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Kudos0

Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 09-Dec-2021 | 2:52PM · Edited: 29-Dec-2021 | 3:45AM · 19 Replies ·

This applies to an iPhone 10.

Periodically, I get a Web Protection alert that reads:  (When I get this error I am NOT in a browser or browsing in any way)

UNSAFE
http://greenapplefresh.com/img/15ef9a655495481e7e
The above is in a red bar

This followed by: We recommend you do not use this site.

Questions: 
1.  Does anyone know what app could be trying to access this site in the background and 
2.  Ho do I stop it?

Thanks!

[Edit: Calrified the subject]

Replies

Kudos0

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 09-Dec-2021 | 3:04PM · Edited: 09-Dec-2021 | 3:12PM · Permalink

https://safeweb.norton.com/report/show?url=http://greenapplefresh.com/ = Warning -> Malicious Sources/Malnets

Kudos0

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 09-Dec-2021 | 3:47PM · Permalink

bjm_

Thanks for the post answer.  I did not know malware bytes was available for iPhone but that is neither here or there.  The issue is how do I find the application on my iPhone that is trying to get to it?  I downloaded the log and it looks like it is being originated by an email client, but unlike Windows - I can't edit the registry to eliminate this.

Any ideas?

Kudos1 Stats

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 09-Dec-2021 | 3:56PM · Edited: 09-Dec-2021 | 3:57PM · Permalink

Any ideas?

@peterweb

Kudos0

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 09-Dec-2021 | 6:27PM · Permalink

What apps are you using when you see this message? Check for all background apps.

Your suggestion that it might be an email client sounds possible. Are you just using the default email app in iOS? If so, try opening your email and looking through them to see if you can find anything related to greenapplefresh. Be sure to check all folders in the app.

Maybe also try a hard restart of your phone using these instructions from Apple Support.    https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201559

Kudos0

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 11-Dec-2021 | 4:56PM · Permalink

I to get the the “ We recommend you do not use this site.” notification whilst I am not browsing. I have also got it whilst not using my phone and all apps completely closed. I googled the sites listed and One site was a tech sales site and the other I couldn’t find but was something health. Since the latest IOS update I have noticed a message on my emails saying “remote content was loaded through your current VPN configuration” not sure if this would case the warning.
Kudos0

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 11-Dec-2021 | 5:01PM · Permalink

I to get the the “ We recommend you do not use this site.” notification whilst I am not browsing. I have also got it whilst not using my phone and all apps completely closed. I googled the sites listed and One site was a tech sales site and the other I couldn’t find but was something health. Since the latest IOS update I have noticed a message on my emails saying “remote content was loaded through your current

Kudos1 Stats

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 11-Dec-2021 | 7:17PM · Permalink

Who is the sender of the message about content being loaded through the VPN?

Kudos0

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 12-Dec-2021 | 12:27AM · Permalink

It’s every email I receive on the apple email app. The message is separate from the email and appears as a ribbon that can be closed. I have noticed on safari it now tells me about tracker that have been block by apple. Since the update it seems to give you more information about trackers and security online.
Kudos0

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 12-Dec-2021 | 7:05AM · Permalink

Check your iOS Settings for VPN connections shown there. There are two sections and if you have Norton 360 installed you will see 360 listed in both. Are there are any other VPNs listed? 

Can you get a screenshot of the message and post it here? Instructions to post screenshots can be found here
https://community.norton.com/forums/how-post-image-forums-0

Kudos0

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 12-Dec-2021 | 8:34AM · Permalink

I have Norton 360 set on both options the only other option is called secure VPN which I believe is the general iPhone VPN. I am more convinced Norton is scanning emails as I just had the “we do not recommend using this site” and the website matches a spam email regarding Ukrainian girls I get from time to time. The problem is I have checked my email in all folders and can’t see the email but it might have been automatically deleted.

Kudos0

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 12-Dec-2021 | 8:46AM · Permalink

This is the message I get about the remote content on my emails.

File Attachment: 
PDF icon PDF_2876.pdf
Kudos0

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 12-Dec-2021 | 11:10AM · Permalink

iPhones do not come with a VPN. I would suggest removing any VPN configuration that does not say Norton 360. Then see if you are still seeing these messages.

Kudos0

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 12-Dec-2021 | 11:32AM · Permalink

I have removed the VPN and only Norton 360 is showing. The message still shows at the top of emails but I have since found some information from apple about the message and it is a feature since the IOS 15 update. https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT212797
Kudos0

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 12-Dec-2021 | 2:06PM · Permalink

Typically I have no apps open when I get this notification.  It pops up from Norton.

Kudos0

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 12-Dec-2021 | 2:08PM · Permalink

This is not a result of reading email.  Norton is notifying me that the site is blocked when I am in no app.  This is why I am concerned.  Something is running and trying to get out the Norton firewall is blocking it.

Kudos0

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 12-Dec-2021 | 2:10PM · Permalink

Thanks.  This really doesn't apply though as I am not in the email client when I get this message.

Kudos0

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 12-Dec-2021 | 2:13PM · Edited: 12-Dec-2021 | 2:17PM · Permalink

@Callyb

To confirm. In iOS settings you now have only 2 VPN entries? One in VPN Configurations at the top, and one in Personal VPN at the bottom. And both of them show as Norton 360.

From the link you gave, there is a link there that describes this new feature, Mail Privacy Protection. This link will explain how to turn the feature on. Try turning it off to see if this stops the messages. I have the feature turned on and I have never seen the message  you show.

Kudos0

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 12-Dec-2021 | 3:09PM · Permalink

@tptuohy I too have no apps open and it is a notification from Norton. I don’t have the best knowledge when it comes to tech so I may be wrong but the fact the website being accessed matches some junk email I get could it be as I receive the emails they go through the vpn and get flagged is bad websites? @peterweb Yes, I only have two VPNs both Norton 360 and both are on
Kudos0

Re: Periodically I get a Web Protection alert from Norton

Posted: 12-Dec-2021 | 6:20PM · Edited: 12-Dec-2021 | 6:23PM · Permalink

tptuohy:

This is not a result of reading email.  Norton is notifying me that the site is blocked when I am in no app.  This is why I am concerned.  Something is running and trying to get out the Norton firewall is blocking it.

There is no firewall in the mobile 360 products. In the iOS version there is the Web Protection feature that would protect you against malicious web sites.  The only way that should kick in is if some app is trying to update in the background and Norton has determined that is from a bad web site. Check the permissions for any apps you may have installed around the time you started seeing this message.

Typically I have no apps open when I get this notification.  It pops up from Norton.

To clarify. There are no apps running at all? Not even in the background?

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