Is it true that Apple iOS doesn't allow AV to scan the system?

[AlfaVitaY2K]

Hello. I've read that Apple iOS doesn't allow AV to scan the system. Is this true? If yes, why there are antiviruses for iOS? What exactly can they do for iOS protection?

[alvarnell]

Yes, "it is not possible for an iOS app to scan for malware. Fortunately, the risk of getting malware on an iOS device is low and Apple has a stringent review process regarding app admission into the App Store." iOS Security - iPhone FAQs.

Any antivirus product that says otherwise is almost certainly a scam. It is possible to scan iOS backups on your computer for iOS malware, but removing it from your iPhone would most probably be a major undertaking.

[AlfaVitaY2K]

20 minutes ago, alvarnell said:

Yes, "it is not possible for an iOS app to scan for malware. Fortunately, the risk of getting malware on an iOS device is low and Apple has a stringent review process regarding app admission into the App Store." iOS Security - iPhone FAQs.

Any antivirus product that says otherwise is almost certainly a scam. It is possible to scan iOS backups on your computer for iOS malware, but removing it from your iPhone would most probably be a major undertaking.

OK. So what exactly AV is allowed to do on iOS?

[Porthos]

Malwarebytes only does the following on IOS,

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/malwarebytes-mobile-security/id1327105431

MALWAREBYTES FEATURES:

 

► AD BLOCKING

• Ads Security: Block intrusive ads in Safari with Ad Blocking.

• Stop ad trackers from watching your behavior online and sending you targeted advertising.

• Browse the internet with fewer distractions.

 

► TEXT MESSAGE FILTERING

• Ignore suspicious texts and send them to a junk tab in your Messages app.

• Forward fraudulent texts to a junk folder sent from a list of known scammers or containing phishing links. • Focus on the messages that matter to you.

 

PREMIUM FEATURES

 

► CALL PROTECTION

• Ignore fraudulent calls with Call Protection.

• Get caller ID warnings or block incoming calls from known and suspected scammers, including “spoofing” calls that make their number appear like yours.

• Answer the calls that matter and skip the ones that don’t.

 

► WEB PROTECTION

• Block phishing sites, online scams, and other malicious sites that may contain malware, spyware, and ransomware.

• iPhone malware blocker with website filtering: Browse the Internet safer and cleaner with the Safari browser while reducing the risk of accidentally visiting a fraudulent site.

 

► VPN

• Connect to servers worldwide to browse the web and your favorite apps seamlessly

• Malwarebytes’ VPN offers online privacy, protecting your device, IP address, browsing history, and more

• Enjoy safe streaming and even watch shows not available in your region with your private VPN

__

[treed]

On 8/19/2023 at 5:17 AM, AlfaVitaY2K said:

OK. So what exactly AV is allowed to do on iOS?

Anti-virus software does not exist for iOS. iOS apps that you see from security companies may provide other security-related features, but cannot provide anti-virus features.

If you see anyone advertising an iOS app as providing anti-virus functionality, that's a scam or, in the most charitable possible interpretation, a very serious marketing error. Let us know here if you're seeing something like that.

[AlfaVitaY2K]

9 minutes ago, treed said:

Anti-virus software does not exist for iOS. iOS apps that you see from security companies may provide other security-related features, but cannot provide anti-virus features.

If you see anyone advertising an iOS app as providing anti-virus functionality, that's a scam or, in the most charitable possible interpretation, a very serious marketing error. Let us know here if you're seeing something like that.

I don't know if somebody claims to be AV. I just see many popular AV brands like yours for Apple iOS. I didn't know they are not real AV.

[treed]

I wouldn't say that "not real AV" is a fair statement. That suggests that we're calling our software AV, but it really isn't. We don't claim our iOS apps provide AV, and are quite clear about the features they do provide.

Very few security companies these days provide only AV products. Security is more than just running an AV program.