Feb 11
3
BitDefender Free Edition Review
MSRP: $29.95
- The Good: BitDefender Antivirus Pro 2011 carries the most comprehensive AV feature set offering complete flexibility.
- The Bad: It eats considerable computer resources though not noticeable on powerful computers.
- The Verdict: BitDefender's antivirus software is a great value for the money.
Functional Features
With simple usability, rock-solid security, effective computing resource utilization and an appealing price point, BitDefender Antivirus Pro is easily one of the best AV programs in the market. It has a comprehensive set of AV features that protect your PC against a slew of online malware, viruses, phishing scams, spyware and the like. It covers the PC from every angle whether from surfing threats, malicious email attachments and even instant messaging.
- Its Search Advisor tool integrates with your browser to protect your PC while browsing. It positions icons next to each search engine result to indicate when it’s safe to click on the site. Hovering over the icon provides the security information to make the decision. None of this interferes with your browsing speed.
- Flexibility at its highest allows you to configure and customize the program quickly and let it work in the background with little intervention.
- Its secure gamer mode allows you to play PC games or watch movies in full screen mode without any interruption but without compromising security. You simply list the games and apps you don’t want interrupted.
- Its laptop mode allows your laptop to save on battery power by using the least resources while doing its security tasks in the background, especially when the battery is nearing its critical levels.
- Its Active Virus Control is specifically designed to demolish stealth threats. Its heuristic detection technologies proactively monitors application tasks and will lock apps with repeatedly suspicious behavior.
- Along with the heuristic detection comes real-time prevention that fights the threat while the file is being opened. Needless to say, it also uses a regularly and automatically updated virus signature database.
Effectiveness
Our tests have shown the program to be superbly effective, successfully detecting and blocking, removing and neutralizing all instances of PC infection. Industry testers and reviewers such as VirusBulletin have given it 100% Certification. ICSA Labs, Consumer Reports, West Coast Labs and AV-Comparatives agree that BitDefender is one of the best. It always figures at the top of any top ten listing of best AV programs in the markets.
User Friendliness
Installation is very quick, with step-by-step instructions to guide initial setup which includes a pre-install scan. No reboot is necessary to launch the application. The graphical user interface is one of the most intuitive and follows a Windows 7 look and feel that is aesthetically pleasing. You get a dashboard depending on the user profile you’ve defined at the start though this can easily be changed.
Help Support
The BitDefender Antivirus Pros 2011 program is architected for optimum effectiveness and ease of use. But in those rare times when you need assistance for a specific issue, there’s Live Help available 24/7 via online chat, phone or email. The program itself carries a non-obtrusive set of help tips and guidance, as well as a dedicated help section with articles and an assortment of video tutorials. Its knowledge database is even searchable
Summary
BitDefender has been impressing us for years and the latest iteration is no different. What else can we say? At its price point, the BitDefender Antivirus Pro 2011 offers proven efficiency, ease of use and effectiveness that is unparalleled without ever upsetting your pocket.
