So I’ve been using a computer and phone for many years like most people. But my computer has occasionally caught a virus. My phone(s) that I’ve had in the past and my current one have never caught a virus though. Do phones all have built in anti-virus or something? Do people that make viruses choose more often to infect computers than phones? Is there another reason? Thanks.
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mobile phones typically are a *lot* more locked down:
permissions are far more granular than on a desktop OS, so it’s a lot easier to restrict exactly what an app can access/use. individual apps are usually not given access to files outside their scope of storage without prompting the user each time for that
administrator level access is never given to any apps that aren’t part of the OS
the system files are verified upon each boot: any tampering to the OS itself would immediately result in an un-bootable state.
apps are usually only installed from an app store, which adds some layer of verification that an app isn’t outright malware. (not really a foolproof safeguard, through)
Phones absolutely get viruses. I love to watch anime, and in middle school, I had no money for streaming services, so I went to pirating sites. I was stupid and saw one of the “your phone has this many viruses” ad and clicked on it, freaking out a little. I did what it told me, and my phone was bricked. Luckily, I didn’t have anything important on there. Now I don’t click those ads. I mean, I don’t pirate anime anymore. I promise.
They can and do, but mobile OSs are more locked down in terms of what they will install than say…a windows PC in favor of the app stores.
More control over 3rd party software makes it a little harder to install a pure, discrete piece of malicious software.
Now, there are absolutely tons of apps that are badically bloatware, adware, spyware. etc… with the thin veneer of a useful or fun app on top but those aren’t going to register as “a virus” because it is something you installed intentionally or was included with your carrier or manufacturer’s distro of the OS.
Phones don’t get viruses as often as computers for a few key reasons:Apps are isolated. On phones, each app runs in its own space and can’t mess with other apps or the system easily. This makes it hard for viruses to spread.
App stores help. Most people get apps from the App Store or Google Play, which check apps for harmful behavior before they’re allowed.
Built-in security. Phones are designed with stronger security from the start compared to older computers.
Fewer ways in. Phones have fewer open connections and are updated more often, giving hackers less to work with.
Less appealing targets (for now). In the past, phones didn’t store as much valuable info, so hackers focused on computers. That’s starting to change. That said, phones can still get malware, especially if you install apps from unknown sources. And attackers are now starting to target phones more through things like fake apps and phishing messages.
Yeah that’s crazy bc I’ve been on some very sketchy websites with my phone and honestly nothing bad ever happens. Never questioned it
They do catch viruses, just wipe em’ down with antibac wipes 🙂