Antivirus software providers have a difficult challenge: how to maintain happy clients.
Some of them want an easy solution they can implement right now. Some people, however, like to have several choices. They are all in search of a reassuring degree of safety.
Finding a happy medium between the requirements of the user and the requirements of the developer may be challenging.
On the other hand, Bitdefender may have found a way to do it.
In this Bitdefender review, I will make the case that it is among the most comprehensive security suites out there. So, it’s included in our top picks for antivirus software both globally and in the UK.
It’s not too cumbersome or skimpy, and it won’t break the bank. You’ve probably heard the term before if you’ve been looking at free antivirus for Android. It is one of the top five antimalware businesses with a market share of 10.2 percent.
Bitdefender’s flagship home product, Total Security, will be the focus of this review. We’ll go through the features of this app, the technology it uses, etc. Is Bitdefender an excellent anti-malware program? is probably what got you here.
Price
Prices vary depending on how many devices you want to protect.
Depending on how many devices you have, the Antivirus Plus plans range in price from $19.99 for one to $79.99 for ten.
- Pricing for Internet Security packages starts at $24.99 and goes up to $89.99.
- Pricing starts at $39.98 for protection of up to 5 devices and rises to $44.99 for 10 devices.
- The $64.99 per year Premium Security package covers up to 10 devices.
- For households with up to 15 gadgets, the Family Pack is the way to go. The price of a subscription for one year is $49.99.
- Owners of small businesses may purchase the Small Office Security package. The annual fee for protecting up to 20 devices is $124.99.
- You may save money by subscribing for two or three years.
Free Version
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is a good choice if you need antivirus protection but have a limited budget. While the free version of Bitdefender offers some protection against online threats like phishing and fraud, it falls short of the features included in the premium Bitdefender Total Security software. Not to mention general online protections against ransomware.
No one should expect anything for nothing. On the other side, Bitdefender’s deal is like receiving free ice cream.
Not only that but there’s more. You may test out Bitdefender for 30 days for free before deciding to buy it.
Requirements
To function, antivirus software needs a computer running Windows 7 with Service Pack 1, 2GB of RAM, and 2.5GB of free space.
Installation
Bitdefender is a 472 MB download that has to be performed before it can be used. After the brief 2-minute installation process is done, you’ll be prompted to create a My Bitdefender account. The following procedures must be carried out before the software may be used.
User Interface
Bitdefender’s user interface (UI) is straightforward and developed with internet security in mind. The bulk of the software’s features and functionalities are devoted to protection (threat avoidance) and privacy. Information security. Once you’re familiar with Bitdefender, you’ll only need to click it twice or three times.
In addition to fast secure VPN and ransomware defense, the Dashboard will recommend other options.
Add in your own custom actions if you want. For instance, by installing a quick action button, you may check the Wi-Fi network’s mobile security for Android.
For this Bitdefender review, I compiled a list of available one-click responses and tried them all. It’s annoying that there’s a limit on the total number of buttons you can add. Some people, like myself, prefer having more options available to us when we use a system. That’s too bad.
Protection displays all of Bitdefender’s features, such as anti-virus, anti-phishing, and ransomware protection.
From here, you can also check the security of your device’s software and modify Bitdefender’s firewall settings. You can find everything you need in just one spot.
Using the Privacy menu, you may manage the information that others can see. Bitdefender VPN provides comprehensive protection for your digital life, from your camera to your data.
Features
Bitdefender offers a wide variety of features. Here you can find all the information you need to protect your home network from online threats. But what exactly is it about Total Security that so many people find appealing?
Scanning
Can you attest to the reliability of Bitdefender’s scanning capabilities? I’ve conducted several experiments, the results of which I’ll reveal here.
The quick scan and full system scan functions offered by Bitdefender are parred for the course for antivirus for Windows. Complete scans take more time and potentially reduce your computer’s performance.
It’s great that you can tailor scans to certain directories or drives. A full hard drive scan isn’t necessary to maintain a virus-free machine. Scan a file by right-clicking on it. A wonderful touch was provided by Bitdefender Total Security.
Ransomware Protection
In recent years, ransomware has emerged as one of the most pervasive and financially rewarding forms of cybercrime. The malicious malware will demand payment (often in cryptocurrency) in order to unlock your data.
Although businesses are the typical victims of ransomware, individuals may also be affected. A notification from the FBI saying your computer has been locked (this isn’t the FBI; hackers are attempting to deceive you into believing it is) or your data will be encrypted.
Do Bitdefender’s measures aim to prevent such incidents in the future? It uses the Ransomware Remediation feature to protect against ransomware attacks. When a potential threat is detected, the software immediately creates a backup copy of the concerned data. After the attack has been halted, the information may be retrieved.
When you purchase Total Protection, you also get access to Safe Files. This program safeguards selected data on your hard drive against accidental deletion or modification. Lockdown just the data you want to keep safe.
VPN
This isn’t a review of Bitdefender VPN, so I’ll make this part quick. 😉 Does Bitdefender have a Virtual Private Network feature? Hotspot Shield’s Virtual Private Network technology is used.
Total Security’s free version, however, has a daily data cap of 200 MB. The service will automatically connect you to a server in the region of your choice.
Antitheft
One of my favorite features of Bitdefender Total Security is its antitheft protection. When compared to those of rival security systems, Bitdefender’s antitheft capability is easier to use.
You’ll be pleased you have this feature if your phone is ever lost or stolen. Bitdefender Central’s interface allows you to set a password-protected remote lock. In this manner, the information stored on the hard disk is secure. If someone tries to get into your device, the gadget will transmit you a camera picture of them.
Bitdefender Central not only tracks the device’s location but also allows you to completely wipe it clean. Here’s a fantastic opportunity to keep sensitive information secure.
It’s not hard to understand why Bitdefender is widely considered a leading internet security suite.
Data Protection & Encryption
Always encrypting your data is the best approach to keep it safe from hackers. Bitdefender, like other top-tier antivirus programs, may encrypt vital storage locations.
Unfortunately, you can’t encrypt the whole drive using it. There is a limit to how much of a partition can be encrypted. However, the same provider also offers GravityZone Full Disk Encryption for such a reason.
The File Shredder may be used to delete files and folders forever. It’s an essential component of any cybersecurity solution. If you don’t, any intruder who gains access to your device might potentially access your info.
Payments Protection
The Safepay browser extension improves the security of online banking and shopping. Since banking malware and fraudulent websites are so widespread, most of the best internet security software includes a secure browser by default. It aims to keep your financial dealings safe from threats like phishing, keylogging, and man-in-the-middle assaults.
When you use Safepay, only a secure browser will be used to access any financial websites.
To avoid having your keystrokes recorded, Safepay provides a virtual keyboard. Additionally, it disables the ability to capture screenshots of the active window. Your financial data will remain safe even if you are making purchases while connected to an unsecured public Wi-Fi network. While it’s not advisable to use a public Wi-Fi network, if you must, Bitdefender can help keep your data safer.
Scanning for Viruses
Bitdefender claims that their Photon scanning technology becomes more intelligent and quicker with time. Photon is a cloud-based service, therefore you’ll need access to the internet in order to utilize it.
In roughly 51 minutes, Bitdefender finished a full scan. This is not unprecedented for antivirus programs, but it is still very incredible. There was no discernible slowdown in operation while the program was running in the background. The laptop’s performance suffered minimal degradation during typical use.
The quickest scans took just two minutes. Short and complete scans may be performed on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, and startup scans can also be performed. However, scheduling a scan on a certain day is currently not available.
Phishing protection
Bitdefender passed every single test against authentic phishing websites. As of this writing, all known phishing sites have been discovered and blocked.
Ninety-one percent of cyber attacks make use of phishing emails. Therefore, it is essential to set up sufficient safeguards. This functionality should also be included in your internet security program.
Parental Control
The parental restrictions in Bitdefender aren’t perfect, unfortunately. In reality, it had no effect on the loading speed of a video-heavy website. Plus, it led me to a page with information on mixed martial arts! It’s a physically taxing activity, but it’s also a competitive one. Such websites are blocked by parental control filters offered by competing businesses. One such program is Kaspersky Total Security.
But since this is a Bitdefender review, I guess we should get started.
Activating Parental controls requires setting up a kid profile in Bitdefender Central. After doing so, you’ll have access to a plethora of data on your child’s online activities, such as the websites and apps they use, the people they call, the phone numbers they use, and the length of time they spend on the device.
Bitdefender Total Security has a decent parental control filter, despite certain shortcomings.
Downloading the Eicar Test File
When we ran the EICAR Antimalware Test file via Bitdefender, it came out clean. The program rapidly recognized the threat. In the Notifications submenu, a popup gave me further details on the detection.
Independent Lab Test
Bitdefender Internet Security received a flawless score of six out of six from the independent antivirus lab AV-Test. While OneClick Optimizer and antitheft protection aren’t included in Internet Security, the two are functionally comparable.
Bitdefender has been shown to be 100% effective against zero-day malware by AV-Test. Additionally, it was 100% effective against all known malware samples.
Customer Support
The support staff is always fast to reply and helpful. You may get assistance by phone, chat, or email, just as with the best computer security programs.
A reply to an email I sent took over two hours to get. Another inquiry was then sent and answered within the hour.
I resorted to the live chat service as a last option. Within the span of five minutes, two of my inquiries were addressed. Not really innovative, but indicative of a serious commitment to satisfying customers all the same.
Verdict
Bitdefender is one of the most popular options for virus protection. This software strikes a good balance between what its users desire and need. There might be a wide range of interpretations of what it means.
It’s compatible with every major OS, has a powerful built-in anti-malware engine, is very feature-rich, and is really easy to use.
To rephrase: it’s not an ideal situation. On the other hand, virus protection programs are not. I really pray that you have found my analysis of Bitdefender to be informative and helpful as you consider your own protection software options.
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