- Compatible with:
- iOS,
- Android
- Available in:
- Malwarebytes Device Protection & Antivirus
The Text Protection involves sending messages to a server controlled by Malwarebytes. On iOS devices, Text Protection is done in accordance with the requirements set by Apple, using a process put in place by Apple in iOS. The server that handles the text message data for both iOS and Android is located in Paris, France.
How we ensure this feature is secure
We respect and value the security of your messages.
- on iOS devices, Text Protection is handled by Apple, sending messages from senders who are not in your Contacts to a Malwarebytes server.
- On Android devices, Text Protection is handled by Malwarebytes. We send all numbers, including those in your contacts, to our server to be checked.
All communication between your device and our server is done via secure TLS 1.2 connections, using modern ciphers and allowing only SHA2 or better certificates. Find more details on the network communication requirements in iOS.
Privacy of recipient data within this feature
Only the sender and the body of the message are sent to Malwarebytes. No information is provided about the recipient, which means we cannot associate your name, phone number, Apple ID, or any other personal information with the messages being filtered.
See more detailed information on how the filtering APIs work.
How this feature works
On both Android and iOS devices, when you receive a text message from an unknown sender, we send it to our server. There, we examine it to determine if the message is sent from a known scammer, contains phishing links, and is malicious.
If a message is identified as malicious:
- iOS: The text message is filtered and sent to the Spam section on your device.
- Android: A notification appears on your device warning you about the potentially malicious text message and recommending that you don't open it for your protection.
The malicious text message is also sent to a separate, secured telemetry server to help us learn more to protect our users. The only information provided to the server is the sender and the body of the message. Messages that are not identified as malicious are immediately deleted. Malwarebytes does not store this data on any Malwarebytes system.
Turn on this feature
To turn on Protection, follow the steps in one of the articles below: