Why doesn't the iPhone need an antivirus?
At the same time, Mac owners should really consider investing in the best antivirus software for Mac, as malware and other viruses are now being designed specifically to run on macOS.
What about iPhones and iPads? Don't they need antivirus apps? The answer is complicated, but in short, no. Even though iPhones and iPads don't have antivirus apps – they still need to be protected from malware, phishing, and hackers.
Built-in security features
Apple designed iOS to include a secure architecture, meaning it has built-in security features that make it less vulnerable to traditional viruses and malware.
Many of these security features, such as encryption, are designed specifically to protect these devices from unauthorized access or potential threats.
Sandbox
Another feature of iOS is its inherent self-sufficiency, meaning that each app is designed to run in its own environment.
No app can access any other app's data or features, or even truly "understand" that they are installed on the phone, nor can they "touch" any of the important operating system features.
This feature, known as sandboxing, makes it harder for viruses to spread; malicious code cannot replicate itself into the wider system or infect other aspects of the device.
Hypothetically, even if an app were infected with a virus, the virus would remain in that app and would not be able to access any other part of the iPhone or iPad.
Strict control over the app store
On top of all that, Apple has very tight control over the App Store – and for good reason, as it's the only place iOS users (at least outside the EU) can go to download apps unless they "jailbreak" their devices (which is definitely not recommended for security reasons).
Apple strictly monitors and checks all apps to ensure they do not contain malicious code and meet security standards.
This doesn't mean that there haven't been reports of malicious apps appearing on the App Store, but they are very rare.
Limited direct access
The use of a sandbox also comes with a lack of direct access: any antivirus app available for iOS should operate with the same restrictions as any other app approved for use in the App Store.
This means that any antivirus app you see available in the App Store is separate from other apps and cannot directly access the operating system kernel or thoroughly scan for malware.
What is actually available for download?
There are many antivirus apps available for download, and some of them come from the same companies behind the best antivirus software, such as McAfee, Norton, Malwarebytes, AVG, and Avast.
However, most of these work within the confines of iOS and the App Store, meaning they offer what they can: VPN, phishing protection, SMS scam protection, protection against browsing the web on public Wi-Fi, or even identity theft protection.
Some of them offer a system overview, but you have to check the details of each app to see what they can actually do – for example, the McAfee app says it offers a system overview, but the details in the app state: “Not all features are available on all devices or locations. See system requirements for more information.”
This doesn't mean it's not worth taking care of your iPhone or iPad if you already have an antivirus software package with mobile support - for all the reasons mentioned above, it's worth having an extra layer of protection, although Apple offers security features that will cover most of these situations.
How and what can you do yourself to protect yourself?
Just because iOS doesn't have traditional antivirus options doesn't mean there's nothing you can do to provide yourself with additional protection.
First, don't jailbreak your devices, as this removes the protections Apple has put in place. Next, enable automatic iOS updates or make sure you update your iPhone regularly to ensure you receive all security patches in a timely manner - this often happens when a critical patch is available, so it's especially important.
You also don't want to use public chargers as they pose a safety risk. Instead, buy one of the reputable brands of portable batteries that you can take with you.
Then, regularly and thoroughly check your app settings and permissions: check which apps have access to Bluetooth and your photo album, turn off automatic connections to public Wi-Fi, and check which apps can use your location services.
Finally, if you have a password manager and VPN, which are often included in your antivirus security package, use them. If you don't, consider purchasing separate devices, as they also offer a great extra layer of security for your mobile devices.
Apple certainly already does a lot to protect your iPhone from hackers, but by following these tips and practicing good cyber hygiene, you'll be much less likely to fall victim to a cyberattack or malware infection.