Rating

Pros

• Adaptive interface allows the product to cater to novice, intermediate, and expert users
• Firewall able to recognize many common programs and activities
• Parental controls provide ability to monitor and protect kids on the PC
• Game Mode and Laptop Mode

Cons

• None that I found

Description

• Game Mode reduces system load and postpones scans to maximize system resources available to the game
• Laptop Mode postpones scans to prolong battery life when the laptop is not plugged in
• File Vault provides a method of securely encrypting sensitive files
• Ability to secure instant messaging conversations on Yahoo and Windows Live Messenger with encryption
• Manage all computers on your home network from a single PC

My Review – BitDefender Internet Security 2010

Over the years antivirus software- or more appropriately these days antimalware suites- have been criticized for either being too simplistic to be of any value for more advanced users, or too complex for novices to use effectively. This is the first product I have seen that is capable of addressing that issue successfully.

As a function of establishing a profile you can simply let BitDefender Internet Security 2010 know if you are a Novice, Intermediate, or Expert level user and the program will display the user interface that is most appropriate for you. The Novice interface is elegant and simple- with only a few, clearly labeled buttons to choose from. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Expert interface provides a much more detailed and granular view including real-time monitoring of file and network activity.

So- regardless of your skill level you can find the interface that works for you. That isn’t why you buy a security suite though. Looking good and protecting the computer are two different things. If you’ve invested in BitDefender Internet Security 2010, you’re in luck! The product delivers on both looks and performance.

BitDefender Internet Security 2010 includes a comprehensive collection of security components: antivirus, antispam, personal firewall, vulnerability scanning, file encryption, privacy protection, and parental controls. All of them perform as advertised in the marketing brochures.

For the most part, antivirus and other security functions have been comoditized. In other words, there aren’t any significant differences in the function or performance from one product to the next. With BitDefender Internet Security 2010 there are a few things that make it a unique value:

1. BitDefender knows you are buying a *security* product. They are not sacrificing security for the sake of shaving a few milliseconds off of scanning times and being able to say they are the fastest.
2. The unique ability to adapt the user interface to fit the skill-level of the user
3. Innovative features such as Game Mode and Laptop Mode

BitDefender Internet Security 2010 is an excellent product and it represents an excellent value for anyone looking to protect their PC. At $49.95 to protect up to 3 PC’s it provides a reasonable bang for your buck. I haven’t played with the latest, greatest McAfee software recently, but I have a feeling if I were to redo the antivirus roundup from 2006 BitDefender might come out on top for 2010.