ELI5. Why can’t phones get viruses from websites that normal computers do? And why don’t computers use whatever technology the phones operating systems use?
In: Technology
Phones can absolutely get viruses (or otherwise get hacked) by visiting malicious websites, or opening malicious messages/emails, etc. It has happened in the past multiple times (just [one example](https://www.pcmag.com/news/apple-hackers-might-be-exploiting-this-webkit-flaw-to-attack-iphones)). This is why it’s incredibly important to **install updates update your devices**, including phones, laptops, etc! Updates do include security fixes that prevent those attacks.
That said, attacking phones tends to be harder than PCs because phones are more locked down. For example, most phones restrict you from installing apps from official stores, where they are vetted in various ways. They also implement tighter “sandboxes” that restrict what malicious actors can do. However, harder definitely doesn’t mean impossible.
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