Virus Protection

[Aldog]

This may be a silly question but when using wi fi what kind of virus protection does the touch have? Or does it need any virus protection?

[MetroidSlayer]

I don't think anyone would be so free to create a virus just for the iPod touch xD

[DerekVOF]

Well, shouldn't be too much of an issue for those that are concerned. First, the iPod Touch is built on Mac OS X which has VERY few viruses (I'm not going to say it's virus free - no OS truly is - but the likelihood of getting a virus is VERY low). Second, the iPod Touch doesn't have the ability to download files to it - Apple has prevented any downloads except from their music store (and soon their appstore). Third, worst case scenario you got a virus. You already have all your music, contact, bookmarks, etc. (since they should be on your computer), so you just restore to factory settings which wipes everything off and re-adds the OS firmware.

In other words, I wouldn't stress too much about it. Just use common sense like you would on your PC...

[Ed2020]

I'm a little dubious about this situation as well. Granted there are very few viruses for OSX but this is hardly something to be relied upon. A restore probably would remove any malware but then reinstalling Windows on a PC removes most unwanted malware as well. This is not an answer either. Also it is relient an you knowing you have something unwanted in the first place.

The Touch and the iPhone are clearly able to execute code from a web page, otherwise the jailbreakme website would never have worked, so the "you can't download" argument doesn't cover it either. The jailbreakme site made some fairly fundamental changes to the operating system.

I've yet to see a definitive answer to this question.

Ed.

[DerekVOF]

Sure you don't work for Symantec? They've done enough FUD regarding MacOS X viruses... Read this article - it explains (as I did) that the Mac isn't invulnerable, but it's a lot less likely based on the system architecture - which is the same used for the iPod Touch - http://seekingalpha.com/article/52722-the-mac-os-x-malware-myth-continues

And if you'd paid attention, you'd have discovered that Apple closed the hole that let the jailbreakme website work in 1.1.1. That's why most of the jailbreaks have required downgrading to 1.1.1 to get anything done. So, yes the "you can't download" does hold water.

As for the "knowing you have something in the first place" argument, so what? I don't know about you, but I'm not going to be storing my credit card info on my iPod Touch and I'm not going to be accessing my bank on it either.

In addition, every firmware upgrade basically wipes the firmware anyways. It overwrites the whole thing. What's the problem?

The difference between a restore on Windows and the iPod Touch is on the iPod Touch everything you might have lost is already backed up on your computer anyways. On Windows you've always the fear of losing important data. If you've got important data on a portable, handheld device that you can lose on the subway or forget in a restaurant AND don't have a backup of it, you're nuts. I'd be more concerned about losing my iPod Touch than having a virus infect it. You're more likely to forget it somewhere, than get a virus by a LONG shot. Another reason to NOT keep sensitive information on it...

I think its a matter of using common sense. Can you get a virus? Of course. Are you likely to get a virus? No. Would significant damage be done if you did get one? No.

[Ed2020]

Hmmm...

Yes, I'm completely sure I don't work for Symantec.

I was paying attention. The jailbreakme example was exactly that - an example. I'm fully aware that that particular hole is plugged, I merely meant there may be more. Just because nobody has found them does not mean they're not there.

I won't be storing personal info or accessing online banking either, but that doesn't mean I'm not concerned about malware in general, not just viruses.

Ed.