This article explains how to find out if your iPhone is infected with viruses, spyware, or other dangerous apps.
Steps
Step 1. Check if your iPhone is jailbroken
This procedure removes many of the restrictions built into the phone, allowing the installation of unverified apps. If you bought your iPhone from a private individual, they may have jailbroken it to install malicious programs. Here's how to check:
- Swipe down from the center of the Home screen to open the search bar.
- Type cydia in the search bar.
- Press the button Search for keyboard.
- If the "Cydia" app appears in the results, your iPhone is jailbroken. To unjailbreak your iPhone, read this article.
Step 2. Note if you see pop-up ads appearing on Safari
If you are suddenly flooded with unwanted advertisements, your phone may be infected.
Never click on links in pop-up ads. You may download other viruses
Step 3. Notice if the apps close by themselves
If a program you use regularly crashes all the time, someone may have found a bug in that application.
Update your iPhone apps regularly to always use the safest version
Step 4. Search for unknown apps
Trojan apps are meant to look authentic, so you need to investigate a little.
- Browse the home screens and folders for apps you don't recognize or don't remember installing.
- If you see a familiar looking app but don't remember installing it, it could be malicious software. Better to delete it, if you don't know what it's for.
- To view the list of all the apps you have installed from the App Store, press the icon App at the bottom, press your profile picture, then Buy. If you notice an app on your phone that isn't on this list (and isn't developed by Apple), it's probably dangerous.
Step 5. Note if you get extra charges without explanation
Viruses run in the background and use your data to communicate with the internet. Check your bill and make sure your data consumption hasn't increased or suddenly you haven't started texting pay numbers.
Step 6. Check the battery performance
Since viruses run in the background, they can drain your battery much faster than normal.
- To check battery usage, read How to Save iPhone Battery. This article teaches you to find the apps that consume the most power.
- If you see an app you don't recognize, delete it right away.
Advice
- To make sure you're protected against viruses, make sure your iPhone is updated to the latest version of iOS.
- If you find that there is a virus on your iPhone, it is best to reset it to its original factory settings.
