Bitdefender can be downloaded from the Mac App Store. After giving it full disk access and access to your security preferences in System Preferences, Bitdefender is ready to use. It automatically updates its virus definitions and you can select between a Quick Scan or a Deep Scan. You can also select to scan files and external volumes from a specified location. The program also comes with an effective anti-theft feature that lets you locate your device and set off an alarm, delete its contents from its location, and prevent it from connecting with wifi networks.
The program also features a handy online knowledge base that includes videos tutorials and a large collection of articles and offers a high level of speed for virus scanning – a quick custom scan took only 5 minutes on my test device. It’s also among the few rivals that have a vulnerability scanner that checks your device for outdated software and weak passwords and also offers a convenient scheduler to perform quick custom scans.
Overall, Bitdefender is among the most effective malware detection scanners, consistently delivering impressive results in independent lab tests. It has the best spyware detection rates and a wide array of protection options, including parental and password management controls. It also offers machine protection as part of a variety of its business plans. This is a major benefit over other services.
Bitdefender’s interface is simple to use and splits its features into three categories three categories: Privacy Security, Protection and Utilities. Protection is concerned with the aspects that come with most antivirus tools that include real-time protection such as firewall monitoring, and ransomware countermeasures. Privacy covers methods to be secure while surfing the web, such as a safe browser (designed with banking and shopping sites in mind) that runs websites within an sandbox, and blocks malware from infecting your regular internet browser. And the Utilities category has optimization tools, as well as other useful tools.