What is calendar virus?

Answered by Robert Flynn

A calendar virus, also known as a calendar spam or calendar event spam, is a type of unwanted and unsolicited activity that occurs on iOS devices, such as iPhones and iPads. It is not actually a virus in the traditional sense, but rather a form of spam that targets the calendar app on iOS devices.

The calendar virus issue arises when numerous virus-related calendar entries start appearing daily on the user’s iPhone or iPad calendar. These calendar entries often contain spammy or malicious content, such as advertisements, promotional offers, or links to suspicious websites. They can be quite annoying and disruptive, as they clutter up the calendar app with unwanted entries.

The cause of calendar viruses is typically associated with spammers or malicious actors who exploit vulnerabilities in the iOS operating system or calendar app to send unsolicited calendar invitations to users. These invitations, once accepted, create calendar events that automatically appear on the user’s device.

It’s important to note that these calendar virus issues do not indicate an actual infection or compromise of your device. They are simply a form of unwanted spam that targets the calendar app. However, they can still be a nuisance and may lead to potential privacy or security concerns if the associated links or content are clicked on.

To prevent calendar virus issues, it is recommended to follow these steps:

1. Disable automatic calendar event invitations: In your iOS device settings, go to “Calendar” and then “Accounts.” Under the “Invitations” section, select “From Anyone” or “From iCloud.” This will prevent automatic addition of calendar events from unknown senders.

2. Delete suspicious calendar events: If you already have spammy calendar events on your device, delete them by tapping on the event, selecting “Delete Event,” and choosing “Delete and Don’t Notify.” This will remove the event without sending a response to the spammer.

3. Report and block spam senders: If you receive calendar invitations from unknown or suspicious senders, report them as spam and block the sender. To do this, tap on the invitation, select “Report Junk,” and choose “Delete and Report Junk.” This will alert Apple to the spammer and prevent future invitations from that sender.

4. Be cautious with clicking on links: Even if you receive calendar events from known senders, be cautious when clicking on any links within the event. If the content seems suspicious or unfamiliar, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid clicking on the links.

5. Keep your iOS device updated: Regularly update your iOS device to the latest software version. Apple frequently releases updates that address security vulnerabilities and improve overall device performance. Keeping your device up to date can help protect against potential exploits used by spammers.

A calendar virus is not actually a virus but rather a form of spam that targets the calendar app on iOS devices. It can be a nuisance and potentially lead to privacy or security concerns if links or content within the calendar events are clicked on. By following the steps mentioned above, you can help prevent and mitigate calendar virus issues on your iOS device.