Do i need an anti virus on my new ipad3
- Thread starter tezza32
- Start date
thewitt
iPF Novice
No. Your iPad cannot be infected by a virus or malware.
buerkletucson
iPF Novice
OK....I always hear this but it begs the question, why can't it?
mrcupu
iPF Noob
at the moment and it happen only days ago that my ipad 3 shows pop up advertisement for games whenever i play some of my regular games (such as big fish casino and clash of clans advertisement) i don't know how or why it happening but i installed some games before that ads showing up on my gtr racing game (clash of clans ad pop up about once every 3 or 4 races and i think thats too often since a race only takes about 20 seconds) and also during zombie cafe or pucca restaurant would show the big fish casino pop ups.....:thumbsdown:
Sorry, but I find this statement to be very misleading. Tell me please, in what way are all my devices at a higher risk of infection now, and infection from what exactly?
Ah, but those are ads that are built into the game itself. That's the developer doing that to you, not malicious code found "in the wild" on the Internet.
Of course, it could be argued that it's the same (vicious code)
- but still, it's two different things.
As to why it would be difficult for the iPad to get a virus - it's because viruses, by definition, spread themselves by compromising program after program on a computer. However, on the iPad, apps can't talk to each other (other than to call forth one using the "Open In..." function). So, since the apps can't talk to each other, unless you specifically ask them to (by using the open function), they can't spread a virus amongst themselves. it's the [in]famous "sandbox" security that Apple has developed.
Then, there is the fact that the only place to get apps is the App Store. Those apps are rigorously vetted to make sure they don't contain malicious code. Granted, one could slip through, but it would be rare (and probably quickly dealt with).
Granted, those of us that jail break don't get our tweaks from the App Store, so there is a bit of "danger" there. However, as long as we stick to the trusted repositories and download only the tweaks that are from reputable coders, we're very safe. If jail breakers were to get malicious code from one of the trusted repositories, the community would be up in arms, same as if it happened at the App Store. So, I'm confident my iPad is just as secure as a stock one.
Of course, if a jail breaker wanders off into the piracy related areas and starts downloading stuff willy-nilly, well then, he or she runs a much greater risk of contamination. But, since I don't like pirates (thieves) anyway - I'm okay with that.
Again, as was said, this doesn't mean the iPad can't get a virus or malicious code. It just makes it very difficult. So, for now, we (stock owners and jail breakers alike) are pretty safe.
There, probably more than you though you wanted, eh? Hope it helps/clarifies.
Marilyn
Of course, it could be argued that it's the same (vicious code)
- but still, it's two different things. As to why it would be difficult for the iPad to get a virus - it's because viruses, by definition, spread themselves by compromising program after program on a computer. However, on the iPad, apps can't talk to each other (other than to call forth one using the "Open In..." function). So, since the apps can't talk to each other, unless you specifically ask them to (by using the open function), they can't spread a virus amongst themselves. it's the [in]famous "sandbox" security that Apple has developed.
Then, there is the fact that the only place to get apps is the App Store. Those apps are rigorously vetted to make sure they don't contain malicious code. Granted, one could slip through, but it would be rare (and probably quickly dealt with).
Granted, those of us that jail break don't get our tweaks from the App Store, so there is a bit of "danger" there. However, as long as we stick to the trusted repositories and download only the tweaks that are from reputable coders, we're very safe. If jail breakers were to get malicious code from one of the trusted repositories, the community would be up in arms, same as if it happened at the App Store. So, I'm confident my iPad is just as secure as a stock one.
Of course, if a jail breaker wanders off into the piracy related areas and starts downloading stuff willy-nilly, well then, he or she runs a much greater risk of contamination. But, since I don't like pirates (thieves) anyway - I'm okay with that.
Again, as was said, this doesn't mean the iPad can't get a virus or malicious code. It just makes it very difficult. So, for now, we (stock owners and jail breakers alike) are pretty safe.
There, probably more than you though you wanted, eh?
Hope it helps/clarifies. Marilyn
buerkletucson
iPF Novice
Ah, but those are ads that are built into the game itself. That's the developer doing that to you, not malicious code found "in the wild" on the Internet.
Of course, it could be argued that it's the same (vicious code)
As to why it would be difficult for the iPad to get a virus - it's because viruses, by definition, spread themselves by compromising program after program on a computer. However, on the iPad, apps can't talk to each other (other than to call forth one using the "Open In..." function). So, since the apps can't talk to each other, unless you specifically ask them to (by using the open function), they can't spread a virus amongst themselves. it's the [in]famous "sandbox" security that Apple has developed.
Then, there is the fact that the only place to get apps is the App Store. Those apps are rigorously vetted to make sure they don't contain malicious code. Granted, one could slip through, but it would be rare (and probably quickly dealt with).
Granted, those of us that jail break don't get our tweaks from the App Store, so there is a bit of "danger" there. However, as long as we stick to the trusted repositories and download only the tweaks that are from reputable coders, we're very safe. If jail breakers were to get malicious code from one of the trusted repositories, the community would be up in arms, same as if it happened at the App Store. So, I'm confident my iPad is just as secure as a stock one.
Of course, if a jail breaker wanders off into the piracy related areas and starts downloading stuff willy-nilly, well then, he or she runs a much greater risk of contamination. But, since I don't like pirates (thieves) anyway - I'm okay with that.
Again, as was said, this doesn't mean the iPad can't get a virus or malicious code. It just makes it very difficult. So, for now, we (stock owners and jail breakers alike) are pretty safe.
There, probably more than you though you wanted, eh?
Marilyn
Thanks for the in-depth information.......
No market for Norton here.
theTimo
iPF Noob
Actually, the App Store doesn't have much to do with the virus threat. Of course the threat would be bigger if there were lots of suspcious apps to be downloaded. But the viruses might as well come along with email and just plain surfing in the web.
I think it's only matter of time that the threat grows to be worth taking care of. The amount of iOS devices is so big already.
I think it's only matter of time that the threat grows to be worth taking care of. The amount of iOS devices is so big already.
But of course, a talented virus author would utilise a kernel exploit to gain root access and break out of the sandbox in exactly the same way a jailbreak tool does... There would be little or no point in authoring a virus payload if it was not able to gain root access to the device
He'd also need an exploit to "untether" the virus, otherwise it would cease to operate after a reboot.
The irony is that nobody but Apple would be able to write any kind of effective anti-virus tool, IF a virus was to be written and released into the wild, as a 3rd party tool cannot operate outside of the sandbox!
Last edited:
theTimo
iPF Noob
That's noteworthy. And writing such a virus would require just one very unhappy ex-Apple coder (or someone else, of course).
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