Worried that I have got malware from a website

[JonWinny]

Good evening all and Merry Christmas. I use an iPad mini 2 for various financial things (bills, banking, etc) and run a laptop for general things like browsing and gaming.

I went on some Football Manager sites on my ipad, via Safari:

Link deleted

Link deleted

Link deleted

I also clicked on some of the links to have a look at the relevant players' profiles, which throws you to a site called ImageVup.

The problem is, I looked at these sites today on the laptop and the latter one activates Malwarebytes, which gives 3 or 4 popups which say:

"Website blocked. You may exclude sites or applicatons from website protection by clicking manage exclusions."

For 'Domain' it has then said 'link deleted' or 'link deleted' The IP address shown comes up as:

216.21.13.14 or
216.21.13.15

Or similar.

I am now concerned that the iPad could be infected with malware. It hasn't been jailbreaked. I am concerned that, say, a key logger could read my card details if I input them next time I shop using an app or on a website using Safari.

Are these fears valid and what can I do about them, if so?

Thanks for reading, have a great holiday, folks.

 

[KevinJS]

If you are worried about malware on an iPad, do the following:

Disconnect from the Internet (Airplane mode)

Clear Safari history and website data

Restart iPad

Reconnect Internet service.

There are no viruses for iOS, and therefore there is no malware that will survive those steps.

I'll delete the links in your lead post since they aren't necessary to investigate your problem.

 

[KevinJS]

By the way, it's a great idea running Malwarebytes. That's about all you need for keeping your laptop safe (apart from a decent antivirus program if it's a Windows machine)

 

[JonWinny]

Thanks, Kevin!

 

[mickgonzo]

You might also try keeping a free copy of the Junkware Removal Tool JRT, or ADW Cleaner as well as malwarebytes in your downloads folder for these types of issues.

 

[JonWinny]

Ah! I dodn't know they were worthwhile on iPads. Do you just run a scan, like with Windows OS computers?

 

[scifan57]

Ah! I dodn't know they were worthwhile on iPads. Do you just run a scan, like with Windows OS computers?

Those programs are for the computer, not the iPad. There are no anti-virus apps for the iPad as they're not needed because of the sandboxed nature of iOS. There hasn't yet been a case out in the wild of a virus that can infect a stock, non-jailbroken, iPad or other iOS device.

 

[giradman]

Those programs are for the computer, not the iPad. There are no anti-virus apps for the iPad as there not needed because of the sandboxes nature of iOS. There hasn't yet been a case out in the wild of a virus that can infect a stock, non-jail broken, iPad or other iOS device.

For those just coming into this thread - the OP was discussing potential 'malware' on an iPad, i.e. an iOS device; however, the thread was expanded w/ the addition of similar detection/evaluation of malware on a macOS computer; on the latter, many more options exist including the excellent Malwarebytes for Mac - in addition, on a Mac computer, numerous extensions can be added to the Safari browser for further control; for myself, I have just the two shown below (found in 'Safari Preferences') - over 2 dozen others exist. Dave
.

 

[JonWinny]

Ah - this explains why I can't seem to download Malwarebytes onto the iPad because I don't have office! yeah, it's already running on my Windows laptop.

Is there ANYTHING I can use as a program/app for the iPad just to give me that little bit more piece of mind?

I still can't believe I was so stupid as to go onto those sites on my iPad I am normally so careful with it.

 

[giradman]

Ah - this explains why I can't seem to download Malwarebytes onto the iPad because I don't have office! yeah, it's already running on my Windows laptop.

Is there ANYTHING I can use as a program/app for the iPad just to give me that little bit more piece of mind?

I still can't believe I was so stupid as to go onto those sites on my iPad I am normally so careful with it.

Hi JonW..... - First, Malwarebytes for Mac is an app that runs under macOS - i.e. there is no iOS version for the iPad. Second, malware is a shortened word for 'malicious software' and includes a wide variety of potentially harmful software/code from viruses to adware/ransomware - see the quote from HERE. iOS is a 'sandbox' operating system and there are no viruses, worms, or trojan horses 'in the wild' that would have an effect.

The main concern on an iOS device relates to web browsers and those threats include mainly ransomware, adware, and scareware - careful internet surfing, not agreeing to terms of apps not known, not installing apps of uncertain validity, and not visiting dubious websites (e.g. porn, free stuff, etc.) will help avoid this type of malware. However, the second quote below is a list that I've often left in several forums - all the steps pertain to the macOS, but the first four (sans 'ethernet cable') will work fine w/ iOS browsers (Kevin has already outlined these steps in his initial post).

Finally, you might want to try several other iOS web browsers which offer more 'security' options than Safari, including anonymous browsing - good luck. Dave

'Malware' is an umbrella term used to refer to a variety of forms of hostile or intrusive software, including computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, ransomware, spyware, adware, scareware, and other malicious programs. It can take the form of executable code, scripts, active content, and other software. Malware is often disguised as, or embedded in, non-malicious files. As of 2011 the majority of active malware threats were worms or trojans rather than viruses.

Ransomware Removal

1. Force quit Safari.
2. Turn off your Wi-Fi or disconnect the ethernet cable.
3. Reopen Safari and close the offending tab(s).
4. Clear ‘History & Data’ in the Safari menu.
5. Reconnect to internet, i.e. Wi-Fi or ethernet cable.
6. Add ‘extensions’: AdBlock & Ghostery.
7. Use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac.
8. Visit AdwareMedic.

 

[JonWinny]

SORRY I have not been able to reply to this, life got in the way.

Great tips. So, having done the first 4 steps, I should be okay. One worry I now have (sorry, you must be mightily fed-up with me!) is that the iOS is not up to date.

I am only on 8.3.

When I update I will do it from a public WiFi in a local cafe as I do not trust the security of my own router - will this, itself, pose problems? I know that some have had problems with 'fake' WiFi connections being offered which allows hackers to access data but I will make sure this doesn't happen by ensuring I select the cafe's network name.

 

[scifan57]

Is there a reason why you cannot trust the security of your own router? Have you thought about getting a more modern router for home use?

 

[Jupiter7]

A public WiFi in a cafe is the worst place, security wise, to do anything!

 

[giradman]

Great tips. So, having done the first 4 steps, I should be okay. One worry I now have (sorry, you must be mightily fed-up with me!) is that the iOS is not up to date.

I am only on 8.3.

When I update I will do it from a public WiFi in a local cafe as I do not trust the security of my own router - will this, itself, pose problems? I know that some have had problems with 'fake' WiFi connections being offered which allows hackers to access data but I will make sure this doesn't happen by ensuring I select the cafe's network name.

Hi again - I have to agree w/ the two previous posters, a 'free' Wi-Fi non-password protected public network is a poor choice to upgrade (i.e. you will be going from 8.x to 10.x which can be installed on an iPad Mini 2) - such a network is not only unsafe lacking security but often slow as molasses, so you could be sitting there for hours and possibly a failed DL - an option if the Wi-Fi speed is fast would be to use a VPN - see HERE for some discussion on public Wi-Fi offerings.

Also as already suggested, tell us about your router, e.g. brand/model and whether security (such as WPA2) is activated; also, what ISP do you use and what DL speeds come through your connection? You should be much safer and obtain a faster connection on your own router; finally, if you have iTunes on a computer, hopefully updated to the most recent version, you can also upgrade via a cable. Dave

ADDENDUM: Just a little more on using unprotected Wi-Fi networks - there is plenty of software that can 'sniff out internet packets' that are non-encrypted and easily seen (and captured) in such cafe-type places - if interested, take a look HERE.

 

[JonWinny]

Hello folks, thanks for your replies.

I don't like using this router for two reasons which are more to do with paranoia than technical know-how!

I changed computers. before I did, I ran security software like super-antispyware, malwarebytes, etc. I then connected the new one to the router and it had some of the same nasties. I'm not talking adware that is often on new machines, but things flagged by both SAS and Malwarebytes as nasties. So although people tell me that routers are not prone to be infected -or even able to be - I am very, very reticent.

This reticence comes from being skimmed in the past and the hell I had to get the money back. The whole idea of the iPad (cellular) was so I could do my financial/bills/purchasing stuff by bypassing the home WiFi.

Would you even not trust any public WiFi connection which exists in an Apple store?