VPN and Web Protection

DaCheesehead

Do I need to use both VPN and Web Protection at the same time? and if so, Why?

Scott

Hi @DaCheesehead

Taken from this post by Alexandru.

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/310139#Comment_310139

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 helps to sort it out.

Scott

DM77

I opened a support case about getting a product enhancement so that you can have the functionality of both the VPN and Web Protection simlutaneously. I'm baffled by the logic that the end user has to choose between the two.

mrp192

I think this thread covers the question I need to ask, but don’t t understand the apparent contradiction.

If I turn my VPN on it turns web protect off and it has to be enabled again when I turn the VPN off.

The answer above seems to suggest that both are important to run when on the web. Is there a way of doing so, or can you only have one of them turned on at anytime?

Thanks.

Alexandru_BD

Hello @MrP and welcome to the Community!

By design, Web protection and VPN cannot be used at the same time and the product does not have a feature that allows them to function simultaneously. The two features are designed for separate purposes and can be enabled according to the usage: the first keeps you safe while browsing while the latter aims to provide internet anonymity.

Regards

SRJ

So, if I am in Starbucks which should I have turned on?? Seems like both should run at the same time….

If the answer is VPN then I don’t need Web Protection.

Alexandru_BD

Hi @SRJ,

It depends on the activity. If you wish to browse anonymously or encrypt your data, VPN is recommended. If you are browsing websites and you have doubts about their security, Web protection should be enabled. VPN is strongly recommended if you are connecting to public networks, such as the ones in coffee shops.

Regards

Donald628

This is a reason to look for some other web protection. On other platforms, you can have both. I can’t have both ExpressVPN on my iPad and web protection. However, is this a problem with iOS not BitDefender? In settings, there is only a tab for VPN. There is no separate tab for internet security.

Alexandru_BD

It's an iOS limitation, as far as I'm aware. Because both VPN and Web Protection use the VPN permissions from the device (Settings -> General -> VPN & Device Management) and this cannot be used by two VPN-based features at the same time.