Although iPhones aren’t afflicted by viruses as often as PCs, they’re not immune. They are susceptible to being infected by malware, phishing scams, and many more. This list of top iphone antivirus applications offers options for scanning, blocking and protecting your iOS device from online threats like phishing websites, insecure public Wi-Fi, data-stealing apps, web trackers and more.
Apple designed the operating system (OS) on its iPhones and iPads to be among the most secure OSes on the market. This is due in part to its rigorous app vetting process, which makes developers submit security information for their apps before they’re allowed to run on Apple devices. Plus, its hardware design allows each app to run in a sandboxed mode that prevents it from accessing other apps or files on the device. This is due in part to the low demand for mobile malware from cyber criminals who prefer to target Android smartphones (71% of the market) or desktop computers with Windows (10%).
In addition to blocking and detecting iPhone viruses, the most effective iphone antivirus apps also provide advanced Internet security options, including a firewall, VPN and data loss protection. The best iOS antivirus scanners also have a small footprint, which means they won’t slow down your device or use excessive data plan.
Norton’s iPhone antivirus, for instance offers real-time detection of viruses as well as an interface that displays the security status of your iPhone. It also blocks phishing websites and safeguards you from unwanted calendar invitations that contain malicious hyperlinks. It is also able to remotely lock or erase a phone in the event of it being stolen or lost. Another option is Avira that includes malware detection, a password manager, a VPN and photo cleaning tools. Both offer generous money-back guarantees.