Bitdefender Internet Security 2018 has an improved firewall and anti-ransomware and, depending on the version you buy, also protects Mac, iOS and Android. Still, this is the last major release of the security suite.
Bitdefender Internet Security 2018
Price:From €39.99 to €99.99 per year
Language:
Dutch
OS:
Windows (7 and older), Mac/iOS/Android (Total Security only)
Website:
bitdefender.nl 8 Score 80
- Pros
- Good anti-malware performance
- Ransomware Protection
- Privacy Control
- Central management via portal
- Negatives
- SafePay
- No vpn/backup
In AV-Test's latest test, Bitdefender Internet Security once again achieves maximum scores for protection and performance, only slightly below usability. According to AV-Test, the delay in opening well-known websites at Bitdefender is slightly greater than at the competitors. Whether you really notice that will depend on the speed of the PC. More disturbing than Safepay, the sandboxed browser for safer online payment and banking. This still only works full-screen, so that, for example, information in an email that is required for payment disappears from view. However, it is now easier to switch between Safepay and the standard desktop and it is also possible to exchange data via the clipboard.
Firewall and anti-ransomware
The main innovation in Bitdefender 2018 is the anti-ransomware. Advanced Threat Defense monitors programs and services and intervenes if they exhibit abnormal behavior that threatens the data on the PC. In addition, there is Safe Files that protects the data in a number of folders of your choice against encryption. For example, the Mac version also does this with the Time Machine backups. Other new features include Webcam Protection that prevents webcam spying and Account Privacy that checks every three days to see if the user's email address appears in lists of hacked user accounts.
Where many competitors embrace the Windows Firewall, Bitdefender is renewing its firewall. According to Loredana Ninov, product manager at Bitdefender, the company can only provide maximum security by managing and optimizing all parts of the security architecture itself. A valid argument. Compared to the competition, Bitdefender also lacks the most comprehensive Total Security, backup and VPN. The latter is certainly a loss because there is not automatically a free alternative on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.
Conclusion
There are three versions of Bitdefender 2018: Antivirus Plus, Internet Security and Total Security. Each version is available for one or more devices and with one or more years of updates. With these 2018 releases, Bitdefender will stop releasing one major new version of its security products every year. The company wants to innovate continuously and where necessary, just like the bad guys do. For now, the latter face a capable opponent with Bitdefender.
