A new virus infects all iPhones and iPads in a row. Are there viruses on iOS?

The other day, a reader came to me with this problem. She believed she had caught a virus on her iPhone and asked for help. At the same time, the phone never went through the procedure, and it was an iPhone, not an Android fake. In general, the case claimed to be in the Guinness Book of Records. The girl wrote that she went to some website, after which the phone was blocked, and the message that appeared on the screen notified that money needed to be paid. To understand what exactly was going on, I went to this site from my smartphone, and this is what I saw...
The site is currently located at: http://lockmvd.com/new1/index.php and it seems that it even works as an affiliate program (parameters are passed through the link, such as http://lockmvd.com/new1/index.php?sum=4700&num=9854119266). When you access this page from an iPhone, a contextual message about an alleged violation opens at the full height of the browser window. At the very bottom of the window there is an “OK” button, which, in theory, should close it. But when you click on the button, the script on the page is triggered again, and the window again blocks the browser. If you close Safari with the Home button, you can use any application on your iPhone without any problems. But when you open the browser, the last page viewed will be shown, the same one. It turns out that this is not the first time. This is the so-called Ministry of Internal Affairs virus, and many people have already seen such a picture on the iPhone.

How to remove MIA virus from iPhone

7. Open (pull out from the bottom of the screen) the control panel and turn off Airplane mode. That's it, the Ministry of Internal Affairs virus on the iPhone is defeated, continue using the browser. :) P.S. I think clones of similar sites like this Ministry of Internal Affairs virus for iPhone will continue to be created. Since, this action is fraud, then any victim has the right to contact the Police (Militia) to suppress criminal activity. And if you paid money, then compensation for the damage caused. Through law enforcement agencies the owners of such resources are found very quickly...

The iOS mobile platform is deservedly considered the most secure in terms of hacker attacks. In general, in the entire history of the existence of this operating system, any successful attacks can be counted on the fingers of one hand. The likelihood that your Apple gadget will catch a virus is reduced to almost zero, but such a possibility still exists.

So, let's try to figure out how to check an iPhone for viruses, whether this is possible in principle, and what you will need for this. We will take into account the most popular gadgets from Apple, that is, models starting from the fourth series (4, 5, 5S, etc.).

How to check an iPhone for viruses?

If you look at all the functionality of iOS and related third party applications, then we won’t see them as such. By typing “antivirus” in the search for the Apple branded store, you will see only one application to install, which will provide you with mostly anti-spam, and not some kind of protection against hacker attacks.

By and large, any special software that helps, for example, check an iPhone 5S for viruses, simply does not exist in the classical sense of this action. That is, here we are talking about ordinary maintenance and cleaning the gadget from various kinds of “garbage” in the form advertising SMS, banners and more.

What types of viruses are there on iOS?

The very small number that can be found on this platform are conventionally divided into several types. If you find active signs described below, it means that your device is most likely infected. Before checking your iPhone for viruses, let’s first characterize the threats.

Types of malicious code:

1. Harmless. Here we have something unpleasant, but not scary for the operating system, like an old virus that periodically displayed the Shoes message on home screen in a chaotic order or, for example, at one time the very annoying WireLurker, spamming comics all over the desktop.
2. SMS. Malicious code is distributed via SMS messages. This virus, in fact, is not such a virus, because it does not steal information or spam, but simply loads the system until it slows down and freezes.
3. Banners. One of the most common problems modern user. It is embedded in the built-in browser and begins to “distribute” advertising materials (most often 18+).
4. "Thief". This code steals confidential information user, starting with numbers in notebook and ending with data credit cards. Such viruses are usually written for a specific category of individuals and commercial organizations. An example is the case with the IGN bank.

If you encounter the first three types, then there is nothing wrong with that. Eat special software(list below), which combats these problems quite successfully. With the last point, things are somewhat more complicated, and removing it is not so easy. Keep this in mind before checking your iPhone for viruses.

How to remove malicious code?

It is almost impossible to remove a truly “high-quality” virus from a system. All kinds of Kaspersky and Avira will not help here. The fact is that the Apple operating system simply does not allow antiviruses to fully penetrate into its internal system space.

Any attempt to hack an iOS gadget, as well as the theft of information through proprietary applications, is quite a significant event for the company. An online service provider will “pick up” this vulnerability without your knowledge, after which the company almost instantly closes the “hole” by releasing an emergency update. The same applies to desktop viruses, so keep this point in mind before checking your iPhone for viruses through your computer.

Antivirus applications

As for more harmless code, it can be dealt with on our own using one of the utilities described below.

Applications to protect your iOS gadget:

• Lookout Mobile Security.
• McAffe.
• Norton.
• Avira.
• VirusBarrier.

All this software can be easily downloaded from the Apple company store. All utilities have undergone appropriate testing and will have virtually no effect on your daily work with an iPhone. The applications do not require any specific knowledge; they are simple and intuitive. All functionality, as a rule, comes down to one single button - “Enable” (and forget).

Well, if you are faced with something out of the ordinary and don’t know what to do, then the most the right way- this is to contact technical support, fortunately they respond instantly to the issue of malicious code. Also keep this point in mind before checking your iPhone for viruses.

Owners of mobile devices with operating iOS system know that this particular operating system is relatively invulnerable to viruses, but when connecting the device, for example, to a PC, there is a danger that Iphone will fall virus.

IOS-based mobile devices are among the most secure. The whole point is that the file iPhone system is closed from viewing, which means that no virus can harm the mobile device (if the factory firmware).

If the owner of such a device flashed the phone or installed programs not only from the official website (AppStore), then the likelihood of viruses getting onto the phone increases significantly. Of course, there are ways to check mobile device for the presence of viruses. This can be done either using antivirus software that is already installed directly on the user’s computer, or using special antiviruses for iPhone. Checking using a personal computerIn the first case, you need to connect your mobile device to personal computer With via USB. After the computer detects it, you can launch the antivirus installed on the PC and run a scan of the removable drive (phone memory card). At the end of the scanning procedure, the antivirus will show the user all vulnerabilities found and any malicious software found. software. Of course, this method is not the most convenient. The best thing is to download antivirus software for your mobile device on the AppStore and install it. Antiviruses for mobile devices There are several of the most popular options, these are: Intego VirusBarrier X6, ESET Cybersecurity, Panda Antivirus, Norton AntiVirus. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Intego VirusBarrier X6 scans most archives and attachments, scripts, detects and restores damaged data, and malicious software. The main advantage of this antivirus is that it scans quite quickly. ESET Cybersecurity is not capable of cleaning archives and attachments, but fortunately this software protects the user while surfing the Internet, thanks to special anti-phishing features. Among the main disadvantages is that, unlike the previous version, ESET Cybersecurity works quite slowly. The functionality of Panda Antivirus and Norton AntiVirus are approximately the same, the only difference is the cost of these applications. It is worth noting that owners of computers with operating system MACs can also benefit from these antivirus programs.

03/17/2016, Thu, 13:11, Moscow time, Text: Sergey Popsulin

A new virus has been discovered that infects iPhones and iPads, regardless of whether their firmware has been jailbroken or not. So far, hackers are active only in China.

New virus for iPhone and iPad

Palo Alto Networks analysts reported the discovery of the first virus for Apple iOS which is used to infect devices Apple's shortcomings FairPlay. This is control technology digital rights(Digital Rights Management - DRM), designed to combat the spread of unlicensed content.

FairPlay flaws have previously been used to distribute pirated applications, but never to distribute malware, Palo Alto Networks researchers emphasized.

The new virus equally successfully infects both jailbroken devices and devices with original firmware, analysts added. After he gets on them, he steals the login and Apple password ID, sending them to the attackers’ command and control server.

Infection via PC

iOS devices are infected via a PC with a Windows desktop program called Aisi Helper, developed by Chinese company. This application is distributed as a harmless utility designed to manage an iOS device, some of the functions of which replace the functions official application iTunes.

The principle of infecting an iOS device with a new virus

The Aisi Helper application was first released in 2014. And until 2015, it did not make any illegal actions. According to analysts, the version of the application that conducts malicious activity was downloaded by them in February 2016 from the official website of the developer.

Once Aisi Helper reaches the PC, it installs a malicious application on the connected iPhone or iPad. Which appear in the grid of shortcuts, just like legal programs. Therefore, one way to find out about the presence of a virus is to check if the device contains applications that the user has never purchased or downloaded himself.

Deception of the protection system

By installing a virus on devices, Aisi Helper imitates iTunes, which allows you to install applications on a mobile device by first downloading from them App Store on PC. When installation occurs, the iOS device checks to see if the app being installed was downloaded from the App Store. And only after the verification is successful does it allow you to install it.

In order to deceive this system, the attackers did the following. They created legitimate applications in advance and got them published in the App Store. Disguised as directories of desktop pictures, in reality they “stole” the authorization code. Copies of this particular authorization code were used by attackers to further deceive the system for verifying that applications belong to the App Store.

Apple, after being warned about this, removed the applications in question from the App Store. However, this did not lead to a curtailment of hacker activity, since the attackers were already able to take possession of the authorization code. And there is no need to constantly have programs for stealing it in the App Store.

Geographic filter

According to the researchers, the virus has a geographic filter and only starts working when it detects that the device is located in China. Therefore, residents in other countries have no reason to worry yet. However, attackers can change the filter settings at any time, experts warned.

Previous find

The first virus that infects iPhones and iPads, regardless of the state of their firmware (hacked or not), was in 2014. It was found by specialists from the same company, Palo Alto Networks. One of the differences between the new virus and previous ones is that all previous viruses used corporate certificates to penetrate iOS devices.

IOS-based mobile devices are among the most secure. The whole point is that file system The iPhone is closed from viewing, which means that no virus can harm the mobile device (if the factory firmware is installed). If the owner of such a device has flashed the phone or installed programs not only from the official website (AppStore), then the likelihood of viruses getting onto the phone increases significantly.

Of course, there are ways to check your mobile device for viruses. This can be done either using antivirus software that is already installed directly on the user’s computer, or using special antiviruses for iPhone.

Checking using a personal computer

In the first case, you need to connect your mobile device to your personal computer using USB. After the computer detects it, you can launch the antivirus installed on the PC and run a scan of the removable drive (phone memory card). At the end of the scanning procedure, the antivirus will show the user all the vulnerabilities found and the malicious software found. Of course, this method is not the most convenient. The best thing is to download antivirus software for your mobile device from the AppStore and install it.

Antiviruses for mobile devices

There are several most popular options, these are: Intego VirusBarrier X6, ESET Cybersecurity, Panda Antivirus, Norton AntiVirus. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Intego VirusBarrier X6 scans most archives and attachments, scripts, detects and restores damaged data, and malicious software. The main advantage of this antivirus is that it scans quite quickly. ESET Cybersecurity is not capable of cleaning archives and attachments, but fortunately this software protects the user while surfing thanks to special anti-phishing features. Among the main disadvantages is that, unlike the previous version, ESET Cybersecurity works quite slowly. The functionality of Panda Antivirus and Norton AntiVirus are approximately the same, the only difference is the cost of these applications. It is worth noting that owners of computers with operating MAC system can also use these antivirus programs.

If you use the Internet a lot and quite often, you, without your desire, become an easy victim for all kinds of worms, Trojans, malware and other viruses that live in global network. The myth that a virus can only be purchased on untrustworthy sites has long been unjustified. Your computer can become infected even while you are viewing the news or watching a sports match. Here are some simple tips on how to protect yourself from this.

Instructions

Ensure your constant by installing one of the special programs- antiviruses, which will allow you to protect your computer and at the same time check it for threats at any time. The installation will also allow you to monitor malicious sites, check downloaded files, detect new viruses, and place especially important sites under personal control.

Download if you can't afford it yet paid versions. Many free programs that float on the Internet do an excellent job of protecting your computer no worse than their commercial counterparts. Update the database as often as possible, do general checks at least several times a month, and your computer will be completely protected.

Use on-line antiviruses if you don’t want to bother with installing new programs. Just use a search to find a site that provides services for finding and removing viruses from your equipment and diagnosing it.

Video on the topic

Testing antivirus applications using virus programs usually performed by developers in special laboratories. However, such a check can also be carried out at home using a specially created pseudo-virus that is not capable of causing harm to the computer.

You will need

• - EICAR Standard Anti-Virus Test File

Instructions

Open the page in your browser http://www.virusbtn.com to log in to the Virus Bulletin website.

Fill out the fields required to register and wait until you receive a message asking you to confirm your registration by email.

Go to: www.eicar.org/anti virus test file.htm to open the page of The European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research and download the test virus created by the company’s specialists. This pseudo-virus does not contain program code and cannot harm the computer, but the vast majority antivirus programs is defined as malicious application. In fact, it is a completely valid DOS program, the result of which will be the appearance of the message
Eicar-Standard-Antivirus-Test-File!

Consider the fact that the results of test effectiveness studies antivirus programs can differ quite greatly from the accepted classification. For example, the top ten antiviruses in 2011 are as follows: - Shield Deluxe 2011;
- Trend Micro Titanium Antivirus 2011;
- Norton Antivirus 2011;
- Panda Antivirus Pro 2011;
- ZoneAlarm Anti-Virus 2010;
- ESET NOD32 Antivirus;
- Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2011;
- Zone Alarm;
- McAfee Antivirus Plus 2011;
- Computer Associates Antivirus 2011.

Compare the above list with the top seven free antivirus applications 2011:- Avast Free Antivirus;
- Avira AntiVir Personal Free Antivirus;
- AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011;
-Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0;
- Panda Cloud Antivirus 1.0;
- Comodo Internet Security Premium 5.0;
- PC tools Antivirus Free Edition.

Video on the topic

Sources:

• Intended use EICAR in 2019

Mobile telephone It is no less susceptible to viruses than a computer. Providers are increasingly offering antivirus programs, releasing new ones every year software products. Antivirus software protects email, chats, downloaded files, all incoming messages and any connection.