Does F-Secure Total provide also virus protection in IOS devices?

Nakkisormi

I have installed Total/Safe in my (new) PC as well as mobile IOS devices. This app works as expected in the PC (including virus scans). However, I could not activate virus protection in my mobile devices. Could this be an error in istallation or just a feature of this app?

Ukko

Hello,

 

I am only an F-Secure user (their home solutions).

 

As such - I think - "virus protection" is not available on iOS devices; but indirectly - there are some security features with F-Secure SAFE solution for iOS platform ("Finder", "Browsing Protection").

 

If your concern is about an ability to scan device (against malicious items) and iOS platform - then there were some discussions about.

For example,

• https://community.f-secure.com/t5/F-Secure-SAFE/F-Secure-tablet-version/m-p/110698
• https://community.f-secure.com/t5/F-Secure-SAFE/Virus-scan-option-missing/m-p/93570
• https://community.f-secure.com/t5/F-Secure-SAFE/Does-F-Secure-have-a-anti-virus/m-p/100525
• https://community.f-secure.com/t5/F-Secure-SAFE/Anti-virus-scan-facility/m-p/97324
• https://community.f-secure.com/t5/F-Secure-SAFE/Scann/m-p/94636

In general, to scan iOS device is not possible (not an option). And F-Secure SAFE is not about such a functionality.

The reason is "limitations" of platform (for example, if it is just technically impossible). Another an explanation is architecture of platform and as a result quite rare possibility of malicious item on iOS. Although there were reports about malicious applications from AppStore.

Some of my (and from other community users) further thoughts about subject are available on topics examples.

 

Could you confirm that it is about scanning? And that this my suggestion is a partial explanation?

 

Thanks!

Nakkisormi

Yes. I thought about scanning, mainly because it produces a visible proof of actual situation vis-a-vis malware.

 

I have understood that IOS should be malware-proof, but can it be proven? There are, obviously, some factors which make  IOS less interesting to malware developers: the IOS community is relatively small and IOS is mostly used  by individuals rather than largeorganisations,

 

 

Ukko

Hello,

 

Yes. I thought about scanning, mainly because it produces a visible proof of actual situation vis-a-vis malware.

So, "scanning" (virus scanning) is not available for iOS solution on current day (F-Secure SAFE for iOS).

And, maybe,  such functionality is just impossible to implement on this platform. At least, by third party software.

Since I am not a developer - I can only to imagine own feelings. For example, inability to implement "scanning" feature is based on restrictions or limitations on iOS (as a platform). Third party application can not to scan system or other installed applications (to scan / inspect / analysing its structure or content, or maybe somehow interact with. Things that are not permitted by iOS).

I have understood that IOS should be malware-proof, but can it be proven?

In general, depends on what to consider malware.

 

If I understand iOS design right - then applications are usually installed only from official AppStore. Where applications should be verified and doublechecked. As a result,  for installing malware on iOS - need to install it from official AppStore. That was a case (at least, based on public articles) - but, usually, such applications were "deleted" from AppStore. Thus, to detect (to know about this application) is not a critical for third-party software.

Then, some restrictions / limitations of iOS platform lead to a less list of potential harmful attempts.

 

There can be, most likely, different advertisement-based tricks and so (rogue, scam applications - where harmful impact is not always direct and require user's interaction).

 

What is more dangerous are security vulnerabilities on iOS. Unpatched vulnerability is a way to perform harm and can be used as part of distributing malware to device.

So, if iOS with vulnerability flaw - than it is not a malware-proof.

 

Because of all this - it is not recommended to use "jailbroken" device and to install "untrusted" applications (and to install it outside of AppStore).

Perhaps, most of all "known" iOS malware (threats) were actual only for jailbroken devices.

Or expected jailbroken on-the-fly during exploitation of certain flaw (with further harm to device by malicious item). That is kind of vulnerability exploitation OR installation from third-party src.

 

There was an application "Find and Call" (FindCall) with no such a requirement. That uploaded users' contactlist to the third party servers. That it is likely unwanted for user. And used for unclear purpose. For example, Sophos detected this.. but did not claim to be malware. Rather, a fraudulent trick or a rash design.

Then there were some of relative close attempts by other threats. That were more as a malware.

 

There are, obviously, some factors which make  IOS less interesting to malware developers: the IOS community is relatively small and IOS is mostly used  by individuals rather than largeorganisations,

I think that it is tasty for them. And it is used, but no so noticeably for being discussed. Since such things are most likely performed by high-skilled actors... and such threats are usually hidden and stealthy for years. By the way, I think that iOS is often used in large organizations as a kind of corporate style.

But, all in all, careful and attentive iOS user can be quite calm.

 

Thanks!