How do I scan an iPad for viruses or security issues?

There are no Antivirus Products available for iOS/iPadOS. Those that claim to provide AV protection are little more than “snake oil” - and should generally be avoided. Many are simply a vector to install software that will actually try to cause harm or steal your dataor perpetuate a malware scam.

Providing that your iPad has been kept up-to-date with system software updatesyou should not be overly concerned for your iPad being directly compromised by malware. Due to the system architecture of iOS/iPadOSunless jailbrokenyour iPad is not susceptible to traditional malware infection per-se. Howeveras with all computer systemsthere are still vulnerabilities and exploits to which you remain vulnerable.

For older devicesno longer benefiting from regular security updatesthe risk of an unpatched vulnerability being exploited increases. Regardless of the installed version of iPadOSthere are useful mitigations that can be used to significantly reduce your exposure to risk.

If you have given your personal details to a malicious websitethis may be the cause of attempted fraud. If necessarychange account passwords (including your AppleID Password) if you suspect that they may have been compromised. If you have cause to believe that your AppleID has been compromisedfollow the advice outlined here:

If you think your Apple ID has been compromised - Apple Support

If you have exposed your Credit Card detailsyou may wish to contact the Card Issuer - who may cancel and reissue your Card as a precaution.

Threat Mitigation

Other than malicious websites that will attempt to capture information that you willingly enterthe majority of threats to which you will be invariably exposed will surface via web pages or embedded links within email or other messaging platforms. Browser-based attacks can be largely and successfully mitigated by installing a good Content and Ad-blocking product. One of the most respected within the Apple App Store - designed for iPadiPhone and Mac - is 1Blocker for Safari.

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/1blocker-for-safari/id1365531024

1Blocker is highly configurable - and crucially does not rely upon an external proxy-service of dubious provenanceoften utilised by so-called AntiVirus products intended for iOS/iPadOS. Insteadall processing by 1Blocker takes place on your device - and contrary to expectationsSafari will run faster and more efficiently.

Unwanted content is not simply filtered after download (a technique used by basic/inferior products)but instead undesirable embedded content is blocked from download. The 1Blocker product has also recently introduced its new “Firewall” functions - that are explicitly designed to block “trackers”. Being implemented at the network-layerthis additional protection works across all Apps. Recent updates to 1Blocker has introduced additional network extensionsextending protection to other Apps.

A further to improve protection from exploits is to use a security focussed DNS Service in preference to automatic DNS settings. This can either be set on a per-device basis in Settingsor can be set-up on your home Router - and in so doing extends the benefit of this specific protection to other devices on your local network. I suggest using one of the following DNS services - for which IPv4 and IPv6 server addresses are listed:

Quad9 (recommended)

9.9.9.9

149.112.112.112

2620:fe::fe

2620:fe::9

OpenDNS

208.67.222.222

208.67.220.220

2620:119:35::35

2620:119:53::53

Cloudflare

1.1.1.1

1.0.0.1

2606:4700:4700::1111

2606:4700:4700::1001

Security focused DNS providers intentionally "sink hole" known bad or malicious websites and resources - this providing an additional layer of protection beyond that provided by your device and its Operating System. These DNS services willwhen used alongside 1Blocker or other reputable Content Blockerprovide defence in depth.

There are advanced techniques to further “harden” iOS/iPadOS (such as using DoHDoT and DNSSEC). Apple has introduced its new Private Relay to its iCloud+ subscribers - in part employing ODoH (a variant of DoH) as an element of this new functionality. If you have subscribed to iCloud+and have a device capable of running iOS/iPadOS 15.x or laterthis feature is included. 

As there are no viruses that can infect an iPadthere is no need to scan for viruses. And there are no apps that can scan an iPad or iPhone for anythingbecause each app is limited to its own workspace (a design called “sandboxing”)and cannot scan other app’s or the operating system’s workspaces.

Short answer… you don’t need to scan for a virus on the iPad.