Bitdefender blocking connection to mail server

A frustrating issue!

Bitdefender is a popular antivirus software that can sometimes block connections to mail servers, causing issues with email clients and servers. Here are some possible reasons and solutions to help you resolve the issue:

Reasons:

  1. False positive detection: Bitdefender might incorrectly identify the mail server as a malicious domain, blocking the connection.
  2. Outdated virus definitions: If the virus definitions are outdated, Bitdefender might not recognize the mail server as legitimate, leading to blocking.
  3. Firewall settings: Bitdefender's firewall might be configured to block outgoing connections to specific ports or IP addresses, including the mail server.
  4. Email client settings: The email client's settings might be misconfigured, causing Bitdefender to block the connection.

Solutions:

  1. Update virus definitions: Ensure that your Bitdefender software is updated with the latest virus definitions. You can do this by checking for updates in the Bitdefender interface or by using the Bitdefender Update Tool.
  2. Exclude the mail server from scanning: Add the mail server's IP address or domain to the Bitdefender exclusion list. This will prevent Bitdefender from scanning and blocking the connection.
    • For Bitdefender Antivirus Plus: Go to Settings > Antivirus > Exclusions > Add Exclusion.
    • For Bitdefender Internet Security: Go to Settings > Antivirus > Exclusions > Add Exclusion.
  3. Configure the firewall: Check the Bitdefender firewall settings to ensure that it's not blocking outgoing connections to the mail server. You can do this by:
    • For Bitdefender Antivirus Plus: Go to Settings > Firewall > Outbound Rules > Add Rule.
    • For Bitdefender Internet Security: Go to Settings > Firewall > Outbound Rules > Add Rule.
  4. Check email client settings: Verify that the email client's settings are correct and not causing the issue. Check the email client's logs for any errors or issues related to the connection.
  5. Disable Bitdefender's email scanning: If none of the above solutions work, you can try disabling Bitdefender's email scanning feature. This will prevent Bitdefender from scanning and blocking email connections.
    • For Bitdefender Antivirus Plus: Go to Settings > Antivirus > Email Scanning > Disable.
    • For Bitdefender Internet Security: Go to Settings > Antivirus > Email Scanning > Disable.

If none of these solutions work, you may want to contact Bitdefender's support team for further assistance.