IOS: Is Web Protection the same as VPN?

mjm65

I have Bitdefender total Security. The VPN on my iphone automatically is connecting and using Web Protection from Bitdefender, but if I go into the Bitdefender app and click on VPN, it says it is not connected. I know I am on some kind of VPN because in the upper right corner of my iphone screen, it says VPN Is connected. I have a banking app I want to use and it won't allow me to connect if I am VPN connected. If I find the VPN setting in Iphone settings, it shows connected, and when I disconnect, it seems to reconnect within a few minutes automatically. I am confused on if Web Protection is the same as VPN and when I should use the dedicated Bitdfender VPN app and how these should be configured on my Iphone. Also, can I create an exception for an app in Web Protection so it lets my banking app run?

Alexandru_BD

Hello,

A bit late here, but here's more insight on how these two features work on iOS.

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. Since it uses a VPN profile, iOS will indeed show a VPN icon in the status bar while Web Protection is enabled. 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 simultaneously, and you should enable them depending on your needs.

For example, if you want to do some online transactions on your banking site while being connected to an airport or a public WIFI, you should turn on the VPN, to encrypt and anonymize all your traffic. If you are especially browsing on all kind of new sites that could look suspicious, then Web Protection would be of greater help, making sure that the domains you are accessing are not exposed to online threats (like malware, phishing, miner) by blocking access to dangerous pages.

Web Protection automatically blocks malicious websites. When a URL points to a known phishing or fraudulent website, or to malicious content such as spyware or viruses, the webpage is blocked, and an alert is shown. The same thing happens when installed apps try to access malicious domains. With Web Protection, you are protected from accessing dangerous, phishing, and fraudulent pages.

On the other hand, VPN encrypts the data that leaves your device, giving you the benefit of a private network even while you’re on a public Wi-Fi from the airport, mall, café, or hotel. When connected to VPN, you can access websites that are restricted to certain countries and you hide your own IP address, offering your online search more anonymity. VPN only does so much to anonymize your online activities. It won’t protect you online.

Web Protection and VPN are two features designed for separate purposes: the first keeps you safe while browsing while the latter aims to provide internet anonymity.

I hope this brings more clarity.

Regards