A Guide to Bitdefender Scam Protection (formerly Scam Alert) for iOS

Scam Protection is a feature included in the paid version of Bitdefender Mobile Security for iOS. It automatically detects phishing and scam attempts by filtering messages, scanning calendar events, and alerting you to emerging scam campaigns. It runs in the background and requires minimal interaction once enabled.

Scam Protection features for iOS

Scam Protection for iOS uses 3 complementary layers to help you avoid scam links before you engage with them.

Text Message Filter

The text message filter automatically moves malicious SMS and MMS messages from unknown senders to the Junk folder in your iPhone or iPad Messages app.

malicious message

Detects:

Phishing messages impersonating banks, government agencies, or reputable companies to steal sensitive data (passwords, card details, PIN card number)
Premium-rate SMS scams that trick recipients into unknowingly subscribing to premium-rate services, resulting in unexpected charges on their mobile bills.

Benefits:

Moves suspicious messages to the Junk folder automatically
Reduces the risk of tapping malicious links
Keeps your inbox cleaner and safer

Calendar Invite Link Scanner

This layer scans calendar invites and events for dangerous links, helping protect against “calendar virus” scams. Calendar virus is a type of phishing attack where fake invites or pop-ups add a spam event to your iPhone or iPad’s Calendar app. This leads to constant, misleading alerts about hacks, malware, or prizes, all meant to trick you into clicking malicious links and exposing your data.

How the calendar virus works:

You receive unwanted calendar invites or event notifications after accidentally accepting a fake invitation sent by scammers.
By clicking a link in the invite, you unknowingly subscribe to the attacker’s calendar, allowing them to keep sending spam events.
These events often include links or attachments that can take you to phishing websites or other harmful content if opened.

Benefits:

Flags dangerous iPhone calendar events
Helps remove unwanted calendar subscriptions
Prevents access to phishing or harmful pages

Scam Radar

Scam Radar continuously monitors local scam activity. When a new scam wave begins to spread, you’re notified right away. Scam Radar provides AI-driven scam prevention:

Early warnings about high-risk scam campaigns
Examples of scam text messages or fake Facebook ads
Highlighted key warning signs and suspicious keywords
Practical tips to stay protected

Benefits:

Helps you recognize scams before interacting with them
Keeps you informed about local scams
Improves awareness of evolving attack tactics

Set up Scam Protection in Bitdefender Mobile Security for iOS

To set up Scam Protection on iOS, you need to grant the Bitdefender Mobile Security app access to calendar notifications and SMS messages and turn on Scam Radar. Follow the steps below to enable each feature:

Calendar scan

SMS filtering

In order for Bitdefender to start filtering messages, you must manually activate the Filter Unknown Senders option in Messages app settings:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Follow the steps below based on your iOS version:

For iOS 18 and later: Scroll down > tap Apps > Messages.

Apps Messages

For iOS 17 and earlier: Scroll down > tap Messages.

3. Tap the Unknown & Spam section.

4. Toggle Filter Unknown Senders to the on position.

5. Select Mobile Security in the SMS Filtering section > choose Enable.

Bitdefender will now be able to filter junk messages on your iPhone/iPad.

ⓘ Note: Due to iOS restrictions, Bitdefender SMS filtering can only be used for SMS and MMS messages that come from people you don’t have saved in your contacts. This means it won’t filter messages from people already in your contacts list or iMessage messages from anyone.

Scam Radar

Find junk messages on your iPhone

To find the junk messages filtered by Scam Protection on your iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Open the Messages app, usually found on your home screen.

2. In the Messages app, tap the Filters option in the top left corner.

3. You will find all the messages from unknown or suspicious senders that Bitdefender Mobile Security has filtered for you into dedicated folders:

Transactions
Promotions
Junk

Inside the Junk folder, you’ll find messages that have been identified as potentially spam or phishing. Take a look through these messages to ensure you’re not missing any important content. Depending on your preference, you can delete these messages or move them back to your main inbox if you find any legitimate content that was mistakenly marked as junk.