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BitDefender Total Security 2008 (PC)
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| Price: |
5 new or used available from £14.66
Average customer review:
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #1607 in Software
- Brand: Bit Defender
- Released on: 2007-10-26
- Platforms: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista
Editorial Reviews
PC Advisor
"If you want high levels of security, excellent ease of use plus great VFM you should definitely try BitDefender Total Security 2008" - Gold Award
Manufacturer's Description
The Ultimate Proactive Protection for Your PCs!
ANTIVIRUS & ANTISPYWARE
- Protects your PC in real time from known viruses, spyware and other malware with hourly updates
- Blocks unknown viruses using advanced proactive detection techniques
- Monitors and prevents spyware threats in real-time
- Detects and removes the newest breed of hidden threats known as rootkits
- Provides a smooth gaming experience by reducing the system load to a minimum
- Protects against phishing attacks by filtering all accessed web pages for fraud attempts
- Reduces the risk of identity theft by preventing personal information leaks via e-mail or web.
- Controls applications' access to the Internet while "hiding" your computer from hackers
- Helps prevent unauthorized access to your Wi-Fi network by notifying you when computers log in to the network.
- Prevents different types of spam and scam e-mails from reaching your Inbox
- Now responds faster to new spamming techniques with new adaptive engines
- Blocks access to inappropriate websites and e-mail
- Allows or blocks web access during specified time periods
- Safeguards your data by creating backup copies to local and removable drives, CD-R/RW or DVD-R/RW
- Automatically backs up only new files, based on a pre-set schedule.
- Improves your PC performance by removing unnecessary files and registry entries
- Completely erases files and "traces" of files from disk to prevent recovery
Hourly updates ensure that you are protected against the latest threats without pushing a button. Lost program files are not a problem either. In the rare event of file damage due to PC problems, BitDefender automatically repairs and updates itself.
Technical Support
Got a question? Our security experts are available to help you 24/7 via phone, email or chat at no additional cost.
NEW Gamer Mode
The new Gamer Mode temporarily modifies protection settings so as to minimize their impact on gaming performance, maintaining a safe, fun gaming experience.
Customer Reviews
A waste of money 
I turned to Bitdefender as my yearly contract with ZoneAlarm was nearly at an end. My only problems with ZoneAlarm was that it slowed down my computer and made access to Windows live messanger almost impossible, so I read reviews which said Bitdefender was simple to use, effective, did not slow up your computer etc.
Positive aspects
I have given this 1 star because my computer boots up much faster now and when updates are running this does not slow my computer down. I can also use Windows live messanger with no problems. otherwise I would give it no stars whatsoever.
Negative aspects
The Bitdefender toolbar fails to materialise on my e-mail page 50% of the time which means spam mail gets into my in box. The only way I appear to be able to get the toolbar to appear and antispam to work is to keep logging onto my e-mail until it appears.
Outlook Express keeps crashing - I click on reply, create, to open an e-mail in a full page or to switch e-mail accounts and it crashes about 25% of the time. I never had this problem in the 2 years I have had my computer UNTIL I installed Bitdefender. I have tried to get help through their chat line and their forum but none is forthcoming. The only way I can get Outlook Express to function again is to reboot my computer then it is fine.
The firewall is disabled without any notification appearing on the computer. I have to regularly check manually that it is working to spot this problem. I click on fixit when it happens - nothing. The fixit buttons do not seem to work for any problem that develops. Again I have to reboot my computer and the Firewall is enabled until the next time it happens. To me one of the most essential components of a security system is the Firewall and this one appears untrustworthy. So if you keep personal information on your computer that you do not want to be accessed I suggest you avoid Bitdefender Total Security 2008.
Looking at the Bitdefender forum I am not the only one with these problems and there are several other "bugs" that people have experienced. Bitdefender do provide e-mail, phone and chat line help but I found it less than useful. The only thing they seem able to suggest is to collect information using their sysdump.exe files which I did. I sent the information to Bitdefender and 15 days later I have not even had an acknowledgement that they received it - never mind an answer to my problem. As for their help pages and their instructions on how to use the tool - you need a PhD in computer science to understand them. They constantly use what I call "computerbabble" - a made up language using big/complex words that makes the people who use it seem very knowledgeable and clever, Doctors use "medibabble", sociologists use "socibabble" etc all with the same aim. However I would be much more impressed by their intellect if they could use simple English to explain themselves especially in written instructions.
Meanwhile I am constantly having to reboot my computer 7-10 times/day.
A waste of money unless you have a PhD in computer science, I intend to uninstall Bitdefender and return to ZoneAlarm. Better a slow loading time than a firewall that does not work.
Great product and quick technical response
I just bought a new PC and upgraded to the Total Security 2008 version.
I had previously experienced Norton / Semantec and was totally dissappointed with it dramatically slowing down my PC. Their technical response was slow, confusing, long-winded and very expensive. After consulting our IT Dept at work I bought BitDefender a year ago and haven't looked back since.
Total Security 2008 loaded easily and performs well. I like the facility to periodically clear out rubbish from the computer registry which can speed up the PC and keep it responding quickly. I also like the facility to regularly and automatically back up my files and photo collection.
I notice that its specification states it needs a CPU chip clock speed of 800MHz or higher. If that's an indication of the security software industry standard it's worth bearing in mind when buying a new PC or laptop. Luckily my new PC is 800MHz. Email response from BitDefender has been very prompt and comfortingly personal.
You can download a FREE evaluation version for for a month from their website (bitdefender.com) but I found its best to actually buy any security product on a CD (from Amazon) as opposed to downloading it. That way you have a CD to keep and a properly bound user's guide.
Trial and error
This new progam won the PC Advisor Gold award recently so I though I would give it a go.I have only used the trial version so far. When it is working, it seems to be pretty efficient. I am not a computer buff, but the interface seems fairly friendly to an amateur. However, there are some ongoing problems: the Firewall turned itself off without my intervention, and on another time, when I opened the Bitdefender window , my computer froze. Another problem with the Firewall was that I can not alter the security level: it is stuck on Game Mode (which is not recommended). Finally, some of the Fix it buttons DON'T! I have not found the support much use so far, but it makes a change talking to a Rumanian callcentre rather than an Indian one I suppose.
