The iPad does a great job of combating viruses, malware, and the dark side of the internet, so if you see a message on your iPad saying you have a virus, don't panic.Currently, there are no known viruses that target the iPad, and it's possible that such a virus may never exist.

iPadOS and Viruses

In a technical sense, a virus is a piece of code that replicates itself by creating a copy within another piece of software on your computer.But, unlike Windows PCs that have a very open file system, iPadOS doesn't allow one app direct access to the files of another app, preventing any would-be virus from replicating. 

If you visit a website and see a message claiming your device is infected by a virus, exit the site immediately.These pop-up messages are scams designed to scare you into installing malware under the pretense of enhancing your device's security.

Furthermore, you don't need to install virus protection on your iPad. Unlike a Windows computer, where running real-time virus protection software is almost a requirement, the iPad doesn't need full-time virus protection.

An iPad Virus May Not Exist, But That Doesn't Mean You Are Out of the Danger Zone

While it's not possible to write a true virus for the iPad, malware can and does exist. Malware encompasses any piece of software with bad intent, such as tricking you into giving up your passwords or other sensitive information. Malware for the iPad is relatively rare, though, because of one major obstacle it must overcome to get installed on your device: the App Store.

Owning an iPad comes with the assurance that every app submitted to the App Store undergoes scrutiny by Apple; it's actually a huge reason one might pick an iPad over a PC. While malware can slip through, such occurrences are rare. In the rare instances where this happens, the app is typically detected within days or weeks and promptly pulled from the store.

But, you should still be vigilant, especially if an app asks for personal or financial information. It's one thing for the Amazon app to ask for this type of information and quite another when it comes from an app you've never heard of and downloaded on a whim.

Even a well-known app should be treated with a certain amount of distrust. Never share your personal information, especially financial information like bank accounts and credit card numbers, unless there's a specific reason for the app to ask for it.

While viruses cannot exist on an iPad, scammers have gotten around the iPad's ability to protect itself from viruses by infecting the developer's PC, injecting code before it even makes it to the App Store. While it may sound like something out of a movie, this has happened. It's rare and not something most of us should worry about, but it does demonstrate that even popular apps should never have our full trust.

Is There an Antivirus App for the iPad?

VirusBarrier was the first antivirus app for iPad, but it needs a Mac since it can't be installed directly on the tablet. There's also McAfee Security that does run on the iPad, but it's more for related features, so it lets you connect to a VPN, check for data breaches online, block malicious websites, scan texts for strange URLs, etc.

Apps like VirusBarrier are preying on your fear of viruses in hopes that you'll install them without reading the fine print. And, in fact, Apple removed VirusBarrier for this very reason. Yes, even McAfee Security is hoping you're scared enough not to realize there are no known viruses for the iPad and that malware is actually much more difficult to get on the iPad than on the PC.

iPad Virus Scams

One of the most common scams for the iPad is the iOS Crash Report and variations of it. In this phishing scam, a website displays a pop-up informing you that the operating system has crashed or the iPad has a virus, then instructs you to call a number. However, the people on the other end aren't Apple employees and their main goal is to trick you out of either money or information that can be used to hack into your accounts.

The distinction between viruses and malware is important. A virus simply cannot replicate itself onto an iPad because it cannot access files to do so. But other forms of malware simply trick you, the user, into infecting the computer or giving up personal information.

When you receive a message like this, the best course of action is to closeSafari and reboot the iPad. If you get this message often, clear the cookies and web data stored on your device, like this:

1. OpenSettings.

   

2. Scroll down the left-side menu, then tap Safari.

   

3. In the Safari settings, scroll down and tapClear History and Website Data, then confirm by selectingClear.

   You must re-enter previously saved website passwords after completing this step, but this is a small price to pay to keep your browser clean and secure.

   

The 'Congratulations Amazon User' Message

If your iPad's web browser keeps showing annoying pop-up ads that lock you in and tell you that you've won something, it's likely another form of malware. One common type pretends to be from Amazon and tricks you into thinking you've won a gift. Just like the Crash Report scam, these sneaky ads try to get you to give away personal information.

To fight back, clear your web history and data. This malware exists in your web cache, which is data the Safari browser saves to help speed up a website by storing portions of it.

The Best Protection Is an Updated iPad

The easiest way to compromise an iPad is through exploiting security holes in the operating system. These problems are fixed quickly by Apple, but you need to stay on top of it by updating your iPad.

When you're prompted with a message about a new operating system update, simply tapLater, then plug your iPad in before going to bed. The iPad will schedule an update for that night, but it needs to be plugged into a power source (a computer or a wall outlet) to download and run the update.

Do Not Jailbreak Your iPad

One significant vulnerability that can expose your device to potential malware infections is jailbreaking. Jailbreaking involves bypassing the safeguards implemented by Apple, which typically restrict you to installing apps solely from their store. Ordinarily, apps require a certificate from Apple to download, install, and operate on your device. Jailbreaking circumvents this protection, enabling the installation of any app on your iPad.

If you jailbreak your device, be extra careful about what you install on it, because Apple hasn't tested and certified it as being free of malware.

Most people don't jailbreak their iPad. In fact, as the tablet has gained more features, it's become less popular to jailbreak. Most of what can be done through apps on Cydia and other non-Apple app stores can now be done with apps downloaded through the official App Store.

So Is My iPad Safe?

Just because it's difficult for malware to get on your iPad doesn't mean your iPad is completely safe from all intrusion. Hackers are great at finding ways to either disrupt devices or find their way inside of devices.

Here are a few things everyone should do with their iPad:

• Turn on Find My iPad. This tool lets you lock the iPad remotely or even erase it if it should ever become lost or stolen.
• Lock your iPad with a passcode. While it may seem like a waste of time to input a code each time you use your iPad, it's still the best way to keep it secure.
• Disable Siri and notifications from your lock screen. Siri can still be accessed by default when your iPad is locked. And, with Siri, anyone can do anything, from checking your calendar to setting reminders.