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CNET Editors' review
Like other premium security tools, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013 offers unique extras to counter the many free antivirus tools available, most of which offer similar levels of basic protection to Bitdefender but in stripped-down packages that sometimes leave you wanting (and needing) more. In addition to powerful antivirus protection, Bitdefender's features list includes antiphishing, parental controls, firewall, secure online storage, ID security, USB device security, process behavior monitoring (to predict and counter zero-day threats based on anomalous system behavior), and a vulnerability scanner. Other tools have similar features, so Bitdefender ups the ante with extras like SafePay, which secures your online transactions at home and on the go; a Personal Data Defender that keeps your private info safe at home; and Device Anti-Theft, which can remotely locate, lock, and wipe any protected device that's connected to the Internet (very clever, Mr. Bond!).
Bitdefender's installer can uninstall your existing antivirus program, though you may need to remove Microsoft Security Essentials manually. Setup enables Autopilot, which keeps the pop-ups down, and Automatic Game Mode; we could toggle them off and on as needed. We also configured Bitdefender's Connection Filters: Antimalware, Antiphishing, Antifraud, and Search Advisor. Bitdefender's central interface is called the Dashboard; it's good-looking and easy to use. We could switch between Autopilot and User Mode as needed. Setting up the SafeGo social networking feature protects you while you're on Facebook and Twitter (and other sites). Creating a MyBitdefender account accesses online support and services.
With so many free alternatives available, why buy a premium app? A few bucks of prevention beats hundreds in cures, but set aside the relative value of your system, your data, and your time: if a free tool does what the for-pay tool does, what are you paying for? Start with support: unless you're ready, willing, and able to handle all the threats constantly knocking at your door, day in and day out, without letting your guard down, you might find good technical support worth a few bucks. Add in all the extras, and Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013 is a pretty good value.
Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013.
Bitdefender Total Security 2013:Publisher's Description
From Bitdefender:
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013 builds on the best antivirus technology for Windows to silently stop e-threats, secure online transactions, and defend your privacy on social networks. Bitdefender Safepay - Keeps hackers at bay by automatically opening all your online banking pages in a separate, secure browser. MyBitdefender dashboard - See all the status and licensing information about your software and services. Security Widget - Enables you to keep track of all of your security related tasks, drag-and-drop files for quick scanning for viruses--right from your desktop! Parental Control - Blocks inappropriate content, restricts Web access, monitors your children's online activity. USB Immunizer - Immunizes any Flash Drive from viruses, when they are connected to your computer. Active Virus Control - A proactive, dynamic detection technology which monitors processes' behavior in real-time, as they are running, and tags suspicious activities. Rescue Mode - If e-threats cannot be removed, the computer is re-booted in a trusted environment which is then used for cleanup and restoration. Vulnerability Scanner - Checks for missing or outdated security software, missing Windows security patches. Bitdefender Autopilot - provides a hassle-free experience by making optimal security-related decisions without input from you. Social Network Protection - filters/blocks social-networking e-threats by scanning the links you receive from your friends. Search Advisor - The Link Filter relies on intelligence provided by Bitdefender Cloud services to flag malware and phishing attempts in search engine results. Personal Data Filter - Prevents critical data from ever leaving your computer. Antiphising - Analyzes and blocks websites that support various scams or credit card phishing attempts. Scan Dispatcher - finds and uses time-slices when system resource usage falls below a certain threshold to perform recurring scans of your entire system.
What's new in this version: Version 2013:
- Bitdefender SafePay - for iron-clad security when shopping and banking
- Windows 8 Compatible
- Device Anti-Theft - Remotely locate, lock or wipe any internet connected device
- USB Immunizer - protection for flash drives against e-threats
- Security Widget
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All versions:
2.6 starsout of 177 votes
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Current version:
2.4 starsout of 17 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"it is a bit intrusive"
Version: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013
Pros
It seem to be catching virus
Cons
Just takes over my system
Summary
Just not sure that it is protecting my system well enough ... I still feel that it is not getting all the viruses that were already in my system.
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"Never Worked, Always Fixing, ABYSMAL Customer Service"
Version: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013
Pros
In the beginning, when it DID work, I saw that it caught and blocked a Trojan, and was happy with that.
Cons
HOWEVER - Very shortly afternoon, the same old problems returned. Opener consistently said Last Scan Run Today, when upon checking, no scans were actually being run. Customer Support of course started with the same old - remove your turned off MalWare,remove it our way, go through the Repair, ok then, Uninstall and Reinstall. Then remove CC Cleaner, same old, etc etc. Still, error, error, error. Windows bleeping Warning, No Antivirus Software Found on Your Computer. Ran the checks for a problem Similar to this consistently. Uninstalled and Reinstalled AGAIN. (Often Customer Service did not understand what I was saying as well, which was a pain, especially with countless hours of several months ticking by with no fix and new problems cropping up.) Repair run AGAIN and AGAIN. Rebooted I don't know HOW many times. Then the good ol' Warning, your product is not activated, must activate, started popping up, although i was then not allowed to activate it, as it Was already
Summary
Activated and registered, and Windows warning and same old problems consisted, so after several months, finally insisted on a refund instead of being told, as I was - well, let's first reboot - NO, let's not, look back at the ticket history, and am STILL waiting on a refund. HORRIBLE constant errors, and HORRIBLE Customer Service.
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"It"s a fine product."
Version: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013
Pros
Does it all.
Cons
After having it for 2 months the .app lost the key code. When I re-entered the code it gave me a notice that it was unable to accept my code and to call their toll free number. When I did they said there would be a charge for helping me work it out.
Summary
Get Virus X6 or Norton. These people have terrible customer relations. All that matters to them is the $$$$$$$$.
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"Free expired"
Version: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013
Pros
App is quite quick at running and the background processes are fine. The product is useful at trying to not affect the other applications running. Simple and smooth running window and does not list much for the novice.
Cons
You need to be registered to Bitdefender and have a period to have yourself setup. I gave up trying to use the login thinking that the product would just continue running. Unfortunately the product requires that you sign-in. As the product hit the expiration date it now is disabled. I've reinstalled hoping this was a glitch, but there is no way I can sign in. It hangs the login page.
Summary
Uninstalled. Decent protection options until trial period is over. I DO NOT instead to keep reinstalling after that period finishes. I give it one and some stars because it is good, as long as it works.
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"Non existent support!"
Version: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013
Pros
It may work?
Cons
Seems to be slow, but biggest issue is it keeps coming up with major errors, which I report to Bitdefender. This has happened maybe 40 - 50 times, and despite me asking for assistance I have not had ONE reply!
The email anti spam bit does not work.Summary
I bought this Anti Virus app from a mate who supplies all his customers with it. The first time I have ever bought Anti Virus. It has been troublesome to say the least. All sorts of issues and ABSOLUTELY ZERO SUPPORT!!
I had previously used AVG Free, but updates just created so many problems I gave up with that.
I am going to try Kaspersky next! -
"Mindless support; Issues come and go"
Version: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013
Pros
Autopilot; no virus known in 18 months
Cons
Obscure logging and poor messages; false positive quarantining; mindless "support" that is in fact not much support except for the mundane and clueless
Summary
Got bitdefender free from my bank. I am a gluten for punishment. For many months bitdefender blocked manually instigated windows updates. "Support" advised to exclude a file that did not exist. It also silently quarantined a quicken patch file that is generated mid-stream and caused quicken update to fail. Worst part are obscure or non-existent messages or not obvious to find messages. Ways around these problems were pretty drastic - disable scanning AND exclude *.exe - ie not protection until that is undone again. I will not be renewing.
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"slowed down computer drastically"
Version: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013
Pros
I can not think of any
Cons
I can't get this antivirus program to completely uninstall. Still is showing in my system tray no matter what I do! I have tried uninstalling in the control panel, tried their online removal tool & through start/programs/bitdefender/repaIR OR uninstall. Their customer service sucks! Somneone PLEASE help me!
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""BitDefender" falsely identified our software as unsafe"
Version: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013
Pros
SOFTWIN's (Bitdefender) customer service representative replied quickly to our requests to reevaluate the error and fix the bug which caused a false-positive of our software. We promptly received a one word response: "Spam". How lovely.
Cons
SOFTWIN's negligence has taxed our company's credibility and has caused our clients to suffer losses in revenue, time and productivity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitDefender#Trojan.FakeAlert.5_problemSummary
Please join us in our boycott of the "Bitdefender" software until SOFTWIN establishes responsible business practices. Thank you.
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"Not ready for "prime time.""
Version: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013
Pros
It was able to deal with most viruses with little difficulty.
Cons
Really slowed things down, especially when surfing the internet.
Summary
I paid full price for it and removed it after about 4 weeks of use. I tried to find settings that would allow it to work more effectively on the internet but it has too few settings, especially the firewall. This product functions like a beta application and is just too frustrating to work with.
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"good detection but other all sucks,"
Version: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013
Pros
good detection,
Cons
slow down pc and internet speed, makes computer freez, terible updates, bad costumer suport and program can,not be uninstaked completly
Summary
buy Mcafee or kaspersky, norton, trend micro, but stay avay of this antivirus
