The updates can be performed over the internet, directly, or through a proxy server. By default, Bitdefender will check for updates every hour and install the available updates automatically.
Can I update Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac through a Proxy Server?
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac can update only through proxy servers that do not require authentication. Proxy servers that require authentication either require a username and password to access the Internet, or authenticate users by using their current domain credentials (source: Microsoft).
If your Mac connects to the Internet through a proxy that does not require authentication, you don’t have to configure Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac. The app automatically detects the proxy settings from macOS and the updates will work.
On the other hand, if you use an Internet proxy server that requires authentication, Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac will fail to update. It may encounter one of the following update error codes: -1003, -1004, -1005, -1008.
To troubleshoot different update errors in Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac, check out this article – Troubleshoot update errors in Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac.
How do I configure Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac to use authenticated proxy servers?
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac doesn’t support any custom update settings. However, home Internet connections do not normally use a proxy server. As a rule of thumb, you should check and configure the proxy connection settings of your macOS only when updates are not working. If Bitdefender can update, then it is properly configured to connect to the Internet.
If you connect to the internet through a proxy server that requires authentication and Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac encounters update errors, you must switch to a direct internet connection regularly to obtain threat information updates.
In order to configure the internet connection to not use the Proxy server:
- Click the Apple logo located in the top-left corner of the screen and select System Preferences / System Settings on macOS Ventura.
- Click the Network icon, then at the bottom of the window click Advanced / Details on macOS Ventura.
- Open the Proxies tab.
- Disable Auto Proxy Discovery or any other options that are enabled under Select a protocol to configure.
For more information on how to manage the proxy settings on a Windows computer instead of a Mac, read this article.