McAfee for iPhone beta appears online

A beta version of a McAfee virus scanner for the iPhone and iPod touch has appeared online, according to reports. The application is named iVirusScan (iPhone link), and has allegedly been installed and uninstalled by a number of users. Users can analyze the contents of their handheld for malware, update their definitions, and adjust a variety of settings. The version number is listed as 1.0a07.

McAfee has not formally announced the project, but one user of iVirusScan claims to have received a message from a company spokesperson, Joris Evers.

"The application you blogged about is indeed a genuine McAfee project," Evers is said to have written in response to a question. "We are always working on new platforms including the popular ones. In this particular case we were running a test to validate some recently developed technology. We happen to be first to test AV technology for iPhone. We’re happy that iPhone users are already getting excited about it, as evidenced by your blog and the thousands of people who are trying out the application. Still, we are not ready to announce a new product, our development work is in the early stages."

Filed under: iPod, iPhone, security, software
Other story tags: iPod touch

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223845 05/05, 8:59am, EDT i think it's malware

I think someone mentioned it's actually a malware. In addition, iPhone, similar to Mac OS X, actually DO NOT need anti-virus.

posted by dliup

223846 05/05, 9:05am, EDT Maybe

Good though on Malware, it could be. I think that Mac users and OS X are very susceptible for a significant viral outbreak due to our complacency. Our OS is not perfect, though it sure is nice...

posted by cgc

223849 05/05, 9:11am, EDT Re: I think

In addition, iPhone, similar to Mac OS X, actually DO NOT need anti-virus.

Could you actually explain "WHY" we don't need antivirus?

BTW, Apple seems to think the concern of malware/virus is enough to warrant signing all apps that go on the iPhone, so they can track down who released what. Or, at least, that's what they claim. But whatever excuse they need to make so they can control what you can put on the iPhone will do, I guess.

posted by testudo

223851 05/05, 9:21am, EDT re: complacency?

I think there are hundreds of threads discussing the merits or detriments of having anti-virus on an OS that has ZERO virus currently and for the past 9 (NINE) years (since the release of OS X). There are also hundreds of threads discussing why there are no viruses on Mac OS X.

Yes it's true that users should not think OS X is invulnerable, but at the same time, they should know that certain products (anti-virus) at this time does not do anything except taking your money for a ride (if you paid for it) and take up CPU cycles.

A user's brain is its best anti-virus. Do not install or open anything from shady sources is the best anti-virus.

posted by dliup

223856 05/05, 9:41am, EDT re: re: i think

Uhm... how about the fact that there are no Mac viruses to protect us against? What do you think this anti-virus software is going to do?

Even if a virus appears, the software won't magically know about it, you'll need to download an update. So why not save your money until there actually are viruses to protect us from.

posted by hayesk

223865 05/05, 9:55am, EDT Seems fine

I tried this app (version now shows 1.0a08) and it installed fine on my iPod. After the required reboot, I noticed a slower (handful of seconds) boot time. Apps seems a little slower to start, but only the very first time you run them. After that, they behave as normal as before. I uninstalled for now, but I like the idea of having something available in case viruses will start showing up on iPod/iPhone platforms.

posted by Guest

223872 05/05, 11:03am, EDT iPhone SDK = closed

Officially iPhone 2.0 won't run any app unless it has been approved by Apple. And that means they know who wrote it (or who to blame, at least). Jailbreaking, should it crack 2.0, well, that's *your* (the user's) problem.

posted by chrisco

223873 05/05, 11:04am, EDT @testudo

We don't need anti-virus because there aren't any viruses in the wild for OS X. Could have guessed yourself.

I don't think this is a malware though, it is just the top worthless app for iPhone. Only Symantec can best them now.

posted by ViktorCode

223874 05/05, 11:16am, EDT idiots

Of all the Apple products out there that should have AV, the iPhone and iPod Touch are the ones. They are the most exposed Apples out there and if there was to be any new virus for OS X I would expect it to spread via the iphone first before the computers as they have wireless and bluetooth. As a device they are always on in your pocket, in busy streets of New York for example you could walk past 100 other iphones in a day all in wireless range. While Laptops are exposed machines too, what is on the iphone is a more limited version of OS X and laptops in transport tend to be off or sleep. The most important thing is that nothing is perfect and nothing is impossible. I rather know there is AV out to buy when or if the time comes I need it then to have a virus hit and have none and be stuck waiting for it to be developed.

posted by Athens

223882 05/05, 12:57pm, EDT re: idiots?

Ok athens, I'm calling you out on your comment. Usually those who call others names are the idiots...

Please give me one good reason I should run any virus protection on a platform that I can restore from backup at any time in under an hour. Please explain why I would run virus protection on a platform that has no known viruses or malware? As others have said above, when a real threat for an OS X based platform comes out, I'll download virus protection. Until then, the bugginess and slowness brought by any virus protection app is just not worth it. I especially will never support a product from either Symantec or McAfee since their entire product line is based on FUD.

posted by bloodshot

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