPhones are not genuine antivirus software. They are simply "security" programs that are incapable of providing protection against malware.

This article on Cybersecurity Awareness Week is presented in partnership with Incogni.

There Are No Real Antivirus Apps for iPhone

To guarantee the absence of malware, a conventional antivirus software for Windows or macOS is equipped with complete operating system privileges. It leverages this authority to perform thorough scans on your applications and files.

Apps installed on your iPhone operate within a restricted environment, known as a sandbox, which limits their capabilities. These apps can only access data that you explicitly permit them to access. In simpler terms, no app on your iPhone can secretly monitor your activities within your online banking app. However, if you grant them permission, they could access your photos, for instance.

On Apple's iOS operating system, any "security" apps you install are also subjected to this sandbox constraint, just like all other apps. Consequently, these security apps are unable to view a list of the apps you have installed from the App Store, let alone scan your device for malware. Even if you happened to have an app called "Dangerous Virus" on your iPhone, these security apps would not be able to detect its presence.

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No instance has ever been observed where an iPhone security app successfully prevented malware from infecting an iPhone. If such an instance existed, it would undoubtedly be widely advertised by the iPhone security app developers. However, they do not promote any such example because they are incapable of achieving it.

Although iPhones may occasionally have security vulnerabilities, such as Spectre, it is crucial to address these issues through prompt security updates, rather than relying on a security app for protection. Simply ensure that your iPhone is regularly updated with the latest versions of iOS.

How Your iPhone Already Protects You

Your iPhone is equipped with several built-in security features. It is specifically designed to only allow the installation of apps from Apple's App Store. Before these apps are made available, Apple conducts thorough checks to detect any malware or other malicious content. In the event that malware is discovered in an app from the App Store, Apple takes prompt action by removing it from the Store and automatically deleting it from your iPhone to ensure your safety.

iPhones come with a convenient feature called "Find My iPhone," which operates through iCloud. It allows you to conveniently locate, lock, or erase a lost or stolen iPhone remotely. There is no need to download a separate security app with "anti-theft" capabilities. To verify if Find My iPhone is enabled or not, simply go to Settings, tap on your name at the top of the screen, and then select Find My iPhone.

The Safari browser on your iPhone offers a built-in protection called "fraudulent website warning" to help safeguard against phishing attempts. If you come across a deceptive website that aims to deceive you into sharing personal information, such as a fake online banking page impersonating your bank, a warning will be displayed. To verify if this feature is activated, navigate to Settings > Safari and locate the "Fraudulent website warning" option within the Privacy & Security section.

What Do Those Mobile Security Apps Do?

If you're wondering about the functionality of these apps, it's important to note that they don't operate as antivirus software. Their names provide a hint towards their purpose, such as "Avira Mobile Security," "McAfee Mobile Security," "Norton Mobile Security," and "Lookout Mobile Security." Apple has imposed restrictions on these apps, prohibiting the use of the term "antivirus" in their names.

iPhone security apps often include redundant features that do not effectively combat malware. These features include antitheft options, similar to iCloud, which allow users to remotely locate their phones. Additionally, some apps provide "media vault" tools that utilize password protection to hide photos on the device. Other features found in these apps include password managers, call blockers, and VPNs, all of which are available in standalone applications. Some apps may even offer a "secure browser" with a phishing filter, but this functionality mirrors that already present in Safari.

Furthermore, certain apps boast identity theft warnings that connect to online services, alerting users if their data has been compromised. However, alternative services like Have I Been Pwned? can provide leak notifications directly to users' email addresses without the need for these apps. Moreover, Credit Karma provides free breach notifications and access to credit report information.

While these apps do serve certain security-related purposes, it is crucial to note that they are not classified as "antivirus" or "antimalware" applications and their usage is not obligatory.

Don't Jailbreak Your iPhone

Assuming you are not jailbreaking your iPhone, the aforementioned advice presupposes that your device operates within the confines of the standard security sandbox. Jailbreaking, on the other hand, allows apps on your iPhone to function outside of this sandbox, thereby granting you the ability to install apps from sources other than the App Store. Consequently, these apps are not subjected to Apple's scrutiny for potential malicious behavior.

Apple, like us, advises against jailbreaking your iPhone. In fact, Apple actively opposes jailbreaking and has taken measures to make it increasingly challenging.

If you have a jailbroken iPhone, it may be logical to consider using an antivirus program. Since the typical protective measures are bypassed, antivirus programs could potentially detect any malicious software that you may have unintentionally installed after jailbreaking your device. Nevertheless, these antimalware applications would require a database of known harmful apps to effectively operate.

There are currently no antivirus applications available for jailbroken iPhones that we are aware of, although the possibility of creating them exists.

It is important to reiterate that antivirus software is unnecessary for iPhones. In fact, there is no existence of antivirus software specifically designed for iPhones and iPads.