Conflicts between antivirus software and VPN
Today, online security and privacy protection are top priorities for users. The two most popular technologies for providing this protection are antivirus software and VPN. Antivirus software protects your device from malware and attacks, while VPN provides privacy by hiding your real IP address and encrypting your Internet traffic.
At first glance, these two tools can work together successfully, performing different functions and complementing each other. However, in practice, conflicts may arise between them that impair the operation of your device or disrupt your Internet connection. In this article, we will consider the main causes of such conflicts, as well as provide practical advice on how to resolve them.
The Main Causes of Conflicts Between Antivirus and VPN
First, it is important to understand that both antivirus and VPN solve different problems, but both technologies are aimed at protecting the user. Antivirus programs provide computer security against viruses, Trojans, phishing, and other threats. They work in the background, scanning files and network activity, and blocking suspicious connections. VPNs provide the ability to encrypt an Internet connection, hiding the user's online activity from prying eyes. This is especially important when working in public Wi-Fi networks or when accessing sites with geolocation restrictions.
The interaction of these two tools is not always problem-free, and it is important to understand where conflicts can arise:
- Blocking SSL connections with antivirus software. An SSL connection is a secure channel that is used to transfer data between the user's device and the server. VPNs also use encrypted SSL connections to protect traffic. The problem can arise when antivirus software blocks certain ports, such as port 443, which is used for SSL. Some antivirus programs may consider such connections suspicious by default and block them. As a result, the VPN cannot establish a connection to the server, and the user loses access to a secure Internet connection. To solve the problem: open the antivirus software settings, find the "Monitor SSL connections" option and disable this function to allow the VPN to freely use port 443. This setting will not reduce the overall protection of the device, but will allow the antivirus and VPN to work together without conflicts.
- Firewall issues. Firewalls in antivirus software often play an important role by blocking unauthorized connections to the device. However, in the case of VPNs, the firewall may prevent a secure connection from being established, considering it suspicious. Some antivirus programs offer a "whitelist" feature where you can add trusted programs, such as VPN. Otherwise, the VPN may be blocked, making it impossible to use. To solve the problem: go to the antivirus firewall settings and, if a "whitelist" is available, add the VPN there. If this option is not available, try resetting the firewall settings so that the antivirus does not block the VPN. For experienced users, a more complex option is possible - setting up a firewall to allow VPN applications through the ports they use to connect.
- The "Site Advisors" feature. Some antivirus programs provide a feature known as "Site Advisors" that assesses the security of web resources, warning the user about potential threats. In the case of VPNs, this feature can warn you about downloading a program from a site that the antivirus considers unsafe. Such warnings appear especially often when downloading free VPN services. These warnings should be taken seriously, since many free VPNs may not provide the proper level of security or may collect user data for sale to third parties. What to do to protect yourself: carefully study the information provided by the site advisor; check the reputation of VPN applications and download only verified programs from official sources; in the event of a false positive from the antivirus, you can disable the site advisor for the duration of the download.
Additional Conflict Factors
In addition to the reasons described above, there are other factors that can cause conflicts between antivirus and VPN. For example, automatic software updates. Sometimes after updating the antivirus or VPN, the settings may change, which will lead to a connection block.
Also, some antivirus programs have built-in VPN services that can conflict with VPNs already installed on the device. In this case, you should use only one VPN service to avoid connection problems.
Antivirus software and VPN play key roles in ensuring user security on the Internet. Despite possible conflicts, proper configuration of these programs will allow you to use them together without losing functionality and speed. To solve most problems, it is enough to disable SSL monitoring, configure a firewall, or add the VPN to the "white list" antivirus.
Private VPN server and its advantages when working with antivirus
A private VPN server is an excellent alternative to regular VPNs, as it allows you to avoid many conflicts with antiviruses. Unlike public services, a personal server provides full control over settings and traffic. This eliminates the need to bypass restrictions imposed by the antivirus and guarantees more stable and secure work on the network.
On Private VPN server you can find complete information about why you should buy a private VPN server, with an analysis of its key features and use cases. In addition, the site has sections dedicated to payment methods for services, terms of use and frequently asked questions about private VPN servers.