Review Of BitDefender Antivirus Plus 2012

Today’s 2012 antivirus review features BitDefender Antivirus Plus 2012. (see my review of BitDefender Total Security 2012 if you would prefer a more robust protection suite)

Key Benefits:

• Scores very well in independent testing
• Autopilot mode will be a great benefit to those who prefer hands off security
• Strong anti-phishing protection

BitDefender have recently reinvented themselves with a new corporate brand and their new ethos extends to their improved security products too. BitDefender Antivirus Plus 2012 is packed full of features, many of which you would usually only expect to see in the more expensive full security suites.
This antivirus program 2012 is highly effective yet, at the same time, requires minimal effort from the user to keep it running and securing their PC.

System Requirements
The minimum system requirements as per the BitDefender website are as follows:

• 800 MHz or faster CPU
• 1 GB or more of RAM
• Windows XP SP3 32-bit / Vista SP2 / Windows 7 SP1

though in my opinion it won’t run too well if you are close to those minimums.

The recommended system requirements would equal the lowest spec machine I would want to install this on:

• 1.66 Ghz Dual Core
• 1.5 GB RAM
• Windows XP SP3 32-bit / Vista SP2 / 7 SP1

Installation and first impression
Installing BitDefender Antivirus Plus 2012 took quite a bit longer than any of the other antivirus programs I’ve looked at this year so far but that is, perhaps, understandable when you consider that it is more feature packed than most of the competition.
Also, a virus scan is run as part of the installation procedure and as soon as the program is ready to run you’ll find that it is fully up to date (see image below) and no further updates need to be downloaded before you can get going.

Features
BitDefender Antivirus Plus 2012 has the usual features that you would expect to find in an antivirus program along with some nice surprises that you would normally only find in a full internet security suite:

• Antivirus
• Autopilot means user input is rarely required
• BitDefender Safego (available seperately) enhances social networking security
• Excellent identity theft protection
• Network map (manage BitDefender installations on other networked PCs in your location)
• Strong privacy protection
• Virtualized browsing
• Vulnerability scanner

Effectiveness
BitDefender Antivirus Plus 2012 scores exceptionally well in independent tests. Check out the likes of AV-Test or AV-Comparitives and others and you will see that it is at, or near, the top of their charts for detecting and neutralising malware.
But this antivirus program is so much more than that as well.
During installation I mentioned that the program will initiate its first scan. If it detects any issues it will try to remove them immediately. If that fails it then reboots your computer in BitDefender Rescue Mode which is much like running a rescue CD only without the hassle of having to burn a disc. Nice touch.
The program is also highly effective when it comes to protecting you from phishing sites and has strong privacy protection, both features usually reserved for full internet security suites.
Plus and minus points
+ Excellent detection of malware
+ Experts aside, the Autopilot feature will delight those who just want an antivirus program that quietly gets on with the job its supposed to do
+ Very strong anti-phishing protection will protect you from suspicious web sites
+ Strong privacy protection
- System requirements are higher than most of the competition if you want to run the program without slowdown but if you can match the required processor speed, RAM, etc then you will be very pleased indeed with this antivirus program

Compare BitDefender Antivirus Plus 2012 with BitDefender Total Security 2012.
US Store PDP. BitDefender Antivirus Plus 2012 – Buy Now from authorised BitDefender Store, from only $39.95! Click Here
Do you want to see what the other vendors are offering this year? If so, read my other 2012 Antivirus reviews, Best Free Antivirus 2012