VirusBarrier adds iPhone, iPod touch scanning

While there is, as of yet, no reports of viruses or malware that target the iPhone or iPod touch, Intego is taking precautionary measures by offering VirusBarrier X5 as the first anti-virus software to add scanning of those devices.

VirusBarrier X5 10.5.3 is an update to the anti-virus software for Mac OS X. It adds the ability to scan the iPhone and iPod touch for malware.

“Now that Apple has made it possible for users to add applications to the iPhone and iPod touch, there is a risk of installing applications that can harm these devices, or take control of them. And users “jailbreaking” (unlocking) an iPhone or iPod touch can install even more applications, increasing this risk,” said

Intego in a press release. Intego claims that there are “a number of security vulnerabilities” that makes iPhones and iPod touches susceptible to attack.

VirusBarrier X5 works by copying all of the iPod touch or iPhone’s files to the user’s startup volume in order to verify their security. If any malware or infected files are found, VirusBarrier X5 alerts the user and offers to either repair or delete the offending file.