iPad & iPhone security

Mac products have long had a well-deserved reputation as, without a doubt, some of the most secure devices available for any computer shopper. The most sensational and troublesome malware and viruses target Windows users almost without exception. On top of that, simple habits such as making sure not to give out personal information to any unknown sites and keeping the Apple malware definitions up to date can make Mac users virtually immune to attack.

However, while it may not be so common for devices such as the iPad or iPhone to be hacked or infected, it's still something any smart user will want all the protection from they can get. Downloading the wrong file or visiting the wrong site can leave your information unguarded, can render your phone difficult or impossible to use, and in worst-case scenarios, both. Having the right iPhone antivirus software or iPad antivirus software can make all the difference. And when many iPad antivirus apps or iPhone antivirus apps are free to try or free entirely, there's really no excuse not to have one.
 

Trend Micro's entry into iPhone antivirus apps is called Smart Surfing, and is available through the iTunes store. It has a small install size, and is free of charge. It has a robust parental control feature, with a list of security categories and strength settings that the user may change to filter out unwanted content, as well as the ability to block or approve specific sites. It's also available as one of the better iPad antivirus apps. And did we mention it's free? The only catch is that scanning a device with Smart Surfing can take several hours, and the system may be slower to respond during scans.

Intego  was the first company on the market to release any kind of iPhone antivirus software or iPad antivirus software. The latest version of their app is VirusBarrier X6, which scans your iPad or iPhone when connected to a Mac computer. It uses very few background resources compared to other antivirus or antimalware software, so it won't be obtrusive when you're doing other work. This software is free to try; however, to activate a full version, there is a yearly subscription fee.

Some of the major antimalware companies have also released iPhone antivirus software and iPad antivirus software. Symantec has an app for enterprise customers called Mobile Management 7.0 that provides excellent protection. McAfee also has an app, available through iTunes, known as McAfee Family Protection. It requires a relatively small, one-time licensing fee, and prevents browsing to any known malicious sites with a constantly updated definitions list. It also has the ability to locate your device remotely.

Overall, users of iPads and iPhones can feel relatively confident in the security of their private data. But we all know it's just a matter of time before attacks on these type of devices become more common, particularly with the option to link them with your credit card or bank account to use for payment fast approaching. The old saying is also the most appropriate in this case: better safe than sorry!