The Text Message Filtering functionality in Mobile Security version 5 involves sending messages to a server controlled by Malwarebytes. This process is done in accordance with the requirements set by Apple for Text Message Filtering, using a process put in place by Apple in iOS. The server that handles the text message data is located in Paris, France.
Learn more about the Text Message Filtering functionality below:
- Security of Text Message Filtering
- Privacy of recipient data
- How it works
- Text Message Filtering requirements
Security of Text Message Filtering
We respect and value the security of your messages. Text message filtering is handled by iOS, sending messages from senders who are not in your Contacts to a Malwarebytes server. All communication between iOS 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 with Text Message Filtering
iOS only provides the sender and the body of the message 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. We never sell or otherwise share this data with anyone else.
See more detailed information on how the filtering APIs work.
How Text Message Filtering works
After a text message from an unknown sender is sent to our server, we examine it to determine whether it is malicious. For example, if the message is sent from a known scammer or contains phishing links, it is identified as malicious.
If a message is identified as malicious, the information provided by iOS (the sender and the body of the message) is sent to a separate, secured telemetry server to help us learn more to protect our users.
Messages that are not identified as malicious are immediately deleted. Malwarebytes does not store this data on any Malwarebytes system.
Text Message Filtering requirements
In order to use Text Message Filtering, you need to explicitly enable it in the iOS Settings app, under Messages -> Unknown & Spam, for iOS to communicate with Malwarebytes about text messages.