iPhones - Are They Susceptible to Viruses?

As a writer for both the computer security and iPhone channels, there is one question that readers want to know above all else now that the iPhone has reached mass-market penetration. That question is “can the iPhone contract a virus?”

Yes, in theory, an iPhone could get a virus. For those wondering how this could be, the answer is rather simple. A virus is a program that infiltrates your PC (or your Mac, for those who think you’re immune) and exploits security holes resulting in a number of problems as well as hijacking your computer entirely.

A virus has to be downloaded in one form or another, so those that are at the greatest risk are those people who have jailbroken their iPhones. The reason is that you’re now downloading in uncharted territory – for the most part, the apps are clean, but unlike the official app store, there’s no way to be sure that the phone isn’t silently turning against you.

The reality is that unlike businesses, hackers like leaving no stone unturned. If there’s a chance that a hacker can program a virus for the iPhone that somehow makes it worth his while, it’s not going to be long before there’s an iPhone virus.

Luckily for iPhone owners, there are some limitations and impracticalities that make programming viruses for the phone less than viable. For starters, the iPhone is unable to do much in terms of background processes, so if you upload a virus to the phone that requires stealth, the person will end up realizing what’s going on due to speed issues.

Secondly, the iPhone is an underpowered machine when compared to the millions of PCs out there in the wild just waiting to be taken over by a clever hacker. A virus for the iPhone would require much more dedication and energy as opposed to one for a PC or Mac. The virus must be programmed in a very specific way and then the problem becomes uploading it to the phone itself – unless you manage to tack the virus onto a song or application, chances are not a lot of people are going to be exposed.