A Likely-Explicit DNS Connection Activity Event means Victory Shield™ detected a pornographic domain (website) on an iPhone® or iPad®. To reduce Likely-Explicit DNS Connections, use Screen Time, use Safari, and turn off Background App Refresh in the Settings app.
About DNS
- DNS stands for Domain Name System. A domain is a website, like ad.google.com or nike.com.
- Victory Shield™ monitors all website traffic on an iPhone® or iPad® but only flags adult (likely-explicit) websites.
- Specifically, Victory Shield™ rates and displays the heart of the website (e.g., facebook.com) and not the entire website URL (e.g., facebook.com-userprofile-john-doe-8592748).
Likely-Explicit DNS Connection
We note Likely-Explicit DNS Connections in the Activity Feed, and two or more trigger a Highlighted Activity is not typically a reason for concern. But some activity is good for you to double-check Check-in.
- Victory Shield™ only tracks Likely-Explicit DNS Connections on iPhones and iPads.
- If Victory Shield™ detects a domain from an iPhone®/iPad®as a Likely-Explicit DNS Connection, the website is probably pornographic.
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BLOCKED means the Victory Shield™ filter stopped the connection (website) from happening and displaying its content.
- Victory Shield™ cannot determine whether the member intentionally viewed Likely-Explicit DNS Connections because some apps generate background activity (when they update, refresh content, etc.) without the member's consent.
- For example, a gaming app may refresh content in the background and contact dozens of domains for ads, analytics, media delivery, or other services. Victory Shield™ may detect one of these connections even if the member never directly opened or viewed it.
- To talk to the member about this, tap the blue chat button in the bottom right-hand corner of the Likely-Explicit DNS Connection activity event to start a private Chat in the Victory app.
iOS 27 & Connectivity Assist
On iPhones with iOS 27, a Likely-Explicit DNS Connection may display Potentially Blocked Website instead of BLOCKED.
- Due to an issue with Apple's Connectivity Assist setting, Victory Shield™ may attempt to block a website, but cannot confirm that the website was actually blocked.
- If you see "Potentially Blocked Website" for a Likely-Explicit DNS Connection, have the member turn off Connectivity Assist for the iPhone.
Prevent DNS Connections
- Use Apple's device controls, Screen Time, to limit access to adult content and prevent the member from uninstalling our Safari Extension.
- Have the member use the Safari app as much as possible so we can screen-capture their activity via the Safari Extension.
- Turn off Background App Refresh for most apps to reduce unnecessary background website traffic. But leave it on for Victory Shield™!