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Pros mentioned:
User interface
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Versatile and Detailed Security Package!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I am very impressed with the Bitdefender- Total Security Individual 5 device software for Windows, Apple iOS, Mac OS, Android and Linux. I have used most of the top choices for security software at one time or another and I actually believe that this BitDefender is the best one I have used to date. While it does have a lot of the same features as other big name choices it also has extra features compared to the ones I have used in the past.For instance while VPN seems to be a standard feature now just like web protection. Bitdefender goes a step further to include features like call blocking and chat protection. Additionally, Bitdefender has some impressive advanced features like App anomaly detection that instantly detects malicious app behavior. The scans are done automatically in the background and if something is detected you will be notified. Additionally Bitdefender is very thorough in everything it does including looking for all of the types of modern scams and software hackers are using currently. They also do a very good job of giving you detailed information about each type of threat which is greatly appreciated and something I have not seen before. Their app and Windows software is very easy to use and laid out in a simple manner with good descriptions in every category. There is even an app lock. It has been doing a good job on my phone without any noticeable increase in battery drain. My battery life actually seems better than it was before but that could be from a recent system update. I feel like this is a good package for most people to cover all of their devices in their family at a reasonable cost. It is nice knowing I am being protected from all of the latest threats and I feel like the software is easy enough to use for even non tech savvy people.
I would recommend this to a friend
Cons mentioned:
Vpn performance
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Works Well
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This was delivered to me by email, and started out with some errors loading. After a few tries, it finally downloaded and installed. After that, set up was without any issues. I have the 5 device edition, and set up on 2 other devices was without issues. I haven't had any reason to 'need' protection so far, but will say that the software did not have any apparent negative issues with regards the operation of my computer. I've used other security software that significantly slows down the computer, or drastically restricts even legit websites. That can be very annoying and really defeats the whole purpose. This Bitdefender, did not have any of those issues. The included VPN was not as great and I did not want to upgrade. I ended up disabling the VPN but wasn't sure how that would affect my protection. So far so food, and only time will really tell. Again, I do like the minimal impact on my laptop despite the VPN being turned off. I guess I would have liked more system information readily available to let me know what to expect.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Good Security not so good VPN or Parental Controls
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Overall I think Bitdefender Total Security does a good job protecting you without overwhelming your pc’s resources and it doesn’t nag you with continuous upgrade and renewal notices that other software providers do. On the downside the VPN limits are so low that the VPN protection is fairly meaningless and the Parental Controls aren’t the most intuitive or responsive. Bottom line is if you don’t need VPN access or already have a VPN provider and you don’t need Parental Controls then this is the security software to get. If you require a VPN then I suggest you look at other Bitdefender packages that include unlimited VPN access.
Installing Bitdefender is quite easy, you create an account and download the software. It is automated enough where even non-technical people should be able to install the software without issue. Once the software is installed you can go to the Bitdefender dashboard to verify that you are protected and configure the software to your specific needs. You can also run virus scans and vulnerability scans manually when/if ever needed. On the Protection tab in the dashboard you can see what protection is turned on and what additional protection is available to you. This software offers you a complete suite of protective services and it’s easy to turn on/off whatever you need. There is also a Privacy Tab on the dashboard that allows you to customize your privacy settings by controlling cameras and microphones as well as setting up Anti-tracker capabilities. The Parental Control was not the easiest to configure nor was I impressed with the results. I was able to get it to limit device access to specific sites however I could not get it to limit the time on line. The Utility tab offers additional tools like an optimizer and file shredder. I have found the file shredder to be quite useful to permanently delete financial files. On the Notification tab you can see all the Critical, Warning and Information notifications that have occurred. While this information is interesting to a technical person most people will find this information misleading or possibly confusing. For example I have several Critical notifications for Suspicious Connections blocked when I was web browsing on a legit business website that I trust. Rather than concern myself with these types of notifications I trust Bitdefender to do its job protecting me.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Good antivirus, weak VPN add-on
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I’ve been using Bitdefender Total Security for a bit now and overall I think it’s a pretty solid security suite, especially if you’ve got a mix of devices like I do. I’m not a total beginner with tech , but I’m also not trying to babysit my antivirus every day anymore. For the most part, this does what it’s supposed to do.
One thing I really like is that it works on Windows, Mac, and Linux, which honestly not many big-name security programs do. That was a big selling point for me. The central online dashboard is also really nice. I can log in from a browser and see all my devices, what’s protected, and if something needs attention. Removing a device is super easy too I tested it and it signs the old device out right away, which is helpful if you upgrade or replace something.
Installing on Windows was simple and fast, no surprises there. Mac setup, on the other hand, was more annoying. It’s not impossible, but it’s def not intuitive. You have to approve a bunch of permissions and settings, and it takes longer. That said, Bitdefender does explain what each permission is for, so at least you’re not blindly clicking things. Once it’s set up though, it runs fine.
The interface is clean, but I will say the Mac and Windows apps look and feel pretty different, which threw me off. Features are laid out differently and not everything works the same. I get why (Mac is more locked down), but if you use both systems, don’t expect the same experience.
The security features themselves are good. Scans work, malware protection feels strong, and I like that it explains why something is a security concern instead of just saying “bad thing found.” The vulnerability scan was helpful, though I did notice it flagged some browser stuff that referenced Internet Explorer, which doesn’t even exist anymore on my system, so that was a little confusing.
Scanning speed is okay but not amazing. On my Mac it felt slow, like the progress bar barely moved for a long time even though it was still working. Windows was actually faster, which surprised me.
Now for the main downside: the VPN. Honestly, it’s barely usable. You only get 200MB per day per device, which sounds like something but it’s gone in minutes. I checked two shopping sites and did a couple Google searches and that was basically it. It’s not enough to really test or rely on, and unlimited VPN requires paying extra.
The password manager is okay. It works, stores logins, has a password generator, and warns about weak passwords, but it’s very basic. Fine if you don’t already use one, but it’s not replacing a full-feature password manager for me.
Overall though, I do recommend Bitdefender. If you’re on Mac or Linux, or managing multiple family devices, it’s especially worth it. Once it’s set up, it runs quietly and does its job. Just don’t buy it expecting the VPN to be a big feature, because it really isn’t.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Solid Anti-Virus and Platform Manager
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Bitdefender Total Security is a solid software suite in the ever-growing need for security software if your PC or smart phone and devices are connected to the internet. This package includes 5 devices for 1 year, so you won't be able to protect everything, but you will want to install it on the devices that have the most exposure to the internet, like your main PC, your smartphone, your laptop and maybe those of your family members too.
The software is overall very easy to use and you can manage your account and devices centrally via the web. Total Security also includes a Password Manager, SecurePass, and also a very limited VPN (up to 200MB/mo) which is not that great and I don't use it because of that. However, if you are traveling abroad or on unsecured WiFi, you may consider using it in public.
While the price is reasonable for a yearly subscription, especially on sale like it is now around the holidays, I personally use a combination of free and paid subscriptions that tend to do better in some areas, like personal VPN and Password Manager. I also don't love the idea of installing a separate AV since Windows comes with one, but Bitdefender is generally better although it can also use more resources.
I've used Bitdefender for a few weeks now and no issues on both my laptop and iPhone, but if I renew the subscription I will likely step up the package to Bitdefender Premium Security which comes with Premium VPN (unlimited) and Ad Blocker for just a bit more per year.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent Choice
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
When I received the offer for this Bitdefender Total Security Individual 5 Devices/1-Year, I was quick to grab it. I have had experience with a few other Bitdefender products over the years, and I have never been disappointed. This product continues that longstanding experience.
One of the things I appreciate most about Bitdefender's products, is how "lite" they are. What I mean by that, is so many other products in this genre are not only resource hogs, but also "pop-up" hogs, (McAfee/Norton, anyone?),and "bloat-ware hogs". It gets so frustrating with other suites who constantly want to implant extentins, change your browsing tools, un-necessarily re-direct you, and constantly pop-up with warnings and completely useless redirections that only server to force you deeper into their ecosystem.
With Bitdefender, this does not happen. Bitdefender runs quietly in the background has almost zero impact on system drain, and never interjects with bloat-ware or useless po-ups. Awesome.
Another great thing about Bitdefender, is that they do not require a credit card for first year. Most every product in the genre requires you to supply your credit card information before you can set it up. Bitdefender (rightfully so), has so much confidence in their product thast they let you learn tio trust it before taking your "future ransom payment". Well done.
In all, this an excellent choice that has all the offerings.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Bitdefender Total Security
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
So I just downloaded and installed Bitdefender Total Security suite onto my laptop and have been putting it through its paces over the last couple of weeks. When it comes to keeping my devices in top notch condition and bug free, I want to use a brand that I have come to love and trust. Over the years, I've tested a number of antivirus/total security programs and they always seem to let me down. Some find issues that the software is unable to eradicate and secure my device and some are just too darn expensive in relation to the services they claim to provide. And that's where Bitdefender steps in. So after downloading and installing the Bitdefender Total Security software, it walks you through their quick and easy setup process which took me all of about 5 minutes. After installation, it prompted me to run my vulnerability risk test (and thank God it found no issues on both laptops). I can install this software on up to 5 of my devices including my mobile device. Bitdefender is compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
After the initial scan, it takes you to your dashboard, from which you can see all of the included features in the tabs on the left:
Dashboard: Quick Scan, System Scan, Vulnerability Scan, VPN, Add a Quick Action: (Quick Scan, System Scan, Open VPN, Vulnerability Scan, Open SafePay, File Shredder, and OneClick Optimizer.
Protection Tab: Antivirus, Cryptomining Protection, Advanced Threat Defense, Online Threat Prevention, Vulnerability, Firewall, Ransomware Remediation, and Antispam.
Privacy Tab: SafePay, VPN, Video & Audio Protection, and Anti-Tracker.
Utilities Tab: Anti-Theft, OneClick Optimizer, Profiles, and Data Protection.
Notifications Tab: Basic notifications of what's happening within the program.
Settings Tab: General Settings (including Dark Mode).
In addition to the above features, you can install SecurePass from the Bitdefender Central website online. Though Bitdefender has a ton of features right at your fingertips, it doesn't seem convoluted, but very user friendly and easy to use. And it doesn't install a ton of bloatware programs that you don't need that not only makes your device more unstable in my opinion but makes your device run slower. Bitdefender feels light and gets the job done.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
The best antivirus software available
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
About two years ago I switched from an antivirus software I had been using for years to BitDefender. All of the reasons why I made the switch are still the reasons I continue to use BitDefender today.
Here are a few of the pro’s that keep me using BitDefender:
• If you look up any trusted reviews for antivirus software, BitDefender is always one of the most recommended options. Its security ratings from third parties is always near the top of the lists too.
• The software is both PC and Mac compatible, which is awesome since I have both a Windows laptop and a Macbook. Plus, you can use your subscription to install BitDefender on up to 5 devices, so you can also get phone and tablet protection or even give a family member or a friend some device protection.
• The scans are fast on both PC and Mac, and there are regular updates to the security database so you know you’re protected from the latest threats.
• BitDefender is very lightweight and uses minimal system resources. You won’t ever really have to worry about it slowing you down while running in the background.
• BitDefender also comes with some online protection and anti-tracking features.
• I also really like how there’s not an activation code I have to keep track of to activate the software. Instead, you’ll create a login with BitDefender’s website and will have your own dashboard from which you can download and install your purchased software. It’s very user friendly in my opinion.
So you get top notch, cross platform security that doesn’t slow down your computer, and helps you stay secured online with anti-tracking features. Those reasons alone are justification enough to switch to BitDefender. Another thing to note (that may not be an issue for most people) is that with the Total Security option from BitDefender you don’t get unlimited VPN like you do with some of their higher tiered options, but you do get a few megabytes each day to use (but trust me those can go quickly). Overall, I’m still pleased and completely satisfied with Bitdefender some three years after first giving them a try.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
What a great product!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Bitdefender Total Security offers great antivirus security and cyber protection. Although I am using it for Windows, it can also be used for MAC, IOS, and Android. This particular edition covers up to 5 devices for one year and offers automatic updates so you're always up to date in digital security.
Although the download should have been easy, for some reason mine took over 30 minutes, stopping every 2-3% (total of 38 times). Maybe it's my laptop but the 827mb file, even with a 600mb internet service, made the process painful. Fortunately, patience won out and after the install, everything went smoothly.
When combined with the phone app, you are able to run scans remotely and lock/locate items in case of loss or theft. It also allows you to stop the service on one device and add to another if necessary.
It offers parental control to help keep the kiddos safe while online and with the password manager, I don't have to try to remember my passwords, or where I wrote them down!
Bitdefender offers a VPN and while I've never used one, this one is limited to 200mb which might not be sufficient for my laptop/desktop and VOIP/Webex phone. And although I'm not involved in crypto mining, it's good to know that Bitdefender helps prevent my PC from becoming a victim to unauthorized mining.
The onscreen dashboard provides a quick view of the status of your system. I particularly liked the one-click optimizer located under the utilities menu. One click and unnecessary files were identified and removed!
An although I hope it never happens, there's also a ransomware remediation option under the protection tab that appears to reverse damage done by ransomware by restoring encrypted files.
There's even a section titled vulnerability which determines where there might be issues and puts all of those downloads in one place.
I've only had Bitdefender for a couple weeks and am still finding additional benefits to the product! It certainly seems to be a great value for a product that does a thorough job of monitoring my computer, security, and more!
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
I feel a little bit more secure now.
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Bitdefender - Total Security Individual 5 device 1 year
Bitdefender throws in everything but the kitchen sink in this umbrella security tool. I’m still debating if that is good or bad.
We begin with Bitdefender Antivirus. The product offers a first time quick scan followed by real-time scans of files added to the device. The app offers a standard array of exclusion filters should you need them to exclude files or directories from being scanned. From the main Antivirus interface Bitdefender also includes menus to add new devices, enable Safe Files, a feature designed to protect individual files or folders for unauthorized changes. Finally the interface includes the ability to install the Web Protection feature; a browser plugin for Safari, Chrome, or Edge designed to be able to intercept threats coming from web browsers before the files arrive on the computer. When it comes to Anti-Virus, proactive is better than reactive so it’s nice to not need to worry about setting up scheduled scans.
Bitdefender VPN is another app that is automatically deployed as part of suite. By default the app will launch automatically upon device boot, but it will not automatically connect to a VPN unless an additional toggle switch is activated from the settings menu. This is a decision I suspect based on the product only including 200MB of daily traffic unless an additional subscription is purchased to unlock unlimited traffic thus the end user must make a conscious decision to enable the VPN or risk very quickly running out of data. I enabled the VPN manually for about four minutes and did nothing more than open Safari and browse to foxnews.com and 7MB of my daily limit was gone. It’s frustrating to have such a small data cap for a VPN and I found myself mostly just ignoring that the app was installed on a variety of devices. In another instance I was able to pick a different country and VPN into to validate an online post suggesting that buying flights is cheaper when done from another country. I’m sad to confirm that this is actually true.
Both the Antivirus app interface and the VPN interface offer one click paid upgrades to sign up for that arrive in the form of security recommendations. “Everyone has personal data online … get a complete view of your personal data available online” reads one of the four I was greeted with, and a one click link offers me an additional subscription service. Some of the more mundane notices encourage me to turn on features within the tool for things I don’t even have configured. For example on a macOS device where Apple TimeMachine is disabled, Bitdefender recommends enabling the Time Machine backup protection feature. Shouldn’t it be smart enough to to know I don’t use Time Machine? I think it should be. But it’s not. The good news here is that at least the recommendations can be removed by selecting “Not Now” though from the wording I suspect that means I’ll see them at some point in the future. I hate this approach to software sales and think it needs to be removed from the tools.
After the Antivirus and VPN products are deployed, Bitdefender Central is the administrative website used to get an overview of your deployed products. It’s also another interface where Bitdefender advertises more pay-to-use features like Digital Identity Protection and Digital Identity Theft Protection (not the same thing).
Within the Bitdefender Central admin console for macOS there are rudimentary controls for kicking off Malware Scans on the devices. For macOS that’s all you can do remotely. For Windows OS the admin console allows additional features like remotely locating, locking and wiping your windows computer, triggering vulnerability scans as well as running device optimization features. Selecting the option triggers the remote device to perform the action after a few minutes. With the exception of threats that are blocked, there’s very little data being sent back to the administrative console about the devices beyond device name and the Bitdefender product installed. I found myself only logging into the console when I wanted to add a new device.
Another “new” feature available from the admin console is named SecurePass which is an online password manager. Personally I don’t trust any cloud vendor to store and sync my passwords so I will continue to ignore the this product exists.
Overall I haven’t noticed a dip in machine performance, and I practice safe web browsing so I haven’t found much in the way of threats blocked, but I think the real test will be when I install one of the licenses on my 78 year old mom’s computer. She tends to click everything before reading any of it and we all know how that goes so I hope to get more use out of this suite of tools from her computer than the rest of mine. In the meanwhile I feel a little bit more secure having the tools available in the background looking out for my digital security.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Comprehensive Protection for Multiple Devices
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Bitdefender is a suite of safety tools to lock down your computer and provides complete confidence that you are safe from outside threats. As an IT professional, I understand the treats that lurk from simple actions like opening an email or even just clicking on what you think is a safe link on a webpage.
This is complete care for your computer, phone, and tablet. I am currently running it on my iPhone, iPad Mini, and personal laptop. The interface is quite different for each device, but it is simple to install and setup for all of them.
The most impressive offering is for my Windows' Laptop. There is a dashboard that allows for easy access to all of the tools offered. Protection offerings include Antivirus, Cryptomining Protection, Advanced Threat Defense, Online Threat Prevention, Vulnerability, Firewall, Ransomware Remediation, and Antispam for email.
The mobile / tablet version offers device scans and private browsing using a VPN. The scans vary from a quick scan to a thorough scan. There is also a password vault option for the mobile version.
Finally, the PC version provides an optimization utility which will clear out unnecessary files from your device. In addition to file cleaning, it also clears the tracking cookies and other spyware from the system.
This is a complete protection package with a very user-friendly interface.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Good Virus Security, but could be better
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
If you have young kids or elderly parents or relatives, you really should always pay for proper antivirus and security software. It's just prudent. Bitdefender's Total Security sits in the world of antivirus and broader security and optimization software. The big plus is you can use it on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS so this 5 license version should (at least) keep your parents covered (their PC and phones). Setup is easy, you create a Bitdefender account and you can redeem your registration key online.
Things I like about Bitdefender, it's easy to setup and the default settings cover the usual suspects (viruses, malware, ransomware, webcam locking). The 'total security' part which includes a vulnerability scan, privacy, VPN, etc. is OK but not great. Which is worth me talking about to help others make an informed decision.
Vulnerability Scan is supposed to detect other applications that need to be updated. On my Windows 11 PC reported zero, but Firefox was out of date as were a few other apps. I could give Bitdefender a pass, but really it should have spotted Firefox. Instead it was giving me prompts that an "Operating System Change" was detected, but that what a regular Windows Update. Hmmm.
Also included is Bitdefender VPN, but it's limited to 200Mb (yes 200Mb!) per day. This might be OK if you only occasionally need it on your phone need it but it's very limited and Bitdefender does prompt you to turn it on automatically on your PC - so you would burn through 200Mb quickly especially once you start watching YouTube or Netflix. You can upgrade to unlimited for an extra fee but I do wish they just bundled unlimited or gave you the flat 6Gb a month and let you as a user balance it out over a month.
What's good. The registry clean up and file clean up tools are fast and great. Bitdefender is not heavy on resources and loads and scans fast. There's a secure browser called "Safepay" which if you're helping family members, you can tell them to only shop online using Safepay - which is nice, given the recent reports of malware browser extensions. You can also monitor all of the Bitdefender settings remotely via your phone - great for keeping an eye on your parents!
I'm giving Bitdefender a 3/5 not because it's bad. There's a lot to like. But the fact it wasn't spotting Firefox was out of date (and missed some other apps) makes me think twice. Plus I do wish the VPN was more generous and they just made it a monthly cap rather than daily. I'm hoping Bitdefender can fix these two things in a future update. But for keeping your parents safe, Bitdefender is good.