United Kingdom Endpoint Management User Group

Hello all, I have just installed NMS for iOS using one of my N360 lics; however, it only has anti-theft and backup, even though the website for this product lists threat protection as one of its features. Does anyone know why this is as I bought N360 so that I could have AV for iOS? SK

Hello Scott,

THe threat protection you are seeing is probably on the Android platform. Norton Mobile security within Norton 360 doesnt provide AV for IOS because at this time, as long as you have not jailbroken your IOS device the security is mostly taken care of by Apple.

There may be plans to bring in AV for IOS later but there is no current demand.

From Apple

 

"For organizations considering the security of iOS devices, it is helpful to understand how the built-in security features work together to provide a secure mobile computing platform.
iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch are designed with layers of security. Low-level hardware and firmware features protect against malware and viruses, while high-level OS features allow secure access to personal information and corporate data, prevent unauthorized use, and help thwart attacks.
The iOS security model protects information while still enabling mobile use, third-party apps, and syncing. Much of the system is based on industry-standard secure design principles—and in many cases, Apple has done additional design work to enhance security without compromising usability"

 

Hello Richard,

I believe that you may have got that paragraph from here:-

http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2012/06/04/apple-explains-why-ios-dont-need-no-steenkin-anti-virus/

Which is all well and good; however, I have to agree with this one in that it is inevitable that iOS will some day have viruses (especially as the Apple Store has already had an instance of malware detected):-

http://readwrite.com/2013/09/05/kaspersky-the-ios-malware-dam-will-break#awesm=~ouEJSIhwQNMoBE

 

The reason why I am dissapointed at Symantec's iOS offering is because their competitors do provide this functionality, which means that I will be switching vendors in order to be proactive:-

http://www.i4u.com/2013/10/56431/best-3-antivirus-apps-ios

http://netlabelsnews.org/top-4-best-antivirus-for-iphoneipad/

http://www.bestantivirus.com/blog/773/5-best-antivirus-ios/

Hello Scott,

If you are switching vendors, which ones have device level anti virus scanning on IOS? The answer I am afraid is none. This is not Symantecs fault, this is the decision from Apple.

As you are probably aware Apples apps are sandboxed from one another, hence a device level AV wishing to scan apps and data on the device will not be able to. So to fix this apple would have to open up their IOS source code to AV developers so they can develop a solution, Of course this means so can the malware / virus writers and apple do not want to do this.

You can learn about Kaspersksy attempt to ask Apple to do this so they can write an AV app here. It was of course denied.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/kaspersky-denied-ios-app-apple-buries-its-head-in-the-security-sand/77648

Apple secure their devices from malware through limiting the types of files that can be opened on iOS devices, securing their app store (yes you pointed out that app got through the check, but that is only one compared to >1million android apps with malware) and finally sandboxing apps. If a vulnerability is identified like the PDF issue last year, then Apple fix this with a security update to IOS

Of the links you posted, none have device level AV scanning, the only one that seems slightly different is the virus barrier app, this will do a scan, but ONLY attachments within the IOS mail app. 

 

So at the moment there is no demand for an IOS AV, but more importantly, its not event technically possible. So switching your AV from Norton 360 would not be necessary

Thanks

 

Rich