Although iPhones have robust security features, they are not completely immune to threats. Although they are generally more secure against viruses and malware than Android devices, no device is completely invulnerable.

This point was reinforced by a strange experience that caught our attention when “Pam” in Mesa, Arizona, wrote to us: “My iPhone says I have 14 viruses. What program can I (install) to help my phone? How can I (make) my phone secure?”

Well, Pam, we’re more than happy to investigate why you’re getting strange messages on your iPhone indicating that there were 14 viruses on it. There are various reasons why you might see these types of messages, and there are solutions to make your phone safe again.

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Woman shocked by virus warnings on her phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why do I get virus or malware warnings?

iPhone is less vulnerable to viruses and malware due to its closed code design. This means Apple doesn’t share all of its code information, making it harder for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities to take over a user’s apps or iPhone. It is important to note that Apple will never send you a warning via pop-up, SMS or email that you have a virus on your device.

Warning on the phone’s home screen (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Watch out for these fake virus alerts on your iPhone

Below are several reasons why you may receive notifications on your iPhone about viruses, which you may or may not actually have.

1) Pop-up ads: You may not have any viruses or malware on your iPhone. Instead, it could be an ad that pops up from your mobile browser saying you have a virus or malware on your iPhone. These can trick you in a couple of ways:

• It causes you to click on the ad, which may cause you to download viruses or malware.
• It sends you to another website that asks you for private information, such as payment, so that you can pay to get rid of the virus or malware.

2) Fake apps: Some scammers have fake apps that show fake virus or malware warnings to scare people into downloading their apps or buying their services to get rid of these fake problems.

3) Phishing scams: This virus warning could be a scam message or text message claiming that you have a virus or malware that needs to be eradicated from your device. Do not click on any links or call any numbers as this will likely transfer you to the actual scammer, who will likely hard sell you into buying their services, sharing private and financial information or giving them access to your iPhone.

You scroll on your iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How do I protect my iPhone?

Although it is more difficult to penetrate the iPhone, it does not mean that it is impossible. In fact, some hackers look for specific vulnerabilities in iOS to launch their attacks. If you see such warnings, it is best to ignore them and avoid clicking on any links or downloading any suggested software. Below are several important steps you can take to secure your iPhone.

1) Keep your iPhone updated: Sometimes Apple releases new iOS updates to fix known vulnerabilities. Whenever possible, it is best to update iOS so that your iPhone is safe from known vulnerabilities.

2) Install and run a strong antivirus program: An antivirus program that is actively running on all of your devices can help keep them all safe, including your iPhone. With iPhones, a strong antivirus program will prevent you from clicking on malicious links that can then install malware on your devices, potentially extracting personal information from your device. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These may be phishing attempts designed to steal your personal information.

The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.

3) Only download apps from the App Store: Stick to downloading apps from the official Apple App Store. Apps on the App Store are checked by Apple for security, which reduces the risk of downloading malicious software.

4) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Adding an extra layer of security to your Apple ID can help protect your personal information. With 2FAeven if someone gets your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the second factor.

5) Use strong passwords: Make sure your passwords are strong and unique for different accounts. Consider using one the password manager to keep track of them.

6) Monitor app permissions: Check regularly permissions granted for your apps and revoke any that seem unnecessary. This can help prevent apps from accessing more information than they need.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

While most iPhone users are comfortable knowing that iOS keeps the most common viruses and malware at bay, they are still susceptible to scammers who try to bypass the closed code and scare people into making bad choices that compromise their phones and data. Since Apple never sends out warnings about viruses or malware on your iPhone, that should be the first clue to a scam. Although it looks official, iPhone users do not receive any warnings from Apple about viruses or malware. If you install a good antivirus program, it will be the only program that notifies you that there is something wrong with your iPhone. Understanding these scams can help keep you calm and your phone safe.

Have you ever received what looks like an official warning from Apple notifying you about a virus on your iPhone? Have you received pop-ups and other alerts that try to get you to buy services or redirect you to random websites? What steps did you take to find out if it was legit or not? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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