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BitDefender AV Free

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BitDefender AV Free

from JoeUser Forums

 

This article isn’t designed to trigger a “mine’s better than yours” war, nor to convince you to change your current antiviral software.

I have BitDefender Internet Security 2013, so… I can tell you I haven’t had any problems with the software, and none related to SD software, specifically.

It’s more in the direction of this is here if you need it, and for folks with older machines without the ‘liquidity’ to get another soon. It has very little effect on your system resources.

Features:

New in this latest update is that after installation, updating isn’t a problem, and the scan done on installation counts as your most recent scan.

There are no configuration options, and no advertising ‘nag screens’.

So if you’re interested, it’s here: http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html

111,010 views 48 replies +1 Loading…
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Wizard1956, reply 24
no way of recovering it.
End of Wizard1956's quote

Wiz:

Uninstall the BitDefender.

Restore to a point earlier than the BitDefender installation.

I'm going to notify I have notified BitDefender about the problems found with their software mentioned in this thread. When I get a response, I'll let you know.

Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top

As I said, right off the bat, it told me Malwarebytes had to go, even though it let me reinstall it later. Lack of config options gives it far too much leeway to decide things for itself, imho.

As for trusting a restore point now, I'm not too sure about that. From today's logs:

Scan Results
The Virus Shield detected one infected item.
Scan Results
File Name Infection Action
C:\System Volume Information\_restore{74E0A9B6-ED55-496D-89EE-668E2CBE9B40}\RP105\A0030109.exe Trojan.Generic.8275880 Deleted

It has already decided that restore points are fair game. I will just yank it out by the roots. :thumbsdown:   This is only my old $20 yard sale XP rig, no harm, no foul. ;)

The Political Machine 2024
Reply #28 from WinCustomize Forums Top

OK... maybe it saw the 

Quoting Wizard1956, reply 27
C:\System Volume Information\_restore{74E0A9B6-ED55-496D-89EE-668E2CBE9B40}\RP105\A0030109.exe
End of Wizard1956's quote

as a trojan because it affects your registry... or because the code used to accomplish that is basically the same code used in that trojan... 

I think the inability to control it or to 'white list' anything is a big minus. If they write back with anything constructive (I gave them the url of the thread) I'll post it. Sorry it affected your rig that way... but uninstalling it and going back to a prior restore point (or restoring from an external storage device after uninstalling) is the way to go, I think...

Reply #29 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Wiz - This just received:

BitDefender Customer Care
1:06 PM (3 minutes ago)
 
to me
 
 
 
 
Dear Seth,

Thank you for your interest in our security solution, Bitdefender.

If there were previous Bitdefender products installed on the machine, the
installer will automatically attempt to uninstall them. Usually it is
recommended to use the uninstaller to do this.

In order to troubleshoot the Windows Codec error we require more data.
A printscreen is helpful and a support tool log.

[ How to make a printscreen ]

1. When you want to capture the content of the screen press the "Print Screen"
key on your keyboard ("Print Screen" is usually located at right top of the
keyboard); At this step we can't notice any effect as the picture is copied
into Windows's Clipboard;

   NOTE! Some laptops might require pressing the "Fn" and the "Prnt Scrn" keys
at the same time in order to capture a screenshot;

2. Open a graphic editing application (we recommend using the standard Paint
program that comes with every Windows installation from: "Start" > "Programs"
> "Accessories" > "Paint");
3. Paste the picture in a new Paint document (using "Edit" > "Paste");
4. Save the file in JPEG format (as BMP format is too big to send by email) to
a location of your choice (use "File" > "Save as..." and set "Save as type:"
to "JPEG") and attach it to the reply to this email.

Generate a support tool log as follows:

- Please copy and paste this link into your browser:

http://download.bitdefender.com/windows/desktop/tools/2013/BitdefenderSupportTool.exe


- Download and run the support tool, by double clicking on it if you are using
XP. If you are using Windows Vista or 7 you will have to right-click
supporttool.exe and select Run as Administrator;

- Click on Next and enter your details as email address, full name, country
and a detailed description of your situation;

- Check Try to reproduce the issue before submitting if the situation can be
reproduced. This option is necessary to enable additional logging for the
analyze we will make;

- Select the type of the issue you are encountering and then click on Next

- Reproduce the issue and then check I have reproduced the issue. Click on
Finish.

An archive will be created on your desktop. Please attach it in a reply to
this message and we will get back to you as soon as we will finish the
analysis.

We are looking forward to your reply.

Best regards,
Crina Torous
Bitdefender Technical Support Engineer
-------------------------------------
http://www.bitdefender.com/help
Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top

In all honesty I wondered about the B-Have thingy. It did say that in a safe environment it would allow software to open only after it has not percieved it as a threat. Otherwise disable it and/or delete it or something to that effect. During the entire scan it said nothing. No flags, nothing disabled or caught doing stuff...nothing. The whole thing from dl to install took about twenty minutes. I even looked to see if my stuff was still there.

Reply #31 from WinCustomize Forums Top

TBNT. I am not interested in sending any info to them. BTW, do not use REVO or any other third party uninstaller. Take my word for it, it ain't pretty.  Follow the instructions here.

http://www.bitdefender.com/support/How-to-uninstall-Bitdefender-333.html

Reply #32 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I did the uninstall before reading your post Wiz using Advanced System Care Uninstaller. At first it said it couldn't be uninstalled and opened my browser to a page that thanked me for using it then a little black dialoque pops up wanting to know whether I wanted it repaired or uninstalled, I chose the uninstall and poof....its gone. A reboot takes care of any leftovers. I find ASC's uninstaller faster than Revo's. IMO

Reply #33 from Elemental Forums Top

um... as far as i can see, this is a on demand scanner.... you tell it to scan and it scans.. otherwise it does nothing.

 

might as well just use their linux based rescue disk type thing.

---

i've stated before... but most isp/banks will give you free security suites (eg.. kaspersky IS/norton, etc) in uk anyway...

Reply #34 from WinCustomize Forums Top

They should do it here in the US. Oh wait......that cost money! ;P

Reply #35 from Elemental Forums Top

does it really cost much money? you could imagine a sizeable chunk of those getting it don't necessarily buy paid security in the first place. 

1 - lots of free security suites around.

2 - they don't even install those aside from what comes already installed with windows.

 

the security companies get extra marketshare. gets more data for their cloud. sort of free advertisement.

Reply #36 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting alaknebs, reply 35
does it really cost much money? you could imagine a sizeable chunk of those getting it don't necessarily buy paid security in the first place. 

1 - lots of free security suites around.

2 - they don't even install those aside from what comes already installed with windows.

 

the security companies get extra marketshare. gets more data for their cloud. sort of free advertisement.
End of alaknebs's quote

 

if that "free" security software is not the usual one-year-trial, you pay for it. every month. ;)

 

Reply #37 from Elemental Forums Top

which free one? the ones from banks/isp? well, sure, you indirectly paid for it already in the form of crap interest/isp fees, whether you use those software or not. the banks/isp also save themselves money as part of their anti-fraud strategy. (less customers get hit by fraud, less they have to pay out)

 

the other free security suites out there? eh.. they are free (as in you don't pay them). nothing to do with time limited trials... those are useless. obviously.. they use your data, especially for those with cloud scans.

 

obviously it's more complicated than that.

Reply #38 from WinCustomize Forums Top

My advice is to avoid this crap like a bad case of the clap! :thumbsdown:

Reply #39 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Go with what works and leave the @#%$*$@#% to the other guy.

Reply #40 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting Fuzzy, reply 4
It's always good to have a choice of free software
End of Fuzzy's quote

I agree totally.   I like my current AV products, but am always looking for others to try out.  Who knows?  This one may be better than what I am using!  Thanks for the tip.  I am bookmarking it for my next installation.

Reply #41 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting Wizard1956, reply 38
My advice is to avoid this crap like a bad case of the clap!
End of Wizard1956's quote

Duly noted.  It may just be a bad rev.  But thanks for the warning.

Reply #42 from Stardock Forums Top

Mind you it was Japanese software so I'm not expecting everyone to have the same results, but it flagged and deleted some false positives on my sys.  I don't think I'll be using it again.

 

I like Bitdefender as far as performance and coverage, but it can give you some averse affects (I was using Raxcos PerfectAntivirus for a bit, which was Bitdefender 2012 rebadged.)

Reply #43 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Savyg, reply 42
it flagged and deleted some false positives on my sys.
End of Savyg's quote
That was my experience as well. Although there was a quarantine section, it chose not to use it. Instead, it found and deleted a known safe .exe (Windows Codec installer) from my rig with no means of recovering it.

That is not acceptable behavior in my book. :thumbsdown:

Reply #44 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Seems the code monkeys need to redo their AV product.

Reply #45 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm continuing to communicate with BitDefender, and have raised the following points to them:

1. While configurability would be great, if not possible [who knows?] then the ability to o.k. or disallow 'quarantining' and/or deletion should be offered. This would [at least] allow someone to research the file/registry entry before any action is taken.

2. The limitations/known bugs should be reported on the first (home) page of the product. This would (hopefully) include trending topics in their Forums.

Not sure if/when I'll hear back from them. I will continue to pursue the issue with them.

 

I do think that anyone contemplating installing software do the following:

1. Research good places like ghacks.net, Gizmodo, Arstechnica, or other places you regard. See if any negatives are noted. Heck, ask yrag if you're unsure. He's a huge resource... and a really good person. I try my best to do that for you, but can miss stuff. I generally give stuff a whirl... but did not with this software as I have a more updated version which would have to be un-installed just to test this. The one I have has the AV in it... however, it appears this AV differs from the free version. Also, please remember: I'm not a professional reviewer... I'm a volunteer. 

2. Ask yourself if you really need it, and if you'll use it frequently.

3. Before installing, make a restore point and/or an external backup. Installations can go haywire... even when no one's done anything wrong, and even when the software is just fine. At worst, you'll have a bit of inconvenience... at best, you've saved yourself from a catastrophe. Also... if the software does "unasked for" stuff, you can uninstall and restore. No harm, no foul.

These recommendations will appear in future notifications.

 

 

Reply #46 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 45
the ability to o.k. or disallow 'quarantying' and/or deletion should be offered.
End of DrJBHL's quote

At the very least, it should quarantine anything suspicious, not delete it, and allow it to be restored and white listed.

I hope you get a favorable response back from them Doc.

Reply #47 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Their reply and mine... the order is first communication at the bottom, latest on top...

============================================================

Ms. Crina Torous
Bitdefender Technical Support Engineer:
 

Please don't close this ticket. 

I wish to be given further follow up as to whether the steps I have suggested have been implemented or not.
 
Thank you.


On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 10:12 AM, BitDefender Customer Care <[email protected]> wrote:

Dear Seth,

Thank you for your interest in our security solution, Bitdefender.

Please rest assured that we have taken the appropriate steps in order to
submit the data to our developers in order to improve our products and
services.

Thank you for the time taken to provide us with the feedback.

For further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Have a nice day.

Best regards,
Crina Torous
Bitdefender Technical Support Engineer
-------------------------------------
http://www.bitdefender.com/help
https://my.bitdefender.com/
-------------------------------------
Use Quick Scan: http://quickscan.bitdefender.com


---------------------- Original Message ---------------------

I wrote

> I think you need to read the thread url I sent and forward the concerns to
> your developers...
>
> Should have some configuration flexibility... Or, if not, then the ability
> to ok any quarantining or deleting.
>
>
>
> On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 8:28 AM, BitDefender Customer Care <
> [email protected]> wrote:
>
> >
> > Dear Seth,
> >
> > We are glad to notice that the issue you contacted us about has been
> > solved.
> >
> > Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need any further
> > assistance.
> >
> > Best regards,
> > Crina Torous
> > Bitdefender Technical Support Engineer
> > -------------------------------------
> > http://www.bitdefender.com/help
> > https://my.bitdefender.com/
> > -------------------------------------
> > Use Quick Scan: http://quickscan.bitdefender.com
> >
> >
> > ---------------------- Original Message ---------------------
> >
> > doc wrote
> >
> > > The person requiring the answer to the problems reported in the url I
> > > supplied has uninstalled the BD software.
> > > You can consider the ticket closed.
> > >
> > > On Wed, Jan 2, 2013 at 1:30 PM, Bitdefender Support Team <
> > > [email protected]> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Dear User/Customer,
> > > >
> > > > This is an automated message letting you know that you have an open
> > > > support ticket with the Bitdefender Customer Care team. Your ticket id
> > is:
> > > > 201212301011911. This ticket is currently on hold pending your input.
> > If we
> > > > do not receive a reply from you within the next 48 hours the ticket
> > will
> > > > automatically be closed. (You will be able to reply to this message and
> > > > re-open the ticket at any time though.)
Reply #48 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Latest reply:

Dear Seth,

Thank you for your interest in our security solution, Bitdefender.

I have taken note of your request and will act accordingly of it. Please note
that this ticket will close itself after a certain period of time if there is
no activity on it. Our developers might not come up with a solution in this
time and the ticket might self close on the subject of no reply.

However I will send you an e-mail when the issue will be resolved.

=====================================================

When I receive that reply, I will update the thread.