VPN Threat Detected…now what?

Hello, @William42! We can explain what a VPN threat detection means!

The AT&T Active Armor detected a VPN threat due to being on an insecure Wi-Fi connection or a connection that is not using a high level of encryption. 

Active Armor Advanced provides a VPN to use for public Wi-Fi connection for $3.99 per month for each line on the account. To switch to the Active Armor Advanced, you would download the app via the app store specific for your phone. 

Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Thank you for reaching out to AT&T Community Forums!

Rachel, AT&T Community Specialist

Same question as William42, except I know my wireless plan already includes Active Armor Advanced.  Yet, I continue to receive, “VPN threat detected” notices when accessing a public wifi network.  The VPN does not connect, ever, which defeats the purpose of this service.  So, how does one get the VPN to actually connect when using public wifi??

See attached screen captures showing example of connection to public wifi, VPN threat detected, and VPN not connecting.

Hi grambolina44, we are here to help you stop receiving VPN notification messages!

A virtual private network (VPN) is automatically connected to your device when you join a public (unencrypted) Wi-Fi network unless an alternate VPN service is active. We recommend checking for app updates to fix any ActiveArmor concerns or reinstalling the app to get the latest version and features.

The ActiveArmor app advanced is included at no extra cost with AT&T Unlimited Elite and Extra plans. Check out more advanced features that are included with the app. They are; identity monitoring, reversed number lookup, Caller ID, safe browsing and theft alerts (android devices only).

Let us know if this helps! Thank you for reaching out to the AT&T Community Forums!

Rhoda, AT&T Community Specialist

Hello, Rhoda.  Thanks for the response, however your proposed solution(s) do not work.

1) My phone iOS is current

2) Active Armor app version is current.

3) I have no other VPN installed 

4) Uninstall/reinstall of the Active Armor

app did not resolve the issue.

Thanks.

Thank you for reaching back out @grambolina44,

The ActiveArmor is a feature that helps in preventing the device from connecting to unencrypted Wi-Fi connections that may be unsafe to connect to. You can click on "view details" when an error appears that there is a VPN threat that has been detected. It can provide additional information on why the VPN is unsafe to connect. 

Practice these safety tips when using an unsecure Wi-Fi connection.

• Avoid connecting to suspicious Wi-Fi networks. Hackers try to trick people by using slightly misspelled Wi-Fi network names, or suspicious network names, like Free PUBLIC WI-FI. Be especially careful to not connect to personal hotspots, or to ad-hoc networks (also known as direct Wi-Fi connections) that you don't know and trust.
• Use AT&T ActiveArmor mobile security. It helps protect your mobile phone from unsafe apps, files, and nuisance calls. 
• Select apps that use encryption and have high ratings in your app store. Some apps may contain holes that let hackers access personal and private details on your wireless device.
• Use strong passwords. Create strong, secure passwords for any services that handle messaging, calling, voicemail, or email through a web browser on your device.
• Connect through VPN for optimum security. Don’t have VPN? Explore the AT&T ActiveArmor mobile security app
• Make sure you sign in on the Wi-Fi service provider's authentication page. Watch out for fake Wi-Fi hotspots installed near public hotspots with the same name. These evil-twin hotspots look like the real network sign-in page. If you sign in to a fake look-alike network, your data may be at risk.
• Know that hackers may be able to monitor your communications. If you are using a hacked network, your personal or private info could be at risk. Use encryption to reduce the risks. Think about what you plan to do before you access a public Wi-Fi network.
• Learn to manage Wi-Fi on your device. Learn to manage Wi-Fi on your mobile device every time you're in range of a network.
• Make sure your Web-based email is secure. While your connection may be secure, you should also make sure that your individual email message is also secure.

Keep in mind: This feature doesn’t work while roaming internationally. Let us know if you have any questions. Thank you for visiting AT&T Community Forums. 

Alasani, AT&T Community Specialist 

Hello, Alasani.

I do not believe that you or any other AT&T community specialists are actually reading and understanding the complaint that William42 and I are making.  So, I’ll reiterate - the AT&T Active Armor app on my device is not working.  I have reinstalled several times.

I understand the concerns of connecting to an open WiFi network, but this happens frequently:  hotels, coffee shops, libraries, airports, etc.  This is why I rely on the Active Armor app to be able to recognize when my device is connected to an open network AND THEN ACTIVATE THE VPN.  This is not happening, which leads me to believe the app is malfunctioning.

I have already provided a screen shot (prior post above) demonstrating where my device is connected to an open Wifi network, I receive the VPN threat message, but the VPN is not activating (turning ON).  If this is not the intended function of this app, then please explain for me what it is supposed to do?

Thank you!

Alasani,

One more item…

In the post you provided, there is a specific bullet point that states:

• Connect through VPN for optimum security. Don’t have VPN? Explore the AT&T ActiveArmor mobile security app

Basically, this is exactly what I’m trying to do and what I expect the Active Armor app to do, but it’s not.  How do I get the VPN to connect?

I am having a similar issue with Active Armor Advanced. The Network bubble shows VPN threat detected while I am on my home secured network. So I click on the bubble to see what the threat could be and it tells me my network is secure. So which message should I believe? And how can I trust an application that gives me conflicting responses right from inside the app?