The low volume of serious malware for the iOS platform makes iOS users complacent about the kinds of security risks they are facing. But the truth is that iPhone users still face a variety of security threats. Webmail accounts can be hacked when users click on malicious links or have their identity stolen because they entered data on phishing sites from the mobile Web browser. Until recently, it was a challenge to find mobile-security applications specifically for the iPhone, iPad and the iPod Touch on the iTunes App Store. That is beginning to change with applications designed to protect iOS devices when they are lost or stolen, secure personal data, scan Websites and detect malware-infected files. Some ways to stay safe are obvious, such as turning on pass code locks and auto-lock to restrict physical access to the phone. The "erase data" function would automatically wipe the iPhone after 10 failed pass code attempts, preventing brute-force attacks. This eWEEK slide show looks at products that can help protect iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch users from dangers that come with the mobile life.
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Intego VirusBarrier
Mac-security firm Intego's VirusBarrier application scans the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch for malicious content. Unlike comparable Android products, the VirusBarrier application scans only files downloaded onto the device, such as email attachments and files downloaded from the Web. The sandbox technology used in iOS prevents VirusBarrier from being able to see what other applications are doing.
Lookout Mobile Security
The iPhone offering from Lookout Mobile Security is different from its Android, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile counterparts. While Lookout still hasn't added an anti-malware component to the iOS application, it does warn about unsecured networks. This iPhone application checks for the latest version of the iOS, whether the device has been jailbroken, backs up data, allows users to track lost or stolen devices, remotely wipes data on lost devices and warns about location-tracking services.
McAfee WaveSecure iOS Edition
Like Lookout's security application, McAfee also chose not to have an anti-malware component in its security tool for the iOS. With WaveSecure iOS Edition, users can back up personal data, but not the calendar or call history, to a Web portal where it is available for data restoration. It can also remotely lock a lost or stolen phone to protect the data. It is available in the App Store for $19.99.
GadgetTrak
GadgeTrak can take a picture of the person using the device and email it to the registered address on file, letting users find out who may have their phone. The Web-based service tricks thieves into sending location data to GadgetTrak servers to identify where an iPhone is. The application can also be turned on remotely, so it doesn't need to be running until the phone is actually lost.
Firewall iP
Firewall iP provides firewall features such as blocking outgoing connections on the jailbroken iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. The application will also raise an alert if an application or another service is trying to communicate with an outside, third-party server. Similar to the LittleSnitch personal firewall for the Mac OS X, Firewall iP allows users to create policies, block connections for applications when on the cellular network, and block certain types of content. The application is available on the Cydia alternative application store.
iLocalis
Another app that requires the iPhone to be jailbroken, iLocalis can do more than just tracking the location of a stolen or lost iPhone. It also allows the user to send remote commands, such as placing calls, deleting data, recording audio, or locking, to the phone. The app is available on the Cydia alternative app store.
Webroot SecureWeb Browser
Webroot's SecureWeb is an advanced Web browser for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch that blocks malicious sites. This gives users greater confidence that they can surf the Web without stumbling onto sites that will compromise their devices. Search results from Google, Yahoo, Bing and Ask.com are clearly marked to show which ones are safe to click on.
Splash ID
This application is a password manager for the iPhone, allowing users to store sensitive data, such as account numbers, user names, passwords and site information, and lock it behind a master password. It can also randomly generate strong passwords to use on a Web service and save the information. The master password is protected with 256-bit Blowfish Encryption. For an extra $20 for the desktop version, users can synchronize the data between the computer and the iPhone.
Accellion Mobile App for iPhone
This application allows users to connect to Accellion Secure Workspaces, a cloud-storage service, to securely view remote files. Unlike Dropbox and other cloud storage services, Accellion lets users browse and view files and securely send files to others.
CiscoAnyConnect, Junos Pulse From Juniper Networks
iOS devices come with a built-in VPN client that can be configured to use with the Cisco AnyConnect or Junos Pulse from Juniper Networks. Junos Pulse for iOS allows users to establish secure connections over Secure Sockets Layer VPNs to corporate applications. Cisco AnyConnect can use a wide range of authentication options, including RADIUS, RSA SecurID, Active Directory/Kerberos, Digital Certificates, LDAP and other multifactor authentication schemes.
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The low volume of serious malware for the iOS platform makes iOS users complacent about the kinds of security risks they are facing. But the truth is that iPhone users still face a variety of security threats. Webmail accounts can be hacked when users click on malicious links or have their identity stolen because they entered data on phishing sites from the mobile Web browser. Until recently, it was a challenge to find mobile-security applications specifically for the iPhone, iPad and the iPod Touch on the iTunes App Store. That is beginning to change with applications designed to protect iOS devices when they are lost or stolen, secure personal data, scan Websites and detect malware-infected files. Some ways to stay safe are obvious, such as turning on pass code locks and auto-lock to restrict physical access to the phone. The "erase data" function would automatically wipe the iPhone after 10 failed pass code attempts, preventing brute-force attacks. This eWEEK slide show looks at products that can help protect iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch users from dangers that come with the mobile life.