Bitdefender Antivirus Free - English GUI

I had to use the Bitdefender uninstall tool (for paid) to remove the free version. As other pointed out, MD defender isn't perfect, but it's so much more hassle free compared to most of the alternatives.

 

If the semi-recent AV tests we're all most likely familiar with are to be believed and relied upon, then there's also zero compromise in the protection level offered by Defender as opposed to
a 3rd party solution that will offer you a free VPN that sucks so bad that it can't stream a YouTube video, and offer to "clean up" your HDD/SSD leaving you to wonder why your computer is now bricked.
In a valiant effort to remain on topic, there's no doubt and little room for argument that Bitdefender is one of the best AV/AM apps on the market. As it should be with all free and paid for 3rd party apps, caveat emptor.

 

You all talk about Amsi but its not even present in Total security, few years ago BD removed it in their paid products.
I guess they use another technique.

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/81200/integration-with-antimalware-scan-interface

 

AMSI is important: https://www.blackhillsinfosec.com/is-this-thing-on/

The 2021 version of BD Free happily allowed me to open Powershell and enter the AMSI test string (as well as ‘Invoke-Mimikatz’) without even a warning, while MS Defender aggressively blocks it and doesn't even allow me to save it in a text file. When MS Defender is disabled, so is AMSI. I don't know how BD can scan scripts without using it.

 

That is pretty serious in my opinion. Not sure what BD would have to say about it though.

 

It's possible that they had it removed back in 2019 (based on the forum post) but now AMSI is present in the paid product. It's the option named "Scan scripts". But it's disabled by default. It's very strange, but only a BD developer can probably answer that.

 

It is present in the paid product (not enabled by default), it seems that Bitdefender's staff changed their minds about AMSI.

 

The biggest question is why not enabled by default ?? BD is already good at detecting stuff.... always on top in AV-test... without amsi.

 

I guess Bitdefender does a good job without AMSI, but they included it back to avoid customers complaints, thats why it isnt enabled by default, but it is just speculation, only the staff can answer that.

 

Well said.

While various "well, DUH" posts here clearly deem that "BD Free 2022" can't measure to Win10/11's Defender, it would remain a viable solution in Win7/8 and its Windows Firewall for those unable to afford a licensed product.

Them with the tech savvy might throw in MBAE and SpyShelter Free.

 

Seems that BD free and paid use the same engine.

BitDefender Antivirus Free Edition 26.0.12.59

BitDefender Antivirus Plus 2022 Build 26.0.12.59

BitDefender Internet Security 2022 Build 26.0.12.59

 

Please elaborate on your "well, DUH" opinion why "BD Free 2022" can't measure to Win10/11 Defender purely from a protection level viewpoint.

 

From a synthesis of recent AV Comparatives tests, BD and Defender are about the same in false positives (almost none) and all of the various protection measures, etc.

My problem with BD is that it is "noisy" and that is not the case with Defender. I have used BD top end and its ok, but so are most of the others. But they too are "noisy" by my standards so I avoid.

 

Bitdefender Antivirus Free User Guide
https://www.bitdefender.com/media/materials/2021/userguides/en_EN/bitdefender_avfree_userguide_en.pdf

 

Installed (via Revo Pro Trace mode) in an old laptop with 4GB RAM. It uses 500+ MB RAM!!!! (compared with WD=110~140MB and Avira=50~80MB).
Uninstalled at once (again via Revo Pro) without problems, back to WD.

I already know that many will say that ram usage is not an issue for you.
----------------

 

https:// www.
bitdefender.com/solutions/total-security.html

Go half down the page to Under Protection tabs
and click on Rescue Environment.
Or click on other Performance tabs and/or Privacy tabs.

Also, check out there Family Plan, which cover 15 devices.
Can install with other security software. Like Sandboxie
and Malwarebytes.

 

I address "noisy" above- but it looks like they have added "RAM hog" to the mix. Unreal.

 

BD needs about 2 a 3 days to settle down (for photon) to do his work.
I have had the old BD free and that was much worse (800 a 900MB) now with new one it never get higher than 400MB, but mostly at 250 MB on this pc.
BD uses more Ram but its feeling lighter than with WD and snappier...

 

A full scan was already done, the 500MB noticed when BD was idle.
Even with 400 or 250MB, thanks but no thanks.

I don't think so.

 

Read more :
https://malwaretips.com/threads/bitdefender-free-is-back.112875/page-3#post-979801

https://blog.emsisoft.com/en/22176/...ch-ram-and-why-that-is-actually-a-good-thing/

 

Thanks, but
a) Link from MT: Some positive some negative opinions, nothing more, nothing less.
b) In article from APRIL 13, 2016 the RAM hog Emsi gives some excuses =
Blah, blah, "We often hear customers blaming our software for using too much RAM…" blah, blah.....

In #3965 I wrote: "I already know that many will say that ram usage is not an issue for you."

 

Agree but 4GB is low with today software is 8GB a minimum.

 

.... obviously!

 

Indeed, yet some AVs still manage to keep under or around 100MB without an excessive disk or CPU usage, but excuses are cheap.

 

PC 8GB RAM, Avira Prime 54.6MB RAM