Overview:

If you have been looking for an antivirus which comes with comprehensive security features and is easy to use and understand, search no more. BitDefender Antivirus Pro 2011 provides good security features, convenience in use and an attractive price. The latest version comes with improved features and sophisticated technology which not only protects the computer from security threats but also helps you to optimize its performance.

Installation:

The installation time for BitDefender’s newest version was slow as compared to other antivirus software I have used. The quickest installation program in this regard is Avira in my opinion and when compared to it, BitDefender took around 3 minutes more.

The installation is an 8 step process including steps like a quick scan of the computer to identify malware which might hinder the installation process. However, most of the remaining installation steps are a little too annoying and could definitely have been avoided during the installation. For example, steps like registration for an account or the tour of the application slows down the installation process. However, the program does not ask for a reboot once done.

Interface:

The interface, when compared to the tiring and lengthy installation process comes as a surprise. The dashboard is fresh and organized and is pretty simple to use for a novice. The buttons are prominent and tell you about the security status of your computer. During installation, you may also be required to check in your profile. The basic profile or interface is very simple and just includes the essentials making it perfect for beginners. For intermediate and expert users, the interface includes advanced features allowing you to tweak security levels as per your requirements.

The tabs include an update tab, a security tab and a ‘my tools’ button. The program also comes with a game more which will allow you to decrease the disk-intensive operations while in the middle of a gaming session. The laptop mode is also useful as it decreases the power consumption of your laptop.

Pros:

• Real-time protection
• Personalized user experience
• Quick scans
• Spyware warnings
• Excellent phishing protection
• Gaming/laptop mode
• Vulnerability scan

Cons:

• Not so good in malware blocking and removal
• Lack of firewall
• Struggles in the detection of new malware

Alternatives:

One of the alternatives to BitDefender in the paid market is Kaspersky Antivirus 2011 which is known to provide great protection against new malware as compared to BitDefender. It also comes with a well-designed interface and has a streamlined installation process. However, I think it may have a bad impact on the PC performance.

Another competitor to BitDefender in the paid antivirus market is Trend Micro Antivirus. It is user friendly and is reasonably good at blocking malware. The best thing about it is its easy and straightforward installation. The interface also follows the same straightforward pattern of the installation process.

Conclusion:

I believe BitDefender is a fairly good antivirus program bundled with all the necessary security features. The best thing is that the software comes without any irrelevant tools and applications. The latest edition provides some valuable features such as improved smart scan and an upgraded search advisor.