Bitdefender Antivirus Review: Features, Pricing, and Security

When it comes to keeping your computer safe from online threats, choosing the right antivirus software is crucial. Founded in 2001 in Bucharest, Romania, Bitdefender has grown into a globally recognized name in cybersecurity. Over the years, it has developed a reputation for providing reliable and robust security solutions for both personal and business use.

In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, examining its features, pricing, and overall performance to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.

Pros

• Strong protection against malware
• Easy-to-use interface
• Good value for the price
• Regular updates
• Lightweight design
• Excellent customer support

Cons

• Some features require a separate subscription
• May slow down older systems
• Limited VPN data allowance

How Much Does Bitdefender Antivirus Plus Cost and What’s Covered?

Bitdefender offers several packages, each tailored to different needs and budgets. Let’s break down what each package includes and how much it costs.

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is the entry-level package designed to provide essential protection for your computer. Priced at around $29.99 per year for one device, this package offers a solid set of features that ensure your system is safe from common online threats.

Included Features:

• Real-time protection
• Ransomware remediation
• Phishing protection
• Limited VPN (200MB per day)
• File shredder
• Safe online banking
• Vulnerability scanner

Not Included:

• Firewall: A firewall monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and blocks unauthorized access. Without it, your system might be more vulnerable to network-based attacks.
• Parental controls: This feature allows parents to manage and monitor their children’s online activities. Without it, you won’t have control over the content and sites your children can access.
• Microphone monitor: This feature alerts you if an application tries to access your microphone without permission, adding an extra layer of privacy.

Who is it best for? This package is ideal for individuals who need basic protection for their personal computer and want a cost-effective solution without many advanced features. It’s suitable for those who don’t require parental controls or extensive network protection.

Bitdefender Internet Security

For those who need more than just the basics, Bitdefender Internet Security is a step up from the Antivirus Plus package. Priced at approximately $39.99 per year for one device, this package includes all the features of Antivirus Plus and adds several more layers of protection.

Included Features:

• Real-time protection
• Ransomware remediation
• Phishing protection
• Limited VPN (200MB per day)
• File shredder
• Safe online banking
• Vulnerability scanner
• Firewall: Provides enhanced security by blocking unauthorized access to your network.
• Parental controls: Manage and monitor children’s online activities.
• Microphone monitor: Ensures no unauthorized access to your microphone.
• Webcam protection: Prevents unauthorized access to your webcam.

Not Included:

• Anti-theft tools: Useful for tracking and securing lost or stolen devices.
• Device optimizer: Helps improve your system’s performance.
• Multi-platform support: Covers multiple devices and operating systems.

Who is it best for? This package is perfect for families and individuals who need additional security features such as parental controls and firewall protection. It’s great for those who want to protect their network and monitor children’s internet usage.

Bitdefender Total Security

Bitdefender Total Security is the most comprehensive package offered, designed for users who want maximum protection across multiple devices. It costs around $44.99 per year for up to five devices, making it a cost-effective option for families or individuals with several gadgets.

Included Features:

• Real-time protection
• Ransomware remediation
• Phishing protection
• Limited VPN (200MB per day)
• File shredder
• Safe online banking
• Vulnerability scanner
• Firewall: Enhanced network protection.
• Parental controls: Monitor and manage children’s online activity.
• Microphone monitor: Extra privacy protection.
• Webcam protection: Secures your webcam from unauthorized access.
• Anti-theft tools: Track and secure lost or stolen devices.
• Device optimizer: Keeps your system running smoothly.
• Multi-platform support: Protects multiple devices across various operating systems (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS).

Not Included:

• Unlimited VPN: Requires a separate subscription for unlimited data usage.

Who is it best for? This package is ideal for users who need comprehensive protection for multiple devices. It’s suitable for families and individuals with various gadgets, ensuring all devices are secured. It’s also perfect for those who travel frequently and need anti-theft tools and device optimization.

Does Bitdefender have a free version?

Yes, Bitdefender offers a free version of its antivirus software, which provides basic protection against malware and viruses. The free version is a good option for users who want minimal protection without paying for a subscription. It includes essential features like real-time protection and virus scanning. However, it lacks many of the advanced features available in the paid versions, such as ransomware remediation, firewall protection, and parental controls. While the free version can be a decent starting point, users who require more comprehensive security and additional features may find the paid versions to be a better investment.

Included Features in the Free Version:

• Real-time protection
• Virus scanning
• Basic malware protection

Not Included in the Free Version:

• Ransomware remediation: Protects against ransomware attacks and can restore affected files.
• Firewall: Blocks unauthorized access to your network.
• Parental controls: Manage and monitor children’s online activities.
• VPN: Secure browsing with encrypted data.
• Anti-theft tools: Track and secure lost or stolen devices.
• Device optimizer: Improves system performance.

Who is it best for? The free version is best for users who need basic protection without any cost. It’s suitable for individuals who don’t engage in high-risk online activities and can manage with minimal features.

Bitdefender Antivirus Features

Firewall

A firewall is a crucial component of any robust antivirus solution, and Bitdefender’s firewall is no exception. The firewall acts as a barrier between your computer and the internet, monitoring incoming and outgoing network traffic. It decides whether to allow or block specific traffic based on a defined set of security rules.

Bitdefender’s firewall is designed to be user-friendly, making it accessible even for those who are not tech-savvy. The setup process is straightforward, and once activated, the firewall works silently in the background. One of its primary functions is to block unauthorized access to your network and devices, which is vital in preventing hackers from infiltrating your system.

The firewall’s ability to provide detailed reports on network activity is another significant advantage. These reports can help you understand what types of data are being transmitted to and from your computer, allowing you to spot any unusual or potentially harmful activity. Furthermore, the firewall can be customized to suit your specific needs. You can set rules for different applications, deciding which ones are allowed to access the internet and which ones are blocked. This level of control ensures that only trusted applications can communicate over your network.

However, it’s important to note that while the firewall is a powerful tool, it is not infallible. It should be used in conjunction with other security features provided by Bitdefender, such as real-time protection and malware scanning, to ensure comprehensive protection. Without the firewall, your system would be more vulnerable to network-based attacks, making it easier for cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to your personal data.

Anti-theft

Bitdefender’s anti-theft feature is particularly valuable for those who use laptops or mobile devices. If your device is lost or stolen, the anti-theft feature allows you to take immediate action to secure your data and possibly recover your device. This feature includes several tools designed to protect your information and help you locate your missing device.

One of the key tools is the remote lock function. If you realize your device is missing, you can remotely lock it to prevent unauthorized access. This is especially useful if your device contains sensitive or personal information. Additionally, Bitdefender’s anti-theft feature includes a remote wipe option. If you believe your device is permanently lost or stolen, you can use this option to erase all data from the device, ensuring that your personal information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

Another useful tool is the device location tracker. By accessing your Bitdefender Central account, you can see the last known location of your device on a map. This can help you retrieve your device if it was simply misplaced or provide valuable information to the authorities if it was stolen. The anti-theft feature also allows you to trigger an alarm on your device, which can help you locate it if it’s nearby or deter a thief from keeping it.

Malware Scanner

The malware scanner is one of the core features of Bitdefender Antivirus, essential for detecting and removing malicious software from your system. Bitdefender’s malware scanner is known for its thoroughness and efficiency. It scans your system for a wide range of threats, including viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, adware, and rootkits.

The scanner operates in multiple modes, including quick scan, system scan, and custom scan. A quick scan focuses on the areas of your system most likely to be infected, providing fast results without consuming too many resources. A system scan performs a deep and comprehensive check of your entire system, which may take longer but ensures no threat is left undetected. Custom scans allow you to target specific files, folders, or drives, giving you control over what gets checked.

Bitdefender’s malware scanner uses advanced heuristics and behavior analysis to identify threats, even those that are not yet included in the virus definitions. This proactive approach ensures that new and emerging threats are caught early. Regular updates to the malware database also keep the scanner equipped to handle the latest threats.

Real-time Protection

Real-time protection is a fundamental feature in Bitdefender Antivirus that ensures continuous monitoring of your system for any suspicious activity. Unlike manual scans, real-time protection works around the clock, checking files and applications as they are accessed, downloaded, or executed.

This feature is crucial because it can stop threats before they cause harm. For example, if you download a file that contains malware, Bitdefender’s real-time protection will detect and block it instantly, preventing it from infecting your system. This level of constant vigilance is essential for staying safe from the latest threats, which can appear at any time.

Real-time protection is designed to be unobtrusive, running silently in the background without significantly affecting system performance. This means you can work, play, and browse the internet without interruptions while remaining protected.

Ransomware Remediation

Ransomware is one of the most damaging types of malware, capable of encrypting your files and demanding a ransom to restore access. Bitdefender’s ransomware remediation feature is designed to protect you from such attacks and minimize their impact.

This feature works by monitoring your system for suspicious activity that resembles ransomware behavior. When it detects a potential ransomware attack, it acts quickly to block the threat and alert you. Additionally, Bitdefender can restore any files that were encrypted before the threat was neutralized, using backup copies created by the software.

Ransomware remediation provides peace of mind, knowing that your important files are protected against encryption attacks. This feature is especially valuable for users who store critical data on their computers, such as business documents, personal photos, and other irreplaceable files.

Antispam

Spam emails are not only annoying but can also be a vector for malware and phishing attacks. Bitdefender’s antispam feature helps keep your inbox clean by filtering out unwanted and potentially dangerous emails.

This feature integrates with popular email clients, such as Microsoft Outlook and Mozilla Thunderbird, to provide seamless protection. It uses advanced algorithms to identify and block spam emails, preventing them from reaching your inbox. The antispam filter is regularly updated to recognize new spam techniques and trends, ensuring that your email remains protected against the latest threats.

By blocking spam emails, Bitdefender’s antispam feature reduces the risk of falling victim to email-based scams and malware. It also saves you time by filtering out irrelevant messages, allowing you to focus on important emails.

Anti-tracker

Online tracking is a common practice used by websites and advertisers to monitor your browsing habits and collect data about your online activities. Bitdefender’s anti-tracker feature helps protect your privacy by blocking tracking scripts and cookies that websites use to track you.

When enabled, the anti-tracker prevents websites from collecting your browsing data, which can be used for targeted advertising and other purposes. This feature enhances your privacy and reduces the amount of personal information that is shared with third parties.

The anti-tracker feature is easy to use and works with all major web browsers. It provides detailed reports on the tracking attempts it blocks, giving you insight into how often your online activities are being tracked. By blocking trackers, Bitdefender helps ensure that your online experience remains private and secure.

Bitdefender VPN

Bitdefender VPN provides a secure and private internet connection by encrypting your data and masking your IP address. This feature is particularly useful when using public Wi-Fi networks, which can be vulnerable to hacking and surveillance.

The VPN included with Bitdefender offers 200MB of data per day, which is sufficient for occasional secure browsing. For users who need more data, an unlimited VPN plan is available as a separate subscription. The VPN can be activated with a single click and works seamlessly with all your devices.

By using Bitdefender VPN, you can browse the internet without worrying about your data being intercepted by cybercriminals. It also allows you to access geo-restricted content by masking your location, giving you more freedom online.

Password Manager

Managing multiple passwords can be challenging, especially if you follow the best practice of using unique and complex passwords for each account. Bitdefender’s password manager helps simplify this task by securely storing your passwords and autofilling them when needed.

The password manager allows you to generate strong, unique passwords for all your accounts, reducing the risk of password-related security breaches. It also includes a secure browser for online banking and shopping, providing an extra layer of protection when entering sensitive information.

By using the password manager, you can ensure that your accounts are protected with strong passwords without having to remember them all. This feature saves time and enhances your overall security.

Digital Identity Protection

Bitdefender’s Digital Identity Protection feature monitors your personal information for any signs of misuse. It scans the internet, including the dark web, for your email addresses, passwords, and other personal data, alerting you if any of your information is found in data breaches or being used suspiciously.

This feature helps you take action quickly to prevent identity theft and fraud. If your information is detected in a breach, you can change your passwords and take other steps to secure your accounts. Digital Identity Protection provides peace of mind, knowing that your personal information is being monitored and protected.

Extra Security Features

Bitdefender includes several extra security features that provide additional layers of protection. These features include a file shredder, which securely deletes sensitive files to prevent recovery, and webcam protection, which prevents unauthorized access to your webcam.

The vulnerability scanner checks your system for outdated software and security vulnerabilities, helping you keep your system up to date and secure. Bitdefender also includes a rescue environment, which allows you to boot your system in a safe mode to remove persistent malware.

These extra security features enhance your overall protection and ensure that your system remains secure from a wide range of threats.

Phishing Protection

Phishing attacks are a common method used by cybercriminals to steal personal information by tricking users into entering their details on fake websites. Bitdefender’s phishing protection feature helps safeguard you against these attacks by blocking access to known phishing sites.

When you attempt to visit a suspicious site, Bitdefender will display a warning and block the site from loading. This prevents you from entering your personal information on fraudulent sites and helps protect your sensitive data.

Phishing protection is essential for preventing identity theft and financial fraud. By blocking access to phishing sites, Bitdefender helps ensure that your online activities remain safe and secure.

Network Threat Prevention

Bitdefender’s Network Threat Prevention feature protects your system from a wide range of network-based attacks. This feature includes protection against exploit attempts, botnet attacks, and brute force attempts, ensuring that your network remains secure.

Network Threat Prevention works by monitoring network traffic for suspicious activity and blocking any threats before they can reach your system. This proactive approach helps prevent attacks that could compromise your data and devices.

By protecting against network-based threats, Bitdefender ensures that your system remains secure even when connected to potentially risky networks.

Browser Protection

Bitdefender’s browser protection feature helps keep your online activities secure by blocking malicious websites and preventing online fraud. This feature works with all major web browsers and provides real-time protection while you browse the internet.

Browser protection includes features like anti-phishing, anti-fraud, and anti-tracking, ensuring that your browsing experience is safe and private. It also blocks dangerous downloads and alerts you if you attempt to visit a compromised site.

By protecting your browser, Bitdefender helps prevent malware infections and protects your personal information while you browse the web.

Multilayered Ransomware Protection

Bitdefender’s multilayered ransomware protection provides multiple layers of defense against ransomware attacks. This feature includes real-time monitoring, behavioral analysis, and automatic remediation, ensuring that your files are safe from encryption attempts.

Real-time monitoring detects and blocks ransomware threats as they occur, while behavioral analysis identifies suspicious activity that could indicate a ransomware attack. If ransomware is detected, Bitdefender’s automatic remediation feature can restore any affected files from backups, minimizing the impact of the attack.

Installation and Support

Installing Bitdefender is a straightforward process that even those with limited technical knowledge can handle. The installation process begins with downloading the installer from the Bitdefender website. Once downloaded, running the installer initiates a guided setup process. This involves accepting the license agreement, selecting the installation path, and letting the software complete the installation.

One of the standout features of Bitdefender’s installation process is its efficiency. It typically takes only a few minutes to complete, depending on your internet speed and system performance. Once installed, the software performs an initial system scan to ensure there are no existing threats on your computer.

Bitdefender offers excellent customer support to assist with any issues that may arise during installation or use. Their support team is available 24/7 via live chat, phone, and email. Additionally, Bitdefender provides a comprehensive online knowledge base with articles, tutorials, and FAQs that cover a wide range of topics.

For more complex issues, Bitdefender’s support includes remote assistance, where a technician can remotely access your computer to diagnose and resolve problems. This ensures that even the most challenging issues can be handled efficiently, minimizing downtime and ensuring your system remains protected.

Overall, Bitdefender’s installation process is user-friendly and supported by a robust customer service infrastructure. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced user, you can count on Bitdefender’s support team to help you through any difficulties.

Performance and System Impact

One of the common concerns with antivirus software is its impact on system performance. Bitdefender is designed to provide strong protection without significantly slowing down your computer. During our tests, we found that Bitdefender has a minimal impact on system resources, allowing you to continue using your computer without noticeable slowdowns.

Bitdefender runs efficiently in the background, performing real-time scans and updates without interrupting your activities. The software is optimized to use minimal CPU and memory resources, ensuring that your system remains responsive even during full system scans. This is particularly important for users who need to run resource-intensive applications, such as video editing software or games, without performance degradation.

Bitdefender also includes several features designed to optimize system performance. The device optimizer cleans up junk files, defragments your hard drive, and performs other maintenance tasks to keep your system running smoothly. These optimization tools help offset any potential performance impact from the antivirus software, ensuring that your computer remains fast and efficient.

In summary, Bitdefender provides comprehensive protection with minimal impact on system performance. Its efficient use of resources and built-in optimization tools make it a suitable choice for users who need robust security without sacrificing system speed.

Security and Privacy Features

Bitdefender is packed with a wide range of security and privacy features designed to protect your computer and personal information. These features go beyond basic antivirus protection, offering comprehensive security for all aspects of your digital life.

Security Features:

• Real-time protection: Continuously monitors your system for threats, blocking malware, ransomware, and other malicious activities as they occur.
• Firewall: Monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic, blocking unauthorized access and preventing hackers from infiltrating your system.
• Ransomware remediation: Detects and blocks ransomware attacks, restoring any encrypted files from backups to minimize damage.
• Network Threat Prevention: Protects against network-based attacks, including exploit attempts, botnet attacks, and brute force attempts.
• Multilayered Ransomware Protection: Provides multiple layers of defense against ransomware, including real-time monitoring and behavioral analysis.

Privacy Features:

• Anti-tracker: Blocks tracking scripts and cookies used by websites to monitor your online activities, enhancing your privacy while browsing the web.
• VPN: Provides a secure and private internet connection by encrypting your data and masking your IP address, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activities.
• Password Manager: Stores your passwords securely and autofills them when needed, helping you create strong, unique passwords for all your accounts.
• Digital Identity Protection: Monitors your personal information for signs of misuse, alerting you if your information is found in data breaches or used suspiciously.

Bitdefender also includes extra security features like a file shredder, webcam protection, and a vulnerability scanner. The file shredder securely deletes sensitive files, preventing recovery, while webcam protection blocks unauthorized access to your webcam. The vulnerability scanner checks your system for outdated software and security vulnerabilities, helping you keep your system up to date and secure.

Bitdefender Alternatives

While Bitdefender is a top choice for many users, it’s always good to consider alternatives to find the best fit for your specific needs. Here are three popular alternatives to Bitdefender: Avast, TotalAV, and Avira.

Avast

Avast is a well-known name in the antivirus market, offering a range of security solutions for different user needs. Avast’s free antivirus provides basic protection, including malware scanning, real-time protection, and phishing protection. For more comprehensive security, Avast offers premium plans like Avast Premium Security and Avast Ultimate.

Key Features:

• Real-time protection: Constant monitoring for malware and other threats.
• Wi-Fi security scanner: Identifies vulnerabilities in your home network.
• Advanced firewall: Blocks unauthorized access to your system.
• Sandbox: Allows you to run suspicious files in a safe environment.
• Anti-spam: Filters out unwanted and potentially dangerous emails.
• VPN: Included in Avast Ultimate for secure and private internet browsing.

Pros:

• Comprehensive free version with essential protection.
• User-friendly interface.
• Regular updates to keep up with new threats.

Cons:

• Premium versions can be expensive.
• Some users report frequent pop-ups and upsell attempts.

Avast is suitable for users who want reliable protection with the option to upgrade to more advanced features as needed.

TotalAV

TotalAV is a newer player in the antivirus market but has quickly gained popularity due to its effective protection and user-friendly approach. TotalAV offers a free version with basic protection, and its premium plans provide more comprehensive security features.

Key Features:

• Real-time protection: Monitors your system for threats continuously.
• System tune-up tools: Optimizes your computer’s performance.
• VPN: Provides secure and private internet browsing.
• Ad blocker: Blocks intrusive ads for a better browsing experience.
• Password manager: Helps you create and manage strong passwords.
• Web shield: Blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts.

Pros:

• Affordable premium plans.
• Easy to use with a clean interface.
• Includes system optimization tools.

Cons:

• Free version is limited in features.
• Customer support can be slow at times.

TotalAV is ideal for users looking for a budget-friendly antivirus solution that also helps improve system performance.

Avira

Avira is another reputable antivirus provider offering robust protection with both free and premium versions. Avira’s free antivirus is highly rated for its comprehensive protection, and its premium plans add more advanced features for enhanced security.

Key Features:

• Real-time protection: Constantly scans for and blocks threats.
• Privacy tools: Includes a VPN, password manager, and file encryption.
• System optimizer: Cleans and speeds up your device.
• Ransomware protection: Safeguards your files from encryption attacks.
• Ad blocker: Blocks annoying ads for a smoother browsing experience.
• Safe shopping: Ensures secure online transactions.

Pros:

• Excellent free version with many features.
• Strong emphasis on privacy and system optimization.
• Regular updates to protect against new threats.

Cons:

• Premium plans can be expensive.
• Initial setup can be complicated for some users.

Avira is perfect for users who prioritize privacy and system performance along with strong antivirus protection.

Lab Test Results

When evaluating antivirus software, lab test results provide an objective measure of their effectiveness. Independent testing labs, such as AV-Test, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs, regularly assess antivirus programs on various criteria, including protection, performance, and usability.

Bitdefender’s Performance in Lab Tests

Bitdefender consistently ranks high in independent lab tests, demonstrating its effectiveness and reliability as a security solution. Here are some highlights from recent lab test results:

AV-Test Results:

• Protection: Bitdefender often scores a perfect 6 out of 6 in protection tests, indicating excellent defense against malware, viruses, and other threats.
• Performance: Bitdefender also scores high in performance, typically achieving a 5.5 or 6 out of 6. This means it has a minimal impact on system speed and usability while providing robust protection.
• Usability: With a score of 6 out of 6 in usability, Bitdefender shows a low rate of false positives, ensuring that legitimate files and applications are not incorrectly flagged as threats.

AV-Comparatives Results:

• Real-World Protection Test: Bitdefender consistently achieves the Advanced+ rating, the highest possible, demonstrating its ability to protect against real-world threats.
• Performance Test: Bitdefender earns high marks in performance tests, confirming its low impact on system resources.
• Malware Protection Test: Bitdefender typically scores high in malware protection tests, showing its effectiveness in detecting and blocking malware.

SE Labs Results:

• Protection Score: Bitdefender frequently achieves AAA ratings, the highest level, in SE Labs tests. This indicates superior protection against various types of attacks.
• Total Accuracy: Bitdefender’s total accuracy score is consistently high, reflecting its precision in identifying and neutralizing threats without affecting legitimate applications.

FAQ

1. How do I turn off Bitdefender? To turn off Bitdefender, open the Bitdefender application, go to the ‘Protection’ tab, and toggle off the switch for the ‘Shield’ module. This will temporarily disable the antivirus protection. Remember to turn it back on when you’re done to ensure your system remains protected.

2. How do I disable Bitdefender temporarily? To temporarily disable Bitdefender, navigate to the ‘Protection’ tab in the Bitdefender interface and turn off the ‘Shield’ switch. You can specify a duration for the disablement, after which Bitdefender will automatically reactivate.

3. How do I uninstall Bitdefender? To uninstall Bitdefender, go to your system’s Control Panel, select ‘Programs and Features’, find Bitdefender in the list of installed programs, and choose ‘Uninstall’. Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation process.

4. How do I cancel my Bitdefender subscription? To cancel your Bitdefender subscription, log in to your Bitdefender Central account, go to the ‘My Subscriptions’ tab, and select the subscription you want to cancel. Follow the instructions to complete the cancellation process.

5. Who owns Bitdefender? Bitdefender is a private cybersecurity company founded and owned by Romanian entrepreneur Florin Talpeș. The company is headquartered in Bucharest, Romania.

6. Where is Bitdefender based? Bitdefender is based in Bucharest, Romania. It has offices and research centers around the world, including in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

7. How much does Bitdefender cost? The cost of Bitdefender varies depending on the package. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus costs around $29.99 per year for one device, Bitdefender Internet Security is approximately $39.99 per year for one device, and Bitdefender Total Security costs about $44.99 per year for up to five devices. Bitdefender also offers a free version with basic protection.

For a comprehensive comparison of Bitdefender and other leading antivirus programs, check out our Best Antivirus article. Discover which antivirus solution best fits your needs and offers the highest level of protection.