bit-tech Shopping: BitDefender Total Security 2008

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
• Microsoft Windows Vista
• Microsoft Windows Vista Business
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate
• Microsoft Windows XP
• Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64

Rating: 2

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: Free after rebates

Weaknesses: Unstable, slow my computer

Summary: I bought it free after two rebates. Although I may not expect too much from freebies, I have to say that I am very disappointed with it. My computer became unstable, and run slowly after I installed it. The program might be great for others, but for me and my computer it really was not a match.

Rating: 10

Time with product:

Strengths: Cheap, easy to install and use

Weaknesses: None

Summary: I really like this Bitdefender software... much more than Mcafee or Norton. It doesn't slow down my machine nearly as much as some other security programs, and it was substantially more inexpensive. It receives regular updates and passes virus scaning tests. I would recommend this product.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1

Strengths: Inexpensive (after mail in rebate), 2-Year License, Doesn't Slow Down Computer

Weaknesses: None Yet

Summary: This security suite from BitDefender makes a nice alternative to similar products from Norton of McAfee. I found that it doesn't slow down my system as much as similar products from Norton and McAfee. It also includes 2-years of protection for three computers. It can frequently be purchased for free after mail in rebate.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1

Strengths: Does not bog the system down, cheap, 3 users for 2 years

Weaknesses: Complicated to configure, will display an extra icon in taskbar every time a scan runs overnight

Summary: I had been running Vista Ultimate x64 for a while without any AV but I thought I would pick this up when it was free after rebate in Fry's. This is great value, you get 2 years and 3 users, compared to the 1 year standard of other suites. Unlike other security suites I've used (Norton and McAfee) this does not bog my system down and make everything run slower, you won't notice a difference in speed after installing it. Configuration can be somewhat complicated with you often having to right click on items to enter even more settings. Also, I have it set to run a scan every night and the next day another icon is in my taskbar notifying me of the scan and there is no way to stop it, a small thing, but annoying all the same.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1 Week

Strengths: Easy to install on both Windows XP and Vista. Constant protection and easy to understand and set up

Weaknesses: None that I can find

Summary: I bought this to replace expired Norton protection. You get 2 years for a cheaper price than one year with Norton and this one for me has been easier to install and understand. I installed this on an XP computer that hasn't had an updated virus protection for 8 months and it found and took care of errors. I'm no expert on computers, but I know more than an average user. Love this program!!!