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Excellent antivirus protection combined with ease of use
The Bitdefender control panel also offers plenty of opportunities for fiddling with various settings
The latest version of Bitdefender Total Security is a one-stop shop for PC users who want to take responsibility for their antivirus protection and all-round PC security but don't want to spend time setting it up.
Bitdefender Total Security 2012 is designed to block PC viruses, spam and spyware, and protect from ID theft. It includes parental controls to keep an eye on the kids, can filter Facebook and Twitter links and offers 2GB of online backup space as well as file synchronisation, file encryption and shredding, and some tune-up utilities.
Installation was simple. In our case the program noted the presence of the AVG anti-virus program and offered to remove it before continuing - it's always a good idea to remove existing security software before installing a new product - and then scanned the PC's memory and critical system files for viruses.
After that, it's possible to just let the program get on with it courtesy of the Auto Pilot mode which starts by default and then makes security decisions for the user rather asking what it should do every time a decision need to be made. Since those questions and messages are usually indecipherable even to fairly advanced users, this is a real plus point.
But the Bitdefender control panel also offers plenty of opportunities for fiddling with various settings, and even if some of the parental controls are already covered by the tools built into Windows 7, there's plenty that isn't.
For example, a new Rescue mode is designed to remove deep pests such as rootkits, and a virtual browser can be used to browse suspect websites and prevents them from taking control of your PC.
The interface has 10 neat and easily customisable panels (each representing a particular function such as the firewall or anti-spam module) which can be re-arranged by dragging and dropping them into position. Each can be customised with settings ranging from 'permissive' to 'aggressive'.
Bitdefender Total Security 2012 is an effective, lightweight security program that keeps you safe without getting in your way.
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Our verdict
A comprehensive security suite that combines high levels of protection with an admirably low profile
Auto Pilot protects but leaves user in peace; plenty of customisation features; uses few resources
Monochrome icons imply features are off when they're not
£50 (one year, three computers)
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BitDefender Worries & Uncertainties
I have BitDefender Total Security 2011 but won't be getting 2012 because of uncertainties in its operation: Even after performing deep scans, it tells me that the last scan was 10's of days ago, leaving me wondering if it really has completed a scan after all. Contacting BD (proving as much info as poss my scenario, I'm told that it's fixed in 2012 and they'll update me ... in return for providing them with more info about me and my PC. I want my AV software to bring me security and comfort, not grief. I want to install it and forget it knowing that it's doing what it is supposed to do. Also, if there's a fix, I want that too without any negotiating. Despite the ratings, BD have lost a repeat customer. So, having been unhappy with Norton already, next stop Kaspersky, and then ...
Posted by IanB, 04 Jun 2012