Virus

[tominrom]

Is it possible to get a virus (or some other undesirable program) on an iPad or iPhone with internet access?

 

[Tim SPRACKLEN]

Apple took the decision to 'sandbox' the programs (apps) in the iPad. This means that apps have only a very limited ability to interact - and this interaction is *absolutely* controlled by the operating system (iOS). So if you tried to write a 'virus' program for the iPad it would have no effect, because it couldn't interact with any other program or the operating system.

That, inevitably, has other consequences and places restrictions on what programs can do. In Windows, for example, applications (programs) can interact and this can be very useful. So some (clever) programmers found a way to 'jail break' the iPad and remove this restriction (effectively 'jailbreaking' means your iPad can 'run' non-Apple approved apps from the Cydia website, where they make such non-approved apps available). They can now run 'unauthorised' apps on the iPad that 'take advantage' of the removal of this restriction. The downside - technically a 'jail broken' iPad could be vunerable to viruses.

But don't worry - a 'regular' (non jail broken) iPad is not vunerable to any 'viruses' that a deviant programmer might write to 'infect' a jail broken iPad. So your IT manager need have no worries - if your iPads are not 'jailbroken' they are absolutely safe from viruses.

Basically, if you accept the restrictions that Apple place on your iPad and don't jail break, you're completely safe - a virus cannot 'infect' you.

Additionally, any 'app' that a normal (non-jail broken) iPad can download will have been thoroughly checked and approved by Apple, so could not contain any malevolent code...

OK - I'll get 'hacked' by the iPad 'jail breakers' - sorry for the 'pun' but, basically, you're safe.

Apple have a number of 'white papers' and other documents on their web site that address this issue if you'd like the links...

Tim

 

[SweetPoison]

OK - I'll get 'hacked' by the iPad 'jail breakers' -

.

Better run, Tim.

 

[Tim SPRACKLEN]

OK - I'll get 'hacked' by the iPad 'jail breakers' -

.

Better run, Tim.

Yes - even you're jail broken these days!! I'm feeling lonely.....

Tim

 

[disco_UK]

Yes - even you're jail broken these days!! I'm feeling lonely.....

Tim

Don't be lonely tim! I'm staying unbroken for the foreseeable future, we can hang around the dark ages together, mumbling about "kids today" etc lol

 

[The Alternative]

Yes - even you're jail broken these days!! I'm feeling lonely.....

Tim

Don't be lonely tim! I'm staying unbroken for the foreseeable future, we can hang around the dark ages together, mumbling about "kids today" etc lol

Ditto! I have no reason or inclination to jailbreak my device.

 

[SweetPoison]

Yes - even you're jail broken these days!! I'm feeling lonely.....

Tim

Don't be lonely tim! I'm staying unbroken for the foreseeable future, we can hang around the dark ages together, mumbling about "kids today" etc lol

Ditto! I have no reason or inclination to jailbreak my device.

I didn't either. I was forced.

 

[Mountainbikermark]

Apple took the decision to 'sandbox' the programs (apps) in the iPad. This means that apps have only a very limited ability to interact - and this interaction is *absolutely* controlled by the operating system (iOS). So if you tried to write a 'virus' program for the iPad it would have no effect, because it couldn't interact with any other program or the operating system.

That, inevitably, has other consequences and places restrictions on what programs can do. In Windows, for example, applications (programs) can interact and this can be very useful. So some (clever) programmers found a way to 'jail break' the iPad and remove this restriction (effectively 'jailbreaking' means your iPad can 'run' non-Apple approved apps from the Cydia website, where they make such non-approved apps available). They can now run 'unauthorised' apps on the iPad that 'take advantage' of the removal of this restriction. The downside - technically a 'jail broken' iPad could be vunerable to viruses.

But don't worry - a 'regular' (non jail broken) iPad is not vunerable to any 'viruses' that a deviant programmer might write to 'infect' a jail broken iPad. So your IT manager need have no worries - if your iPads are not 'jailbroken' they are absolutely safe from viruses.

Basically, if you accept the restrictions that Apple place on your iPad and don't jail break, you're completely safe - a virus cannot 'infect' you.

Additionally, any 'app' that a normal (non-jail broken) iPad can download will have been thoroughly checked and approved by Apple, so could not contain any malevolent code...

OK - I'll get 'hacked' by the iPad 'jail breakers' - sorry for the 'pun' but, basically, you're safe.

Apple have a number of 'white papers' and other documents on their web site that address this issue if you'd like the links...

Tim

Awesome post.
Thank you!

Support Our Troops!!
This post was Tapatalk approved. Sent from my Inc

 

[Yptcn]

Don't be lonely tim! I'm staying unbroken for the foreseeable future, we can hang around the dark ages together, mumbling about "kids today" etc lol

Same here , I'm not going to jailbreak any time soon !

Sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[johnl316]

What do you think the likelihood is that someone will go out of their way to bother writing a virus for the iPad given that there is such a small percentage of people jail breaking their devices?

I can't wait to jailbreak mine. I have been running an iPhone jail broken for over a year without any problems.