Although iPhones have solid security features, they are not completely immune to threats. Although they are generally safer from viruses and malware than Android devices, no device is completely invulnerable.

This point was reinforced by a strange experience that caught our attention when “Pam” from Mesa, Arizona, wrote to us: “It says my iPhone has 14 viruses. What program can I (install) to help my phone? How can I do it?” (make) my phone safe?

We are delighted to investigate why Pam is receiving strange messages suggesting that her iPhone contains 14 viruses. There are various reasons why you might be seeing these types of messages, and there are workarounds that will make your phone safe again.

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Woman was shocked by virus alerts on her phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why am I getting virus or malware alerts?

Thanks to its closed-code design, the iPhone is less vulnerable to viruses and malware. This means Apple doesn’t share all code information; This makes it harder for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities to take over a user’s apps or iPhone. It’s important to note that Apple will never send you a pop-up, text, or email alert that your device has a virus.

Warning on the phone’s home screen (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Watch out for these fake virus alerts on your iPhone

Below are a few reasons why you might be receiving notifications about viruses that may or may not actually be present on your iPhone.

1) Pop-up ads: In fact, your iPhone may not have any viruses or malware. Instead, you may have an ad pop up in your mobile browser stating that your iPhone has a virus or malware. These can scam you in several ways:

• It causes you to click on the ad, which may result in you downloading a virus or malware.
• It sends you to another website that asks for private information such as payment so you can pay to get rid of the virus or malware.

2) Fake apps: Some scammers have fake apps that display fake warnings about viruses or malware to scare people into downloading their apps or purchasing their services to get rid of these fake problems.

3) Phishing scams: This warning about viruses may be a fraudulent email or text message claiming to have a virus or malware that needs to be deleted from your device. Do not click on any links or call any numbers as this will likely lead you to the real scammer who will put you in a difficult situation to purchase their services, isolate you from your private and financial information or allow them access to your iPhone.

Man browsing on his iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How do I protect my iPhone?

Although iPhone is harder to penetrate, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. In fact, some hackers monitor specific vulnerabilities in iOS to launch their attacks. If you see such warnings, it is best to ignore them and avoid clicking any links or downloading any recommended software. Below are a few important steps you can take to secure your iPhone.

1) Keep your iPhone updated: Apple occasionally releases new iOS updates to fix known security vulnerabilities. Whenever possible, the best update iOS This keeps your iPhone safe from known vulnerabilities.

2) Install and run strong antivirus software: An antivirus software that is actively running on all your devices can help keep them safe, including your iPhone. Strong antivirus software on iPhones will prevent you from clicking on malicious links that could later install malware on your devices and result in personal information being taken from your device. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These may be phishing attempts designed to steal your personal information.

The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware and potentially access your private information is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection also keeps your personal information and digital assets safe by alerting you to phishing emails and ransomware scams. Get my picks for the 2024 best antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

3) Download apps only from App Store: Continue downloading apps from the official Apple App Store. Apps in the App Store are reviewed by Apple for security, reducing the risk of downloading malware.

4) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Adding an extra layer of security to your Apple ID can help protect your personal information. With 2FAEven if someone gets your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the second factor.

5) Use strong passwords: Make sure your passwords are strong and unique for different accounts. Consider using a password manager to follow them.

6) Monitor app permissions: Check regularly permissions Take the permissions given to your applications and revoke those that seem unnecessary. This can help prevent applications from accessing more information than they need.

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Kurt’s important takeaways

While most iPhone users can rest easy knowing that iOS keeps the most common viruses and malware at bay, they’re still vulnerable to scammers who try to get around the closed code and scare people into making bad choices that will jeopardize their phones and data. This should be the first clue of a scam, as Apple never sends alerts about viruses or malware on your iPhone. Even though it seems official, iPhone users do not receive warnings from Apple about viruses or malware. If you install a good antivirus program, it will be the only program that notifies you that there is a problem with your iPhone. Understanding these scams can go a long way in keeping you calm and your phone safe.

Have you ever received anything resembling an official notice from Apple informing you about viruses on your iPhone? Have you received pop-ups and other alerts trying to buy services or redirect you to random websites? What steps did you take to find out if this was legitimate? Let us know by writing to . cyberguy.com/Contact.

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