Security of iPad, iOS?

[Padcatt]

While the security of OS X is known to be robust, I'm not clear on how secure an iPad or iPhone is/are.

In OS X, you can require an Administrator password to make system changes, or even to move files.

on an iPad, if you enter the right password/thumb print, you're in and you have the Powers of Zeus!

Where's the security on an iOS device that corresponds to what OS X offers?

Thank you!

 

[giradman]

Apple's operating system for its Macs (desktops & laptops) is called 'macOS' now (the 'X' has been dropped) - not sure 'what' question you are asking, but iOS is a robust and secure operating system, especially if used properly w/ passcodes, fingerprint/facial ID, VPNs (when applicable), careful surfing, etc - plenty of information on these topics w/ some googling. BUT, if you want more detail, then take a look at this Apple iOS PDF - Dave

 

[scifan57]

iOS devices were conceived as single user devices and hence lack the ability to set up multiple user accounts like a computer running macOS. In iOS you can have multiple passwords for different purposes such as the unlocking password, restrictions password, iCloud password, email password, etc.

 

[Padcatt]

Apple's operating system for its Macs (desktops & laptops) is called 'macOS' now (the 'X' has been dropped) - not sure 'what' question you are asking, but iOS is a robust and secure operating system, especially if used properly w/ passcodes, fingerprint/facial ID, VPNs (when applicable), careful surfing, etc - plenty of information on these topics w/ some googling. BUT, if you want more detail, then take a look at this Apple iOS PDF - Dave

Thank you, Dave. My question I thought was direct, thank you for participating!

 

[Padcatt]

iOS devices were conceived as single user devices and hence lack the ability to set up multiple user accounts like a computer running macOS. In iOS you can have multiple passwords for different purposes such as the unlocking password, restrictions password, iCloud password, email password, etc.

Ok, so the way the iOS environment is set up, provided the user enters the required form(s) of credentials then access to the device is granted. Then as you point out, additional credentials are required for the other things you mentioned.

 

[LannyC]

A big part of iOS security is its restrictions on what you can and can't do, no matter who you are, or with what credentials. You can't alter the OS, in general files are not shared or movable outside of their applications' sandboxes, and far from having the power of Zeus, you're more like an apprentice faun with a one-note panpipe.

This was, foolishly, considered a flaw when iOS came out, mainly by Windows and linux geeks who were used to needing to hack their own computers to make them behave. Apple's "my way or the highway" philosophy was ridiculed by the same folks who were complaining about spending far too much time and money protecting (and recovering) from malware attacks. The laugh was on them.

Dunno if it's still a thing, but some iOS users used to "jailbreak" their devices to gain flexibility. But it left them open to attack, rendered some apps unusable, and was reset with every iOS update.

Keep up to date, don't download apps from anywhere but the App Store, and don't worry about it.

 

[Padcatt]

Is Apple’s iCloud also secure? Comparably secure? Sure seems it was made just for iOS devices.

Thank you

 

[scifan57]

iCloud is also for Macs and Apple also has a version for Windows computers. iCloud backups are automatically encrypted. iCloud security overview