Effectiveness:  

Don’t let the inexpensive price and lesser-known name fool you; BitDefender Antivirus is powerful and completely effective. Independent industry research tests (ICSA labs, West Coast Labs, Virus Bulletin VB 100% certification, AV-Comparatives) agree that BitDefender is an effective solution, and one of the best overall performers. BitDefender has garnered several certifications and awards over the years, and Antivirus 2010 continues the legacy. 

BitDefender Antivirus protects you and your PC from a number of online threats, including viruses, spyware, phishing scams, and more. The software basically covers you from every angle, protecting you from threats on the internet, email, and even instant messaging. BitDefender scans all web, IM, and email traffic for malware. The software is even equipped to encrypt your IM conversations.

BitDefender’s scanners run in real-time, but don’t require a lot of resources. In fact, the new optimized scans run 30% faster than last year (which were already fast), without significantly increasing system load and even reducing the boot time.

One of the new features that further improves BitDefender protection and performance is the Active Virus Control, specifically designed to detect and demolish stealth threats. BitDefender has been using advanced heuristic detection already, but new malware have taken steps to avoid being analyzed by these technologies. Enter Active Virus Control; this proactive technology continually monitors all application activity, keeping an eye on file behaviors that look suspicious. One minor discrepancy won’t stop the file in question (thus avoiding false-positives), but if enough malware-like actions are detected, BitDefender Active Virus Control will lock it down.

Updates:  

With today’s virtual world constantly being introduced to more (and more advanced) threats, antivirus software is only as good as its latest update. Timely updates to virus databases and definition files are crucial in keeping you protected. The main kernel-level antivirus protection of BitDefender depends on an up-to-date list of known virus signatures and matching code.

BitDefender Antivirus 2010 performs regular updates every hour (unless directed otherwise by the user). BitDefender is setup to run these crucial updates automatically, and they are run in the background. You don’t have to worry about manually updating (though you can if you want), and more importantly, you don’t have to worry about updates slowing down your system.

Furthermore, you don’t have to worry about updates causing problems or losing program files. If file damage does occur (rare), BitDefender is setup to automatically repair itself with the newest working update.

Feature Set:  

BitDefender Antivirus has a complete lineup of all the essential features (and then some). The antivirus software is equipped to protect your computer from a number of threats, and provides complete peace of mind while downloading files online, opening emails, or sending an important IM. 

Along with the Active Virus Control features, the 2010 edition of BitDefender includes advanced Intrusion Detection technology. BitDefender will warn you if it detects any direct code injection (DLL) attacks, and proactively detects and defends from malicious attempts to adjust your crucial registry entries or system files.

Another advanced feature is one sure to please PC gamers. Bitdefender features a no-interruptions gamer mode that is ideal for stopping annoying notices or popups from interfering while you’re in the middle of some intense gaming (or a full-screen video, or presentation).

BitDefender 2010 is also equipped to run effectively on laptops, and features a special laptop mode designed to optimize battery life. (Of course you may also be interested in BitDefender Total Security for Mini-Notebooks, a comprehensive security/utilities/backup solution specifically designed to run well on netbooks)