McAfee^® Mobile Security for iOS

McAfee Mobile Security protects your iPhone from system vulnerabilities and unsecured Wi-Fi (upgrade required). One of its biggest advantages is being able to track the physical location of your device if it is lost or stolen. You can even get a photo of the person who is holding your device.

With McAfee Mobile Security, the app automatically sends you alerts regarding bugs or other safety issues. You can download the free version via the App Store or upgrade to the Plus version for a small fee. 

The iOS platform isn’t usually vulnerable to viruses, but there are some security threats that can cause chaos on your system. iOS devices are usually more secure and are less frequently targeted by hackers. That’s because apps for iPhone and iPad can only be downloaded via the App Store, not third party providers. Apple has greater control over the content you have access to, which helps to prevent fake apps or harmful software products from making their way onto your device in the first place.

By design, apps for iOS devices cannot access data from other apps. Rather, they exist in their own little boxes and can’t reach into other boxes. Android performs a similar process to its apps, but their approach is less stringent than Apple’s. As another security measure, iOS’s update schedule allows it to impact all devices simultaneously to protect against vulnerabilities. 

In other words, it’s very rare that you could get a virus on an iPhone from a third party app, but it does happen. Apple takes extreme safety precautions, but malware can infect your device if it has been jailbroken (this allows users to download apps from sources other than the App Store), which makes it just as vulnerable to security threats as an Android device.

Even without jailbreaking, you may still be vulnerable to threats. That’s why it’s important to use a security app like McAfee Mobile Security that’s made for your iOS device. 

While the iPhone has a great reputation for being safe and keeping hackers away from your personal information it can still be hacked as published by Project Zero!

Surprisingly, many people choose iOS devices because they believe that this system is impervious to malware or viruses, but that’s simply not the case. It’s true that many hackers target Android devices because they’re so popular, but that doesn’t mean that iPhones aren’t targets, too. 

By design, the iOS platform provides superior protection that is unique to Apple. iOS does experience far fewer attacks, but these attacks are still greater than zero. Also, issues like spam, phishing and privacy breaches can also pose threats to iOS users, which is why an antivirus program like McAfee Mobile Security is so valuable.

For most of us, our phones are an extension of ourselves. We use our devices every day and know it inside and out. If you think that your phone has been acting funny or not working to its potential, you’ll usually recognize it immediately. This could be due to an infiltration or virus, but here are some signs that can help you tell with confidence:

• Increases in Data Usage - If your data usage is increasing but you’re positive you aren’t using more data, malware may be to blame. This could mean that a program is running in the background, likely stealing your information and transmitting it back to cybercriminals. 

• Apps are Continually Crashing - Let’s be fair, any app can crash. But apps that continue to crash excessively (seemingly for no reason) is a telltale sign your phone may be infected.

• Outrageous Phone Bill Increases - Your phone bill may skyrocket due to premium rate text messages or other issues.

• Weird Emails - If your family members or friends are getting strange emails from you, someone may have hacked your inbox.

• Strange Apps - Most people know every app they download, so scroll through your apps to see if there’s one that’s unfamiliar. If you find one, don’t open it! These fake "apps" should be deleted immediately.

• Less Battery Life - If your battery isn’t lasting as long as it used to, it could be because malware is running in the background and zapping your power.

In a word, yes. You can check your iPhone to see if it may be infected with malicious apps, spyware or viruses. Here’s how:

• See if your phone is jailbroken. This is a major vulnerability that erases many of the iPhone’s built-in security restrictions. If you purchased the phone from someone else rather than an authorized retailer, there’s a chance that they installed malicious software on it.

• Be on the lookout for pop up ads in Safari. Safari does an excellent job of not inundated its users with pop up ads, but if you suddenly start seeing ads, it could be because of an infected app. If you do see pop up ads, never click them. This could result in even more viruses or malware. 

• Install the latest iOS update. Updates can be a pain, but they’re absolutely necessary to keep your device safe from intruders. If there’s an update available, make sure you download it.

• Look for strange or unfamiliar apps. Some apps may look like the real deal, but they’re actually trojans that can wreak havoc on your device. Go through your folders and screens to see if there are any apps you don’t recognize or otherwise don’t remember installing. Even apps that might look familiar can be deadly if you don’t remember installing them. 

  You can go the App Store to see a list of every app you’ve downloaded and verify them against what’s currently displayed on your phone. To do this, go to the App Store, tap the Apps icon, then look at your purchase history (free apps will appear here, too). If you see an app on your phone that isn’t on this list, then you may have a security issue on your hands. 

• Review your billing statement. No one wants to see a spike in their cell phone bill. If you notice extra charges or a higher balance than normal, malware could be to blame. These viruses continually run in the background and eat up your data in the process. This may put you over the limit and force you to pay up. 

• Check your battery settings. Go to Settings, then tap on Battery to see where your power is going. If there’s an app that’s eating up your battery that you don’t recognize, then it’s time to delete it. 

If you aren’t sure if you’re using a jailbroken phone, do the following:

• Open the search feature by swiping down the center of the home screen.

• Type the word “cydia” in the search bar

• If an app called “cydia” appears in the results, your iPhone is jailbroken. Cydia is similar to Apple’s App Store, but it’s designed for access outside of the app store.  

There’s more than one way to hack into an iPhone, which is why it’s important to be prepared on all defenses. Take a look at some of the most common ways:

• Spyware - Spy-like apps monitor your phone’s activity, from browsing habits to passwords to payment information. Sometimes, these apps are disguised as parental tools to monitor their children’s behavior. Even the camera can be viewed remotely. 

• Unsecured Wi-Fi Networks - Wi-Fi networks that aren’t password protected are considered unsecured. If you connect to it, hackers may be able to view your activity. It’s best not to check your bank account or log into sensitive accounts while connected to an unsecured network. 

• Free Charging Stations - Though it sounds like a nice gesture, free charging stations may be anything but free. If you plug in your device to get a quick battery juice up, you could be allowing hackers to steal your phone’s information.  

• Phishing Scams - Phishing is one of the most common internet scams, where hackers retrieve your personal information. For example, a hacker may pose as a financial institution and ask you for banking information or a social security number. What makes this particularly effective is that most phishing scams look 100% legitimate using sources you trust.

iOS is designed to restrict apps from negatively impacting system security, stability, and user data. For example, all iOS apps are checked for malicious content and behavior and signed and verified by Apple before being uploaded to the Apple App Store. This means that the apps that you download from the App Store have already been thoroughly screened to protect your device and data.

Activate your McAfee Mobile Security subscription in three easy steps:

• Complete your account setup – Click on the link in your order confirmation email to setup your password.

• Download & Install – In your account, click on Download to get your new app.

• Sign In – Open the app and sign into your new account. 

There’s good news here: if you think you have a virus or malware on your iPhone, you should be able to easily remove it since it can’t break into the iOS. Prevention is the best defense — do not purchase a jailbroken device and do not jailbreak your own device. Otherwise, you may download a malicious third party app by mistake and leave your files and data susceptible to attackers. If you do think an app may be compromised, your first defense is to uninstall it to see if that eliminates the issue. If the problem persists, take the following steps:

• Restart your iPhone. Power down your iPhone completely, wait a few seconds, then power it on. There’s a lot of truth to the “Have you tried turning it off and turning it on again?” troubleshooting technique, so make it your first defense.

• Clear your phone’s history. If you’re seeing excessive pop ups or error messages, go to your Settings and locate the Safari menu. From there, you can select the Clear history and Website data option.

• Restore your iPhone. If you’re diligent about backing up your iPhone data, try restoring your phone to a previous version when you didn’t have the issues you’re having now.  

• Restore your iPhone as a new device. This one is a worst-case scenario, as restoring it as a new device resets it to factory settings and you’ll lose all your data and information. But if wiping your device is the only way to fix your virus issues, then so be it.  To do this, go to your Settings, then General, then choose Reset. It’s not easy hitting that Erase All Content and Settings button, but take a deep breath and know it’s for the greater good.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It’s best to avoid any situations that could leave you vulnerable to hackers, such as jailbreaking your device or downloading third party apps. 

If you don’t heed this caution, the very least you should do is download an antivirus program like McAfee Mobile Security that will scan your device and alert you on issues. This app is your personal defender that alerts you to unsecured network connections and even puts your photos and videos behind bars so that no one can access them without the PIN.

Ready to try it for yourself? Get greater peace of mind and download the free McAfee Mobile Security app from the App Store today.

You can cancel your subscription purchased through our website by contacting customer support at service.mcafee.com. For purchases made on the Apple App Store you can cancel directly on your device.

No, McAfee Mobile Security Standard and Plus plans will only give you access to McAfee Mobile Security and entitled to only one device.

Keep your device protected and up-to-date with the system scan. Detect when your system software is vulnerable and out of date and be notified immediately when a Wi-Fi connection is not safe. 

Help protect your online privacy and keep your personal information hidden from prying eyes with Wi-Fi Guard VPN. Add extra protection while you search and shop online with Safe Web. 

The secure Media Vault restricts access to your photos and videos when sharing your iPhone and iPad with others. Store them in a safe place that can only be accessed with a PIN. With the Locate and Remote Alarm you can activate an alarm to locate your lost or stolen device, even when it is silenced. Locate your iPhone or iPad on the map using the remote management portal.

Thief Cam catches an intruder on multiple wrong Vault PIN entries. Receive an email with the photo of the person holding your lost device plus the device location. It will back up your contacts automatically, then restore them to iOS or another mobile platform. Wipe contacts remotely from a browser.

Safe Web is available in the Standard and Plus plans.
Wi-Fi Guard VPN is only available in the Plus plan.

Most antiviruses for iPhone only protect users by scanning files. While this is a good start, it does little to address security on the device as a whole. That’s why many users turn to McAfee Mobile Security, which includes a number of other attractive features:

• Secure Media Vault - You can store your photos and videos in a secure vault that can only be opened with a PIN. 

• Location Tool - If your device becomes lost or stolen, you can use the Location tool to find it. The tool activates an alarm on your device, even if your device is on silent.

• Thief Cam - If someone steals your device, the Thief Cam will take a photo of the person holding it, document its location, and email it to you. You can also use this feature to snap a photo after multiple failed password attempts. 

• Back-Up and Restore Features - The McAfee Mobile Security app will automatically back up your contacts and give you an easy way to restore them. If your device becomes lost or stolen, you can use the app remotely to wipe it clean.

Setting up McAfee Mobile Security on your iPhone is as easy as installing and setting up any other app. Visit the Apple App Store and search for McAfee Mobile Security. From there you can download the app for free. Follow our outline below:

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone.

2. Search for McAfee Mobile Security in the App Store.

3. Tap to install and click the check mark to confirm, if prompted. 

4. Wait for the app to download, then open the app.

5. Accept the terms and conditions, then tap Continue.

6. McAfee Mobile Security is now installed on your device. You can follow the prompts to finish set up and start enjoying greater peace of mind with your device.

After you download McAfee Mobile Security for iOS, follow the on-screen instructions.  You can use your existing McAfee account email address and password, or you can select to create a new account. Your mobile device and data are then protected for as long as you subscribe to McAfee Mobile Security. If you are looking for advanced protection (i.e. Safe Web Browsing and Wi-Fi VPN Protection), we are giving everyone a 7-day free trial of McAfee Mobile Security premium, so start taking advantage of a better path to mobile security.

No. Your McAfee Mobile Security subscription can be used on only one device.

Yes, however, you must use the same account credentials. Ensure that you have all required credentials, including your McAfee email address and password and the McAfee Mobile Security PIN, during activation.

Please visit our knowledge center for more questions.