#10 - Bitdefender
Pros
Phishing protection
Safe Browsing for Internet links
Easy to use, yet highly configurable user interface
Quick scan for active malware during installation
Automatic removable drive scanning
Strong rootkit removal
Gaming and laptop mode
Cons
Mixed results in malware removal
Briefing
Bitdefender is not just antivirus protection, but complete Internet security software designed to stop viruses and spyware, safeguard your privacy, and help you surf the web safely. Antiphishing and chat protection are included in the core antivirus product. Every price point includes a 3 PC license which is a great deal if you need to protect multiple computers. You can even manage multiple installations across your home network.
Effectiveness
We found Bitdefender to be among the best programs in all of our testing at removing rootkits. No rootkit samples that we tried to infect our test systems with were successful.
In our real-world malware testing, Bitdefender Antivirus blocked most malicious websites that we attempted to visit, and stopped most of our attempted downloads of questionable files. It allowed one potential exploit file to download and open Windows Media Player, but no infection occurred. It is possible that a system with an outdated version of Media Player or without recent Windows Updates could have been a target of this attack, but since no infection occurred on our test system we can’t hold that against Bitdefender.
Bitdefender runs a quick scan during installation to find and remove any active malware. This addresses some of the problems antivirus programs have installing on infected systems and we’d like to see more vendors incorporate this feature.
Often infections attach themselves to critical Windows files. It is nearly impossible for antivirus programs to clean your system while these files are in use. This is why many antivirus and antimalware programs will prompt you to reboot to remove infected files. If there are infections that Bitdefender cannot immediately clean up within Windows, it will prompt you to download and burn a Rescue CD. We found that booting the system to this rescue disk and running a scan from there effectively cleaned up any lingering issues.
Bitdefender’s license is good for up to three PCs, and you can use the built-in Remote Management to manage all three installations across your home network. You can run scans and updates, view security history, and configure each installation from one central PC which you will define as the server. This is an advanced feature not usually found on antivirus programs, and one which adds tremendous value.
Ease of Use
By default, Bitdefender displays a basic interface and also offers intermediate and expert views, depending on your preference. We find the basic interface provides the tools you need for running scans and accessing basic settings, and we enjoy its simplicity of design. If you choose Easy Setup during installation, it installs the antivirus and antimalware engines, antiphishing, identity protection and application vulnerability modules along with the basic interface. Users who like to get under the hood and tinker with advanced settings and configurations or monitor remote installations will appreciate the intermediate or expert views.
One of two videos will play after installation. You choose which video to watch by selecting, “I’m new to Bit Defender” or “I have used previous versions”. We didn’t find the video especially helpful in using the program, but it outlines Bitdefender’s capabilities and strengths and is a nice introduction to the program.
We also like that Bitdefender turns off the Microsoft-provided Windows Defender (which is pretty much useless as an anti-malware tool) and checks for the presence of other security software during installation to avoid conflicts. Our only question is that we don’t understand why Bitdefender wants to uninstall Malwarebytes if present. We find MalwareBytes to be an excellent supplement to all antivirus programs and would like to see Bitdefender recognize its compatibility.
Bitdefender also sets up an automated weekly scan, anonymous usage reports, and uses idle time scans to conserve computer power. Another feature that is becoming increasingly popular with our clients is Safe Browsing. Bitdefender will scan any links on a webpage, such as a page of Google search results, and display a green check mark for links that are safe to click.
Speed/Performance
We found the program to have only a slight negative effect on computer speed. Even though Bitdefender Antivirus Pro 2013 is running antivirus protection, phishing protection, chat encryption, and network monitoring and management tools, resource usage remained low.
Bitdefender also utilizes idle time to perform tasks such as full system scans which keeps things running fast while you are working.
Price/Value
Bitdefender Antivirus Pro
$39.93 3 PC 1 Year
$69.95 3 PC 2 Years
Bitdefender Internet Security
$59.95 3 PC 1 Year
$99..95 3 PC 2 Years
Bitdefender Total Security
$79.95 3 PC 1 Year
$129.95 3 PC 2 Years
You can install all Bitdefender products on up to 3 PCs. Bitdefender Antivirus Pro includes phishing and chat protection and provides almost a suite level of protection just within the antivirus program, a fantastic value. The Internet Security suite adds antispam, parental controls, and a firewall to prevent against hackers. Bitdefender’s flagship Total Security Suite also adds utilities to tune up your PC, file encrytion, online backup, and secure file deletion. We are confident that whichever level of Bitdefender protection you choose, your PC will be thoroughly protected against attacks.
Support
Bitdefender provides a complete range of support options for their products including:
Phone Support
Live chat
User forum
Help & Support search box on the main interface
Wide range of in-app tutorials
Online articles and documentation
Online video tutorials
Conclusion
Bitdefender Antivirus Pro 2013 is a very impressive product. It provides protections not normally found in antivirus programs such as antiphishing and chat protection. It provides tools you won’t find in other antivirus programs such as remote management of multiple installations across your home network. You can set the level of interface you’d like to see, from the most basic to the most advanced. It includes installation on up to three PCs. All of these features have ensured Bitdefender Antivirus Pro 2013 a place on our AVWARS Top Ten.
