Every time I start Outlook, I am prompted with a security warning

Every time I start Outlook (Microsoft Office Pro Plus 2021), I am prompted with a security warning.

Over a year ago, I upgraded BitDefender and immediately started getting prompted with this security warning from Outlook:

Selecting 'Yes" allows me to proceed, but this prompt is now very annoying after all this time.

I was sent a supposed fix (more than one, actually) from BitDefender support so this prompt would go away, but it did not work. Has anyone successfully solved this and can supply step-by-step instructions?

I've written to support several times, and everything they told me to try has failed.to date.

Thanks in advance!

Larry

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Gjoksi

Hello.

Maybe @camarie , who works at Bitdefender as Principal Software Developer and/or @Alexandru_BD, who works for Bitdefender, can help you with the issue. Regards....

LAlex

Thank you Gjoski.I was told this was a bug introduced by a release, and I was not the only customer who experienced this. However, if no one replies, I will reach out to them.

Thank you!

Larry

Alexandru_BD

Hello,

I think this is most likely triggered by the Online Threat Prevention module in Bitdefender, more specifically its Encrypted Web Scan component that's intercepting and scanning encrypted traffic. To test if this is indeed the case, bring up Bitdefender and go to Protection → Online Threat Prevention → Settings → locate Encrypted Web Scan and toggle it off. Check again if the prompt goes away.
Note: This disables HTTPS traffic scanning. If you only want to allow Outlook to bypass it, there might be better option. Also in the Online Threat Prevention settings menu, scroll down to Manage Exceptions to add the mail server domain you connect to in Outlook (e.g., imap.yourdomain.com, smtp.office365.com). Save your changes and see if the prompt window pops up again.

One more thing to check, make sure the server settings in Outlook match the expected certificate name. In Outlook, go to File → Account Settings → Account Settings. Double-click on your email account and check the Incoming and Outgoing mail server names—they should match the mail provider's recommended settings. If your email uses a custom domain or hosting, ensure you're using the correct SSL/TLS-enabled hostname.

I hope this helps.

Regards

LAlex

Thanks for replying!

I have toggled every single one of the settings, including Encrypted Web Scan, and there is no change.
The actual domain matches the certificate domain, pop3.postoffice.net
So the error describing a mismatch is puzzling.

I have checked all of these things over and over.

At one point, my Outlook certificate was replaced by a certificate from BitDefender. They said this was a "bug" and the "fix" restored my certificate. Ever since then, I receive the error, and confirmation screen, annoying, but at least I get my email.

I am at the point where I am considering setting up a new profile ( https://tinyurl.com/22k625u6 ) to see if that helps, but I'm worried about the unintended consequences of doing this.

In any case, thanks again for trying to help!

Alexandru_BD

Thanks for the detailed information. Based on my findings, the Support representatives have previously requested a Support Tool log from your device, to further investigate this behavior. But they haven't heard back from you, so the case was automatically closed after a while. Perhaps their replies ended up the spam/junk folder? Please check your email as there should be a reply there. I have now asked my colleagues to reopen the ticket and they can schedule a remote session at your earliest convenience to resolve this. Therefore, kindly get back to them on the case to schedule this session.

Regards

LAlex

Wow! Thanks, I never saw that request for logs. I think you're right, it must have ended up in SPAM.

I will find that ticket and respond.

Grateful, Larry

Alexandru_BD

Alright then, you are most welcome. If possible, kindly let us know the outcome so we can close the loop here as well. I'm also curious what the solution was here.

Cheers

LAlex

One small final comment, my email address ends in usa.net, and the support system says it's invalid, all 3 of my usa.net emails. Grrrr. I had to use my work email.

Alexandru_BD

Hmm.. I think they can provide you with an additional upload location, if the file is too big. Ask them for that.

Otherwise it's gonna take eons at that speed..