Web Protection - VPN DNS checker, data policy

TheRookieGB · 2025-02-28T00:16:35+00:00

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Hi

I have BD total security and have just added it to 4 family iOS mobiles.

My query is this:

I have noticed its created a VPN Profile that connects on demand to a BD dns web server to check my browsing live whist using.

Just what can BD see? Is there any data issues with this type of filter?

My wife is already saying …. "Not sure I like another company looking at everything I do!?"

I have so far disabled it until I understand it more.

I never used an iOS app before for this, bought BD TS really for the family PC/Mac(s) so thought I would give iOS BD a go also.

Advice on this would help please. …..

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Accepted answers

Alexandru_BD

Hello,

Web Protection uses a special VPN to filter all Internet traffic by scanning the connections for malicious and fraudulent content, so it will trigger the VPN symbol on your iOS device when active.

Web Protection on iOS relies on a local VPN configuration. However, this is not a traditional VPN that routes traffic through external servers for masking IP addresses. Instead, it creates a local VPN tunnel that enables Bitdefender to intercept and monitor network traffic on the device. Once enabled, the VPN profile allows Bitdefender to analyze the traffic data going in and out of your device. It checks for any potentially malicious websites, phishing attempts, and other threats by scanning the URLs before the content is loaded in your browser.
Unlike a full VPN service, Bitdefender’s Web Protection does not redirect your traffic through external servers for anonymity or geo-spoofing. It operates entirely locally on your device, ensuring your data remains private and isn't sent to third-party servers for analysis. One more thing to add here, since iOS restricts the use of multiple VPN apps simultaneously due to limitations in its network configuration, allowing only one VPN tunnel at a time, Web Protection and the VPN cannot function at the same time, but only one at a time.

In a nutshell, it's not the actual content of the websites you visit that's being filtered. Web protection simply checks if the URL is secure or not, before the actual content is loaded.

I hope the information is helpful.

Regards

All comments

Flexx

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/103364/web-protection-vpn-dns-checker-data-policy

Understanding Bitdefender's Web Protection on iOS

How it Works:
- Bitdefender's iOS app, like many security apps, uses a local VPN profile to filter web traffic. This doesn't necessarily mean all your data is routed through Bitdefender's servers like a traditional VPN.
- Instead, it primarily functions as a local filter. When you try to access a website, the app intercepts the request, checks it against Bitdefender's threat database (which includes known malicious or phishing sites), and then either allows or blocks the connection.
- The DNS server that the VPN points to, is used to accomplish this. It is a specialised DNS server that can filter and inspect web traffic.
What Bitdefender Can See:
- Website URLs: Bitdefender can see the domain names and URLs you visit. This is necessary to perform the threat analysis.
- DNS requests: They can see the DNS requests your phone makes.
- No Content Inspection: It's important to note that this type of web protection typically does not involve deep packet inspection. Bitdefender is not designed to see the content of your encrypted communications (e.g., HTTPS traffic, emails, app data). The VPN is used to analyse the URL and DNS request, not the data within the web pages.
- Metadata: They will see metadata, such as when you connect to what sites, and your IP address.

You can also have a look at the Bitdefender privacy policy provided in the links below.

https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/site/view/legal-privacy

https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/site/view/legal-privacy-policy-for-home-users-solutions

For more information, kindly contact Bitdefender support by visiting https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/help/

Select, How to's & Troubleshooting Bitdefender products→Troubleshooting→I don't know→Contact Support→ You will get the option of chat, call or email.

To get immediate update, make use of the chat option. Bitdefender support may require logs and will assist you in generating them.

Also, ensure you do not have any ad-blocker or privacy-blocker extensions enabled, as they might prevent the chat window from appearing.

Regards

Alexandru_BD

Hello,

Web Protection uses a special VPN to filter all Internet traffic by scanning the connections for malicious and fraudulent content, so it will trigger the VPN symbol on your iOS device when active.

In a nutshell, it's not the actual content of the websites you visit that's being filtered. Web protection simply checks if the URL is secure or not, before the actual content is loaded.

I hope the information is helpful.

Regards

TheRookieGB

many thanks for the replies.

This has settled my query on data and access time iOS.

Can I also ask. I left F-Secure as there app had issues with battery drain and would take between 15-40% battery life each day. Something my daughters noticed on older devices a lot.

The VPN on demand and the BD app. How much strain on the battery do these processors take? As it’s a VPN it’s hard to find it on battery drain charts.

thanks