BitDefender
Encyclopedia
BitDefender is an antivirus software
suite developed by Romania
-based software company Softwin
. It was launched in November 2001, and is currently in its 15 build version. The 2011 version was launched in August 2010, and it includes several protection and performance enhancements as Search Advisor and Performance Optimizer.
The 2012 version was launched in 27 July 2011.
The BitDefender products feature antivirus and antispyware, personal firewall, privacy control, user control and backup for corporate and home users. PC Tuneup and Performance Optimizer are available in the Total Security Suite.
BitDefender replaced SOFTWIN's earlier AVX (AntiVirus eXpert) product range. Between 1996 and 2001 AVX became a product available worldwide that offered intelligent updating without user intervention and integrated an internal browser which scanned and monitored all downloaded files. AVX hold the first behavior- based application blocking technology and it was the first antivirus product to include personal firewall features. With the sixth generation of AVX, the product became the first antivirus to include an application firewall as well as behavior- based blocking. The BitDefender group spun off from SOFTWIN in 2007.
, Symbian OS, Windows Mobile
and Mac OS X
; business editions support Microsoft Windows, Linux
, FreeBSD
, Solaris
and Mac OS X
. The current version of the Home/Home Office security suite includes antivirus
, anti-spyware, firewall
, e-mail spam
filtering, backup
, tune-up and parental control components. A free basic online scan is offered via the BitDefender website. The Free version however does require free registration and is valid for 1 year after registration.
BitDefender is designed to protect computers from viruses and spyware.
Unlike the commercial version, the free tools only offer an on-demand virus scanning and doesn't provide real time scanning, and may therefore be less suitable for machines with a continuous connection to the internet.
is an antispam filter pre-trained by the BitDefender Antispam Lab on a series of spam
messages, so that it learns to recognize new spam by perceiving its similarities with the messages it has already examined.
To determine whether a program is malicious or not, this technology makes use of a virtual PC in which files are executed and analyzed. The virtual PC includes a set of virtual hardware devices, mimicking the configuration of a typical PC.
B-HAVE checks for characteristics known to be associated with malware
. A program may be deemed to be malicious if it attempts to modify certain files, read from or write to a sensitive area of the memory or create a file that is a product of a known virus. When attempting to use an un-trusted program, B-HAVE delays the launching until the program’s behavior and characteristics are analyzed and catalogued in the virtual environment. If no malicious actions are detected, B-HAVE starts the program normally; if a suspect conduct is present, B-HAVE automatically quarantines or deletes the application.
Active Virus Control continuously monitors each program (specific processes) running on the PC, as it executes, and it notes any malware-like actions. Each of these actions is scored and when a given threshold is reached, the process is reported as harmful.
Unlike heuristic technologies that check executable files when they are accessed or first started, Active Virus Control monitors everything applications do as long as they are active. Because of this approach, Active Virus Control is considered a third layer of defense.
editor's choice award in a comparative review in May 2007. As of June 2007, BitDefender had passed Virus Bulletin
's VB100 independent tests 14 times out of 18 since first tested in 2002. It also achieved an advanced certification from AV Comparatives for on-demand scanning, and standard level certification for catching unknown viruses, though it was criticised for its slower scanning speed and higher instances of false positives. The performance of BitDefender's heuristic antivirus technology was measured using the detection rate of new and unknown viruses in a test conducted by Anti Malware Test. In another test conducted by AV Comparatives in August 2009 to determine the antivirus software with high detection rates and the lowest false positives rating, BitDefender received an Advanced+ Certification. In a test conducted by PCMag, BitDefender 2010 , "detected 97 percent of all the threats and completely blocked installation for most of them".
It is also the least expensive of the top three antivirus solutions, as ranked by PC World
.
BitDefender representatives announced the removal of the faulty update and a workaround for the users affected, except for those using the 2008 version.
s AutoCAD
2007, AutoCAD 2008, AutoCAD 2009, AutoCAD 2010, AutoCAD 2011, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010 and AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011 (may include previous versions of AutoCAD or AutoCAD Civil 3D also) users may experience significant crosshair (cursor) jerking and lag while BitDefender is installed. Disabling all or any BitDefender components does not correct the issue and to resolve it BitDefender must be uninstalled. Autodesk advises users to uninstall and remove BitDefender if the problem occurs and as of 2011 no fix has been issued by BitDefender.
Antivirus software
Antivirus or anti-virus software is used to prevent, detect, and remove malware, including but not limited to computer viruses, computer worm, trojan horses, spyware and adware...
suite developed by Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
-based software company Softwin
SOFTWIN
SOFTWIN, founded in 1990, is a software company based in Bucharest, Romania with offices in Tettnang , Barcelona , Fort Lauderdale , London and Copenhagen . SOFTWIN is a private company and is the producer of the BitDefender anti-virus engine.-External links:**...
. It was launched in November 2001, and is currently in its 15 build version. The 2011 version was launched in August 2010, and it includes several protection and performance enhancements as Search Advisor and Performance Optimizer.
The 2012 version was launched in 27 July 2011.
The BitDefender products feature antivirus and antispyware, personal firewall, privacy control, user control and backup for corporate and home users. PC Tuneup and Performance Optimizer are available in the Total Security Suite.
History
BitDefender products
The BitDefender range includes antivirus products for home users and businesses. Home editions support Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, Symbian OS, Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft that was used in smartphones and Pocket PCs, but by 2011 was rarely supplied on new phones. The last version is "Windows Mobile 6.5.5"; it is superseded by Windows Phone, which does not run Windows Mobile software.Windows Mobile is...
and Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
; business editions support Microsoft Windows, Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, FreeBSD
FreeBSD
FreeBSD is a free Unix-like operating system descended from AT&T UNIX via BSD UNIX. Although for legal reasons FreeBSD cannot be called “UNIX”, as the direct descendant of BSD UNIX , FreeBSD’s internals and system APIs are UNIX-compliant...
, Solaris
Solaris
- Fiction :* Solaris , a 1961 science fiction novel by Stanisław Lem** Solaris , directed by B. Nirenburg** Solaris , directed by Andrei Tarkovsky** Solaris , directed by Steven Soderbergh...
and Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
. The current version of the Home/Home Office security suite includes antivirus
Antivirus software
Antivirus or anti-virus software is used to prevent, detect, and remove malware, including but not limited to computer viruses, computer worm, trojan horses, spyware and adware...
, anti-spyware, firewall
Firewall (computing)
A firewall is a device or set of devices designed to permit or deny network transmissions based upon a set of rules and is frequently used to protect networks from unauthorized access while permitting legitimate communications to pass....
, e-mail spam
E-mail spam
Email spam, also known as junk email or unsolicited bulk email , is a subset of spam that involves nearly identical messages sent to numerous recipients by email. Definitions of spam usually include the aspects that email is unsolicited and sent in bulk. One subset of UBE is UCE...
filtering, backup
Backup
In information technology, a backup or the process of backing up is making copies of data which may be used to restore the original after a data loss event. The verb form is back up in two words, whereas the noun is backup....
, tune-up and parental control components. A free basic online scan is offered via the BitDefender website. The Free version however does require free registration and is valid for 1 year after registration.
BitDefender is designed to protect computers from viruses and spyware.
Unlike the commercial version, the free tools only offer an on-demand virus scanning and doesn't provide real time scanning, and may therefore be less suitable for machines with a continuous connection to the internet.
| Home/Home Office | Business Solutions | Free Tools |
|---|---|---|
| BitDefender Total Security 2012 | Business Solution Suites: | BitDefender Online Scanner |
| BitDefender Internet Security 2012 | BitDefender Small Office Security (Clients and File Servers) | BitDefender QuickScan |
| BitDefender Antivirus Plus 2012 | BitDefender Business Security (Clients, File and Mail Servers) | BitDefender Free Edition |
| BitDefender Antivirus for Mac | BitDefender SBS Security (Clients and All Windows Servers) | BitDefender safego (Beta) |
| BitDefender Mobile Security | BitDefender Corporate Security (Clients and All Servers) | BitDefender 4blogs |
| BitDefender Antivirus for Mac & PC | Endpoint Protection and Management: | BitDefender Trafficlight (Beta) |
| BitDefender Antivirus Scanner for Unices | BitDefender Client Security | Saf.li powered by BitDefender |
| BitDefender Antivirus for Mac - Business Edition | ||
| BitDefender Antivirus Scanner for Unices | ||
| Critical Server Protection: | ||
| BitDefender Security for File Servers | ||
| BitDefender Security for Samba | ||
| BitDefender Security for SharePoint | ||
| Gateway Services Protection: | ||
| BitDefender Security for Exchange | ||
| BitDefender Security for Mail Servers | ||
| BitDefender Security for ISA Servers |
BitDefender Antispam NeuNet
BitDefender Antispam NeuNet, short for Neural NetworkNeural network
The term neural network was traditionally used to refer to a network or circuit of biological neurons. The modern usage of the term often refers to artificial neural networks, which are composed of artificial neurons or nodes...
is an antispam filter pre-trained by the BitDefender Antispam Lab on a series of spam
Spam (electronic)
Spam is the use of electronic messaging systems to send unsolicited bulk messages indiscriminately...
messages, so that it learns to recognize new spam by perceiving its similarities with the messages it has already examined.
B-HAVE
In May 2005 BitDefender introduced a new technology, B-HAVE (patent pending), to reduce dependency on virus signatures through proactive detection of unknown threats. This technology is based on behavioral analysis in a virtualized environment.To determine whether a program is malicious or not, this technology makes use of a virtual PC in which files are executed and analyzed. The virtual PC includes a set of virtual hardware devices, mimicking the configuration of a typical PC.
B-HAVE checks for characteristics known to be associated with malware
Malware
Malware, short for malicious software, consists of programming that is designed to disrupt or deny operation, gather information that leads to loss of privacy or exploitation, or gain unauthorized access to system resources, or that otherwise exhibits abusive behavior...
. A program may be deemed to be malicious if it attempts to modify certain files, read from or write to a sensitive area of the memory or create a file that is a product of a known virus. When attempting to use an un-trusted program, B-HAVE delays the launching until the program’s behavior and characteristics are analyzed and catalogued in the virtual environment. If no malicious actions are detected, B-HAVE starts the program normally; if a suspect conduct is present, B-HAVE automatically quarantines or deletes the application.
Active Virus Control
Incorporated in the 2010 product suites, BitDefender introduced another technology, Active Virus Control, in August 2009.Active Virus Control continuously monitors each program (specific processes) running on the PC, as it executes, and it notes any malware-like actions. Each of these actions is scored and when a given threshold is reached, the process is reported as harmful.
Unlike heuristic technologies that check executable files when they are accessed or first started, Active Virus Control monitors everything applications do as long as they are active. Because of this approach, Active Virus Control is considered a third layer of defense.
Independent tests
In reviews for BitDefender, the home version of the suite was given the PC AnswersPC Answers
PC Answers was a computer magazine published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing.It was notable for its focus on the technical side of computing. It ran several series of articles on overclocking, a "Danger! Don't Try This At Home!" section which reviewed hardware projects such as the Stone...
editor's choice award in a comparative review in May 2007. As of June 2007, BitDefender had passed Virus Bulletin
Virus Bulletin
Virus Bulletin is a magazine about the prevention, detection and removal of malware and spam. It regularly features analyses of the latest virus threats, articles exploring new developments in the fight against viruses, interviews with anti-virus experts, and evaluations of current anti-malware...
's VB100 independent tests 14 times out of 18 since first tested in 2002. It also achieved an advanced certification from AV Comparatives for on-demand scanning, and standard level certification for catching unknown viruses, though it was criticised for its slower scanning speed and higher instances of false positives. The performance of BitDefender's heuristic antivirus technology was measured using the detection rate of new and unknown viruses in a test conducted by Anti Malware Test. In another test conducted by AV Comparatives in August 2009 to determine the antivirus software with high detection rates and the lowest false positives rating, BitDefender received an Advanced+ Certification. In a test conducted by PCMag, BitDefender 2010 , "detected 97 percent of all the threats and completely blocked installation for most of them".
It is also the least expensive of the top three antivirus solutions, as ranked by PC World
PC World (magazine)
PC World is a global computer magazine published monthly by IDG. It offers advice on various aspects of PCs and related items, the Internet, and other personal-technology products and services...
.
Support
Although being criticized in May 2009 as being unresponsive, support is available 24/7 on telephone, e-mail, Livechat and a knowledge base.Trojan.FakeAlert.5 problem
On March 20, 2010, computers running Bitdefender under 64 bit versions of Windows were affected by a malfunctioning update which classified every executable program as well as dll files as infected. These files were all marked as 'Trojan.FakeAlert.5' and were moved into quarantine. This action led to software and systems malfunctions that affected users around the world.BitDefender representatives announced the removal of the faulty update and a workaround for the users affected, except for those using the 2008 version.
Autodesks AutoCAD incompatibility
AutodeskAutodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is an American multinational corporation that focuses on 3D design software for use in the architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, media and entertainment industries. The company was founded in 1982 by John Walker, a coauthor of the first versions of the company's...
s AutoCAD
AutoCAD
AutoCAD is a software application for computer-aided design and drafting in both 2D and 3D. It is developed and sold by Autodesk, Inc. First released in December 1982, AutoCAD was one of the first CAD programs to run on personal computers, notably the IBM PC...
2007, AutoCAD 2008, AutoCAD 2009, AutoCAD 2010, AutoCAD 2011, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010 and AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011 (may include previous versions of AutoCAD or AutoCAD Civil 3D also) users may experience significant crosshair (cursor) jerking and lag while BitDefender is installed. Disabling all or any BitDefender components does not correct the issue and to resolve it BitDefender must be uninstalled. Autodesk advises users to uninstall and remove BitDefender if the problem occurs and as of 2011 no fix has been issued by BitDefender.