Bit Defender/Pretender

owlman · 05-14-2009, 08:30 AM

I joined this forum particularly so I could post this issue. I feel people should know of Security Software that doesn't meet up to today's standards and reviews.
I was shopping around for a new Security Suite a couple of weeks ago, and did the research online by accessing reviews. One of the Suites that stood out was Bit Defender, ie: Cost, user friendly, real time protection, features, etc; And though everywhere I read praises about the 09 version of Norton being the "Big Boy" on the block and The Suite to have, second in the race, ( in most reviews ) was Bit Defender...but the difference in cost between Norton vs Bit Defender, persuaded me to lean towards Bit Defender.
And the old adage about you get what you pay for couldn't be truer in this case. The second day after I downloaded B.D. I ran into problems. I had it installed in two computers,( one with XP the other with Vista ) and encountered a scan issue in the Vista OS computer...which took some time to figure out the problem fix. Some files wouldn't scan, so after investigating I found that it was OK to exclude those files. First prob fixed. Then two day's later, I couldn't get either puter to do a scheduled scan, let alone a manual scan. After accessing the B.D. knowledge base I find listed what must have been a common problem with their software...a patch for just my problem! Huh,,,imagine that.
So after questioning the validity of the reviews I had read about B.D. in my head, I install the patch in both computers. Thinking all along "Whats wrong with this picture"? I convinced myself that its a new company and all "New" software needs to get the bugs out at first...right? The patches worked just fine...for a few days. In between that time I encountered other problems, less disappointing and trivial of coarse, but easy for me to fix. But when the same exact scan problem showed up again, and downloading the patch over again, ( which didn't fix it this time ) I decided to get in touch with Bit Defender.
The Cust. Serv. rep asked me what I want to do...I said if I could I would like a refund, and she said OK no problem...that easy? Huh! But she neglected to inform me that $10.00 would be deducted from my original purchase price, which I found out two days later. Well ain't that the Granny Apple!
So here I am, trying to get the only satisfaction I can. Rather than argue their "policies" with them I decided to hurt them where it would count the most. Letting people know that Bit Defender is a Bit Pretender. Take this advice people, from me and not from the paid-off companies that gave good reviews...it's a real piece of crap. I downloaded the 09 Norton security suite...yeah its higher in price, but like I said before...You get what you pay for...right!
Thanks for listening to my long winded complaint.:freak: But I felt it was the right thing to do.

Peace- "owlman"

Yamikotai · 05-14-2009, 08:33 AM

Never used BD myself, but why didn't you use Avira or AVG or somesuch other free antivirus? I wouldn't touch Norton anything with a ten-foot pole (despite the good things I've been hearing about '09).

Mak213 · 05-14-2009, 08:40 AM

Moved to right area.

I would drop both BitDefender, and Norton. I wouldnt even consider McAfee. Eset Smart Security would be my choice.

I have personally used it and think it is above and beyond anything these people offer. It never gets high ratings from sites like PCWorld cause they are sponsored by Norton.

owlman · 05-14-2009, 09:15 AM

"but why didn't you use Avira or AVG or somesuch other free antivirus"? -Yamikotai

I am using AVG Free version on my computer,( w/XP )right now... because I have used it before and I'm not as dangerous online as my wife. She's,,,uh how do I say nicely...a surfin fool and she's not as savvy about the internet or computers as I am. So I downloaded Norton360 "Trial Version" on her puter, ( Vista OS ) for a try out. I felt the need to have a full program for her, for my ease of mind. Maybe I will reconsider.

Mak- thanks for the advice...I will look into Eset Smart Security. By the way, I will be listening to you quite assuredly, since I am using your Firefox-ultimate-optimizer,as of last night... and its Awesome! You Da Man! Thanx

Wasn't sure about where to post the original...Thank You for putting it in the appropriate spot.

Mak213 · 05-14-2009, 11:59 AM

Owl,

Glad to be of service mate. For your wife's PC's i would suggest a barrage. Depending on the browser in use i would make sure that there is pop-up blockers installed for all browsers, ad blockers, possibly even NoScript and Flash Block. That way something like AVG will be more than enough protection.

I do have tutorials up for some of that stuff in the Browser area in the Index.

If there are any questions without a doubt ask and we can get them answered on how to secure the PC without the need to feel like you need something like a all in one security package for protection.

chanchan05 · 05-15-2009, 04:37 AM

I'm not really sure...I've been using the BitDefender Total Security 2009 for about 2 months now, and as far as everything is concerned, no problems. None whatsoever..In fact, its been a very good suite for me, as I feel I'm quite protected with it. There was even a time, when we were copying files from a friend's USB, that my friend's AVG protected laptop had a clean scan, while my BitDefender had 4 hits of trojans...I guess its a matter of person compatibility. The moment I had it installed I was already personalizing every single setting to my wants, and so far, I'm quite contented.

owlman · 05-15-2009, 09:44 AM

"I guess its a matter of person compatibility"-chanchan05

Person compatibility? That's ludicrous. What would a function that is normal for all security programs to do, scheduled or manual, have to do with someone's compatibility? HELLO...its just pushing a button that say's "Scan", or putting in a date, & time. You make it sound like it's a persons ability.
If that were the case, then why was there multiple patches in the Bit Defender Knowledge Base,,,one if you had an error message and one if you didn't,,,Two sets, whether you have a 32bit system or 64bit. This tells me it's a common problem. I get your point about the friend having AVG and you sharing files and Bit Defender picking up on some Trojans when AVG didn't. But what we are really seeing here is a matter of reliability of Technical software...which in and of itself will have inherent problems. Without these "inherent problems" there would be no reason to have this Forum. But when it comes to Security Software, and something I have paid good money for, then it better perform somewhat normally...and I consider a Scan one of the most important functions a security program should be able to perform without any kind of glitch whatsoever.
You probably are "quite protected",,,I felt the same too. I have had several security programs over the last 10-15 years, so I know what and how it should function under the normal perimeters of a security program. The scanning problem was a first for me. If you are happy with it then by all means keep it. But for you to state its a persons compatibility just rubs me the wrong way...I'm compatible with anything that works right!

chanchan05 · 05-16-2009, 07:50 AM

well, some persons do have difficulty with the interfaces of different anti-virus programs, and since i find BD having very easy interface, i assumed that you were one of those people. I know of someone who knows how to use avira, but when i told her to switch to kaspersky for a while since she wasnt able to find a store to buy an avira key, she was completely hopeless with the new interface until i showed her around. I assumed you had the same problem since you didnt say anything about your system, therefore allowing me to assume you had met the top requirements.

MY BAD>

Trotter · 05-16-2009, 05:31 PM

I can vouch for Eset. I have it on every computer in my house. Very light on the resources but very tough on malware.

Eset's interface is extremely simple with categories on the left (in 4.0.417). Click a category and it opens up in the main pane. To scan, you click Computer scan and then choose Smart Scan (default whole system scan) or Custom Scan to choose specific files/drives.

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