How To Tell If Your iPhone Is Infected With Malware
There is a common misconception out there that iPhones can easily get 'viruses,' which are types of malware that can spread throughout a device. Actually, it's quite rare for an iPhone to get a virus, thanks to its strong security features and software. However, it's not impossible.
Malware is a big threat to most people these days, and it can be really scary to know that there's something suspicious going on with your phone. It's especially scary because these 'infections' and invasions are often happening in the background, and it can be difficult to notice. Still, there are some telltale signs that your device might be infected, and it often will just act 'off.'
"If the battery is hot, the phone takes a long time to turn on, or there's a lot more data usage than you expect, these can be telltale signs that another app is controlling your device," former U.K. law enforcement detective Darren Stanton told cybersecurity pros at Forbes.
How To Protect Yourself
Keeping your device safe from hackers and scammers is super important in this day and age, no matter how invincible your iPhone may seem.
One of the easiest ways to do so is to keep updating your iPhone's Apple software. No matter how much of a fuss people may put up about the newer software downloads, when you keep them updated, you do get the latest security features automatically on your device.
"Apple frequently releases these updates to fix vulnerabilities, so don't ignore them," says tech experts with Certo Software.
It's also essential to keep an eye out for phishing schemes and scams that try to get your attention and information by pretending to be from your bank, insurance company, etc. Simply clicking on a link from one of these sketchy, unverified sources can set you up for getting scammed.
"Hackers often use phishing to steal credentials or trick you into downloading malware," adds the Certo expert.