Formula 1 is one of the most popular sports in the world today, boasting over 827 million highly passionate fans across the world in 2025, all tuning in to watch wins, losses, crashes, and (occasionally) disqualifications.

To say Formula 1 fans get emotional is an understatement, and when there is a chance to win, many will go to extreme lengths to watch it happen - and not always legitimately - and for a threat actor, that pool of 827 million fans is an unmissable opportunity.

But participation goes beyond just watching the sport. The allure of cheap or discounted merchandise, dubious free streaming services, and the too-good-to-be-true offers play on the high-stakes nature of the sport, and the emotions of passionate fans - we spoke to security giants (and Ferrari partners) Bitdefender to find out more.

Bitdefender Threat Index

At Pista di Fiorano, Ferrari’s private racetrack in Italy, I was part of a group of journalists given exclusive access to Bitdefender’s Fan Threat Index, which has collated data on the threats facing fans since March 2025.

Bogdan Botezatu, Senior Director of Threat Research & Reporting at Bitdefender, was on hand to guide us through the report.

“Scams are evolving. Last year, cybercrime was making about $9 trillion in losses at the global scale. Out of that $9 trillion slice, about $1 trillion is responsible for scamming,” he said. “This Fan Threat Index is our response to how scams are evolving.”

The Formula 1 teams themselves face a huge array of threats. There is the potential for not only malware and ransomware, but also physical infiltration to steal intellectual property and secrets - and that is why teams form partnerships exactly like Ferrari’s partnership with Bitdefender, which can offer the teams the expertise and solutions they need to stay protected.

“At home though, things are fundamentally different,” Botezatu notes. “When things are moving fast, people make mistakes, and those mistakes cost.”

He explains there are four major threats that Formula 1 fans face. “The motorsport ecosystem is dominated by speed; you have to source tickets fast; you have to get the right merchandise from the right vendor; you have to find a streaming partner to watch the show at home; you have to face that emotional involvement that happens on race weekend.”

Last minute tickets and counterfeit merchandise

The ultimate thrill for a Formula 1 fan is almost certainly the opportunity to watch a race in person. In order to make cheap or discounted tickets even more alluring, scammers will seek to lower the cost of entry by offering ticket lotteries and giveaways.

Attending in the merchandise of a fan’s chosen team adds to the allure, and these forms of scam usually spike in the run up to a race as eager fans look for last minute tickets, and finalize their race-day outfits.

The main target for scammers is the theft of financial information. Drawn in by the urgency of an “80% OFF” banner and a storefront that looks legitimate, many fans will trade their banking details for a knock-off hat.

These websites are hosted on short-lived domains that are quickly recycled once the event is over, and are most commonly disseminated through social media.

“These cybercrime groups are using stolen accounts that have credit cards attached to boost promoted posts,” Botezatu explains. “That's how they reach the right audiences, and that’s how they advertise their offers in front of the right people.”

“They are maximizing their profits using social media tactics,” he adds, explaining that they can abuse the data social media conglomerates such as Meta collect on users to serve their adverts and promoted posts to people of a specific demographic, in a specific geographic area, or those above a specific income.

Free streaming serving up malware

As the build-up to a race reaches its highest intensity, threat actors will begin offering free streaming services to fans desperate to tune in. These websites won’t necessarily only show Formula 1, but will serve a range of content from around the world to funnel in as many users as possible.

In many cases, the dubious streaming service will require that you install a VPN in order to watch. While this is sometimes a legitimate way to watch content that typically would not be available in a user’s region, the services these streaming providers offer are sometimes far from legitimate.

In a best case scenario, Botezatu explains, you’ll end up purchasing a legitimate streaming service that you don’t actually need and you still won’t be able to watch the race, but it will provide the service owner with a source of affiliate revenue. “Worst case, that VPN kit will be malware. and you’re going to infect your computer or device.”

For those on Android devices, some services will require the installation of a third-party video player in order to access a stream, and again, you will install malware. In these circumstances, Botezatu notes, the malware will often monitor your clipboard or your screen to track everything you type into your device, including sensitive banking and financial information.

The alternative some fans turn to is the dodgy-streaming dongle. Where legitimate streaming dongles such as the Amazon Fire Stick start from around $30, some groups will disseminate streaming dongles with preinstalled software for far less, and sometimes at a loss.

While a fan may feel like they’re just got a great deal and free access to every upcoming race, the reality is far sinister. “The people who are selling these are using Formula 1 as a pretext for you to open a proxy; an exit node in a VPN used for cybercrime,” Botezatu says.

“These people give you hardware for free, but instead can sell access to your household to various cybercrime groups that are doing money laundering, illegal content distribution, child pornography, all sorts of things,” he adds.

These devices use your IP address to distribute their illegal content, meaning that when law enforcement investigates these crimes, it could be your house they’re raiding.

Social engineering to dodge antivirus

Hollywood and modern TV has taught many people that hacking is a highly complex, intelligent pursuit that requires the layman to say, “In English, damn it!”

But the malware distribution scams Bitdefender has spotted targeting some Formula 1 fans are incredibly simple that they border on genius.

Those in the know may have heard of ClickFix attacks, whereby an attacker presents the user with a problem that needs to be solved in order to access a website or service. When many of us are presented with a CAPTCHA to solve, we recognize the familiarity of the branding and will trust that it's legitimate.

But ClickFix attacks abuse this trust, and rather than clicking on all the bicycles in an image, the user will instead be prompted to open the Windows Terminal using a keyboard shortcut, and then use the “Ctrl” + “V” shortcut to paste in a line of code that the hacker has snuck into the clipboard.

For many antivirus suites, even first-rate protection, this activity appears to be legitimate human activity. The antivirus will do nothing to stop it, and the code will launch a powershell application that immediately installs infostealing software onto the infected device. The infostealer will then harvest browser passwords, session cookies, saved credit cards, VPN credentials, and email access - leading to even bigger problems for fans.

Our advice to Formula 1 fans? Always be on your guard when hunting for online streams, tickets and merch sales, and other linked activity - and remember, if an offer feels like it could be too good to be true, then it probably is.

• Bitdefender reports rising abuse of the legacy MSHTA utility to deliver infostealers and loader malware
• Campaigns range from simple commodity threats like LummaStealer to advanced persistence tools such as PurpleFox
• Defenders are urged to restrict outdated scripting utilities and deploy layered security controls to detect malicious script activity

Cybercriminals are increasingly using a legitimate legacy Windows tool to deploy infostealers and loader malware, researchers are saying.

A new Bitdefender report has claimed that since the start of 2026, there’s been an uptick in activity related to a Windows utility called Microsoft HTML Application Host (MSHTA), a legitimate utility that runs special HTML-based application files known as HTAs.

While normal web pages get opened in a browser, HTA files interact directly with the Windows operating system and can execute scripts with elevated privileges.

Simple and complex threats

MSHTA is an old tool that was originally designed for lightweight desktop and administrative tasks but is, as many other legacy tools, being abused to run malicious scripts, download malware, or bypass security controls.

“Since the start of the year, we have observed an increase in MSHTA-related activity,” Bitdefender said. “Given that legitimate use of this utility is gradually fading, this trend likely reflects a rise in malicious activity rather than renewed administrative adoption.”

The activity the researchers analyzed spans multiple malware categories, they further explained, saying that they’ve seen both simple and more complex campaigns. At the “simpler” end, MSHTA is heavily used to deliver commodity infostealers such as Amatera, or LummaStealer. It is also used for loaders such as CountLoader or Emmenthal.

When it comes to more advanced, persistent threats, Bitdefender saw crooks deploying ClipBanker and PurpleFox.

“This range of abuse highlights why MSHTA continues to matter to defenders: it’s not a single malware family or intrusion model,” they explained. “It remains useful across the spectrum from opportunistic malware delivery to long-lived compromise.”

To defend against MSHTA-based attacks, organizations should ensure both user awareness and layered security controls, it was said. Users should avoid downloading untrusted files or running suspicious commands, while organizations should deploy security tools capable of detecting malicious scripts, or command-line abuse.

The company also recommends restricting utilities like mshta.exe and wscript.exe where possible and replacing outdated scripting tools with modern alternatives to reduce the attack surface.

Black Friday deals are proving to be the best pre-holiday gifts. But did you know that beyond speakers, TVs, and other electronics, they also extend to the world of cybersecurity?

While many of the best VPNs are currently running massive Black Friday VPN discounts, we’re also seeing VPN/antivirus combos join the party.

Norton VPN and Bitdefender are both offering VPN/antivirus bundles in time for Black Friday, but you might wonder if it's worth investing in a combo at all. Below, we've dug into each deal, so you can see for yourself what's included.

Let’s unpack the key differences between Norton VPN and Bitdefender’s VPN/AV Black Friday deals.

Norton VPN

Norton VPN's 2025 Black Friday VPN deal applies to its Plus and Ultimate plans, not the Standard tier. So, while the plans are pricier, they're arguably a better deal because you get a lot of extra cybersecurity tools bundled in, along with strong core VPN and antivirus features.

Speaking of the VPN, Norton VPN now offers polished and user-friendly apps across various devices, strong unblocking performance (we were able to watch Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ from all our testing centers), and a clear-cut no-logs policy. The only thing is that the connection speeds weren’t quite as impressive, especially when compared to the fastest VPNs.

Even better, Norton VPN's no-logs policy has been independently audited by VerSprite. It's worth noting that the auditing firm singled out two issues, which Norton was very quick to resolve, and it later received a clean sheet from VerSprite.

Users on Norton VPN’s Plus plan also get 10 Gb of secure cloud backup, a dark web monitoring tool, and a built-in password manager. The Norton VPN Ultimate plan includes all of this – plus parental controls and 50 Gb of cloud backup – and lets you use them on up to 10 devices.

Bitdefender

Bitdefender is one of the most reputable names in cybersecurity, and its VPN lives up to the hype, offering great encryption, decent speeds, and a huge assortment of essential tools like the ones you'll find in some of the most secure VPNs. Bitdefender's VPN also comes with a robust kill switch, split tunneling, a regularly audited no-logs policy, and RAM-only servers (that wipe your data with every boot for extra privacy).

The biggest caveat here is that Bitdefender's VPN is limited to just 200 Mb a day (fewer data than even the best free VPNs), meaning while it's handy in a pinch and for occasional use – such as when you want to connect to public Wi-Fi at an airport for a few hours – it won't support bandwidth-heavy tasks like streaming, torrenting, or even 24/7 browsing.

What's more, there’s also a handy password manager, and you can increase the account limit to 5 (from 1) and the device limit to 25 (from 5) by upgrading to Bitdefender's Family plan, which notably also comes with parental controls to ensure the young ones in your family enjoy a safe internet experience.

The bottom line

A VPN-AV combination is arguably better than getting each of those products separately, simply because it lets you have all your essential cybersecurity tools in one place – perfect for newbies looking for a one-stop solution.

Out of the two, we believe Norton’s antivirus-VPN combination is the better deal compared to Bitdefender, not only because it’s cheaper but also because its VPN doesn’t put daily data caps, unlike Bitdefender's.

Still, Bitdefender is a great pick if you’re after a privacy-first VPN – think RAM-only servers, a regularly audited no-logs policy, SafePay, and real-time protection – all wrapped into one of the best antivirus suites available.

Its Black Friday, which means Amazon has officially kicked off its Black Friday sales with some of the biggest savings on the best antivirus software you'll see in 2025.

Amazon's Black Friday antivirus deals are seeing prices cut by over 80%, and to help you find the biggest savings on your favorite software, I've rounded up all the best Amazon Black Friday antivirus deals I've seen so far.

Antivirus software helps protect your devices from malware and hackers by intercepting malicious files before they have a chance to execute. As a bonus, many antivirus packages throw in extra features such as identity theft protection, scam detection, a VPN, and even password managers to keep your credentials secure.

You'll find even more savings on our roundup of the best Black Friday antivirus deals, where we have collected deals on antivirus, password managers, identity protection, and data removal services.

Today's Best Amazon Black Friday Antivirus Deals

In the UK? Norton 360 Deluxe is just £11.50 at Amazon

In the UK? Bitdefender Total Security is just £20 at Amazon

In the UK? McAfee Total Protection is just £12.50 at Amazon

In the UK? McAfee+ Premium is just £40 at Amazon

In the UK? Malwarebytes Premium is just £20 at Amazon

• Dahua CCTV flaws identified by Bitdefender affect over 100 popular security camera models
• Vulnerabilities allow remote code execution without authentication over local or internet connections
• Company urges firmware updates and network isolation to prevent exploitation

Researchers at Bitdefender have announced two critical vulnerabilities affecting a large number of Dahua smart cameras.

The flaws, which were patched in the most recent firmware update, could allow unauthenticated attackers to take full control of affected devices.

Dahua has confirmed that a total of 126 models were affected, including multiple IPC, SD, and DH series devices, not just the Hero C1 model first reported.

Patch now

The first of the vulnerabilities, CVE-2025-31700, is a buffer overflow flaw in Dahua camera firmware that can be triggered when the device processes specially crafted network packets. If exploited, it could cause the camera to crash or, in some cases, allow a remote attacker to run their own code on the device.

The second, CVE-2025-31701, is another buffer overflow issue also exploitable through maliciously crafted packets sent over the network. It too can be used to crash the camera or potentially gain full remote control depending on the target’s defenses.

Both can be exploited to run arbitrary code with root privileges.

Bitdefender privately reported the issues to Dahua on March 28, 2025. The Chinese video surveillance equipment manufacturer acknowledged the report the next day and validated the findings by April 1.

It requested some time to prepare a fix for the issues, with patches finally rolling out last month, followed by the agreed public disclosure.

The two vulnerabilities can be especially dangerous for devices accessible from the internet via port forwarding or UPnP, as no authentication is required for possible exploitation.

Bitdefender warns that successful attacks could bypass firmware integrity checks and deploy persistent malicious code, making cleanup difficult.

Dahua, the world’s second-largest CCTV manufacturer behind Hikvision, has faced scrutiny in several countries over cybersecurity issues and data privacy concerns, particularly related to potential vulnerabilities in its network-connected devices.

It maintains a Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) to coordinate with researchers on reported flaws, such as in the case of these vulnerability disclosures.

It is urging all customers who have not yet done so to update their camera firmware as a matter of urgency.

For anyone unable to do so immediately, it advises disconnecting vulnerable devices from direct internet access, disabling UPnP, and isolating cameras on separate networks to reduce risk.

A detailed list of affected models is included in Dahua’s online advisory, along with links to patched firmware.

Both Dahua and Bitdefender stress unpatched internet-connected devices should be considered prime targets.

You might also like

• Take a look at our round up of the best home video surveillance systems
• Canada bans world's largest CCTV vendor amidst security fears
• Researchers discover 40,000 private webcams exposed online: how to secure yours now

AVG often tops the best antivirus software lists, though more frequently the list of best free antivirus. It does offer a paid plan, but then it enters the realm of heavy hitters such as Norton and Bitdefender.

However, AVG users prefer a more lightweight AV that won't break the bank; therefore, finding a suitable upgrade is not always easy.

That's why I have rounded up some top-tier AV that have powerful features and a range of use cases. Below, I have laid out exactly why these are the best alternatives to AVG AV.

Best AVG alternative overall

Features:

Outside of Norton's excellent antivirus and firewall protection, the 360 Standard plan will provide you with several additional features across 3 devices.

You'll be able to browse the web securely with Norton's AI Genie Scam Protection, a tool that can analyze the content of texts, phone calls, emails, and websites to check for hidden scams or fraud.

Additionally, you'll be able to use a password manager and an unlimited VPN to encrypt your internet traffic, and protect your sensitive files in a secure 2GB cloud backup. Norton 360 Standard also includes breach monitoring to score the dark web for any exposed credentials.

What Norton 360 lacks is a performance optimizer and a driver updater, but Norton's lightweight performance means it shouldn't have too much of an impact on your devices.

Security:

Norton has been one of the top-rated antivirus providers for some time, up there with the likes of Bitdefender, McAfee, and Norton.

In the latest tests by AV-Comparatives, Norton achieved a protection score of 99.5% with 9 false positives, making it one of the highest scoring antivirus solutions tested by AV-Comparatives.

In AV-Test real-world testing, Norton secured a 6/6 across the board for protection, performance, and usability, earning it a 'Top Product' badge.

Price:

Norton is the most affordable alternative to AVG, with a first year price of just $39.99, or $3.33 per month. After the introductory year, the renewal price rises to $99.94, which is also the lowest renewal cost on this list.

Best AVG Alternative for multi-device protection

Features:

McAfee+ Premium is the 'Core Protection' package, but it does include some additional features that make it a better alternative to AVG.

You get McAfee's tried and tested antivirus and firewall, alongside safe browsing protection, scam protection, a password manager, unlimited VPN, and dark web scans for credential breaches and personal information leakage.

For those with a household full of different devices, McAfee+ Premium is the definite choice. You can secure antivirus protection across an unlimited number of devices.

Security:

McAfee is one of the highest scoring antivirus solutions in terms of protection. In AV-Comparatives testing, it achieved a malware block rate of 99.96%. However, it did log 15 normal programs as malware during testing.

In the AV-Test results, McAfee also scored highly, achieving 6/6 across protection, performance, and usability, also earning it the 'Top Product' award.

Price:

McAfee's pricing sits nicely in the mid-point on this list at $49.99 for the first year, or around $4.16 per month. The one thing to be wary of is the renewal pricing, which ups the price to $149.99, making it one of the most expensive antivirus solutions on this list when it comes to renewal by around $50.

Best AVG Alternative for protection score

Features:

As you'll read below, Bitdefender's reputation for protection is not unfounded. It has been one of the best performing antivirus solutions for several years. Outside of Bitdefender's antivirus and firewall, you'll be provided with safe browsing capabilities, scam detection, leaked credential monitoring and a VPN. The VPN does have a daily cap of 200MB/day however.

Security:

As I mentioned, Bitdefender's protection is near perfect. In Av-Comparatives testing, Bitdefender missed hitting top marks by just 0.2%, with a surprisingly low false-positive rate of just 3, making it the best performing antivirus in the latest testing.

As expected, Bitdefender also scored very well in AV-Test results, 6/6 across protection, performance, and usability. Again, Bitdefender also earned AV-Test's 'Top Product' award.

Price:

Protection of this level does come at a cost. Bitdefender Total Security's introductory price sits at $59.99 for the first year, or $4.99 per month. The renewal price is also quite high at $109.99.

Best AVG Alternative for the essentials

Features:

When it comes to features, Avast Premium is a little sparse. You get the essential antivirus and smart firewall, but outside of a performance optimizer and scam protection, there isn't much else to add.

Avast Premium does include browser based password protection, but falls short of offering a dedicated password manager. There are a few other nice-to-haves included in the plan though, such as a tool for permanently and securely deleting files, and a sandbox that can be used to open 'risky files' without them potentially infecting your device.

On the upside, you do get protection across 10 devices, making it another good choice if you're looking for multi-device protection.

Security:

Avast scored very well in the latest AV-Comparatives testing, with a protection score of 99.5%. It did however pick up 15 false-positives, which could be an issue for those who don't want frequent interruptions from their antivirus.

On the AV-Test side of things, Avast also holds up under pressure, again scoring 6/6 across protection, performance, and usability with Avast matching up to the other alternatives on this list and earning the 'Top Product' award.

Price:

Avast is the most expensive alternative to AVG on this list, with the introductory pricing for the first year sitting at $69.48, working out at $5.79.

However, the renewal pricing jump isn't too bad, with renewal costing just $99.99 per year. Avast is therefore the best alternative to AVG for the essentials, offering excellent protection across 10 devices.

Comparison

Check out our guide to the best antivirus software for even more alternatives

If you are among the millions of users affected by the ban on Kaspersky sales by the US, then fear not. Rest assured that there is other equally, if not better, antivirus software to keep you protected online.

Equally important, you should try and find a reputable supplier that offers similar functionality so you do not miss out on any critical features that make your life easy.

Luckily, there are a range of Kaspersky alternatives that offer exactly the same level of protection, and some even through in some extra features to keep you safe online!

Best Kaspersky alternative overall

Features:

The Norton 360 Standard suite contains almost everything you need to replace your Kaspersky antivirus, and even throws in several extra goodies to tempt you.

This package includes Norton's award winning antivirus software that frequently scores highly in both our own testing and in testing done by third party laboratories.

You also get access to a highly configurable firewall, alongside safe browsing protection that includes payment protection, and dark web monitoring, and even includes Genie scam protection; and AI powered tool that can quickly spot nefarious scams.

As an added bonus to your personal privacy, Norton 360 standard also throws in a password manager, VPN with kill switch and IP rotation, and a 2GB cloud backup for important files.

The one tool that Norton 360 Standard is missing is a performance optimizer, but Norton has earned top marks in the latest AV-Test performance scores, so you'll hardly know its there.

Security:

When it comes to protection, Norton is one of the best performing antivirus solutions on the market. The software frequently receives three stars from AV-Comparatives in their real-world testing scenarios without letting malware slip through the net or picking up too many false-positives.

In the latest testing from June 2025, Norton detected 99.5% of the sample threats with 9 false-positives, making it a more than capable solution to replace your existing Kaspersky antivirus.

Price:

Norton 360 Standard is priced at an introductory rate of $39.99, putting the per month cost at $3.33. Norton 360 Standard only provides protection for one device.

However, after the first introductory year, the price jumps to $94.99. While not the most expensive renewal cost on this list the pricing can appear quite steep. However, with Norton 360 Standard you are getting a wide range of features at an excellent price point compared to the other services on this list - making it the best Kaspersky alternative.

Best Kaspersky Alternative for all-in-one protection

Features:

Avast Premium Security offers everything you would expect from antivirus software at this price point. You'll have access to Avast's signature antivirus software complete with firewall, and safe browsing protections including secure payment protection.

Unlike Norton 360 Standard, Avast Premium Security includes an Email Guardian scam filter. Plus, you'll also to dark web monitoring to spot compromised credentials linked to your email account.

What this package is missing is a password manager and cloud backup, but for a price as low as this I think it is still worth the money, and definitely a good budget alternative for Kaspersky.

Security:

Avast is another name that frequent the top of the list when it comes to antivirus protection. In the latest testing from AV-Comparatives, Avast blocked 99.5% of threats, but had a rather high false-positive rate, detecting 15 files as malware.

When it comes other lab testing, Avast scored top marks from AV-Test, achieving a maximum score of 6/6 across protection, performance, and usability, awarding Avast the Top Product badge.

Price:

Avast is the budget option on this list for a reason, with an introductory price of $31.20, or $2.60 per month.

The renewal price also makes it a great budget alternative to Kaspersky, offering the lowest renewal price on this list at just $77.99.

Best Kaspersky Alternative for multi-device

Features:

Bitdefender has maintained our top pick for the best antivirus software for some time - and with good reason. Bitdefender has consistently been one of the highest performing antivirus solutions on the market, consistently raking in top marks in our own testing and in the testing done by AV-Test and AV-Comparatives.

Bitdefender Total Security gives you 1 account to use with protection across up to 5 devices, alongside a firewall, safe browsing protection, online payment and scam protection, and a system optimizer to keep things running smoothly.

Additionally, Bitdefender Total Security includes a VPN with a 200MB/day limit, and dark web monitoring for breached accounts.

Security:

As mentioned before, Bitdefender consistently scores highly in tests. The latest AV-Comparatives test from June 2025 place Bitdefender's protection at 99.8% with just 3 false positives.

Bitdefender also received an 'Outstanding' rating by AV-Test in their latest results, with a 6/6 for performance, protection, and usability, also earning Bitdefender the Top Product award.

Price:

Protection levels such as these do come at a premium, with Bitdefender Total Security costing $59.99 at its introductory rate, or $4.99 per month. The renewal cost rises to $109.99.

Keep in mind however that Bitdefender Total Security gives you protection across 5 devices compared to the other plans on this list, which may offset the increased price if you have more devices to protect.

Best Kaspersky alternative for simplicity

Features:

Compared to the other solutions on this list, AVG Internet Security offers fewer features at a similar price point.

You get access to all the essentials, including protection for one device, firewall, safe browsing and payment protection, a performance optimizer, and scam protection.

The list of features is slightly less than the other solutions, with the lack of a password manager, breach monitoring, and VPN being significant reductions in protection compared to the other plans.

However, if you are looking for a simple plan without too many frills, bells, or whistles, AVG Internet Security is the choice for you.

Security:

In the latest AV-Comparatives testing, AVG scored a protection rate of 99.3% with a false positive rate of 13. It is still a very capable software, and these tests are by no means a comprehensive display of antivirus performance, but there is the potential for this antivirus to pick up normal software as malware during scans.

AVG almost scored top marks in recent AV-Test testing, with a 6 in protection, 5.5 in performance, and 6 in usability. The tests showed slightly slower launching of software while the antivirus is running, but it is fairly minimal and shouldn't impact day-to-day activities too much.

Price:

AVG Internet Security sits in the middle of the road when it comes to pricing, matching Norton 360 Standard's $39.99, or $3.33 per month. Renewal is slightly higher though, at $99.99.

For the features on offer, AVG Internet Security seems slightly overpriced compared to some of the protection and features offered by the other plans. However, if you are looking for simplicity with good protection, AVG is the one for you.

Comparison

Check out our guide to the best antivirus software for even more alternatives

Q&A

While it may be true that McAfee has been around for quite some time, and that it holds a sizable market share among the best antivirus software, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the best at what it does.

Numerous new devices come preinstalled with McAfee, but users occasionally complain about its missing features, higher costs and, at times, slowdowns they experience on their machines while using it.

Nevertheless, McAfee has a lot to offer in terms of its protection prowess, so finding a suitable alternative may prove to be a challenge. For this exact reason, we would like to share the best alternatives we’ve found for McAfee. Let’s take a look!

Best McAfee alternative

Features:

At this pricing tier, Norton 360 Deluxe offers the greatest range of features compared to any other McAfee alternative on this list.

Outside of the obvious inclusions in an antivirus product (antivirus, malware removal, firewall), this plan provides you with the additional online browsing nice-to-haves such as safe browsing protection, payment and scam protection, a password manager and an unlimited VPN.

As for the features that improve day-to-day life, Norton 360 Deluxe adds a 50GB cloud backup, dark web monitoring for compromised accounts, and parental controls to keep the household safe.

The one feature that Norton 360 Deluxe is missing is a PC performance optimizer, but considering the price point and array of features, this is a fairly minor sticking point.

Security:

Norton is one of the top performing antivirus solutions around. Norton has received the full three stars from AV-Comparatives in their real-world testing scenarios, blocking 99.5% of the malware samples with only 9 false-positives.

AV-Test scores are also impressive, with 6/6 across the board for protection, performance, and usability, earning it the 'Top Product' badge.

Price:

When it comes to price, Norton 360 Deluxe gets additional points for being the cheapest on this list. It also matches the price of McAfee Premium while offering significantly more bang for your buck.

The first year is currently $49.99, working out at around $4.16 per month. The renewal price on the other hand is the most expensive on the list, sitting at $199.99, so the cost over two years is somewhere in the middle.

Overall, for the number of features and the excellent level of protection, this is definitely a worthwhile investment to keep your files and devices safe.

Best McAfee Alternative for multi-device protection

Features:

When it comes to features, AVG Ultimate offers a good range, but maybe not quite everything you're looking for.

It includes all the essentials such as antivirus, malware removal, firewall, safe browsing and payment protection, scam protection, a VPN and breach monitoring, but doesn't include a cloud backup, password manager, or parental controls like Norton 360 Deluxe does.

But considering you can protect 10 devices with everything you need to keep your data safe and your device free from malware, its quite a good feature set overall.

Security:

In AV-Comparatives testing, AVG scored slightly lower than Norton with a protection rate of 99.3%, and a false positive rate of 13, making it a highly capable bit of kit that might recognize a few more of your programs as malware.

Recent AV-Test testing saw AVG score very well, with a 6 in protection, 5.5 in performance, and 6 in usability. AVG might make it take slightly longer for your other programs to launch while your system is being scanned, but the impact is negligible.

Price:

The initial cost for AVG Ultimate is slightly more expensive than Norton 360 Deluxe, with a first year price of $59.88, rounding out at about $4.99 per month. However, the renewal cost is $139.99, making it a potential option for those looking for long term protection across a large range of devices.

Best McAfee Alternative for protection score

Features:

Bitdefender Total Security gives you protection across up to 5 devices, alongside a firewall, safe browsing protection, online payment and scam protection, and a system optimizer.

Additionally, Bitdefender Total Security includes a VPN with a 200MB/day limit, and dark web monitoring for breached accounts.

However, just like AVG Ultimate, you don't get access to a password manager, cloud backup, or parental controls.

Security:

Bitdefender has consistently been one of the highest performing antivirus solutions on the market, frequently raking in top marks in our own testing and in the testing done by the third-party labs.

Bitdefender received an 'Outstanding' rating by AV-Test in their latest results, with a 6/6 for performance, protection, and usability, also earning Bitdefender the Top Product award.

The latest AV-Comparatives test from June 2025 place Bitdefender's protection at 99.8% with just 3 false positives, making it the most capable antivirus in terms of real-world protection.

Price:

Bitdefender Total Security puts a premium on such high performance, with an initial cost of $59.99, or $4.99 per month. The renewal cost is one of the lowest however, at just $109.99, making it a fairly good choice for a long term budget.

Best McAfee alternative for PC performance

Features:

Avast Ultimate's feature set is fairly sparse compared to the other options on this list. Outside of the essentials (antivirus, malware removal, firewall, safe browsing and payment protection, and scam protection), Avast only includes a VPN. However, if you are looking to have your device perform at the optimal level, this could be the choice for you.

Avast's Cleanup Premium is included in this plan, giving you tracking protection, junk cleanup that can be automated, and a disk-cleaner to keep your storage optimized and free from clutter.

Security:

Avast also offers great antivirus protection. In the latest testing from AV-Comparatives, Avast blocked an impressive 99.5% of threats, but had a rather high false-positive rate, detecting 15 normal files as malware.

When it comes other lab testing, Avast scored top marks from AV-Test, achieving a maximum score of 6/6 across protection, performance, and usability, awarding Avast the Top Product badge.

Price:

Avast Ultimate has the highest initial cost on this list at $69.99, or $5.83 per month for the first year. This compounded by the fact that you only get protection on a single device, also making it the most expensive option on a per-device-protection level.

After the first year, things don't get much better. The renewal cost is $139.99, but for the suite of device cleanup and optimization tools, it could be worth it for some.

Comparison

Check out our guide to the best antivirus software for even more alternatives

For two decades now, Bitdefender has been offering great features in the antivirus software and anti-malware space, protecting over 500 million devices across the globe.

Its Ultimate Security Plus package covers almost everything you may need from an antivirus suite; however, that doesn’t mean that there are no alternatives to it. If you want to move away from Bitdefender or simply see what else is out there as a good alternative, then you’re in the right place.

Below, we present our best alternatives to Bitdefender antivirus as well as features that would make us switch.

Check out our guide to the best antivirus software for even more alternatives

Best Bitdefender alternative overall

Features:

The Norton 360 with LifeLock is probably the most comprehensive security suite you can get. It includes Norton's award winning antivirus software, alongside numerous privacy and security features, and LifeLock identity theft protection with credit monitoring.

On the security side, you'll pick up a configurable firewall, safe browsing and payment protection, dark web monitoring, and Genie scam protection.

On the privacy side, Norton also throws in a password manager, VPN with kill switch and IP rotation, and a 250GB cloud backup for important files and documents. All of the security and privacy features are available across 10 devices.

The identity theft protection is some of the best in the industry, with Norton offering LifeLock protection that includes up to $1,000,000 for lawyer fees, up to $1,000,000 stolen funds reimbursement, and up to $1,000,000 personal expense reimbursement.

LifeLock also includes three bureau credit monitoring alongside 401(k) and Investment Account monitoring.

The one thing Norton doesn't have is a built in performance optimizer. Luckily, Norton frequently scores very well in third party testing and our own testing for having a very minimal impact on system performance while running.

Security:

Norton is one of the best performing antivirus solutions on the market, and has been for some time. In the latest tests, Norton antivirus was awarded three stars from AV-Comparatives in their real-world scenarios. Norton detected 99.5% of the sample threats with 9 false-positives, making it more than capable of replacing your Bitdefender protection.

Price:

Norton 360 with LifeLock has an introductory rate of $99.99 for the first year, putting the per month cost at $8.33. For comparison, Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus costs $119.99 for the first year.

The renewal price does jump to $189.99. While not the most expensive renewal cost on this list the pricing can appear quite steep. But for the cost, you are getting a comprehensive security suite for 10 devices with some of the strongest identity theft protection around.

Best Bitdefender Alternative for budget

Features:

Avast Ultimate is another antivirus suite that offers an excellent range of features to replace your existing Bitdefender antivirus. You'll have access to Avast's signature antivirus software complete with firewall, and safe browsing protections including secure payment and scam protection across up to 10 devices.

Alongside access to an unlimited VPN with over 50 server locations, Avast Ultimate also includes several performance management tools, including an automatic software updater, app optimizer, disk cleanup, and a driver updating tool.

Avast Ultimate doesn't include identity theft protection, nor does it have a password manager or cloud backup, but as a replacement for Bitdefender, Avast is a solid choice in both protection and pricing.

Security:

Similar to Norton and Bitdefender, Avast has been a brand that offers award winning antivirus protection. Avast scored top marks from AV-Test, achieving a score of 6/6 across protection, performance, and usability. Avast blocked 99.5% of threats in the latest testing from AV-Comparatives, but detected 15 safe files as malware.

Price:

Currently, Avast sits at a very fair price point, especially with the current discount that cuts the introductory cost to $69.48 for the first year, which to translates to $5.79 per month.

The renewal price is also very fair, and offers an excellent long term solution as an alternative to Bitdefender, with the price after the first year sitting at $139.99.

Best Bitdefender Alternative for data protection

Features:

ESET is a lesser-know antivirus software that offers good levels of protection, with a set of particularly good features that revolve around data security.

In the Home Security Ultimate package, you'll get antivirus, a firewall, malware removal, safe payment, scam, and browsing protection, alongside a password manager and dark web monitoring. ESET also include a VPN with unlimited bandwidth. The plan covers 5 devices.

On the identity side of things, ESET Home Security Ultimate offers up to $1,000,000 in reimbursement if your identity is stolen, with 1 bureau credit monitoring.

Now, the data protection features include file and folder security settings, so only programs you approve can modify or access your files, an encryption tool to keep documents and external drives secured even if they are lost, and the ability to remove metadata from images before uploading.

Security:

Despite being a smaller name than the big providers, ESET is also tested by the third party labs. In a recent AV-Comparatives test, ESET protected against 99.1% of malware samples, giving it the lowest score on this list, but still providing excellent protection. During the test it only picked up 3 false-positive detections. In AV-Test testing, ESET scored 6/6 across the board.

Price:

ESET Home Security Ultimate is the most expensive software on this list, with a first year price of $125.99, or $10.49 per month. The renewal price matches the others on this list at $179.99.

The price may be a bit steep for some, but for those looking for a solid antivirus suite with a focus on data protection, ESET is the pick for you.

Comparison

Check out our guide to the best antivirus software for even more alternatives

• Bitdefender Security for Creators now monitors Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for unauthorized account changes or mass deletions
• Over 184 million login credentials are exposed, many tied to creator social media accounts
• Financial losses from online scams have crossed $1 trillion, with creators becoming prime targets

Influencers and digital creatives are increasingly targeted by phishing scams and account hijacking, and Bitdefender has revealed a new platform in order to address this threat.

The company says it is expanding its reach into the online creator economy with new updates to its Security for Creators suite, now offering coverage for Facebook and Instagram.

Bitdefender claims its new product offers creators a more focused and proactive form of protection, covering not only their content accounts but also their devices.

Rising threats underline the need for creator-focused security

Online scams and credential leaks are reportedly accelerating, with Bitdefender claiming over 184 million sets of login credentials were recently found exposed online, many linked to Instagram and Facebook.

At the same time, scam-driven financial losses have topped $1 trillion globally, according to recent data.

“Online creators are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals who weaponize trust to take over accounts and scam followers out of money or into downloading malware,” stated Ciprian Istrate, senior vice president of operations, Consumer Solutions Group at Bitdefender.

“Bitdefender Security for Creators offers the first end-to-end service to help safeguard creators’ accounts, content, and devices across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, delivering continuous, always-on security as online threats evolve.”

The continuous monitoring feature across the different social media platforms looks for signs of unauthorized activity, such as mass deletion of content or unapproved changes to profile settings.

Bitdefender says these signs can point to possible account takeovers, and that alerts are sent immediately if anomalies are detected.

Creators are also offered the ability to manage their account security, malware scans, and threat alerts from a unified control panel.

Regular antivirus scans mostly protects the device, and this all-in-one design could appeal to influencers juggling multiple platforms.

From a single dashboard, users can track device scans across different operating systems, with support for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.

Bitdefender places particular emphasis on its AI-based anti-phishing features, claiming they can detect scams disguised as partnership requests and even spot phishing content generated using large language models.

The company also introduces support for collaborative protection, allowing creators to extend coverage to team members like editors or social media managers.

In the event of a compromise, users are given a recovery playbook to restore account access and manage communications with their audience.

For Bitdefender, the expansion reflects an attempt to capture a market it describes as underserved.

Yet whether digital creators will adopt a dedicated service in place of existing Android antivirus apps or broader social media management tools remains the big question.

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This is your last chance to check out on that antivirus deal that has been sitting in your basket, as today is the last day of Prime Day. Antivirus packages contain many different tools, from scam and phishing protection, to credential managers and identity monitoring. Luckily, no matter what you're looking for, all of the biggest brands are currently on sale. Take a look at my roundup of the best deals on antivirus:

Best Prime Day antivirus deals in the US

Norton 360 Deluxe 2025 for 5 devices now $20 (-78%): Protect up to 5 devices with Norton 360 Deluxe, which offers AI scam protection, parental controls, dark web monitoring, VPN, malware protection, and a more modest 50GB cloud backup.

McAfee Total Protection 2025 for 5 devices now $25 (-83%): McAfee is another top antivirus software that performed exceptionally in our review - and with this 5 device license to McAfee Total Protection you can grab antivirus, scam protection, VPN, credential monitoring & management, and safe browsing support at a $95 discount.

McAfee+ Premium 2025 Unlimited now $30 (-80%): Another excellent deal for McAfee antivirus, this time with McAfee+ Premium covering unlimited devices. This might be slightly overkill for some, but at a discount this big you really can't go wrong. Get everything in the Total Protection package, but with the added bonus of full Identity Monitoring.

Bitdefender Total Security 2025 for 5 devices now $25 (-78%): Bitdefender has performed incredibly well both in our own review, and the testing done by the independent labs. The Total Security package provides you with advanced threat defense against malware, ransomware, crypto mining, phishing, fraud, and spam protection and much more across 5 devices.

Malwarebytes Premium 2025 for 5 devices now $30 (-50%): Malwarebytes is better known for being the software you turn to when your device is already infected, but they can also help prevent the infections in the first place with this great Malwarebytes Premium 2025 deal. This package detects and protects against malware, spyware, ransomware, secures your digital identity, and protects against malicious websites. You can read more about Malwarebytes in our full review.

Webroot Antivirus for PC Gamers 2025 now $20 (-40%): Webroot has a package designed for PC Gamers, and it is officially half price on Amazon. This software is designed to be low-impact so you can continue gaming at maximum performance with minimal interruptions. You can read more about how well Webroot performs in our full review!

Webroot Internet Security Plus 2025 for 3 devices now $30 (-50%): This lightweight internet protection package provides you with an identity theft protection and web security suite, complete with antivirus, phishing protection, with support across Windows, macOS, Apple iOS and Android.

Best Prime Day antivirus deals in the UK

Norton 360 Deluxe 2025 for 5 devices now £14 (-83%): Secure your PC, Mac, iPhone and Android with this comprehensive antivirus package than includes anti-malware, phishing and ransomware protection, secure VPN, password manager and a 50GB home cloud backup for all your most precious memories and important files.

Norton 360 Advanced 2025 for 10 devices now £25 (-83%): Protect 10 devices against scams and online fraud with Bitdefender's Genie AI-Powered Scam Protection Assistant, and use the identity restoration support service to resolve identity theft and identity fraud from start to finish. This package also includes real time antivirus threat protection and dark web monitoring.

McAfee Total Protection 2025 for 3 devices now £13 (-83%): Grab a full year of McAfee Total Protection plus 3 months extra free in this antivirus deal. Secure 3 devices with antivirus, scam protection, credential and identity monitoring, safe browsing tools, and more. Check out or full review for more details.

Bitdefender Total Security 2025 for 3 devices now £13 (-28%): Bitdefender's Total Security is an all encompassing package that provides antivirus protection and security tools across Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. Keep yourself protected from fraud and phishy-links and secure your web traffic with the VPN (which unfortunately has a 200mb/day limit). If you want to know more, have a look through our full review.

CCleaner Pro Plus for 3 devices now £12 (-80%): While not an antivirus solution in and of itself, this CCleaner software comes packaged with Norton 360 AI tools to help keep your PC safe while CCleaner cleans up your files, frees up storage space, updates all your drivers and software to the latest version, and recovers file that you thought had been lost long ago.

Amazon's Prime Day sale - quick links

• Standing desk - Standing desk deals for every budget
• Office chair - Flexispot, Branch, and Sihoo chair deals from $100
• Printers - Grab super discounts across HP, Brother, Epson, and more
• Hard drive - Boost your storage with deals across HDD and NAS
• Portable monitor - Hook up a new monitor from just $60
• Mini PC - Save $$$s across Apple and Windows mini PCs
• Portable power station - Top picks across Anker, EcoFlow, and more

• Netsh.exe is the most abused Windows tool, and it still hides in plain sight
• PowerShell shows up on 73% of endpoints, not just in admin hands
• WMIC’s surprising comeback shows attackers favor tools no one’s watching anymore

A new analysis of 700,000 security incidents has revealed just how extensively cybercriminals exploit trusted Microsoft tools to breach systems undetected.

While the trend of attackers using native utilities, known as Living off the Land (LOTL) tactics, is not new, the latest data from Bitdefender’s GravityZone platform suggests it’s even more widespread than previously believed.

A staggering 84% of high-severity attacks involved the use of legitimate system binaries already present on machines. This undermines the effectiveness of conventional defenses, even those marketed as the best antivirus or best malware protection.

Abuse of trusted system tools - netsh.exe tops the list

Some of the tools most commonly abused will be very familiar to system administrators, including powershell.exe and wscript.exe.

However, one tool unexpectedly emerged at the top: netsh.exe. A command-line utility for managing network configuration, netsh.exe was found in a third of major attacks - and while it is still used for firewall and interface management, its frequent appearance in attack chains suggests its potential for misuse is underestimated.

PowerShell remains a key component of both legitimate operations and malicious activity - although 96% of organizations use PowerShell, it was found running on 73% of endpoints, well beyond the scope of what would be expected from administrative use alone.

Bitdefender found, “third-party applications running PowerShell code without a visible interface” were a common cause.

This dual-use nature makes detection difficult, especially for tools not backed by behavior-aware engines.

It raises questions about whether the best EPP solutions are adequately tuned to account for this blurred line between normal and nefarious use.

Another surprising finding was the continued use of wmic.exe, a tool that Microsoft has deprecated.

Despite its age, the analysis shows it is still widely present in environments, often invoked by software seeking system information. It is particularly attractive when attackers are trying to blend in because of its legitimate appearance.

To tackle this issue, Bitdefender developed PHASR (Proactive Hardening and Attack Surface Reduction). This tool employs a targeted approach that goes beyond simply disabling tools.

“PHASR goes beyond blocking entire tools, it also monitors and stops the specific actions attackers use within them,” the company said.

Still, this approach is not without trade-offs. The fundamental dilemma, “can’t live with them, can’t live without them”, remains unresolved.

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Picking the best antivirus can be hard, especially when choosing between two solutions that many consider to be in the upper echelons of the personal security industry.

Case in point: both Bitdefender and McAfee are known for their stellar track record in battling malware. Both also come packed with a similar bag of extra security functions, so a glance at the list of features is enough to induce the dreaded case of analysis paralysis.

Thankfully, a deeper dive into the intricacies of those overlapping security bells and whistles may help you decide which one will work better for your personal cybersecurity needs.

Bitdefender versus McAfee: Background

Bitdefender’s beginnings are certainly humble. Originating in Romania in 1997 as AVX (Antivirus Expert), its parent company quickly gave it a massive makeover in 2001 and rebranded it as Bitdefender. The rest is pretty much history, as it eventually became one of the most popular pieces of cybersecurity software in the world.

McAfee, on the other hand, is the name synonymous with antivirus software. Starting as the brainchild of John McAfee in 1987, it has been at the forefront of the industry since the early days of personal computing, and is still at the very top.

History aside, McAfee and Bitdefender adapted over time as cybersecurity expanded. These days, they provide user-friendly digital suites for a plethora of different devices, with a great deal of useful security features that go beyond just malware protection.

Bitdefender versus McAfee: Security features

The core protection is solid with both providers, so the decision on which antivirus will find a home on your device will greatly rely on other functionalities (that most cybersecurity companies now offer).

We’ll evaluate the quality of real-time threat detection, identity theft protection, and indispensable features like firewall protection, VPN, parental controls, and password managers. As you’ll soon see, despite a similar bag of goodies, the way they go about implementing these is somewhat different.

Real-time threat detection

Bitdefender will undoubtedly put your mind at ease with its real-time threat detection that’s 98% effective (offline and online detection rates) and its Advanced Threat Defense aimed at detecting zero-day threats. This high-level defense monitors all applications and processes on your devices, and if it notices anything out of the ordinary, it will swiftly block the suspicious app until it does any damage.

McAfee boasts a similar function. By leveraging machine learning, it looks for patterns and unique behaviors in new threats, which allows it to safeguard against threats not found in malware databases. Unfortunately, McAfee can be considered a bit trigger-happy in this regard, since its machine learning algorithm often ends up targeting safe files, leading to a lot of false positives.

Firewall

No security suite is complete without a firewall, a function that monitors inbound and outbound connections on your devices to protect from unauthorized access.

Bitdefender’s firewall does the job. Albeit a bit basic, it’s configurable and allows you to select which apps get to connect to the internet. Mind you, this feature is not available on macOS devices.

McAfee takes things a step further with its firewall protection by implementing a series of smart features for extra security, and allows you to track all devices connected to your network – something that makes Bitdefender’s firewall seem pretty outdated in comparison.

Identity theft protection

Bitdefender offers a separate Digital Identity Protection service, which is a bit of a copout, as plenty of antivirus vendors provide this feature in their security suites. Still, it’s worth noting that Bitdefender’s identity theft protection service is highly affordable at $3.33/mo.

McAfee includes various identity theft protections. In the ‘Premium’ subscription tier, you’ll receive options like personal data scans, online account scans, and identity monitoring and alerts. As you move up the tiers, the identity protections get a lot more sophisticated.

For instance, the ‘Ultimate’ plan includes a full personal data cleanup service, bank and credit card monitoring, credit monitoring, security freeze feature, $25K ransomware coverage, and up to $2M in identity theft coverage, plus identity restoration support.

VPN

While Bitdefender offers a VPN in all its subscriptions, it implements a 200MB daily data cap in each of its packages except the most expensive one (you also have the option of purchasing a $69 per year premium VPN add-on for lower-priced tiers). This is a shame as the VPN is quite comprehensive, offering a network of 3k servers in 100 countries, and powerful functionalities like a kill switch and split tunneling, which you can routinely find offered by the best VPN services.

When it comes to McAfee, it provides an unlimited VPN in all its McAfee+ subscriptions, with over 7000 servers across 48 countries, a kill switch, split-tunneling, and auto-connect, making it a fairly good addition to McAfee's range of plans.

Password manager

Let’s preface this by saying that password managers provided out of the box by Bitdefender and McAfee have some limitations compared to the top password managers in the market. Yet, both do the job admirably.

Bitdefender has a bunch of practical little functionalities like the ability to sync passwords across devices, auto-save, auto-fill, password wallet, and a password generator. The only drawback is that it doesn’t support two-factor authentication.

Its competitor is known for the True Key Password Manager, which is available in all McAfee subscriptions from ‘Basic’ to ‘Premium’, and comes with a slew of robust multi-factor authentication options. While it doesn’t support password sharing or form-filling, it allows you to easily import stored passwords from most web browsers and other password managers.

Parental controls

As expected, Bitdefender has a set of straightforward, yet powerful parental controls that provide insight into the apps and websites your child has access to, allow you to track their screen time, and even block content (or whole sites) in accordance with different categories.

McAfee’s parental controls take the cake here. In addition to everything available in Bitdefender, McAfee’s Safe Family parental controls provide the ability to check your kids’ locations on a map and receive alerts if they leave or wander into specific areas.

Additional features

The fun doesn’t stop there as the two vendors offer more firepower that provides better value for your money. A good example is the file shredder offered by both McAfee and Bitdefender that allows you to permanently erase files, thus stopping them from being recovered by nefarious threat actors.

Beyond that, Bitdefender has a nice microphone and webcam protection (you can finally remove that piece of tape from the webcam), while McAfee allows you to scan and scrub for unused online accounts.

Before we delve deeper, it’s worth noting that McAfee currently has a small edge over Bitdefender strictly on the merits of its security extras. While the latter is no slouch, it does have a few limitations, like the VPN data cap and missing functions on MacOS devices. Add to that granular parental controls and more powerful identity theft protection, and McAfee has a more well-rounded arsenal of tools.

Bitdefender versus McAfee: System performance

Bitdefender spent years amassing a reputation as a lightweight antivirus solution that won’t slow down your device, but it appears McAfee beats it in terms of optimization, according to the latest third-party tests.

Don’t let this discourage you, as Bitdefender is still an admirable performer. In fact, it earned a “Top Product” award and had top scores on tests conducted by AV-Test in February, but McAfee is simply performs better when it comes to system performance.

According to a more in-depth AV-Comparatives April 2025 test, Bitdefender received an impact score of 25, which is pretty average considering that a low number indicates superior performance. McAfee, by contrast, came out as an all-around winner, snagging a 2.6 score.

Although Bitdefender probably won’t slow down your PC significantly, McAfee is a solid choice if you need an antivirus that will have a minimal effect on performance.

Bitdefender versus McAfee: Ease of use

Only a few things can sour your day like struggling with a confusing piece of software. The good news is that both antivirus suites have sleek apps and well-designed interfaces that are approachable for total beginners and cybersecurity aficionados.

With Bitdefender, clear organization is the name of the game, as the suite groups are divided into three tabs where you can access individual features in a few clicks. For example, the ‘Protection’ tab houses the main features, and the ‘Privacy’ tab is where you’ll find the VPN and the password managers.

Furthermore, you can customize your dashboard by implementing quick actions, which are super useful if you’re keen on specific tools. Since it has some degree of customization, we’d also have no problems recommending this piece of software for more advanced users.

What about McAfee?

It bolsters an uncluttered design where you can perform most actions with just a few clicks. Most functions have shortcut tiles, and even the most advanced tools are within reach on the left sidebar.

As such, it’s ideal for non-technical users, although more experienced individuals may find this approach too simplistic.

Bitdefender versus McAfee: Protection

After a round of appetizers, it’s time for the main dish - the antivirus protection.

Spoiler alert: both vendors do a darn good job, although McAfee struggles slightly with its offline detection rates, according to the March 2025 malware protection tests by AV-Comparatives.

Bitdefender had an impressive offline and online detection rate of 98.7%, and an impeccable 99.97% online protection rate. Another impressive metric logged during these tests is the low false alarm count (false positives) of five.

McAfee did have a low offline detection rate of 79.3%, but it did slightly outpace Bitdefender in online detection rates, scoring a commendable 99.6%, with a 99.96% online protection (only 0.01% lower than Bitdefender). As we mentioned earlier, McAfee is a bit too keen here, raising 15 false alarms over the course of these threats. This can be considered many and a nuisance in your day-to-day work.

It’s also worth mentioning that McAfee can struggle with ransomware or phishing, which is something we found out in our recent tests.

Tiny snags aside, data shows that McAfee and Bitdefender are among the world's best antivirus programs in terms of protection. Whichever you choose, you’re in good hands.

Bitdefender versus McAfee: Pricing

Bitdefender may have a few limitations with its features, but credit where credit is due - it’s much more affordable than McAfee. Rudimentary free tier aside, Bitdefender’s first paid plan, Antivirus Plus, costs just $9.99 per year (for the first year) for one device. For more features and more devices (three), you can upgrade to the Total Security plan for $19.99, or go all in on the most powerful Premium Security that supports up to ten devices for a reasonable $79.99 per year.

McAfee isn’t as economical. The McAfee Basic plan, which protects one device and has a few restrictions (most notably in terms of identity theft protections), is $29.99. McAfee Essential comes at $35.99 and extends the support to up to five devices. McAfee+ Premium costs $44.99 and supports unlimited devices, while for total protection, it’s recommended to upgrade to McAfee+ Advanced or McAfee+ Ultimate, which run $80.99 and $199.99 per year, respectively.

Bitdefender provides a much better price-to-feature ratio and is more wallet-friendly. However, if you require advanced identity theft protection (and we do mean advanced), then McAfee is a superior choice.

It’s worth pointing out that these prices are limited to the first year of use, and renewals often end up costing double the amount.

Bitdefender versus McAfee: Which is best?

Bitdefender and McAfee are amazing antivirus solutions that will perform well and protect you against malware and a variety of other digital threats. The answer to which one is better depends solely on your needs.

If you want a budget AV that doesn’t sacrifice quality, then Bitdefender is great and even outpaces McAfee in some areas. For a more comprehensive security suite that protects your device and helps safeguard your digital footprint, McAfee is a better choice.

You’re safe regardless of the vendor you go with, which should theoretically alleviate some of that stress, because you really can’t go wrong with either of the two.

Purchasing one of the best antivirus subscription is a great way to enhance your overall security and safeguard your devices from malware. However, picking a security suite that provides good value for money isn’t easy, considering the sheer number of options out there.

Norton and Bitdefender both stand out from the crowd with their excellent detection rates and a wide range of extra features that further boost your security. Still, there are a few differences between them that affect their overall price-to-quality ratio.

So, without further ado, let’s compare Bitdefender and Norton to see how they stack against each other in a head-to-head comparison.

Bitdefender versus Norton: Background

Bitdefender originally started as AVX (Antivirus Expert) in 1996, until it was rebranded into its current form by SOFTWIN in 2001. While its beginnings are certainly humble compared to industry giants like McAfee and Norton, it eventually built its name as a dependable and resource-light antivirus, dominating the market as the most popular mobile antivirus software in North and South America in 2022.

The name Norton is well-known in the cybersecurity industry. Created by Peter Norton back in 1982, this piece of software was almost on every computer during the early days of Windows, when Symantec took over the product and introduced a slew of nifty Auto-Protect features.

Today, these providers are fighting for the same piece of pie as they offer all-encompassing security suites for all types of budgets. That said, there are key differences that put one slightly ahead of the other in a few noteworthy areas.

Bitdefender versus Norton: Security features

Thankfully, both antivirus suites are very effective in terms of antivirus protection, so you won’t miss out on anything in terms of core protections, regardless of your choice.

Let’s see what these two antivirus solutions bring to the table:

Real-time threat detection

Bitdefender is known for its top-notch threat detection capabilities, with third-party tests confirming it scores over 98% in online and offline detection rates with only five false positives. In addition, it uses an Advanced Threat Defense, which detects zero-day threats in real time by monitoring processes and applications running on your device.

If the AV detects any suspicious activities, such as injecting code into regular processes or installing unauthorized drivers, the danger score will increase. Once it reaches a critical threshold, Bitdefender will block the offending application.

Norton is no slouch either. While it lags slightly in offline detection rate (97%) and has a far greater rate of false positives, its online detection rate exceeds 99%, according to third-party test results. Norton is also great in safeguarding users from ransomware, as well as in anti-phishing protection by blocking 95% of the test links we threw at it.

Firewall

A firewall is a critical piece of any antivirus suite as it safeguards your system from unauthorized access by blocking outbound and inbound connections under a predetermined set of rules.

Bitdefender’s firewall is rather configurable, and you can choose which applications to let through or block. That said, this functionality is available only in Bitdefender’s Total Security package and is not supported in Bitdefender’s antivirus suite for Mac devices.

Norton has no such limitations and offers a potent firewall that shields against all sorts of incoming attacks. It’s also heavily customizable, allowing you to configure how exactly it handles different traffic types.

Identity theft protection

While plenty of security suites nowadays include identity theft protection, Bitdefender isn’t one of them. Nonetheless, it offers a separate Digital Identity Protection service, which takes care of your digital identity for a price as low as $3.33/mo.

On the other hand, Norton provides identity theft protection via LifeLock in its highest Select subscription tier. With it, you get a full service that includes credit monitoring, identity lock, credit and SSN alerts, stolen wallet protection, and professional assistance by identity theft restoration experts. If things get completely messed up, you may also receive compensation for expenses up to $1 million.

VPN

Bitdefender offers a VPN in all its paid packages with a severely unfortunate twist – the standard version has a 200MB daily data cap. You’ll have to opt for the most expensive tier to remove this limitation, or purchase a $69.99/y premium VPN to add it onto a lower-priced tier.

While Bitdefender’s VPN can’t compete with dedicated VPN providers, it does include some nifty features like auto-connect, split tunneling (allows you to select which apps bypass the VPN connection), and a kill switch (disconnects you from the internet if VPN connection drops).

Norton, in contrast, offers an unlimited VPN option with all subscription tiers with the exception of its cheapest offering. It’s also packed with bells and whistles that make it similar in quality to what Bitdefender offers, and is capable of achieving speeds that even rival some premium VPN services out there.

Its worth noting that if a VPN is the deciding factor in your choice of antivirus, it might be best taking a look at our guide to the best VPN, as many VPNs bundled in antivirus packages don't quite match up to the likes of dedicated services such as NordVPN or SurfShark.

Password manager

No modern cybersecurity suite is complete without a password manager, and both Bitdefender and Norton rise to the occasion.

Integrated straight into the dashboard, Bitdefender allows you to sync passwords across all the devices where you installed the app and includes nifty features like auto-fill, auto-save, a password wallet, and an easy-to-use password generator. Notably, it doesn’t support two-factor authentication, making it seem somewhat limited in comparison to top dedicated password managers.

With Norton’s offering, you can share credentials across different devices, with the added benefit of being available as a standalone service in the form of browser extensions or iOS and Android apps.

Both allow you to import data from web browsers and other password managers such as Chrome, Firefox, Bitwarden, 1Password, and others.

Parental controls

Bitdefender has a nice set of parental control features that are very straightforward to set up. The options are plentiful: you can track all the basics like screen time, applications used, and check which websites individual juniors are visiting. Moreover, you can blacklist or whitelist websites and block content in accordance to categories like weapons, suicide, and so on.

Norton’s parental control includes everything that Bitdefender offers, with a more-than-welcome addition of mobile GPS tracking. Using geo-location, it’s possible to keep an eye on your child’s whereabouts, and even set up geographic limits and areas of interest to receive notifications if the child goes out of bounds or visits a place you designated as a no-go.

Extra features

While some security extras overlap, there are a number of unique functions each provider brings to the table.

Bitdefender sweetens the deal with a file shredder that allows you to permanently erase files, a vulnerability scan that grants you insight into the potential vulnerabilities of the app, and microphone and webcam protection.

Right now, Norton has a SafeCam option, which protects your webcam from hackers, but it doesn’t protect your microphone like Bitdefender does. It’s not a big deal, though, as Norton bridges the gap with other powerful features, including Dark Web Monitoring that helps you uncover if any of your private information is up for sale on the dark web. Moreover, there is a cloud backup functionality (the amount of storage will depend on the subscription tier) that will come in handy to prevent data loss.

Lastly, both providers include similar private browsers for more browsing security and safer online purchases.

Peeking in the bag of goodies doesn’t make it any easier to decide which antivirus suite offers more. Puzzling limitations found with Bitdefender, like the daily VPN data cap, are already somewhat of a ridicule in tech circles, and basics like a firewall not being available on MacOS are another huge minus that alone are enough to give Norton a slight edge. Add on top of that more powerful parental controls and helpful additions like cloud storage, and it’s only fair to give Norton the victory in the “battle of features”.

Bitdefender versus Norton: System performance

Bitdefender won’t make much of a dent on your system resources and is famous for being one of the most lightweight antivirus programs out there. During a February 2025 test conducted by AV-Test, it earned the “Top Product” award, scoring a 100 for both performance and usability.

Interestingly, in the April 2025 test by AV-Comparatives, Bitdefender didn’t perform as well, receiving an impact score of 25. Mind you, this isn’t good, as a lower impact score is better.

Norton also earned the “Top Product” award from AV-Test (showing identical results as Bitdefender), but swept the floor with most other antivirus solutions during the AV-Comparatives test with an impact score of 4.6.

While we experienced no performance issues with Bitdefender, the AV-Comparatives test is enough to prove that Norton is one of the fastest in the industry. So, Norton takes the cake in terms of overall performance.

Bitdefender versus Norton: Ease of use

Bitdefender’s interface is well-organized and easy to navigate, with suite groups divided into just three tabs. You’ll be able to access all the main features, such as threat prevention in the ‘Protection’ tab, while the VPN and other features like password managers are grouped under the ‘Privacy’ tab. The rest is easy to access in the ‘Utilities’.

Another positive is the option to customize your dashboard by adding all sorts of quick actions, so you can fire up your favorite tools even faster.

All of this makes Bitdefender comprehensive enough for advanced users and super easy to use for the less technically inclined.

Norton is a bit more sophisticated, which may be an issue for beginners. This doesn’t mean the app isn’t functional, as it’s actually well-designed, but it caters more toward experienced users. A good example of this is the fact that some of Norton’s features, like Dark Web Monitoring and parental controls, are not a part of the main app interface. Once you get used to it, it’s not much of a problem.

In conclusion, Bitdefender is a more user-friendly solution, which drastically increases its overall appeal and makes it a more approachable choice.

Bitdefender versus Norton: Protection

Of course, all of the features above are a welcome addition, but an antivirus lives and dies by how good its protection does the job.

In AV-Comparatives tests from March 2025, Bitdefender and Norton both did well, with the former beating out its rival by a literal hair in terms of offline detection and online protection rate. While Norton scored marginally higher in online detection rate, it did churn out double the amount of false positives (ten compared to five).

Either way, these detection and protection rates place Bitdefender and Norton into the upper echelons of home antivirus software, meaning you can’t go wrong by choosing either. However, Bitdefender can be considered slightly more precise simply due to the lower number of false positives.

Bitdefender versus Norton: Pricing

The amount of cash you’ll have to part with also plays a major role in choosing an antivirus. Norton may be more feature-packed, but it also comes at a higher price point.

The lowest tier is AntiVirus Plus, costing $29.99 per year and supporting one device. For $39.99 per year, Standard protection extends the coverage to three devices, while Deluxe covers five devices for $49.99. The complete Select package costs $99.99 per year and supports up to ten devices.

When it comes to Bitdefender, it has a limited free tier, with the first premium upgrade Antivirus Plus costing $9.99 per year for the protection of one device. For $19.99 per year, you get more features and support for three devices in the Total Security package. If you need all features and support for up to 10 devices, you can opt for Premium Security for $79.99 per year.

Bitdefender versus Norton: Which is best?

When comparing two robust antivirus solutions like Bitdefender and Norton, the choice is anything but easy. Yet, the fact that both are equally effective in protecting against malware and other sorts of digital threats means that the details and personal preference will ultimately decide which software is for you.

If you need a simple and affordable solution that gets the job done with a minimum amount of add-ons and customization, then Bitdefender will be at home on your computer. But if a more comprehensive set of features is what you’re after and are willing to spare an extra $20-30 for the pleasure, then Norton will likely be the better fit.

• Researchers found a website spoofing Bitdefender antivirus
• The site delivers a remote access trojan
• Crooks are using it to steal people's money

One of the best antivirus programs out there is being abused in a new campaign delivering the dangerous VenomRAT Remote Access Trojan (RAT).

Cybersecurity researchers Domaintools recently posted an in-depth analysis of the malicious operation after they spotted a malicious domain called “bitdefender-download[.]com”, which leads to a website titled “DOWNLOAD FOR WINDOWS”.

Aside from a few subtle differences, the website looks seemingly identical to the legitimate Bitdefender download web page: “There are subtle differences between them such as the legitimate page using the word “free” in several places whereas the spoofed version does not,” it was explained.

VenomRAT

The landing page has a “Download for Windows” button, which triggers a file download from an Amazon S3 bucket.

The bundled executable is named “StoreInstaller.exe”, and was found to contain malware configurations associated with VenomRAT, Domaintools further explained. It also contained code associated with open source post-exploitation framework SilentTrinity and StormKitty stealer.

VenomRAT is a lightweight RAT that cybercriminals use to gain control over compromised Windows systems. It enables the theft of login credentials, and allows threat actors to log keystrokes, access webcams, and run additional commands, remotely.

In this case, Domaintools says the goal was to steal people’s cryptocurrency and then sell the access to a different threat actor, saying there is “clear intent to target individuals for financial gain by compromising their credentials, crypto wallets, and potentially selling access to their systems.”

The researchers also found that the campaign overlaps, both in time and infrastructure, to other malicious operations in which banks and “generic IT services” were being impersonated. The Armenian IDBank, and the Royal Bank of Canada, are some of the companies being mentioned in the report.

As usual, the best way to minimize these threats is to be careful when clicking on links in emails and social media messages, and only download software from legitimate sources.

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• Scammers exploit trending topics to trick viewers into losing crypto
• Bitdefender warns millions at risk from hijacked content creator accounts
• Cyberattacks now target influencers across YouTube, Instagram, and beyond

Cybercriminals are hijacking popular YouTube channels at an alarming rate, exposing viewers to scams, malware, and data theft - and with billions of views and millions of followers at stake, one wrong click can have devastating consequences.

New research by Bitdefender Labs claims social media account takeovers surged throughout 2024 and continued evolving into early 2025.

Content creators and influencers with significant followings and view counts have become primary targets.

Verification before interaction

Bitdefender detected over 9,000 malicious livestreams on YouTube in 2024. These are often hosted on hijacked channels that impersonate trusted brands and public figures to spread fraud and malware.

One such compromised account had a total view count of 12.4 billion; if just 1% of viewers were deceived, 124 million users would be affected.

Attackers frequently impersonate popular brands like Tesla, Ripple, or SpaceX, hosting fake livestreams featuring deepfakes of public figures such as Elon Musk or Donald Trump to promote cryptocurrency scams and phishing links.

Beyond YouTube, Instagram has also been a major target. Hackers impersonate Meta or Instagram Support in phishing emails, clone login pages, and manipulate creators into sharing SMS verification codes.

Malicious sponsorships are another method of infiltration. Cybercriminals lure creators into downloading malware-laced files disguised as promotional content. Malvertising - ads for fake AI tools or games like GTA VI - that install info-stealers and remote access trojans on victims’ devices are also common tactics.

Events that draw large online audiences, such as Apple keynotes, the XRP-SEC lawsuit, or CS2 tournaments, are frequently exploited. Attackers use these moments of peak interest to launch scams disguised as official livestreams or contests.

For instance, during the 2025 White House Crypto Summit, fake YouTube streams promoted fraudulent airdrops to trick viewers into surrendering sensitive information or cryptocurrency.

How to stay safe

To stay safe, creators are urged to use the best browsers with built-in security features, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA), and closely monitor account activity for suspicious changes. Scrutinizing unexpected sponsorship offers, especially those tied to trending topics, is also essential.

It’s recommended to implement the best DDoS protection to guard against service disruptions following account takeovers, and to use a reliable proxy service to add a layer of anonymity and security when managing accounts across platforms.

Bitdefender also advises creators to train team members on current threats and to stay updated through official security bulletins from platforms and cybersecurity researchers.

Tools like Bitdefender Security for Creators offer dedicated protection, including 24/7 account monitoring, scam email filters, and guided recovery options in the event of a breach.

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• Bitdefender found more than 300 Android apps used to display unwanted ads
• Almost all apps have so far been removed from the Play Store
• Some of the apps even tried to steal sensitive data

Hundreds of Android applications, installed millions of times from the Google Play Store, were part of a large-scale ad fraud campaign that displayed unwanted ads and tried to steal sensitive data from the victims, experts have warned.

Cybersecurity researchers from Bitdefender, who also credited IAS Threat Lab, said they discovered at least 331 apps that were available via the Google Play Store which, cumulatively, amassed more than 60 million downloads, mostly on older Android variants (Android 13 and older).

The apps were mimicking simple utility apps such as QR scanners, expense tracking apps, health apps, wallpaper apps, and others.

Protecting your Android phone

Most applications first became active on Google Play in Q3 2024, and by the time Bitdefender’s research completed, only 15 remained active. The vast majority of victims are located in Brazil, followed by the US, Mexico, Turkey, and South Korea.

When the victims downloaded one of the apps, they first hide their icons from the launcher (something that’s only possible on older versions of Android). The apps retained “some functionality”, but they are able to show out-of-context ads over other applications in the foreground. Some try to gather user credentials, credit card data, and other information.

Some apps can even start without user interaction, something that shouldn’t be possible even on Android 13.

While eventually all of the apps will be removed from the Play Store, people who have them installed on their devices remain at risk. If your Android smartphone is acting strange (lagging, displaying ads over different ads, overheating, spending data while idle), make sure to remove any unwanted apps, or those that you aren’t actively using.

Furthermore, if possible, make sure to use the latest version of Android. At the moment, that is Android 15, with the next iteration scheduled for later in 2025.

Edit, March 20 - A Google spokesperson confirmed that all of the malicious apps have been removed from the Play Store:

"All of the identified apps from this report have been removed from Google Play. Android users are also automatically protected by Google Play Protect, which is on by default on Android devices with Google Play Services," the spokesperson told us in an email.

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• Bitdefender has identified a malicious SMS campaign
• The texts promise up to 90% energy bills savings
• Elon Musk's likeness is used to try and trick victims

A malicious SMS campaign has been discovered by Bitdefender, taking advantage of Americans who want to save money on their energy bills.

The scammers sent an offer for an ‘innovative’ energy saving device via an SMS, usually including the victim’s real name, urging them to follow a link to “start saving” hundreds on their electric bill. The fraudsters most likely had access to the victim’s names through previous data breaches. Here’s one example of the SMS;

“Gary, your neighbors are paying 79% less for power. Why aren’t you? Stop overpaying- click here to start saving https://gimelove .com/eln”

ESaver Watt

As well as phishing and malware attacks, the link was found to lead some recipients to a fake news article featuring a photo and testimonial from Musk, promising an up to 90% saving on monthly electricity bills.

“The big power companies are scamming you. Yes, that’s right. Believe it or not, they have been using a secret to cheat you every time you run your lights, dishwasher, blender, vacuum and anything else that draws power”, says the fake Elon Musk.

“This is why your power bill is so expensive every month and keeps rising with some US residents paying as much as $500 a month in electric bills. Every American can slash their electricity bill by 90% using this revolutionary technology. You’re welcome.”

The article features a photo of the ‘device’, and links to product pages, where the plugin is sold for $40. Bitdefender has seen similar devices sold on Chinese marketplaces for just a few dollars - but to be clear, energy prices cannot be reduced by plugging in an outlet, and these devices will cost victims money and their personal information.

These are classic social engineering attacks, which are designed to panic or entice victims into action - usually clicking a malicious link which will steal their data. The best way to stay safe from attacks like these is to stay vigilant, and to never click any unsolicited links - remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!

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• AI-driven chatbot analyzes content for malicious intent instantly
• Users can verify suspicious links, texts, and QR codes
• Scamio offers personalized recommendations to enhance user safety

Bitdefender has launched Scamio, a free AI-powered chatbot designed to protect Discord users from scams in real time.

The platform analyzes content for signs of malicious intent and offers tailored recommendations if it detects a potential scam, helping users decide whether to delete the message or block the sender.

Whether it’s suspicious text, link, screenshot, or even a QR code, users can drop questionable content into the chatbot, and Scamio will quickly analyze it for malicious intent. In more complex cases, where the scam is not immediately apparent, Scamio will ask follow-up questions to gather more context and update its overview of the situation.

Growing threat of discord scams

Discord has a user base of over 200 million monthly active users, meaning it has unfortunately attracted scammers using a range of deceptive tactics to steal personal information, drop malware, and defraud unsuspecting users.

Recent Bitdefender analysis revealed thousands of malicious URLs have been intercepted on Discord, with over 50% of these intercepted links and messages flagged as untrusted or spam.

Also, nearly 20% of malicious links on Discord are phishing attempts designed to steal login credentials, while another 20% involve malware infections. Furthermore, around 6% of links are linked to fraud schemes such as impersonation or fake giveaways.

These phishing scams often lure users with promises of free Nitro subscriptions or exclusive in-game content. Clicking on these links redirects users to fake sites designed to harvest their personal information. T

here are also impersonation scams that involve fraudsters pretending to be well-known figures or trusted community members, often asking for donations or spreading malware. Moreover, cryptocurrency-related scams, especially on dedicated Discord servers, use pump-and-dump schemes or phishing tactics to drain crypto wallets.

Scamio’s approach to scam detection includes storing message history, which enables it to provide more personalized responses over time. Users can revisit past conversations and review the personalized recommendations and red flags identified in previous messages. This feature ensures that users have a detailed log of their interactions with potential scammers, helping them stay vigilant against recurring threats.

Additionally, Scamio provides educational tips in real time, teaching users how to recognize red flags and avoid risky behavior, detecting scams and helping users become more knowledgeable about online security.

Users can set up Scamio on their Discord accounts by visiting the Bitdefender website. Once installed, they can begin interacting with Scamio by sending it suspicious messages or links for analysis.

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The best Black Friday deals may nearly be over, but there's still time to grab a great offer on some top security software.

Not all antivirus solutions are created equal. One of the top choices is Bitdefender Ultimate, an all-in-one solution with a wide range of fantastic features - and it is currently available for just $79.99, a savings of $100 off the regular price.

However, this offer on Bitdefender Ultimate won't last long, so take advantage of it now - and we've also rounded up the best Black Friday antivirus deals in one simple guide.

Total protection for your device — any device

Bitdefender Ultimate has genuinely transformed the way I approach cybersecurity. It’s more than just an antivirus—it's my digital safety net, offering robust protection for all my devices and online activities. I love that it goes beyond simple malware defense, protecting me against ransomware and other emerging threats.

One of my favorite features is the Real-Time Protection. Knowing that my incoming and outgoing data is continuously monitored gives me peace of mind. I can surf the web, shop, and handle important tasks without worrying about potential risks.

The Anti-Phishing feature is another lifesaver. I can’t tell you how often I’ve encountered sketchy websites trying to scam me. Bitdefender makes me feel secure because it actively scans and blocks phishing attempts, keeping my personal information safe.

I also appreciate the built-in Firewall, which provides extra defense against unauthorized access. It also performs Vulnerability Assessments that alert me to outdated software or security patches, allowing me to stay proactive about my device’s security.

But what sets Bitdefender Ultimate apart is its focus on privacy and the online experience. The Unlimited VPN has been a game changer, allowing me to browse privately and securely, especially on public Wi-Fi. And the Password Manager? It takes the hassle out of remembering all those complex passwords while keeping them safe.

The Digital Identity Protection is a feature I didn’t know I needed until I tried it. It monitors the web for any signs that my personal information might have been compromised. It's a great relief to get alerts if there's any suspicious activity.

Overall, Bitdefender Ultimate is a complete security suite that understands my needs. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for anyone, whether tech-savvy or not, to navigate the security settings. Plus, with regular updates, I know I’m protected against the latest threats. Should I ever encounter an issue, their 24/7 customer support is incredibly reassuring. Bitdefender Ultimate truly feels like a secure companion in my digital life.

I've been using Bitdefender for a while now, and I have to say, it's been a fantastic experience. This security suite provides comprehensive protection for all my devices — Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS — so I feel secure no matter what I use.

This Black Friday, Bitdefender Total Security is now available for a special holiday price of $40.99, $50 off the regular yearly subscription price.

You better not wait, however, as this deal won’t last much longer - and we've also rounded up the best Cyber Monday antivirus deals in one simple guide.

Total protection for your device — any device

The Bitdefender Total Security suite provides comprehensive protection for all my devices—Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS—ensuring I feel secure no matter what I use, whether my laptop, smartphone, or tablet. The installation process was straightforward, and I appreciated the user-friendly interface, which makes navigating the features intuitive for anyone, even those who may not be tech-savvy.

I love Bitdefender’s impressive malware detection and removal, which consistently rank high in independent tests. To detect threats, Bitdefender utilizes a combination of signatures and advanced algorithms. Advanced behavioral detection technology does a fantastic job of identifying even the newest threats before they can cause any damage. It monitors program behavior in real-time and stops attacks in their tracks.

One of the best parts is that I can protect multiple devices with a single subscription, which is perfect for my family since we each have our own gadgets. This feature saves us money compared to purchasing separate licenses. The seamless synchronization across devices means I cannot manage multiple accounts, making it hassle-free.

Beyond the essential antivirus functions, I appreciate the vast array of features Bitdefender offers. The firewall and anti-phishing tools give me peace of mind while browsing, blocking malicious websites, and protecting my personal information. While limited in daily usage, the VPN is a great addition when I need some added privacy, especially when using public Wi-Fi. It helps encrypt my connection, making my online activities much safer.

The parental controls have been beneficial for managing my kids' online activities. I can easily set time limits, monitor their browsing history, and even block inappropriate content, giving me confidence that they are safe while exploring the digital world. Additionally, the password manager helps me keep track of all my login information securely by generating strong passwords and storing them safely, relieving me from remembering every single one.

I also like the system optimization tools—they’ve made my devices smoother. Features like disk cleanup and performance tuning have noticeably increased their speed.

While there are a couple of drawbacks, such as the limited VPN bandwidth, which might not be sufficient for heavy users, and a potential performance lag during full system scans, these issues are manageable considering the overall quality of protection. The suite is competitively priced for its quality and range of features.

Overall, Bitdefender has given me strong security and tools that enhance my online experience. I’d recommend it to anyone looking to bolster their online safety without compromising performance.

With Black Friday now upon us, it's a great time to protect your computer from viruses once and for all.

This top antivirus deal brings the price of Bitdefender Premium down to just $63.99 - saving nearly $100 off a one-year subscription.

Bitdefender Premium Security is a top-tier internet security suite that provides comprehensive protection for up to 10 devices, covering Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, so what are you waiting for? Get this deal now.

We've also rounded up the best Cyber Monday antivirus deals in one simple guide.

Total protection for your device — any device

Bitdefender Premium has many tough security features to keep you safe online. Its real-time antivirus and anti-malware system quickly spots and eliminates threats like viruses, ransomware, and spyware. It uses intelligent algorithms and machine learning to catch sneaky new threats before they cause trouble.

In addition, Bitdefender Premium has a built-in firewall, which acts as a security guard for your network, stopping cybercriminals from being uninvited. Plus, a VPN service lets you surf the web securely, protecting your online activities from prying eyes—even if you're using public Wi-Fi.

If you’re worried about remembering all your passwords, the password manager can help. It allows you to easily store and create strong passwords, ensuring your accounts stay safe. Families will appreciate the parental control feature, which helps parents monitor their kids’ online activities and set limits to create a safer experience.

Bitdefender also has anti-tracker technology, which blocks those pesky trackers that collect your data while you browse. It doesn’t stop there—there's protection for your webcam and microphone to keep them safe from unauthorized access.

You can feel secure with solid anti-phishing tools that help avoid scams and fake sites trying to steal your info. If ransomware is a concern, Bitdefender has your back with tools that help protect your files from being taken hostage. Plus, it checks for any vulnerabilities in your devices that could be exploited.

There are handy features like Wi-Fi security analysis, which examines your network’s safety, and anti-theft capabilities that let you track, lock, or wipe your devices if they go missing. To top it all off, there are system optimization tools that help keep your device running smoothly by clearing out unnecessary clutter.

Overall, Bitdefender Premium Security is a solid choice for improving online protection. It is excellent for individuals and families looking for peace of mind while browsing.

• Fake facebooks ads are posing as Bitwarden security updates
• The updates actually install a malicious browser extension
• The extensions steals personal and financial data from Facebook

Bitdefender has warned hackers are using the Facebook advertising platform to trick Bitwarden users into installing a fake security update that steals personal data and credit card information from businesses and individuals alike.

The advert lures a user through a string of redirected URLs before landing them at a phishing page designed to mimic the official Chrome Web Store.

Once downloaded, the malware leeches data from Facebook’s Graph API which is then sent to the attacker via a Google Script URL that acts as a command and control (C2) server.

Fake facebook ads spreading malware

The fake adverts create a sense of urgency for users, displaying messages such as “Warning: Your Passwords Are at Risk!” and using Bitwarden branding to appear as a legitimate advert.

Once lured to the fake Chrome Web Store, users then download a zip file that is manually loaded as a Chrome browser extension using Developer mode, avoiding the usual security checks that would take place when adding a browser extension.

The extension then asks for permission to operate on all websites, modify network requests, and access storage and cookies allowing it to collect and exfiltrate the data your browser has access to. Once the extension is opened, the malware looks for the ‘c_user’ cookie on Facebook, which contains the Facebook user ID.

The malware also uses a background.js script to harvest data from Facebook cookies, including information on location and IP address, and uses the Facebook Graph API to extract all of the stolen data to the hackers C2 server.

Bitdefender recommends that users and security teams keep an eye out for extensions that request excessive permissions, as well as those with obfuscated functions such as ‘chrome.runtime.onInstalled.addListener’ and signatures that request to graph.facebook.com APIs.

Users should also double check the authenticity of an update with the manufacturer, pay close attention to updates pushed through adverts and social media, and use one of the best antivirus services available as an additional line of defense.

While this campaign has since been taken down, the attack shows the potential for malicious actors to use Facebook advertising and social media to push further malware on a global scale.

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GoTo Resolve has a laser-sharp focus on remote support access security, and it now augments this with endpoint protection services. These include antivirus and patch management, while the Resolve “GoPilot” streamlines support sessions with AI-powered assistance.

This cloud-hosted service is available in four plans, with the Remote Access edition providing unattended support and starting at £18 for unlimited users and 25 devices. The Remote Support plan enables attended access for on-demand support and is priced per agent.

The Standard plan we review combines unattended and attended access, adds remote execution services and enables endpoint protection, GoPilot and custom script alerts. The Premium edition adds Windows and application update management.

The basic plans interact with existing anti-malware solutions such as Windows Defender and provide status and threat updates. The endpoint protection add-on has a yearly cost of £17 per device and uses the BitDefender engine for enhanced threat detection and self-healing scripts to clean up detected malware.

To access unattended systems technicians create a personal signature key of at least eight characters and, for added security, GoTo doesn’t store them in the cloud. You can set Resolve to ask for this every time a technician accesses a sensitive task such as deploying the unattended agent, but if this becomes tedious you can set it to request it once a day or week.

Resolve’s unattended access differs from others as it loads a background service linked to the technician’s key. During deployment from the technician portal, you can download the Windows and macOS file or share a web link that is also used to retrieve the Android app.

Once authorized by the technician, each one appears in the portal’s Devices view and for our Windows 10/11 hosts, it confirmed the Firewall and Defender services were operational. The portal’s dashboard provides status charts for endpoint protection along with tables of the top alerts and an overview of all support tickets.

Selecting a device provides details of the CPU, memory, and OS and BIOS versions. The performance monitor tab displays real-time graphs of CPU, memory, network interface and disk utilization. A menu puts all support tools at the technician’s fingertips, with options to run unattended remote control, terminal sessions, a file manager, Registry editor and more.

Unattended remote control presents the device’s screen in a central window, and you can have active sessions to multiple devices and swap between them on the sidebar. Each interface provides a ribbon menu for chat, file transfer, note taking, screen sharing or blanking and rebooting.

Starting an on-demand session generates a unique nine-digit access code along with options to copy the web link and send the invitation via email. End users are presented with personal details of the technician for authenticity and asked to download the Resolve runtime app, after which the session starts and the technician is presented with the same screen and toolbar as for unattended access.

AI comes into play when you use GoPilot as it can assist diagnosis with lists of suggestions based on your queries, help with session notes and provide guidance when creating remote execution scripts using PowerShell and JavaScript. Enable Helpline on your Resolve customer portal and GoPilot can walk users through troubleshooting steps without involving a technician.

GoTo Resolve Standard takes remote support to the next level, combining tough access security measures with endpoint protection services. Add-ons such as camera sharing plus Android and iOS mobile support cost extra, but it provides a wealth of valuable support tools and Resolve’s slick AI-based services can help accelerate problem resolution.

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Some of the biggest antivirus software providers around today have warned users to update their platforms immediately to stay safe from worrying security threats.

Bitdefender and Trend Micro have both released high severity notices to update after Man-in-the-Middle and Local Privilege Escalation vulnerabilities were found to be leaving customers exposed.

In total, six Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) were listed, five relating to Bitdefender and one for Trend Micro Deep Security Agent - users of Bitdefender Total Security have been advised to use version 27.025.115 or newer to protect themselves, and Trend Micro Deep Security Agent users are advised to be on product version 20.0.1-17380.

Keep up to date

Although Trend Micro is only addressing one vulnerability, it is a serious cybersecurity issue - as Local Privilege Escalation means standard users can gain system-level access, stemming from insufficient control over authentication processes.

The five vulnerabilities patched by Bitdefender stemmed from the HTTPS scanning function, which failed in proper certificate verification. This could allow threat actors to intercept the communications between users and sites by inserting themselves into internet connections in a ‘Man-in-the-middle’ attack.

Cyberattacks have become more frequent since the pandemic, and CVE is expected to grow 25% this year - which means roughly 2,900 new vulnerabilities per month. Shockingly though, around 45% of all CVEs reported in 2023 were unpatched, leaving users exposed.

Security flaws happen, and they’re always going to. The best thing you can do to keep your systems and your business safe is to patch as soon as you can and ensure you run the newest version of your software to mitigate the risks.

Via Heise

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Bitdefender Antivirus Free may be the lowest and most basic free antivirus software product in the Bitdefender range, but don’t let that put you off. Sure, there’s no VPN, password manager or parental controls, but Bitdefender Antivirus Free does include precisely the same leading-edge antivirus protection as Bitdefender’s big suites, all at zero cost, and that works for us.

We’re less impressed by the platform support: Bitdefender Antivirus Free is strictly Windows only, a problem when Avast and Avira have free products for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. But if the focus on Microsoft isn’t a problem, could Bitdefender Antivirus Free be the best malware removal and protection suite for you? We put the app through some very in-depth tests to find out.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free: Getting started

You can’t install Bitdefender Antivirus Free without setting up an account. That’s quick, easy and free, but it does mean handing over your email address. Avast Free Antivirus and Avira Free Security can be installed and used without registration or handing over any personal details.

This isn’t just about privacy; there are practical issues, too. Because Bitdefender requires you to log into an account, it knows the number of devices you’re protecting, and currently limits you to a maximum of three. Avast and Avira don’t know who you are, and you can install their apps wherever you like.

We noticed another complication. Bitdefender Free Antivirus is only available if you have a new Bitdefender account with no subscription. If you’re currently protecting three laptops with a Bitdefender Total Security license, for instance, there’s no way to add a free license to give another laptop basic protection. There’s a workaround - create a new Bitdefender account with a different email - but we’d much rather the problem didn’t exist at all.

On the plus side, signing up for a Bitdefender account does get you access to live support, not something we see with other free antivirus. That’s potentially very important, because antivirus issues can be complex. If you run into technical troubles, having access to live expert help could make all the difference.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free: Features

The Bitdefender Antivirus Free dashboard gives easy access to the app’s core antivirus features. Quick Scan speedily checks the most commonly-infected areas of your device; System Scan takes its time to inspect absolutely everything; the Scheduler allows you to set up scans to run automatically when you’re not around, and you can manage Exceptions (files you tell Bitdefender to ignore because it flags them incorrectly) and Quarantine (where Bitdefender securely locks away blocked files.)

The app is missing some of Bitdefender’s more advanced antivirus features. There’s no Rescue Environment, unfortunately, to remove stealthy threats which can’t be touched when Windows is running. That’s bad news if you’re suffering a serious infection, and not a problem we had with Avast Free Antivirus, which supports creating a bootable rescue scanner and has many other scan types.

The app doesn’t have Bitdefender’s ransomware remediation, either, a valuable extra layer which can restore encrypted files after a ransomware attack. 

Bitdefender Antivirus Free doesn’t include any of Bitdefender’s bonus privacy or security tools. There are buttons for the firewall, antispam, parental controls, anti-theft, the performance optimizer and more, but they all display a padlock icon which means they’re not accessible unless you pay to upgrade.

The VPN is one of the few without a padlock, but not because there’s a free version: you just get an option to install a 7-day trial of Bitdefender’s free VPN. That’s still welcome, but if you’re looking for an antivirus suite with a free VPN, Avast One Essential is a better option. Its VPN has major restrictions - can’t change location, no kill switch - but the 5GB a week data allowance is generous, and it might work for simple tasks.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free is best described as ‘basic’, then, but that’s not necessarily bad news. Avira Free Security includes extras like a password manager and software updater to check for missing software patches, but they’re limited, and we suspect most people won’t use them more than once. If you only want quality antivirus, Bitdefender’s stripped-back design may appeal more than the ‘here, have loads of features you don’t need’ approach used by many competitors.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free: Protection

We begin checking antivirus effectiveness by monitoring results of nine regular tests from top labs including AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, SE Labs and MRG Effitas. The tests measure protection, performance, usability and more, and we combine their scores into a single aggregate figure to give us an overall measure of antivirus effectiveness.

Bitdefender is currently equal first with Avast and McAfee, an excellent result. ESET, F-Secure and Norton are equal fourth, while Avira trails a little in seventh place.

We ran further tests of our own, attempting to access 50 brand new phishing URLs on a Bitdefender-protected system. The results were a little below average, with Bitdefender blocking 64% of threats. (Avast blocked 86% in its own tests, and Avira reached an excellent 90%.)

Phishing results can vary hugely depending on the test URLs, though, and Bitdefender scored much better on our malware tests. We gave Chrome 50 links to malicious files, and Bitdefender blocked 92% at the domain access or download level, and the remaining 8% as they were saved to our hard drive, for a perfect 100% protection rate. Other free antivirus apps got close - Avira managed 90%, Avast 94% - but Bitdefender is the only provider in recent testing to score 100%. Even most paid apps can’t manage that.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free: Final verdict

Bitdefender Antivirus Free is a great malware-hunting performer, but is still fractionally behind Avast in independent testing. As Bitdefender also leaves out tools which Avast includes, such as a bootable scanning, it means you’re a little less likely to be able to remove an infection if something does penetrate your defenses. 

The difference is fractional, though, and not enough to outweigh your personal preferences in other areas. If you only need Windows antivirus, and you trust Bitdefender more, don’t like Avast’s more pushy marketing or need its stack of extras, Bitdefender Antivirus Free is still one of the very best zero-cost malware hunters around.

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Content creators and influencers are increasingly becoming targets for cybercriminals seeking to exploit their influence and reach.

In order to help mitigate these threats, Bitdefender has introduced a new service specifically designed to protect the digital assets and online reputation of creators who are exposed to cybercrimes.

Bitdefender Security for Creators provides consistent surveillance for unusual activities on YouTube channels, and safeguards user devices such as computers, tablets, and mobile phones against phishing emails, harmful URLs, files, and malware, delivering real-time alerts.

Growing threat to content creators

Bitdefender Security for Creators looks to offer a comprehensive suite of features to protect content creators across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, offering easy setup and operation, connecting to both the creator’s channel and personal devices.

The surge in attacks against content creators coincides with the widespread availability of deepfake technologies, which make it easier for cybercriminals to impersonate individuals and conduct sophisticated scams. Bitdefender’s research highlights the scale of this threat, noting that a single hijacked account can reach billions of views, significantly amplifying the impact of malicious campaigns.

Cybercriminals are particularly attracted to accounts with large followings, as they provide a potent platform to spread malware, steal sensitive information, and perpetrate scams.

One of the key features of the software is the continuous monitoring of YouTube accounts. If there are mass deletions of videos, and unauthorized changes to the account name, profile, or channel description, an alert is immediately sent to the owner.

The service also offers robust protection against a variety of cyber threats, including zero-day vulnerabilities, spyware, ransomware, and malware designed to steal login credentials and sensitive information.

Bitdefender Security for Creators employs AI-driven anti-phishing technology that automatically detects and flags suspicious messages. By analyzing the language and context of emails and texts, it helps creators avoid falling victim to phishing scams, even those crafted using sophisticated AI.

As content creation often involves collaboration, Bitdefender offers a team plan option that extends its robust security features to all members of a creator's team who may have access to sensitive account information. By ensuring that all team members are protected, the service minimizes the risk of account compromise from internal sources.

In the unfortunate event of an account takeover, Bitdefender Security for Creators provides detailed guidance on how to recover control. This includes steps to remove the malicious actor and regain access to the compromised account, reducing downtime and potential losses.

"Cybercriminals target YouTube, online influencers, and other popular platforms to exploit the trust content owners have built, gaining access to millions of followers to expand the reach of their malware and scam campaigns. A single breach could erase years of content and established reputation," said Ciprian Istrate, senior vice president of operations, Consumer Solutions Group at Bitdefender. “Bitdefender Security for Creators is the first comprehensive security solution that guards content, online channels, and owner integrity around-the-clock."

Bitdefender Security for Creators is now available for both new and existing customers. At the moment, it is only available for YouTube accounts but there are plans to extend support to other popular platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.

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Kaspersky, a popular Russian antivirus software provider, has been banned in the US. After years of speculation, investigation, and downright controversy about the company, the Biden administration finally put through the bill to ban the sale of Kaspersky on Thursday, June 20.

The ban, which also extends to security updates being provided on the platform, will take full effect from September 29, when updates will no longer be available to current users of the software. 

Whether you're a long-term Kaspersky user or have only recently picked up a copy, the news may have come as something of a shock, especially given how long they've already avoided this frankly inevitable outcome.

So, to help you find your next antivirus, we've collected some of the best alternative antivirus software you can pick up, which all come with not only a suite of features but, in some cases, some of the best VPNs available, too.

The 3 best Kaspersky alternatives

Without further ado, here are are top recommendations to replace Kaspersky. They're all tried and tested security suites that are legal in the US, and offer reliable protection.

1. Surfshark One

Okay, before you say it, I'm aware Surfshark isn't primarily an antivirus. However, despite being one of the best cheap VPNs, Surfshark also provides some pretty nifty services to keep your devices safe from unwanted malware.

First and foremost, Surfshark's antivirus is constantly kept up-to-date with the latest threats, updating its database every three hours to ensure it knows what you're at risk from. Plus, with 24/7 malware protection, real-time checks, and customization options including file exclusions, schedulable scans, and options for quick or full scans, you never need to think about leaving your computer unprotected.

Alongside the antivirus protection on offer, Surfshark also offers features such as webcam protection and, of course, an impressive VPN experience. If you're worried about falling victim to online attacks or having your personal data online compromised by data breaches, a VPN serves as a great way to add another layer of security to your online activity. 

2. NordVPN Threat Protection Pro

Another industry-leading VPN with a more than capable security suite. NordVPN's antivirus protection, Threat Protection Pro, offers a complete suite of features to help keep your online and downloaded activity safe, but lacks one of the key areas offered by its Surfshark competition, file scanning. 

While NordVPN's offering does provide an impressive level of checking at the point of download, it lacks the capability to fully scan your computer for threats at any time, something which Surfshark offers at multiple levels, and with options for scheduling, so quite a notable miss. 

Despite this, NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro still offers a high standard of protection for your device. Features such as malicious website blocking, tracker and ad blocking and URL trimming ensure your online activity is kept protected no matter what you're looking for, while virus scanning, double extension detection and cloud-based threat detection all ensure your downloads aren't going to end up compromising your computer. 

3. Bitdefender

If you're looking for a more traditional antivirus solution, Bitdefender is more than likely what you'll be looking for. While it may lack the added benefits of plans provided by the likes of NordVPN and Surfshark, most notably a VPN, Bitdefender takes the win by a clear margin in terms of security features.

Coming packed full of features such as multi-layered ransomware protection, an independent firewall, and even a file shredder, Bitdefender goes above and beyond what we've normally seen from other antivirus software offering a more top-level experience.

What's more, despite the service being incredibly capable, the user experience was not something we found to be overly complicated, offering an interface that even beginners wouldn't struggle to navigate. Plus, if you need services such as a VPN on a very rare occasion, Bitdefender does provide a VPN service you can use – even if you're limited to 200 MB a day of usage.

Do I need a VPN or an antivirus?

While traditionally an antivirus would be the go-to solution for your computing security, nowadays the lines between VPNs and antivirus software are much more blurred. 

If you're looking primarily to detect and remove malicious software from your computer, an antivirus software will more than likely do the job you want just fine. However, if you're looking for a wider suite of security options, including the likes of alternate ID, password managers, and online threat detections, alongside your traditional security software, you may find a VPN better suits your needs. 

What's more, there is rarely much of a difference in value between the two options. With the increasing availability of top antiviruses and VPNs, there is an ongoing battle for the best value available, meaning you can get most of the top services for a matter of dollars per month, which is crazy cheap for the service you get!

The internet of things (IoT) has been gradually filling our homes with internet enabled devices, but the guise of convenience and home management has paved the way for a security nightmare, experts have warned.

The Bitdefender - Netgear 2024 Threat Report [PDF] has claimed maintaining a secure network of IoT devices is becoming more difficult thanks to critical vulnerabilities going unpatched which are then frequently abused by attackers.

The report found the devices most vulnerable to suffer an attack are Smart TVs (31%), followed by routers (24%) and IP cameras (12%).

 IoT explosion

Worryingly, and slightly expectedly, almost every IoT exploitation relies on previously known common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVE) that have not been patched by the device owner, with the average home containing 21 internet-facing devices.

Moreover, home networks are being attacked over 10 times per day, which has increased from 8 in 2023. Bitdefender revealed in the report that its home security solution tackles an average of 2.5 million threats every day.

So why are homes suffering so many more attacks? The most likely answer is that people are holding on to their devices for longer with many devices facing discontinued support once they reach the end of their expected lifespan, such as Smart TVs.

New regulations are expected to be signed into law to combat the threats facing IoT devices, with the US government introducing the Cyber Trust Mark, which is expected to help people buy devices with strict security standards.

Until this standard is introduced, Bitdefender and Netgear recommended that IoT devices are kept up to date with the latest firmware, IoT devices are separated onto a separate guest network rather than your main home network, and device owners invest in an advanced security solution or firewall to protect all your devices from attackers.

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A report from Bitdefender has revealed more than two-thirds (70%) of cybersecurity professionals are frequently working weekends to address security concerns, leading to widespread job dissatisfaction and potentially negative implications on companies’ resilience.

The study of 1,200 cyber professionals across countries including the UK, the US and Germany (via Infosecurity Magazine) highlighted significant burnout among cybersecurity workers, leading to alarmingly high turnover rates within the industry.

Bitdefender revealed the UK is the most affected nation, with four in five (81%) security workers saying they often work weekends.

Cybersecurity workers fed up of overtime

Nearly three-quarters (71%) of British workers are now seeking new employment within the next year.

More notably, nearly all of the German workers surveyed who frequently work weekends are looking for a job change. The figures stand at 77.1% for those working weekends, and 76.6% for those considering a new job.

America’s workers are in a similar position, with 70.2% working weekends, however fewer than two in three (62.2%) are looking to switch jobs, highlighting a slightly higher level of acceptance for overtime and unsociable hours across the pond.

The increased pressure on workers comes in response to mounting cybersecurity threats – more than half (57%) reported that their organizations experienced a data breach in the past year, marking a 6% increase from 2023.

The top threats included phishing and social engineering (33%), software vulnerabilities (32.2%) and ransomware (29.3%). Nearly all of the cybersecurity professionals questioned (96%) also expressed concern about artificial intelligence’s impact on cybersecurity.

Despite the seemingly desperate situation, most (94%) of the respondents said that they were confident in their organization’s ability to respond to threats – a huge increase from 54% last year.

However, while companies appear to be weathering the storm of cybersecurity threats, the intense workload is detrimental to workers’ health, which could be detrimental to companies’ cyber resilience. Looking ahead, the report highlights the emerging trend of partnering with third-party cybersecurity experts to ease the pressure on their teams.

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Bitdefender has upgraded its Digital Identity Protection feature, as it now integrates with Gmail and Outlook.

The antivirus vendor's identity theft protection service monitors the dark web to see if a user's personal information has been stolen and leaked by hackers. Now, Digital Identity Protection connects with Google's Gmail and Microsoft Outlook.

Bitdefender claims that the new integrations "vastly expand the monitoring reach of the service, adding hundreds more websites and services which increase the visibility of a users’ digital identity footprint including old accounts that may have been forgotten."

Identity theft protection

Bitdefender claims that identity theft poses a real threat to users, citing data from the FTC that consumers lost $10bn last year to fraud - a 14% increase over 2022. The Identity Theft Resource Center also reported that there were over 3,000 publicly reported data compromises last year as well, impacting over 350m people.

"Each time passwords, and personal or financial information are entered in an app or website for shopping, banking, healthcare and social media – netizens inadvertently heighten their exposure to identity-related crimes like data breaches and extortion,” said Ciprian Istrate, senior vice president, Bitdefender Consumer Solutions Group.

He added that with the firm's Digital Identity Protection service, users are alerted when their sensitive information may have been breached, allowing them to "quickly act by changing passwords, deleting accounts, or freezing credit cards before a serious incident occurs."

It monitors the use of personal information, such as emails addresses, passwords, credit cards, SSNs, and phone numbers. The service also lets users see a copy of the personal data another company or service holds on them, and they can even request for their entire data to be deleted.

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More than half of mobile users in the UK do not have security software installed, leaving them at greater of risk of succumbing to cyberattacks.

A report from Bitdefender, which surveyed users across the UK, found 50% of them do not use mobile security solutions. This is despite 76% of respondents using their phones for sensitive tasks, such as making transactions and online banking.  

Bitdefender claims "the survey paints a disturbing picture of complacency in the face of escalating cyber threats."

Lack of awareness

As for why people do not use any form of third-party security, 23% believe that both Android and iOS systems are immune to being attacked, while 21% aren't even aware of the existence of mobile security software.

Despite this, nearly half (49%) fear having their private and sensitive information exposed in acts of doxing, and Bitdefender believes "the issue [is] made scarier by the unprecedented access that hackers now have to your most personal information stored on smartphones for billions of people."

17% of respondents also said they experienced at least one "security incident" in the last 12 months.

Bitdefender commented further on the findings, stating, "these revelations underscore an urgent need for action as smartphones become prime targets for cybercriminals. With the proliferation of mobile devices and their central role in our lives, the risk of devastating cyber-attacks has never been greater."

It believes that "everyone must install reputable mobile security solutions, stay informed about cybersecurity best practices, and remain vigilant against emerging threats such as doxxing. Failure to act could have consequences for personal and financial security."

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So-called stream-jacking attacks are advancing at a worrying pace, according to new research from Bitdefender.

The cybersecurity firm claims that is has been keeping an eye on the trend since October 2023, as high-profile YouTube accounts were hijacked "to conduct a myriad of crypto doubling scams."

However, Bitdefender says this year has brought something new, as these attacks have been evolving over the past couple of months in order to reach a wider audience and make their spoofs of crypto-related news appear more legitimate than ever.

Advanced tactics

Such advancements involve coopting real and popular news announcements to monetize fake livestreams. For instance, threat actors conducted livestreams under the title "SpaceX Launch Starship Flight Test! Elon Musk gives update on Starship!" on popular YouTube channels that were marked as verified but which they had compromised. These are usually compromised using info stealing malware to gain access tokens.

Bitdefender also found these livestreams were artificially boosting the viewer count in order to lend further credibility to the stream. The scammers also used variants of the names of official channels. In the case of @SpaceX, they used @spacex1. 

Other events scammers have made use of include the trial of the SEC versus blockchain developer Ripple Labs. Bitdefender noticed multiple fake livestreams around the important November 30th date in that trial. The same was true when Changpeng Zhao stepped down as CEO of Binance, and Tesla's Cybertruck was launched.

Bitdefender has also noted the rise in deep fakes of popular figures in the crypto industry. The company says that "some of the observed deep fakes are of decent quality and could easily fool an untrained eye." These videos often ask viewers to scan a QR code to send over their crypto, with the promise of it being doubled.

The live chat for these streams is also disabled, in order to prevent viewers from calling out the scam. Only selected members can comment, or those that have been subscribed to the channel for a long time. However, Bitdefender found an example where one channel required a subscription duration of 52 years before messages could be sent. 

Bitdefender says these operations can be very profitable for threat actors, with potential earnings of over half a million dollars. It believes these figures are alarming, "and the need to raise awareness of such frauds is paramount."

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As businesses around the world prepare for a new year of work, it's as vital as ever to remember the importance of cybersecurity in the workplace.

With data breaches, malware attacks and cyber incidents hitting the news on a daily basis, making sure you have the security services to keep you and your work protected has never been more important.

Having a thorough and comprehensive suite of security tools can go a long way to ensuring this, making sure your workers are safeguarded beyond a basic firewall and antivirus tools with specialized services that can mitigate any potential risk.

A key part of this consideration should also be a password manager, as despite the rise of alternative authentication and protection tools, passwords are still a normal part of everyday life for many of us.

Although we've all been told to use unique or hard-to-guess passwords for business accounts, the sheer amount of apps and services we all use on a daily basis in the workplace often makes this impossible - but don’t fret, as this is where a password manager can help.

If you haven't ever used one before, think of a password manager as your secure vault for logins, offering a secure and reliable way to protect your accounts and the details needed to access them.

Bitdefender Premium Security Plus offers an in-built password manager protected by the strongest known cryptographic algorithms around right now, securing your passwords, credit card information, and other sensitive data in a cyber-vault for easy access whenever you need them.

Using this password manager means you are the only one with access to the vault, meaning it can keep your login details safe from prying eyes, whilst also providing extra recommendations and protections to keep everything secure.

The Bitdefender Premium Security Plus password manager can even recommend a unique, secure password for new accounts (or when you might need a refresh) and provides the option to autofill online forms with your verified information, meaning there should be no slip-ups.

What's more, it works across multiple platforms, covering Windows, macOS, Android and iOS devices, meaning you should never have to worry about any of your logins being forgotten.

So if you're feeling the need for an additional security boost to make sure your details remain protected, check out Bitdefender Premium Security Plus and its built-in password manager to kick-start your online safety journey.

For news on all the latest threats, you can also get real-time updates about malware outbreaks and scams on the Bitdefender Blog.  

Email is a vital part of our everyday working and personal lives, but this also means it is a continual target for scammers and hackers.

Keeping your email accounts at home and the office safe is paramount, as these services often hold most of our vital documents, files and even memories.

With email scams still a significant threat to users everywhere, we took a look at some top tips that should help users across the world stay safe.

Watch out for phishing

Phishing scams have been around for years, but with tactics evolving and becoming more sophisticated, they are definitely something you need to still look out for.

Aiming to trick victims into handing over personal information or financial details by using legitimate-looking emails hiding malicious links, criminals often now use real company branding and imagery to fool users into clicking on links that are definitely not legitimate, and could leave you heavily out of pocket or divulging valuable personal data.

Fortunately, Bitdefender Premium Security Plus comes with a range of tools to make you stay protected from all the latest threats, including advanced anti-phishing protection that detects and blocks any malicious websites looking to steal your financial data, passwords or credit card numbers, as well as featuring an advanced filtering system that warns whenever you visit websites that may try to scam you. 

Stand up to spam for good

Spam emails are another online threat that is nothing new, dating back to the very earliest days of the internet, but still remains an annoyance for many of us, clogging up your inbox and slowing down your email server just when you need it the most.

Bitdefender Premium Security Plus features specially-optimised antispam services that are able to filter irrelevant messages from your inbox, saving you the stress of manually sorting through and wasting valuable time.

The service is available for a range of popular email clients, including the likes of Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird, meaning irrelevant messages should be kept far away from your inbox, and letting you focus on the emails that matter. 

Protect all your devices

Email is no longer just for your desktop computer, as most of us doubtlessly use a smartphone or tablet to check emails on a number of different devices, especially when on the way to work or heading to a meeting.

But this efficiency may also lead to possible security concerns, as the more devices you use to get online, the bigger the risk, especially as users may let down their guard when using a personal device for work-related tasks. Personal devices may also lack the same amount of security protection that your employer-granted, remotely-monitored work device may do, putting you at even higher risk.

Bitdefender Premium Security Plus is able to protect and secure all your devices, with the platform working across multiple software versions, including Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, where it can be used across up to 15 devices per household, making sure your emails remain safe, whatever device you use. 

Keep your identity safe at all costs

Even if you do follow all this advice, the worst can still happen. If you do think you've fallen victim to a phishing scam, there are still some precautions you can put in place to make sure your most valuable information remains secure.

Bitdefender Premium Security Plus offers a range of tools to protect from ID theft scams, primarily through its Digital Identity Protection tool, which allows users to constantly monitor, alert, and protect your personal data, scanning the web in real-time for leaks and sending alerts if any of your information or accounts are exposed.

It also provides users with an Identity Protection Score to track and manage your digital footprint, giving a risk map alongside a list of suggested actions to ensure your details remain safe and secure.

For news on all the latest threats, you can also get real-time updates about malware outbreaks and scams on the Bitdefender Blog.  

Cybersecurity researchers from Bitdefender claim to have found severe weaknesses in Google Workspace which could allow threat actors to deploy ransomware, steal sensitive data, and decrypt stored passwords. 

Google, on the other hand, says the actual problem lies elsewhere and as far as it’s concerned - this is a non-issue. 

In its report, Bitdefender says the problem began with an organization using the Google Credential Provider for Widows (GCPW) which can be used for mobile device management (MDM) and single-sign-on (SSO). 

Google sees no problem

When the company installs GCPW, it creates a local Google Accounts and ID Administration (GAIA) account, as well. This account has high privileges. GCPW then proceeds to add a new Credential Provider to the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (lsass), allowing users to log into their Windows machine using their Workspace credentials. 

Furthermore, GAIA creates a new local account for users that authenticate using GCPW, and associates the local account with the Workspace account. This local account also houses refresh tokens that provide access to Google APIs.

And that’s part of the problem - hackers can steal these refresh tokens and later decrypt them using adjacent tools like Mimikatz. The attackers can also issue tokens by crafting specific POST requests, giving themselves permission to access any services within the token’s scope. This, in turn, would allow them to steal data from further services such as Gmail or Google Drive. Furthermore, there are ways to abuse the tool to move laterally between virtual machine (VM) deployments.

But Google is having none of it. It says the weaknesses fall outside of the company’s threat model, and as such will not receive any security upgrades. According to the company, the entire vulnerability chain relies on the local machine being previously compromised, which is something the target firm should be handling, and not Google. In other words, if a machine gets compromised like this, access to Google Workspace will be the least of the victim’s concerns. 

Still, Bitdefender argues that Google shouldn’t be turning a blind eye on this weakness as it’s realistic for it to be abused. “Threat actors often seek out and exploit these gaps in coverage,” the company concluded.

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Making sure your home and your business stay protected from the latest security threats is always a challenge, particularly as hackers and scammers are constantly tweaking their approaches to try and find a weak spot.

Fortunately, the latest security tools and antivirus protections, such as that offered by Bitdefender Premium Security Plus, are set up to do just that, and ensure you stay safe wherever you are.

But what exactly sets this next level of antivirus protection ahead of the crowd? Here are some of the key tools and services on offer if you're looking to up your online safety.

Tougher layers of protection

You might think your home or business device is not an attractive proposition for hackers or scammers, but you'd be wrong. Criminals will target anyone they think is a target, especially if it is poorly-protected low-hanging fruit.

Staying vigilant when you see anything suspicious is the best course of action, and this can start in your email inbox and your browser. Always ensure the emails or websites you interact with are legitimate, especially if they ask you for personal or business data, so that you aren’t giving away valuable data without knowing it.

Bitdefender Premium Security Plus comes with web-filtering technology to ensure that you never land on a harmful website, allowing users to see whether your search results are safe to access before you actually click on a link.

The platform also offers an improved vulnerability assessment which will scan for possible security flaws such as missing Windows security patches and potentially unsafe system settings, before suggesting the best fix to keep you safe.  

Phishing safeguards

Phishing is a notorious threat vector, as hackers look to trick victims into handing over personal information or financial details by using legitimate-looking emails, often with real company branding and imagery, to fool victims into clicking on malicious links.

Bitdefender Premium Security Plus features advanced anti-phishing protection that helps sniff out and block any malicious websites in order to steal your financial data, passwords or credit card numbers.

The platform also comes with sophisticated anti-fraud tools including an advanced filtering system that warns users whenever they visit websites that may try to scam you and steal personal or banking information.

Email spam safety

Email spam has been around for nearly as long as the Internet itself, but it remains a serious threat for users even today.

Many top email clients offer spam filtering tools these days, but if you need that extra boost in making sure your inbox stays streamlined, then a modern antivirus platform is the way to go.

Bitdefender Premium Security Plus comes with specially-optimised anti-spam services that are able to filter irrelevant messages from your inbox. Available for a range of local email clients, including the likes of Microsoft Outlook and Thunderbird, the tool should help keep annoying or irrelevant messages far away, letting you focus on the emails that matter.  

For news on all the latest threats, you can also get real-time updates about malware outbreaks and scams on the Bitdefender Blog.  

Making sure your business stays secure is crucial to being successful, as no matter what industry your company operates in, having your data and your workers kept safe is vital.

Sadly, cyberattacks are a worryingly increasing threat for businesses of all sizes, making the headlines on a daily basis - and the consequences of being hit are more serious than ever - it's not just your data that is at risk, but your entire corporate reputation.

In order to stay protected, your business needs to ensure it offers a full suite of security offerings - a traditional antivirus won't cut it anymore, you need to make sure all your systems are locked down. 

Despite frequent reminders, many of us still stick to using the same basic passwords that can be cracked relatively easily by determined cyber-criminals. And if you’re guilty of re-using the same passwords across multiple accounts, all it takes is for one of your accounts to be compromised to put all the others at risk.

The seemingly obvious answer is to craft and use complex, hard-to-guess and unique passwords for each of your business accounts. But given the sheer amount of apps and services we all use on a daily basis in the workplace, this could be impossible. But don’t fret - that’s where a password manager can help.

Offering a secure and reliable way to protect your accounts and the details needed to access them, a password manager is a vital ally if you want to stay protected against hackers and cybercriminals.

Bitdefender Premium Security Plus offers an in-built password manager that can keep your login details safe from prying eyes, whilst also providing extra recommendations and protections to keep everything secure.

Protected by the strongest known cryptographic algorithms around today, using the Bitdefender Premium Security Plus password manager secures your passwords, credit card information, and other sensitive data in a cyber-vault for easy access whenever you need them.

Only you will have access to the vault, which works across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, meaning all your devices will be kept safe.

Along with this protection, the Bitdefender Premium Security Plus password manager can even recommend a unique, secure password for new accounts (or when you might need a refresh) and provides the option to autofill online forms with your verified information, meaning there should be no slip-ups.

So if you're looking for an extra security ally to keep your business and employees safe from online threats and more, the built-in password manager from Bitdefender Premium Security Plus could be just what you need.

For news on all the latest threats, you can also get real-time updates about malware outbreaks and scams on the Bitdefender Blog.  

With security top of mind for many businesses and consumers alike, the need for resolute protection is greater than ever.

But as many of us will no doubt have experienced, an overload of protective tools can often be a hindrance to device performance, slowing down your laptop, tablet, phone or PC with repeated background scans to check for threats.

However it isn't all bad news, as some of these security tools are doing undisputed good - and some can even help maintain or boost performance - here's some of our top picks.

Global Protective Network

As we mentioned above, having your device run slowly due to ongoing security scans can be extremely frustrating, particularly if you're in the middle of some key work tasks, or even just trying to relax.

Bitdefender Premium Security Plus looks to solve this frustration by moving resource-intensive scans into the cloud, meaning local resources (aka your laptop or tablet's own hardware) isn't taxed too hard, and your speed and performance remain hopefully unaffected.

But even though the scanning happens in the cloud, this doesn't mean that Bitdefender is able to sneak a look at your files - you can relax and be assured that your files are always completely private, and the platform does not scan the actual contents of your files, and will never upload or store them in the cloud.

Bitdefender Photon

Hardware and software alike put a wide range of demands on your device, and this can take its toll on performance and battery life.

Fortunately, Bitdefender Premium Security Plus comes with Photon, the company's exclusive technology that adapts to your system’s hardware and software configuration to save computing resources and improve speed and performance.

Once set up, Bitdefender Photon means you can get your work done, or game and relax, safe in the knowledge that your security protections won't be dragging down performance.

Battery Mode

Battery life is always a key consideration, whether at work or play, in the office or relaxing at home - no-one wants to be suddenly left with a dead device or having to find your long-lost charger.

To prevent such surprises, Bitdefender Premium Security Plus provides a special mode that saves battery life for laptops and tablets by temporarily tweaking system settings to allow for more efficient performance. Settings such as display brightness, system cooling, system updates and Bluetooth connectivity can all be adapted to ensure your battery isn't draining too fast, and you stay online for longer. 

Bitdefender Autopilot

Finally, if even all these tools seem too taxing, Bitdefender Premium Security Plus can offer you advice and guidance into how to boost your device's performance whilst still remaining safe and secure.

Its Bitdefender Autopilot tool is designed to act as your personal security advisor, looking through all the available data to provide you with deeper insights into your security posture, and spot any areas where you might be lacking.

Autopilot is even able to use its knowledge and analysis to recommend security actions for your exact system, in the context of your system needs and usage patterns, making sure you stay safe, but your performance doesn't suffer.

For news on all the latest threats, you can also get real-time updates about malware outbreaks and scams on the Bitdefender Blog.  

Bitdefender have been in business since the 90's in various incarnations and have become an industry leader in cybersecurity. Higher tiers such as Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security Enterprise offer EDR and XDR capabilities. 

Given the number of platforms out there claiming to offer the best endpoint protection, it's hard to know which ones can actually deliver. In an ideal world an endpoint protection platform not only runs routine scans for known threats but proactively scans and blocks other suspicious behavior.

Read on to learn how we put the platform through its paces.

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security Premium: Plans and pricing

Bitdefender are currently offering a 30% discount on their GravityZone Business Security Platform. Their pricing page defaults to quoting the price for protecting up to 10 devices for one year ($570.49), though you can reduce this to as little as three devices.

The website allows you to make further savings by paying upfront for 2 or 3 years. You can also submit an enquiry for a quote to cover more than 100 devices,

For the 'Premium' tier, which is the focus of this review, servers (including Linux servers) count as one device but can only account for 35% of your devices, rounded up: for instance if you sign up for the default 10 devices, then only 4 of these can be servers. The default tier also covers up to 15 mailboxes.  

You can sign up for a free 30-day trial of the cloud version of GravityZone Business Security without providing any payment information, though you'll need to register an online account to log in to the cloud console.

One important caveat is that certain features, such as Patch Management, Email Security, and Full Disk Encryption that are enabled by default in the trial version are not included in the standalone product, so must be purchased separately. 

In fairness, Bitdefender alerts trial users to this and points readers to the GravityZone Business Security Premium main page to check exactly which products are covered in their plan. 

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security Premium: Setup

Of all the endpoint protection platforms we've reviewed, Bitdefender is one of the quickest and easiest. After entering our e-mail address we were able to sign up for the aforementioned trial by registering an account and password.

This took us into the Bitdefender Gravity Zone cloud console, which immediately generated  a QR code to encourage users to set up two factor authentication. (Note you must choose 'Skip' here, as closing the window will return you to the login screen).

We were next shown a helpful welcome window with a download link for the agent software to "Install on this Computer" or "Send email invites for multiple installs."

The client software downloaded in under 2 minutes on our test machine running Windows 11 and immediately alerted us the device was at risk because a full scan hadn't been performed. 

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security Premium: Features

As readers have seen, setup of Business Security Premium is very simple and the product page boasts that it supports a wide range of operating systems.

When we delved into the 'Installation Packages' of the 'Network' category in the cloud console, we found this largely to be true though the specific features from which you'll benefit will depend on the OS your endpoint is running. For example, the 'Anti Malware' and 'Network Attack Prevention' features are truly cross platform, being supported on Windows, Mac and Linux. 

However, most other features like Device Control and for Windows and Mac only. The Firewall also only seems to be compatible with Windows workstations. This is by no means a criticism of the software, given how many platforms are almost entirely Windows-centric.

Bitdefender also published their own datasheet listing all that is great and good about Business Security Premium but we found the easiest way to discover more was simply by logging in to the cloud console.

The helpful welcome screen that displays when you first log in has a section on creating 'Security Policies'. This is par for the course for Endpoint Protection Platforms but Bitdefender allows a great degree of control offering support to identify risky user behavior such as setting weak passwords or using compromised USBs.

As expected, the cloud console also has strong protection against ransomware, including the ability to create tamperproof backups of user files. It also supports blocking and prevention capabilities as we discovered during our tests (see below), as well as multiple detection layers. It accomplishes this through Bitdefenders' own tools like 'Process Inspector' and 'HyperDetect' as well as monitoring the Windows registry.

The console's 'Threats Xplorer' provides an excellent rundown of all detections based on the level of threat, your security policies, devices types etc. There's also a dedicated 'Quarantine' section for containing threats. 

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security Premium: Interface

Bitdefender's Cloud Console allows you to manage multiple configuration options for your endpoints with ease. We've already mentioned the helpful welcome screen that appears when you first log in, allowing you to immediately download installers for endpoints, as well as set your initial security policies. The same screen also allows you to configure user accounts and reporting.

While we're on the subject of reporting, the 'Executive Summary' is one of the best dashboards we've ever seen in an Endpoint Security Platform. It displays the number of managed endpoints, as well as how many threats have been detected in, clear large text. You can click into any section to see more information.

Below this are two handy graphs - a stick chart which shows the type of threats detected, as well as a pie chart which breaks down threats by endpoint type. Further infographics are available showing endpoint modules status, the overall risk score for your organization, blocked websites/network attack techniques and more. The dashboard in the 'Monitoring' section also displays useful security information like detected malware and blocked applications. 

If we've talked at length about this Executive Summary, it's because it's an excellent presentation of the other sections of the cloud console which you can navigate by clicking on names in the left-hand pane. 

We particularly appreciated the fact that sub-menus aren't hidden away, so for example you can click right into 'Manual Submission' in the 'Sandbox' category to test out potentially harmful apps. 

While we're on the subject, Bitdefender link to a YouTube video on their website by a representative of Engineering firm GPI, who use the GravityZone’s Sandbox Analyzer to detect suspicious files. (Note that as this video was made in 2020 Bitfender Gravity Zone Business Security Premium is referred to as 'GravityZone Elite').   

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security Premium: Performance

For our tests we used a fake computer virus, provided by the good people of EICAR. Our initial 'Quick Scan' failed to reveal it but this was unsurprising as these types of scan only seem to check the C:\Windows\System32 folder on our Windows 11.  

We next ran a 'Custom' scan to check the 'Downloads' folder specifically where the virus was located. The Bitdefender Agent recognized the virus immediately and quarantined it.

For our final round of tests we tried to download the fake virus directly from the EICAR website several times as a compressed (ZIP) file. In each case the agent either deleted the virus or changed file permissions, so we couldn't access. Our only criticism was that we had to open up the agent software to see the detection alerts - other endpoint protection software we've reviewed usually shows a pop up notification as soon as a threat is detected. 

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security Premium: Final verdict

Overall we found that despite its long-winded name, BitDefender GravityZone Business Security Premium is very fast to set up, simple to use and displays reports clearly. 

Of these, we'd say the clearly laid out interface and reports are most important as it means you don't require a degree in Computer Engineering to understand a quick summarization of all detected threats. Navigating between sections is easy and the client software is extremely fast to set up. We found we didn't once have to check the online documentation for where to proceed next. 

Our tests showed that the platform detected malware almost instantly and immediately quarantined the affected file or made it inaccessible. We were also delighted to see that the 'Executive Summary' displayed the threat detection in its 'Notifications' area as soon as we logged in - other platforms we reviewed made us hunt around or generate reports just to see simple information like this. 

Our only slight criticism of the platform is that pricing is high for the 'Premium' tier, though naturally this does come with more advanced features. You can bring this down by limiting the number of endpoints you maintain, as well as subscribing for longer than one year. Make sure also to check exactly which features are included, as the trial may incorporate freebies of other products that need to be purchased separately. 

We've listed the best cloud firewall software.

Apple’s Macbook Pro or iPhone devices are often perceived as safer, from a cybersecurity standpoint, compared to those from Microsoft or Google, mostly because of its “walled garden” approach. 

However, another key reason why hackers aren’t as interested in Macs as they are in Windows or Linux devices is the smaller market share Apple holds. As things start to shift in the computing industry, we’ll be seeing more and more cyberattacks targeting Apple devices.

This is the general conclusion of a new report by cybersecurity researchers Bitdefender. In its “macOS threat landscape report”, the firm noted that Apple’s market share almost doubled in the last decade, citing figures from Statcounter that state Apple’s desktop operating system held 10% of the market share in 2013, but now holds almost 18%. 

“Macs are far less targeted than Windows computers, as Microsoft still rules the land with 63% of the desktop market,” the report reads. “Threat actors are devoting time and resources to exploit the larger attack surface provided by Microsoft. But while Apple users enjoy less risk due to the platform’s smaller footprint, Macs aren’t bulletproof. Apple finds itself consistently having to patch actively exploited vulnerabilities as threat actors employ social engineering vectors and spray-and-pray techniques.”

Furthermore, while macOS might not be that interesting, iOS most certainly is. And given that the two share many components between one another (like the web rendering engine WebKit), attacks against Macs are becoming more efficient. 

Bitdefender says Mac users are targeted by three key threats: Trojans, Adware, and Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUA). Of the three, Trojans are the biggest single threat, making up more than half of all threat detections. Of all those detections, around half (52.7%) were for EvilQuest. 

Analysis: Why does it matter?

According to Bitdefender, the analysis matters because it might shatter Apple’s perceived image of being the “superior” ecosystem in terms of cybersecurity. More vulnerabilities discovered, and then exploited by threat actors, comes with the territory of being a significant player in the operating system landscape, and Apple’s had to act on numerous occasions lately to keep its customers safe.

Recently, Apple changed the way it pushes security updates, in order to be faster and more agile. It introduced a new feature called Rapid Security Response (RSR), which delivers important updates outside the regular patching schedule. Sometimes, these patches don’t even require the device to be restarted. It’s an important step in the right direction because, as Bitdefender says, many (if not most) users procrastinate updating software and deploying security fixes. “Statistics show that the vast majority of Mac owners use older generations of macOS,” the researchers concluded.

Roughly a month ago, it released an RSR update to address a zero-day vulnerability that was allegedly affecting fully-patched Apple devices, Macs included. At the time, Apple said it was aware of reports that the issue may have been actively exploited. The flaw being addressed was tracked as CVE-2023-37450, and was described as an arbitrary code execution bug in the WebKit browser engine. It allowed threat actors to run arbitrary code on target endpoints, by tricking victims into opening malicious websites. 

An important caveat with all of the vulnerabilities being exploited on Macs is that there must always be user interaction. While that might sound as a good thing at first, it makes hackers put extra effort into making the malware look and feel legitimate. As a result, spotting malicious programs for Mac users could be a significantly harder undertaking.

What have others said about Apple’s security posture?

In its writeup, Australian outlet TechGuide says many Mac users have a “false sense of security”, allowing hackers to move in in greater numbers.

“Apple has a narrower threat level than Microsoft or Google and for this reason many users think they don’t need security software,” the publication states. “The report comes as more than 45% of Australians are now using at least one Apple operating system.”

On Twitter, there’s very little chatter about Bitdefender’s latest report, but earlier tweets show the cybersecurity researchers hitting the nail on the head when it comes to Apple users’ sentiment on cybersecurity. Discussing Bitdefender’s tool, one user says: “Now, I have no use of such tools - as our household only uses Apple products.  We all know we don’t need stuff like that on iPhones, iPads, MacBooks,…! :)” Another user, who claimed to have been robbed of roughly $10,000 worth of cryptocurrency in an elaborate scam, asked “But how can a Trojan bypass the Apple security…?”

Not everyone is that comfortable not running any antivirus programs on their Macs, though. One user chimed in to say “I don’t trust Apple security that’s way I got Bitdefender Premium Security for Mac ON all the time.” Others said that while they use a different antivirus solution, they’d never let Apple be the sole caretaker of their endpoints. 

Go deeper

To learn more about, make sure to read our article on the most exploited vulnerabilities in 2022. You should also check out our list of the best malware removal tools, as well as best firewalls. Also, don’t forget to read our in-depth guide on the best endpoint protection right now. 

Phishing is a notorious type of email scam where criminals aim to trick victims into handing over personal information or financial details by using legitimate-looking emails that hide malicious links.

The scams, where criminals target victims using legitimate-looking emails hiding malicious links, often use realistic assets to spoof a real company, with similar branding and corporate images used to fool users into clicking on dodgy URLs. Victims can be hooked by fake CEO messages, invoices from a fake accounting department, and even pretend IT department messages - phishing scams are wide-ranging and can be a serious threat to you and your business

Phishing emails may have been around for years, but sadly they still often prove effective - so here are some of our top tips to keep you protected.

Secure all your devices, all the time

Modern workers and consumers alike typically juggle a number of connected devices these days – whether that's a desktop PC for work use, a laptop for mobile productivity, or tablets and smartphones for personal or entertainment use.

However the more connected devices you own, the more likely it is that you’ll be targeted by online threats as your threat landscape grows ever-larger. Some devices may also simply lack adequate protection, which is particularly risky in the hands of less security-savvy users, and switching between different form factors (e.g. answering work emails on a smartphone) can often lead to simple errors such as accidentally swiping or clicking on a suspect link.

To make sure all your devices are safe, Bitdefender Premium Security Plus works across Windows, macOS, Android and iOS devices, providing comprehensive protection for up to 10 devices per household, sniffing out suspect websites and keeping all your devices, whether work or personal, safe from threats. 

Safeguard your digital identity

If the worst does happen and you do fall victim to a phishing scam, there are still some precautions you can put in place to make sure your most valuable information remains secure.

Your identity and personal data is often the most valuable for hackers, so always ensure any email or website asking for such details is legitimate and from a trusted source. If an email seems suspect, don't click on any links within, and remember many important organisations won't ask for personal data in an email.

Bitdefender Premium Security Plus offers range of tools to protect from ID theft scams, not least in its Digital Identity Protection tool, which allows users to constantly monitor, alert, and protect your personal data, scanning the web in real-time for leaks and sending alerts if any of your information or accounts are exposed. It also provides users with an Identity Protection Score to track and manage your digital footprint, giving a risk map alongside a list of suggested actions to ensure your details remain safe and secure.

Keep passwords updated

Similarly, if you think you might have slipped up and accidentally fallen victim to a phishing scam, it's a good idea to quickly update the passwords for all your key accounts immediately.

Having unique and complex passwords for different accounts is common advice, and it's worth remembering that if you don't, hackers may only need to gain access to one of your accounts to potentially access all of them.

Bitdefender Premium Security Plus features an in-built Password Manager tool to keep track of all your login details in a special cyber-vault, giving you (and only you) access when required, as well as recommending secure passwords and even auto filling online forms if needed, making sure you don't slip up. 

For news on all the latest threats, you can also get real-time updates about malware outbreaks and scams on the Bitdefender Blog.  

As we live ever-greater portions of our lives online, the need for effective security for the entire family becomes increasingly acute. 

If you know what steps to take, you can dodge many of the dangers, but your children, friends and other relatives may be less adept at staying safe online.

So if you're looking for a family security refresher, we've got some tips to help make sure you don't fall afoul of any online threats.

Safeguard all your devices

We all have many connected devices these days – a PC for work, a laptop for mobile working, or tablets and smartphones to keep the whole family busy.

It's the sad truth, though, that the more connected devices you own, the more likely you’ll be targeted by online threats. Some devices may also simply lack adequate protection, which is particularly risky in the hands of less security-savvy users.

Fortunately, Bitdefender Premium Security Plus can help protect all your devices, as the platform works across Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It can be used on up to 10 devices per household, keeping your home office safe from threats.  

Get a VPN running

Many of us are familiar with Virtual Private Network (VPN) software, having either had to use one to connect to a company network when working from home, or to access content from other countries.

But a VPN can also keep you and your family safe online by masking your internet connection, meaning the websites you visit can’t track your internet activity or your location, giving you the freedom to surf the web without fear.

Bitdefender Premium Security Plus has Premium VPN built right in, encrypting all your internet traffic, including downloads, passwords and banking information. What's more, unlike other providers, it includes unlimited encrypted traffic for your Windows, Android, macOS and iOS devices, adding that extra layer of security for peace of mind. 

Stay clear of phishing

Phishing is a notorious type of email scam where criminals aim to trick victims into handing over personal information or financial details by using legitimate-looking emails that hide malicious links.

These scams have evolved in recent years, and criminals often impersonate a real company by replicating their branding and imagery to trick unsuspecting victims into clicking on dangerous links.

Bitdefender Premium Security Plus protects against these cleverly-engineered schemes thanks to an advanced filtering system that warns you whenever you visit websites that may try to scam you, and an advanced anti-phishing protection mechanism that helps sniff out and block any malicious websites that seek to steal your financial data, passwords or credit card numbers.   

Boost your passwords

The importance of using unique passwords for each account cannot be stressed enough. If you keep recycling the same password across all your accounts, hackers only have to compromise one to gain access to your entire digital life. 

Using password auto-fill so that your family members can quickly access their various accounts admittedly saves time. But it can be a grave security risk. Instead, it’s recommended to use a strong, unique password for each account. Employing a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters is more likely to help keep you safe by ensuring your password can't be easily guessed. 

Remembering all of this may sound like a challenge, but Bitdefender Premium Security Plus includes a comprehensive multiplatform password manager equipped with the strongest data security protocols, keeping all your most valuable accounts safe and sound.  

For news on all the latest threats, you can also get real-time updates about malware outbreaks and scams on the Bitdefender Blog.  

Starting and growing a small business is never easy, as you juggle a wide range of requirements and tasks that are all vital to success.

However, no matter the size of your business, you should always be sure to remember the importance of cybersecurity. Criminals often look to target SMBs and start-ups that may not have the highly developed IT departments and cybersecurity protection of larger firms, with smaller companies offering low-hanging fruit to target.

There's no need to worry though, as we've listed some quick tips you and your business can quickly adopt in order to ensure you stay safe and protected online.

Digital Identity Protection

If you're looking to boost your small business, the last thing you want is someone gaining access to your network and all your valuable business information.

Identity theft attempts are a common tactic from hackers looking to infiltrate start-ups and smaller firms, as they exploit any possible weakness or lack of coverage due to lower security budgets. All it takes is for one worker, or one email account to be compromised to put all of your hard work at risk, with data or monetary theft sadly commonplace in many attacks.

Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection, part of Bitdefender Premium Security Plus, keeps your business safe from data breaches, monitoring your data in real-time, even on the dark web, to check if your personal details are exposed. 

Boost privacy with a VPN

Allowing workers to stay connected to a workplace intranet or collaboration network, VPNs have become a vital business tool in recent years, offering a welcome security boost by keeping your online activity and location safe from any snooping.

In a crowded market, finding the right VPN can be tricky, so how about one that provides unlimited traffic alongside top-of-the-range security?

Bitdefender Premium Security Plus comes with the company's Premium VPN tool, encrypting all your internet traffic, including downloads, passwords and banking information. What's more, unlike some other providers, it includes unlimited encrypted traffic for your Windows, Android, macOS and iOS devices.  

Power up a Password Manager

We're all juggling multiple accounts and devices these days, and remembering the right logins for each one can be challenging.

Utilising a password manager can be a huge help in boosting your workplace security, and also means you don't get locked out of vital accounts such as banking or email, as well as having the ability to generate unique, hard-to-crack passwords for each account.

Bitdefender Premium Security Plus includes a comprehensive multiplatform password manager offering that is equipped with the strongest data security protocols, keeping all your most valuable accounts safe and sound. 

Secure all your devices

If you're just starting a business, it's more than likely that you'll be working from a variety of locations, meaning you might have a number of devices being used.

This setup will probably be more than just a PC, with devices such as printers, smartphones, and even your internet router all connecting to the internet. However any of these can be weak spots when it comes to security, as potentially lower protections can allow hackers a simple entry route into your network.

Bitdefender Premium Security Plus can greatly help protect and secure all your home office devices, as the platform offers protection across Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, securing up to 10 devices per subscription, making sure your business remains safe against threats. 

For news on all the latest threats, you can also get real-time updates about malware outbreaks and scams on the Bitdefender Blog. 

Running a business is hard enough without dealing with the myriad security threats that are around today. 

There are a wide range of potential issues to consider, however a deceptively easy way for outside actors or hackers to infiltrate your business is simply through emails. 

Email threats have been around for some time, but still pose a significant danger to many businesses simply down to the fact many of them are simple and effective. However it is also fairly easy to try and combat falling victim to such threats, and we've listed a few of our top tips below to help keep you and your business protected.

Steer clear of spam

Email spam is nothing new - the first spam message was sent in 1978 when the Internet was still in its ARPANET infancy - but it has remained a thorn in the side of users ever since, clogging up inboxes for millions of us.

Most email clients offer some kind of spam filtering tools, but if you need that extra boost in making sure your inbox stays streamlined, then help is at hand.

Bitdefender Total Security comes with specially-optimised antispam services that are able to filter irrelevant messages from your inbox. Available for a range of local email clients, including the likes of Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird, the tool should help keep irrelevant messages far away from your attention, letting you focus on the emails that matter. 

Beware phishing

Phishing is another long-standing form of email scam, as hackers look to trick victims into handing over personal information or financial details by using legitimate-looking emails hiding malicious links.

These scams have evolved a huge amount in recent years, with criminals now often using real company branding and imagery to fool users into clicking on links that are definitely not what they seem, and could leave you losing out huge amounts.

Bitdefender Total Security comes with a range of tools to make you stay protected from all the latest threats, including an advanced filtering system that warns you whenever you visit websites that may try to scam you, and advanced anti-phishing protection that helps sniff out and block any malicious websites in order to steal your financial data, passwords or credit card numbers.  

Make sure all of your devices are safe

As technology has become increasingly portable, many of us are now checking our emails on a number of different devices, whether that's checking work emails on our personal phone or PC, or vice versa.

As useful as this may be, it does raise potential security concerns, as you may let down your guard when using a personal device - which may also simply lack the same amount of security protection that your employer-granted, remotely-monitored work device may do.

Fortunately, Bitdefender Total Security can help protect and secure all your devices, as the platform works across multiple software versions, including Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It can be used across up to 15 devices per household, making sure your home office remains safe against threats. 

For news on all the latest threats, you can also get real-time updates about malware outbreaks and scams on the Bitdefender Blog.  

In today's hyper-competitive business world, staying ahead of the competition is more important than ever, with any specific edge possibly proving the difference between success and missing out.

Making sure your growing business stays protected from cyberattacks and other online threats can be a vital part of this, ensuring your company keeps its valuable data and systems protected.

If you're struggling to work out exactly what your business needs though, don't fret - help is at hand...

VPN

For most businesses, using a Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is a crucial first step to keeping both them and their employees safe. 

If you aren't already familiar with using a VPN essentially the tool is able to keep you safe online by disguising your internet connection to make it seem you are based in whatever country you choose, keeping third-parties such as advertisers or hackers blocked from following your internet activity or snooping on your location.

Although mainly popular for entertainment purposes, a VPN can also be incredibly helpful when connecting to a protected network such as at your workplace, adding an extra layer of protection that is able to boost your employee security and your corporate systems.

Bitdefender Total Security comes with a comprehensive and improved VPN service that's perfect for work and home use, providing 200MB of encrypted data traffic per day for your Windows, Android, macOS and iOS devices at no extra cost, meaning you'll be able to stream and surf online whilst staying secure without restrictions.  

Pick up a password manager

As we all hopefully know by now, it’s always a good idea to keep your passwords fresh, changing them every few months if possible. 

Using a different, hard-to-guess password for each different account mixing letters, numbers and special characters will help keep you secure. This is especially true if you re-use the same password across different accounts, as all it takes is for one to be compromised for all the others to become so as well.

However keeping track of all your login information can be tricky, especially if you are following best practices and making sure your passwords are unique and complex. Having a password manager can be a great way to solve this issue, allowing you to create, manage and store all your passwords in a single location - without ever needing to write them down.

Bitdefender Total Security comes with an in-built Password Manager service to look after all your details, and also suggests tough-to-crack alternative passwords, giving you one less thing to worry about.   

Fire up a firewall

As your business grows and expands, it will doubtless become a more attractive proposition - not just for investors and customers, but also cybercriminals.

All companies need to ensure their security protection is up to scratch these days, not just big businesses, so making sure your identity stays protected is vital. Staying vigilant to anything suspicious is always the best course of action, so always ensure the emails or websites you interact with are legitimate, especially if they ask you for personal or business data, so that you aren’t giving away valuable data without knowing it.

Bitdefender Total Security comes with a range of tools to make sure you don’t fall victim to ID theft, ranging from specialised social network protection to a strong privacy firewall. The platform also offers an improved vulnerability assessment which will scan for possible security flaws such as missing Windows security patches and potentially unsafe system settings, before suggesting the best fix to keep you safe.  

Bitdefender Total Security  comes with a range of tools to make sure you don’t fall victim to ID theft, ranging from specialised social network protection to a strong privacy firewall. It also

features a range of tools to make you stay protected from all the latest threats, including an advanced filtering system that warns you whenever you visit websites that may try to scam you.

For news on all the latest threats, you can also get real-time updates about malware outbreaks and scams on the Bitdefender Blog. 

Cybersecurity researchers Bitdefender have released a new decryptor for the MortalKombat ransomware which can help save your precious files, free of charge.

Available from the Bitdefender website now, the decryptor was released just over a month after security experts first started reporting on MortalKombat. In January 2023, Cisco Talos reported on threats targeting victims in the United States, casting a wide net to target random users with malicious emails carrying a .ZIP attachment with a BAT loader script. 

The victims that run the script end up downloading and running both the ransomware binary and the Laplas Clipper, BleepingComputer explained, adding that the speed at which the MortalKombat decryptor was published could be due to the fact that it is based on Xorist, a commodity ransomware allegedly decryptable since 2016.

Backing up encrypted files

To run the decryptor, the victims don’t need to install it on the affected endpoints, as it’s a standalone executable. It also backs up all of the files before trying to decrypt them, to be on the safe side in case the decryption process fails for any reason. Furthermore, the decryptor can replace previously decrypted files, and can be executed from the command line which should help IT teams managing large networks run automated decryptions.

Ransomware is one of the most devastating forms of malware, and also one that is the quickest to evolve and introduce new things. 

To protect against ransomware threats, businesses should first educate their employees on the dangers of phishing and social engineering, as those are the usual first steps leading up to a ransomware infection. Furthermore, having a strong antivirus solution, a firewall, and a backup, is highly recommended. 

• Here's our list of the best endpoint protection services today

Via: BleepingComputer

We're all aware of the need to keep our computing devices secure, with a range of security solutions available for PCs and laptops - but what about our mobile devices?

Smartphones have made huge leaps forward in terms of power and capabilities over the past decade, becoming high-level computing devices in their own right, holding not just our apps, photos and games, but also becoming an entry point for work.

With many of us now embracing hybrid working, having a smartphone geared for work is a crucial tool, but they also need to be kept safe from cyber-threats - so here's some tips to keep your mobile devices safe and secure.

Keeping safe online

Sadly, some parts of the Internet aren’t really a safe place to visit, and this can be true when mobile browsing as well as being on a PC.

Dodgy websites can look to infect your device with malware or other malicious software, installing trackers or keyloggers, with phishing websites looking to scam their victims out of their hard-earned cash,

Fortunately, Bitdefender Total Security offers an anti-phishing system that scans webpages and warns you if you land on a fraudulent site. It also comes with the Bitdefender Web Protection tool, which filters all mobile traffic, not just your intentional browsing, to provide real-time protection against all online dangers. 

Full scanning, all the time

Let’s face it - most of us spend a lot of time on our phones or other mobile devices, using them for a wide range of activities and functions.

This includes whatever apps and services you may have installed on your device - but how much do you really know about your apps? Bitdefender’s On-Demand & On-Install Scan function scans your Android phone or tablet to ensure all your apps are legitimate and safe, checking each app once you install it, and alerting you if there are any issues.

Bitdefender Total Security also protects your phone by using AI models to spot any unusual app activity, as well as intercepting threats before they hit, and flagging potential scam chats or messages, making sure you never fall victim to even the most devious threats. 

Watch out for scams

Security scams are sadly a common part of online everyday life, with hackers and fraudsters looking to con victims in any way they can, With many of us checking emails or browsing the web on our mobile devices, it can be deceptively easy to accidentally click on the wrong link or web page, and end up on a scam site. 

Fortunately, Bitdefender Total Security comes with built-in Scam Alert protection, blocking threats and websites it detects as harmful, making sure your handset remains safe.

And to make sure your internet usage remains protected from prying eyes, Bitdefender VPN encrypts all traffic on your device, offering up to 200 MB per day of encrypted traffic for Android and iOS devices.

Yours and yours only

If the worst does happen, and your mobile device is lost or stolen, then you can still rest assured that your data is safe from criminals.

Bitdefender Total Security’s Anti-Theft tool allows you to remotely locate, lock, wipe or send a message to your device in case of loss or theft. It will even allow your phone to snap a mugshot of anyone who tries to tamper with it, sending it to your Bitdefender Central account.

The platform’s App Lock tool is also able to protect your most treasured apps, securing them with a PIN code for that extra level of safety, meaning no one can change or alter your settings or private info. Finally, its Smart Unlock tool means you can set your phone to allow direct access to your protected apps only when using a trusted Wi-Fi network, keeping all your precious information safe.

For news on all the latest threats, you can also get real-time updates about malware outbreaks and scams on the Bitdefender Blog.  

The old ways are well and truly done with - and home working is now the norm for many of us.

After the pandemic forced us to embrace turning our homes into workplaces, the focus now turns to making the places into a productive and efficient location to work.

But security is always a concern for home working, with the less formal situation and physical distance from the office often leading to relaxed attitudes. But don't worry - with our top tips, you can ensure your home office stays safe and secure.

Get all of your devices safe, all of the time

Now many of us are settled working from home, you'll more than likely have your home office set-up just how you like it, with all the hardware and devices you need.

It's more than likely that this setup will include more than just a PC, with extra devices such as printers, tablets, and even your internet router itself can be weak spots when it comes to security, as potentially lower protections can allow hackers a simple entry route into your network.

Using a security solution such as Bitdefender Total Security can greatly help protect and secure all your home office devices, as the platform works across multiple software versions, including Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It can be used across up to 15 devices per household, making sure your home office remains safe against threats 

Fire up a VPN

Most of us will have been familiar with using a Virtual Private Network, or VPN, before making the move to a home office, however the technology has certainly come into its own in the last few years.

Allowing workers to stay connected to a workplace intranet or collaboration network, VPNs have become a vital office tool, but it can also provide a useful security boost.

A VPN is able to disguise your internet connection to your liking, making it appear to originate from a different location or even country, meaning your online activity and location should be safe from any snooping. 

Bitdefender Total Security comes packaged with its own Secure VPN service that offers complete online privacy - and with a 200MB/day allowance, you can ensure your online enjoyment is kept a secret.   

Boost your passwords

We're all aware of the need for strong passwords, but working from a comfortable home location can cause some of us to get a bit too relaxed when it comes to security.

Keeping your passwords fresh, changing them every few months if possible, is a crucial step to ensure your vital online accounts, whether work or personal, stay secure. 

To help you keep track of all these passwords, Bitdefender Total Security comes with an in-built Password Manager service to look after all your details, meaning you can create tough-to-crack logins for each account, as re-using passwords across multiple accounts means that all it takes is for one to be compromised for hackers to gain knowledge of your logins to everything else. 

Remain on your guard

Whether you're kicking off a start-up journey, or work as part of a larger organization, your data will be an attractive target for criminals.

We've covered how having a strong password is vital, as discovering or stealing login details or personal data such as a date of birth or phone number could help hackers access your accounts.

Staying vigilant to anything suspicious is always the best course of action, particularly when it comes to working from home. Always make sure that any links you click in an email, or any attachments, are from a recognised and trusted source - simply double-checking the name of the sender or the email header can be enough. Don’t open risky emails from anyone you don’t know - especially if on a work device - as the consequences could be pretty costly.

Bitdefender Total Security features a range of tools to make you stay protected from all the latest threats, including an advanced filtering system that warns you whenever you visit websites that may try to scam you. There’s also advanced anti-phishing protection that helps sniff out and block any websites that masquerade as trustworthy in order to steal financial data such as passwords or credit card numbers. 

For news on all the latest threats, you can also get real-time updates about malware outbreaks and scams on the Bitdefender Blog. 

Spyware has been discovered stealing Iranian users data via an infected VPN installer, antivirus provider Bitdefender has revealed. 

The company's joint-research with cybersecurity firm Blackpoint found components of Iranian-made EyeSpy malware to be injected "through Trojanized installers of VPN software (also developed in Iran)."  

The majority of targets were within the country's borders, only a few victims were found to be based in Germany and the US. 

This is particularly concerning in a country like Iran, where using one the best VPN services has increasingly become a necessity. Whether this is for bypassing its strict online censorship, or preserving anonymity to avoid dangerous government surveillance. Most likely, a mix of both.  

At the same time, a harsh crackdown on Iranian VPN services might push people towards unsecure third-party vendor sites. This makes such a spyware campaign even more dangerous for Iranians' privacy and security.    

Anti-dissident spware?

"In light of the recent events, it’s possible that the targets are Iranians who want to access the internet via a VPN to bypass the country’s digital lockdown. Such malicious installers could plant spyware on people who pose a threat to the regime," Bitdefender's report noted. 

Developed by Iranian-based firm SecondEye, EyeSpy is a legit monitoring software sold to businesses as a way to monitor employees' activities working remotely.  

The attackers were observed using components of the legit application in a malicious way to infect users' downloading the Iranian-based VPN service 20Speed and spy on their activities.     

Once injected into a device, the malware can virtually spy on every activity and collect a tons of sensitive data. These include stored passwords, crypto-wallet data, documents and images, contents from clipboard, and logs key presses. 

"The components of the malware are scripts that steal sensitive information from the system and upload them to an FTP server belonging to SecondEye," Bitdefender explained.

"This can lead to complete account takeovers, identity theft and financial loss. Moreover, by logging keypresses, attackers can obtain messages typed by the victim on social media or e-mail, and this information can be used to blackmail the victims." 

The campaign appears to be active since May 2022, with a growing number of attacks following the wave of anti government protests began in September.  

VPN downloads in Iran skyrocketed following this, reaching a peak of more than 3,000% increase by the end of the month. 

A VPN is largely used by Iranian citizens to access restricted apps like Instagram and WhatsApp. But, as the government increasingly charges dissidents with harsh sentences even reaching the death penalty, extra security software is also a necessity to safeguard sensitive data.

While more and more Iranians download a virtual private network on their devices, authorities are hardly cracking down on reliable VPN services as a result. 

Many providers are currently blocked in Iran, meaning that third-party VPN installers are increasingly in popularity. According to Iran International, 20Speed VPN is actually one of the most popular websites where Iranians head to buy their VPN subscriptions. Over 100,000 are the active installations of its Android VPN app.

To fight against such malware campaigns, Bitdefender's experts recommend "using well-known VPN solutions downloaded from legitimate sources. Also, a security solution, like Bitdefender, can protect against information stealers."