Bitdefender

Bitdefender

Type	Private
Industry	Computer software
Founded	2001
Founder	Florin Talpeş
Headquarters	Bucharest, Romania
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Florin Talpeş (CEO)
Products	Security software
Services	Computer security
Revenue	276.89 million lei (2014) (US$ 74.7 million)
Website	www.bitdefender.com

Bitdefender is a Romanian cybersecurity and anti-virus software company.^[1] It was founded in 2001 by Florin Talpeş who is currently the CEO.^[2] Bitdefender develops and sells anti-virus software, internet security software, endpoint security software, and other cybersecurity products and services.

As of 2017, the software has about 500 million users worldwide. As of March 2017, Bitdefender ranks third in the global ranking of Windows anti-malware application vendors by revenue. 

History

Bitdefender replaced SOFTWIN's earlier AVX^[3] (AntiVirus eXpert) product range.

Bitdefender products

Bitdefender develops and markets anti-virus, internet security, endpoint security, and other cyber security products and services.

Consumer Products

Internet of things (IoT) device protection

Bitdefender's Internet of things device protection solution is called Bitdefender BOX. The box is a router designed to protect smart home products and Internet of Things devices by blocking malicious internet traffic.

Consumer protection for Windows based computers

Windows based computers protection options include the Antivirus, Internet Security, Family Pack, and Total Security products. The Antivirus software includes malware protection, monitors the PC for suspicious program behavior, and warns users about potentially dangerous websites. The Internet Security software includes malware protection, better Internet Security in comparison to other products, Webcam Protection and other protections. Total Security software includes malware protection, Internet Security, Webcam Protection, Parental Control and other protections. Family Pack is more oriented towards families with features such as parental control and device anti-theft. All of these software include Antiphishing and antispam modules and firewall.

Consumer software for Mac computers

Options for Mac protection software are limited to the Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac. The Antivirus software includes adware removal, ransomware protection, secure online shopping, malware protection and cloud based protection.

Consumer software for Android users and iOS users

Bitdefender offers a cloud-based security solution with anti-malware and anti-theft capabilities called Bitdefender Mobile Security.

Business Products

For businesses, the company markets the Bitdefender GravityZone for Enterprise Security. It includes Self-configuring kits for deployment from desktop to datacenter to cloud, software that secures physical, virtual and cloud-based endpoints, and software that uses a Network of malware data to stay updated.^[4] Its software product for small businesses looking for simple security called Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security. The software features include Endpoint security, Management options, Process Inspector, Anti-exploit and other features.

Bitdefender also develops a free tool that helps businesses prevent ransomware attacks.

List of products

Bitdefender technologies

Bitdefender Antispam NeuNet

Bitdefender Antispam NeuNet,^[9] is an antispam filter trained by the Bitdefender Antispam Lab on a series of spam messages, so that it learns to recognize new spam by perceiving its similarities with the messages it has already examined.

B-HAVE

In May 2006 Bitdefender developed a new technology, B-HAVE, to reduce dependency on virus signatures through proactive detection of unknown threats. This technology is based on a behavioral analysis in a virtualized environment.

To determine whether a program is malicious or not, this technology makes use of a virtual PC in which files are executed and analyzed. The virtual PC includes a set of virtual hardware devices, mimicking the configuration of a typical PC. B-HAVE checks for characteristics known to be associated with malware. A program may be deemed to be malicious if it attempts to modify certain files, read from or write to a sensitive area of the memory or create a file that is a product of a known virus. When attempting to use a non-trusted program, B-HAVE delays the launching until the program’s behavior and characteristics are analyzed and catalogued in the virtual environment. If no malicious actions are detected, B-HAVE starts the program normally; if a suspect conduct is present, B-HAVE automatically quarantines or deletes the application.^[10]

Active Virus Control

Bitdefender introduced Active Virus Control in August 2009.

This technology continuously monitors each program (specific processes) running on the PC as it executes, and it notes any malware-like actions. Each action is scored and, when a given threshold is reached, the process is reported as harmful. Unlike heuristic technologies that check executable files when they are accessed or started, Active Virus Control monitors everything applications do as long as they are active.

PHOTON Technology

In its 2014 version, the company claimed to feature a new technology called "PHOTON Technology", which it says visibly improves computer speed and performance by gradually adapting to each PC.

Content filtering technologies

Content filtering technologies have been developed to filter raw online content and are applicable and used in antispam, anti-phishing, web filtering, scanning of spam and social networks. They facilitate the creation of signatures to proactively detect never-before-seen malicious files.

Machine learning

The company claims that Bitdefender is using cloud-based machine learning to identify new malware, malicious URLs and other online threats by processing and analysing big data to obtain behavioural patterns and predict future advanced threats.

Criticism

Support

In May 2009, support was being criticized as being unresponsive.^[11] Bitdefender responded by saying they were aware of the problems, and that they would take steps to solve it. They attributed the problem to an unexpectedly high surge in customers.^[11] Currently, the company's website claims that support is available 24/7 on telephone, e-mail, Livechat, and an online knowledge base.^[12]

Trojan.FakeAlert.5

On March 20, 2010, computers running Bitdefender under 64-bit versions of Windows were affected by a malfunctioning update which classified every executable program as well as dll files as infected. These files were all marked as 'Trojan.FakeAlert.5' and were moved into quarantine. This action led to software and systems malfunctions that affected users around the world.^[13] Bitdefender representatives announced the removal of the faulty update and a workaround for the users affected,^[14] except for those using the 2008 version.^[15]

Comodo firewall incompatibility

As of version 2012 of Bitdefender, Comodo Firewall and Bitdefender cannot co-exist. Currently, there is no official solution.

ASUS AiSuite incompatibility

Bitdefender is incompatible with ASUS AiSuite2 and ASUS AiSuite3, a motherboard optimization suite of software bundled with ASUS motherboards which enables automatic overclocking, power tuning and fan control. Bitdefender claims that the incompatibility is due to "NDIS ASUS driver (WinpkFilter LightWeight Filter), which prevents the installation of some Bitdefender files".^[16]

See also

• Internet security
• Comparison of antivirus software
• Comparison of firewalls
• Comparison of computer viruses
• Multiscanning

• Code Shikara (Computer worm)

References

External links

• Official website
• Official website (in Romanian)
• List of global sites