As a cybersecurity expert with over a decade specializing in mobile and cloud security, I‘ve seen the iPhone threat landscape evolve. While Apple‘s iOS is one of the most secure mobile operating systems, additional protection is increasingly important. That‘s why I recommend Norton 360 Mobile Security as the best antivirus for iPhone in 2024.
In this in-depth review, I‘ll cover the key security features that make Norton stand out, how it compares to other leading options like McAfee and Avira, and help you decide if this premium solution is right for your needs.
iPhone Security Threats Are on the Rise
While the risk of traditional "viruses" on iOS is low thanks to Apple‘s strict control of the App Store, other threats have multiplied in recent years:
- Phishing attempts have surged over 600% on mobile since 2018, with scammers exploiting SMS, social media, and messaging apps to spread malicious links (Source: Wandera)
- Over 24,000 malicious mobile apps are blocked daily on corporate networks (Source: Symantec)
- Public Wi-Fi exposes iPhones to network attacks, with 25% of Wi-Fi hotspots having no encryption at all (Source: Kaspersky)
- iPhones are the most popular target for phone theft, making up over 40% of all reported stolen devices (Source: Consumer Reports)
Additionally, data breaches that expose personal information like account credentials have become commonplace. 1,862 data breaches were reported in 2021 alone, up 68% from the previous year (Source: ITRC).
While iOS is secure, these stats show that iPhones are far from immune to digital dangers. That‘s where a trusted security app like Norton 360 Mobile Security comes in. It adds multiple layers of protection to keep your device and data safe from emerging threats.
What Makes Norton 360 the Best iPhone Antivirus
Norton has been a leading name in cybersecurity for nearly 40 years. Their Norton 360 Mobile Security app brings that legacy of protection to iOS, offering a comprehensive security suite for iPhones and iPads.
Key features include:
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Advanced Malware and Phishing Detection: Norton‘s constantly updated threat database can identify and block the latest malicious apps, websites, and phishing links on iOS. The app scans SMS messages as well to flag suspicious texts.
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Secure VPN with Unlimited Data: Connect to public Wi-Fi confidently with bank-grade encryption that keeps your browsing private. Norton will proactively alert you to turn on the VPN when joining untrusted networks. Unlike some competitors, there are no daily data caps.
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App Advisor for Scanning Third-Party Apps: This unique feature goes beyond App Store safeguards, analyzing apps you download for any security or privacy concerns before it‘s too late. Norton claims this feature can catch threats Apple may miss.
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Web Protection for Safe Surfing: Norton‘s Web Shield browser extension, available for Safari, warns you about malicious websites before loading them. It can also block invasive ad trackers for added privacy.
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Dark Web Monitoring for Data Breaches: Get notified quickly if your personal info like emails, credit cards, bank details, etc. is ever found circulating on the dark web. This early warning can help you secure accounts before attackers exploit them.
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Anti-Theft Features and Contacts Backup: If your iPhone is lost or stolen, Norton can pinpoint its location, trigger a remote alarm, and securely back up your contacts. These tools add a valuable last line of defense.
The level of protection Norton delivers is tough to find from other iOS security apps. By combining on-device scanning, web filtering, and data breach alerts, it can thwart the most common iPhone attack vectors.
Norton vs Other Top iPhone Antivirus Apps
To see how Norton stacks up, let‘s compare it to two other leading iOS security suites—McAfee Mobile Security and Avira Mobile Security.
| Feature | Norton 360 | McAfee | Avira |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malware scanning | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Web protection | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| SMS phishing alerts | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Unlimited VPN data | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Third-party app scanning | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Dark web monitoring | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Contacts backup & device location | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Ad blocking | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Free version available | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
As you can see, Norton delivers the most complete iPhone protection. McAfee and Avira cover essential bases like malware scanning and anti-theft tools. But they lack SMS phishing alerts, unlimited VPN data, third-party app scanning, and dark web monitoring.
Those extras can make a real difference. Studies show SMS-based phishing rose over 300% in 2020 (Source: Tessian), and Avira‘s free VPN only includes 100 MB of daily data before requiring a paid upgrade.
While you do sacrifice a free option with Norton, the level of premium protection you get is notably more robust than the competition. And it‘s backed by the industry‘s most enduring brand—Norton has received dozens of awards and blocked billions of threats for over 50 million customers.
Getting Started with Norton Mobile Security
I tested Norton 360 Mobile Security extensively to assess setup, features, and overall user experience on my iPhone 12 Pro. The process was straightforward:
- Register for a Norton account and select your subscription—options include 1 or 10 devices and range from $14.99 to $49.99/year.
- Download the Norton 360 app from the App Store and log in.
- On first launch, Norton requests several permissions to enable all protections, like accessing contacts for backup and Network extension to power the VPN. Granting these is essential.
- Once set up, the app automatically scans your iPhone for any threats and evaluates your current security settings.
I found the app intuitive to navigate with all features easy to access and configure. I especially appreciated the proactive VPN alerts when connecting to new Wi-Fi networks—that automation keeps you protected without the need to remember it.
The Web Shield browser extension was also effective, blocking several phishing pages Norton caught that Safari and other browsers missed. And it successfully identified test malware apps I installed outside the App Store using Norton‘s App Advisor.
The only drawback is the app does generate a fair number of notifications about security events. But I prefer over-communication vs leaving me uninformed. And alerts can be customized in settings.
The Bottom Line
After putting multiple iOS security apps to the test, Norton 360 Mobile Security is my top recommendation for most iPhone users in 2024. Its excellent malware detection, secure VPN, SMS message scanning, dark web monitoring, and other bonus features provide unmatched protection against today‘s biggest iPhone threats.
While savvy users who only install apps from official sources may find iOS‘s built-in security sufficient, Norton is the best choice for anyone looking for added peace of mind. It‘s also ideal for those who travel often and rely on public Wi-Fi, as well as anyone who‘s suffered a prior data breach or identity theft.
No security solution is perfect, but Norton‘s unique feature set and track record of excellence make it the most complete way to defend your iPhone as we head into 2024 and beyond. If you‘re serious about protecting your mobile data and privacy, it‘s well worth the investment.
