One of the scariest parts about having a smartphone, like an iPhone, is knowing that it still has the potential to be hacked or infected with malware.
While there is already a lot of security software built into modern-day iPhones, there are still things we can do on our own to prevent our phones from getting infected with viruses and malware. In fact, there are likely a lot of things that come across your screen that can bring them on. We spoke with a tech pro about which iPhone virus risks you should look out for, and how to tell if your device is infected. Read more about it below.
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1. Fake Security Alerts
Have you ever been scrolling on a website and then all of a sudden you get a pop-up or notification that there's some sort of 'security issue' with your device? As it turns out, this is one of the most common ways scammers try to infect your phone.
"Look out for fake 'security' alerts in Safari," says Steven Athwal, tech pro and owner of The Big Phone Store. "Clicking on these installs malicious configuration profiles, letting them redirect traffic, inject ads, and monitor your phone activity. If you're worried you've installed a profile, there's an easy way to check. Go to your settings, then to General, and then to VPN and Device Management. If you see something you don't recognise, this is an issue."
2. Fake Log-Ins
Like the fraudulent security alerts, there are also fake websites or notifications that will try to get you to log in to a specific account, like your bank account, iCloud account, or more. However, you should always be diligent and ensure you're only ever logging into trusted websites and apps.
"The most common threat is phishing-based account compromises," explains Athwal. "If you ever enter your Apple ID details into a fake iCloud, delivery, banking, or prize claim page, you're allowing your credentials to be stolen. This gives access to your cloud data, backups, photos, and device locking features. Please, treat your Apple ID credentials as sacred above all else."
What To Look Out For In Case Your Device Is Infected
Some people grow worried that they won't be able to tell whether or not their iPhone has been infected with a virus or malware. Still, there are some solid signs and signals you can keep an eye out for. A lot of it includes notifications that can be rather telling.
"If you're experiencing a surge of unexpected pop-ups and redirects on Safari, you've probably given permission to a rogue website or profile. This doesn't necessarily indicate device infection alone," explains Athwal.
Not only would you receive more pop-ups and notifications, but your actual phone might start displaying strange behavior.
"If you're seeing a spike in battery usage even when your phone is left idle, you can assume there is an app running excessive background processes," he adds. "If your phone is lagging, crashing, and freezing, even though it's healthy, this indicates bloated apps or background tracking, not necessarily malware. Finally, any Apple ID security alerts, repeated password reset emails, login alerts from unfamiliar locations, or if you've been locked out of iCloud, you've probably had your credentials phished, not hacked."
