First BitDefender Total Security Review

[EsoxLucius]

Hey,

the guys from PC Magazine reviewed our product recently and published a review today.
Here:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2174240,00.asp

As the BETA campaign has ended, I'm really curious to know what do you think of the final product. The rest of your opinions I read here even tough I couldn't answer you. ;D

More about our product on this site: http://futurenow.bitdefender.com/

[sasa843]

Hello,

Actually I don't mind for a backup solution and registry cleaner, I must be honest I use it from other vendors, so I downloaded BitDefender Internet Security 2008 today and I like it. I still like the options BitDefender is offering to customise and I think that this level of freedom for configureing options isn't presented in the most security suites at the present. What's more important is that the update is running without any problems which I considered as a very important thing for a security suite.

I have read some bad things about this suite while the beta campaign was running but I think that the final product is very qualitative.

I just have to notice one thing. It's about that in default settings option "Skip dialers and applications from scan" in the real time is turned on. I turned it off and there is no any performance issues.

Best Regards.

[Sjoeii]

Doesn't look that well. Although I heard the AV engine improved.

[sasa843]

Hello,

This has been my experience for now.

[The One]

The review is fast, very fast.
Detection sounds very impressive

[chia]

Well I was hoping that the standalone antivirus wouldn't have the same look as the full suite, but no luck. Installed it yesterday but already am kind of used to the new GUI. Guess it grows on you.

Softwin finally seems to have grasped the concept of a "silent" update. Nothing pops up in the task bar anymore that I could see. But then again I'm not paying attention most of the time. ;)

Liking it so far. :thumb:

[Firecat]

Using BitDefender Internet Security now and, well, its strange. :wacko:

I'm so not used to the interface - its definitely not bad but I really liked the older interface better. I would like to see more skins for BitDefender :)

As far as features go, it is a welcome addition to see a FULL firewall finally added, BitDefender AV Plus users were getting no justice in this regard! :):)

[EsoxLucius]

Thanks for the feed-back,

silent updates are also present when you play all sorts of games, thru the gamemode implemented in this new product.

As for the skins we are still thinking at this option, but I think the best sollution is only to use different color scheme themes.

[C.S.J]

what ive noticed is the spam-toolbar in windows mail either loads slowly or incorrectly.

sometimes it looks like this, which is wrong:

192878

ive posted this on the bd forums, so i just hope it gets fixed, its definatly a software issue.

but the 'main issue' for me is the slowness that it takes for the toolbar to actually show up.

also, ive noticed just a few times, a 'script error' for internet explorer when i load up the gui sometimes.

res://C:\Program Files\BitDefender\BitDefender 2008\ENU\seccenter.ui/104

[kinwolf]

I also get the script error in the gui from time to time.

And.. unfortunately, a virus slept by BD last night.

I downloaded a codec package, installed it and all went fine.

Then I transfered it to my GF computer where KIS is now installed, ran it and KIS screamed about a file(man that sound is disturbing, like being attacked by an alien)

Sent it to virustotal to make sure and the result was

~Virustotal results removed per forum policy. Ron~

Thing is, according to viruslist, that virus IS in BD virus list as Backdoor.Agobot.3.Gen. Still not 100% sure it's real or a false positive, but I removed all the package and files to be safe then ran kaspersky online scan on my computer.

[Firecat]

There are some pretty "nasty" bugs with the TDI filter drivers in BitDefender Internet Security 2008. With BD installed, a particular bandwidth test I always use to check my internet connection bandwidth incorrectly reported a total bandwidth of....err....0.00 kbps. :P

I noticed several slowdowns and irregularities while uploading and downloading files as well. Overall I was happy with the product, but as always, bugs and minor niggles seem to keep me from using BD. The last version I was completely satisfied with was version 9.5....:( :'(

[clocks]

Maybe a dumb question. I have a license for bitdefender av-plus v10 with about 120 days left on it. (not currently installed) Will that update to the new 2008 version, or would I have to buy a new license? Thanks for the help!

[C.S.J]

it will upgrade to the internet security suite 2008

[clocks]

Thanks. I am going to fire it up on my Vista PC and see how it runs.

[C.S.J]

ok, i took the plunge and got a licence.

sold all my others, i now have drweb and bitdefender on alternate rollbackrx snapshots :)

i got it mainly for the pc, but seen as its more than 1 user licence, i might aswell have it on a snapshot too :)

the thing i dont understand is, when i registered the serial it said thank you etc etc you have 730 days.

however, when i log on to the website and check my history with the company, it says the licence is valid for 743 days

so which is it?

[clocks]

So when I install, should I install the v10 version and let it update to "2008", or should I download 2008 and enter my v10 license? thanks

[C.S.J]

{QUOTE-> So when I install, should I install the v10 version and let it update to "2008", or should I download 2008 and enter my v10 license? thanks <-QUOTE}
un-install your current version, then download 2008 and use your existing licence.

make sure you download the 'internet security' though as your licence wont work on the 'total security'.

[Niels]

You can always upgrade to a newer version while using your old key. But only for the remaining days. Because of the large changes you have to un install the version 10 productline.

Hello C.S.J

Did you first tried the trial? If so that are you remaining days for the trial.

Regards
Niels

[C.S.J]

yep, cheers niels :)

i always try the trials first, to see how it is,

at first, i was like "what the f***, the GUI is disgusting", but now i actually like the gui and its a big improvement to v10, and it all seems a big improvement to even the first beta which i also didnt like.

feels good that i can switch between avs with only a reboot using my rollbackrx pro, both my licences are 2yrs or above, so either way, no matter what im using, im secure and happy.

i will certainly keep on my bd till drweb have come out of beta, as i dont really like using betas if i can avoid it, even tho the drweb beta is super super stable, but at least now... i have a choice :)

i will certainly put it through its paces, and shall see how it goes.
there are a few little issues, which im sure will dissappear in due course.

[Sjoeii]

Hi CSJ

Just curious. Why Bitdefender?

[Niels]

Hello C.S.J

Softwin will fix these problems. But it can take some time. I can always receive some more information about how far they are with fixing the problem.
Normally your licence will stay a while on 730 till these 14 days of your trial expired. You shouldn't worry if you find more then one instance in your online account that sometimes happens when you first use the trial instead of direct purchasing it.

You are very quick familiar with the new GUI. (I hope that it's correct English)

It's indeed good that you can still choose.

Till now I didn't tried Dr Web antivirus only there cureit! solution which I find very good. I don't think that I am going to change.


Regards
Niels

[C.S.J]

{QUOTE-> Hi CSJ

Just curious. Why Bitdefender? <-QUOTE}
well i said a while back that after getting rollbackrx i might think about another purchase.

ive tried loads of different ones in the past, and i was stuck between either nod32 or bitdefender.

the new product, seems to work well... although it does have a few flaws, nothing major what i can see, plus they also give v.good support, plus... price came into question too, and bitdefender won on all counts against my other choice.

its as simple as that really. :wacko:

[mrhero]

Just feeding the trolls;D : How Symantec hasn't sued Bitdefender yet? GUI likes Norton360's GUI. Similarity is more than influence.

[DVD+R]

C.S.J You never said if that 50% discount that I gave you worked for Rollback Rx :dry: I'm suspecting it did though :P And to everyone else, you can bugger off, I gave it to C.S.J So you cant have It :P

[Zombini]

{QUOTE-> Hey,

the guys from PC Magazine reviewed our product recently and published a review today.
Here:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2174240,00.asp

As the BETA campaign has ended, I'm really curious to know what do you think of the final product. The rest of your opinions I read here even tough I couldn't answer you. ;D

More about our product on this site: http://futurenow.bitdefender.com/ <-QUOTE}

What can I say - Norton360 user interface rip off... no innovation. nuf said.

[DVD+R]

{QUOTE-> What can I say - Norton360 user interface rip off... no innovation. nuf said. <-QUOTE}


Oh Come On, dont be so Melodramatic, who these days doesnt use similar GUI's, its nothing Major, its whats under the hood what Counts. Having just checked My BitDefender subscription I have 372 days remaining, So I installed BitDefender Internet Security 2008 on another Rollback snapshot like C.S.J did. First of all I had a little trouble registering, but once the Server recognized me, everything was fine :) I next changed the AntiVirus shield from Default to Aggressive, in the past with BitDefender v10 this was a No Go situation, and Slowed browsing to a Complete standstill at times,with referer Errors Etc.. However! This version seems to play along nicely with the Aggressive Option to scan HTTP Web traffic, and as yet have experienced, faster, rather than slower browsing :) The only issue I can see is that unlike its v10 predicessor, Internet Security 2008 does not have a section where you can check your expiry date ??? None that I can see anyway, but this again is irrelevant and can be overlooked,as apparently you get a Notification 30 days prior to expiry :) The Anti Spam works well, in Windows Mail, it deleted 2 mails into the delete folder that it had marked as spam, and judging by the mails content BD got this right 100% :) The Firewall Passed the Stealth Test, The Trojan Port Test, The Advanced Port Scanner Test, and the Exploits test Comfortably I didnt test for any leak tests, cause bassically I couldnt give a Damn about them, Only Paranoid Megolamaniacs rant and rave about Leaktests, and Frankly Leaktests are a Load of Utter shit anyway, and Prove Nothing :dry: BitDefender Internet Security 2008 Plays extremely well with resources, on a Windows Vista Ultimate Machine, bdagent.exe uses a little over 2000k when Idle and a comfortable 3624k while running a full scan 8) Impressive indeed 8) I will continue to use BD for sometime to come, and Confirm later whether or not there are any Major Instances, but at First Run, This is One Major Development in the Fight For Security Suites, Well Done SOFTWIN :thumb: This is a Gold Staus thumbs up from Me ;D :thumb:

[Niels]

Hello Zombini and mrhero

If you are going to argue about that you can sue almost every program. You will find also similarities e.g buttons, gui. The reason because you can use them for free. I agree there are some similarities but it isn't an exact copy. All the other stuff Softwin created itself so there isn't anything that Symantec can sue Softwin for it.

Regards
Niels

Hello Zombini

There was lot of innovation. New engine,game mode, better spam filters.

Which versions of BitDefender did you used in the past?

Regards
Niels

[eBBox]

BIS 08 Running VERY well here :thumb: The GUI looks and works good, the firewall works great for my needs and the av speaks for itself :) Defiantly my favorite suite together with NIS 08 8)

[The One]

Testing things at the moment. works pretty ok but I have several severe files that BD detects but it caný delete the file or even disinfect the files

[Kerodo]

Trying BD Total Security 2008 right now, seems really nice, very light I must say, saves me some 30mb total available ram over NAV 2007 alone, and this is a suite that has firewall etc. Anyway, no problems, system boots fast and all is up and running quickly. Only comment I have is the defragger was painfully slow, took forever to defrag C and D, which are small anyway. Aside from that, everything else seems nice... Just running the Trial here...

[C.S.J]

well, for the internet security,

the only 'real problem' i have is with the delay of the spam toolbar, as you will see in this video i made (hang on while i upload it) :)

you'll notice that it pops up a few seconds after i click the mouse (or so it seems to do)

the logging also does not work, which i think should have been fixed before its release, im surprised nobody mentioned this in the beta.

[rayoflight]

{QUOTE-> also, ive noticed just a few times, a 'script error' for internet explorer when i load up the gui sometimes.

res://C:\Program Files\BitDefender\BitDefender 2008\ENU\seccenter.ui/104
<-QUOTE}
Same here.
And BD icon disappeared from systray after 1 hour:(
I run BD Antivirus 2008 trial under Vista.

[C.S.J]

{QUOTE-> Same here.
And BD icon disappeared from systray after 1 hour:(
I run BD Antivirus 2008 trial under Vista. <-QUOTE}

this error has now gone for me. (for now)

anyway, i created this little video to show the delay on the toolbar in the spam, although it also shows the program too, instead of screenshots. :)

its the only thing that truly bugs me.

video of bitdefender internet security 2008 (http://rapidshare.com/files/51478648/bitdefender2008.wmv.html)

the software is definatly not without its problems though, but i shall inform them of what i find and only time will tell if they get fixed (hopefully not much time though)

[The One]

So you are still on for Bd 2008 C.S.J?

[QBgreen]

Does HTTP scanning noticeably slow down the web as in previous versions? And, is the installation of the suites modular like KIS7? I wouldn't install anti-spam and parental control.

[kinwolf]

{QUOTE-> Does HTTP scanning noticeably slow down the web as in previous versions? And, is the installation of the suites modular like KIS7? I wouldn't install anti-spam and parental control. <-QUOTE}


I have HTTP scanning turned on and it cause no slowdown at all. In BD 10 it was causing me a huge slowdown, even killing my internet connection and I had to turn it off, but not in 2008 :)

For anti-spam and parental control, you can turn them off in the interface.

Kin

[Firecat]

{QUOTE-> I have HTTP scanning turned on and it cause no slowdown at all. In BD 10 it was causing me a huge slowdown, even killing my internet connection and I had to turn it off, but not in 2008 :)

For anti-spam and parental control, you can turn them off in the interface.

Kin <-QUOTE}
I noticed that installing patches for HTTP.sys in Windows XP helps the slowdown issue with HTTP scanner in BD10 to a big extent. ;)
As for BD2008, yeah it causes very little slowdown. :)

But honestly, I'm sold on AVG, it has worked problem free for so long now ;D;D;D;D

[C.S.J]

{QUOTE-> So you are still on for Bd 2008 C.S.J? <-QUOTE}
well, i own a bd 2008 suite licence, if thats what you mean. :)

quite a few emails, chat support requests and posts on the official forum at the moment to try and help to iron-out some tedious little bugs that annoy me. :)

[Zombini]

{QUOTE-> Hello Zombini and mrhero

If you are going to argue about that you can sue almost every program. You will find also similarities e.g buttons, gui. The reason because you can use them for free. I agree there are some similarities but it isn't an exact copy. All the other stuff Softwin created itself so there isn't anything that Symantec can sue Softwin for it.

Regards
Niels

<-QUOTE}

I dont care who sues whom. As a user the first time a product with circles on the main page is Norton360. A year later, and Bit Defender as the same circles on the main page... coincidence ? I dont think so

"Fix all issues", tell me you didn't steal that idea from Norton. Anyway, no point discussing this here, but clearly a lot of posters think you guys copied the UI. You may have written it yourself, but you still copied the ideas from Norton.

[Zombini]

I just spent a very frustrating hour trying to test how good BitDefender's protection is against drive-by downloads. In most of these malicious websites, with BD installed the browser just hangs. Looks like there are some serious issues with the way HTML/JScript is being parsed. But hanging the browser is one way of providing protection.. hi guess::)

[Niels]

Hello Zombini

Are you sure that Symantec was the first that used circles? I can't confirm it.
You are right but what I don't understand why arguing about gui similarities.

Hanging a browser can have other reasons too many temporary files, comptability problems with browser helper objects, too many browser helper objects. The http-traffic scanner can sometimes slown down your connection but that doesn't happens very often.

Regards
Niels

[C.S.J]

who gives a sh1t, people need to stop complaining, the world is full of them. ::)