Bitdefender, a Bucharest, Romania-based provider of antivirus and PC security software, this week officially launched its line of 2013 security products, bringing new enhancements and security features to help keep users safe.
The company’s latest security suite brings protections beyond traditional antivirus protection, including a new purpose-built feature designed to help protect online shoppers, as well as encrypted online file sharing and storage, anti-theft technologies, and more.
The company’s new antivirus is fully compatible with Windows 8 which is expected to be shipped this fall, and brings a new version of its online storage and sharing, a new security widget that keeps users informed on the status of their online security, as well as a new “USB Immunizer” that helps protect against USB-based threats.
According to research from Bitdefender released earlier this year, Autorun-based threats, which typically spread via infected USB sticks, were responsible for 12 percent of global infections in the first quarter of 2012. Despite the fact that the Autorun feature was eliminated from operating systems in Windows Vista SP1 in 2008, worms that take advantage of the feature continue to infect systems worldwide.
The antivirus technology in Bitdefender 2013 builds on the success achieved with Bitdefender 2012 which earned the company top marks from third party testing labs.
A summary of the features and enhancements in Bitdefender 2013 include:
Bitdefender Safepay – Brings increased security to online banking and shopping with a secured browser crafted specifically to keep online transactions private and secure. Safepay activates automatically when users access bank accounts, uses hotspot technology to create a secure connection on public wireless connections, and includes a virtual keyboard to prevent cybercriminals from monitoring keystrokes.
Anti-Theft – Helps users control a device even if it’s been lost or stolen, with features including remote lock, wipe, and locate from any Internet-connected device.
Bitdefender Safebox – Provides the ability for users to store and share files online while protecting them with encryption.
Parental Controls – Allow users to remotely monitor children’s online activities, and the ability to restricting web access to certain days, hours, etc.
Bitdefender’s 2013 line of products come in three versions, all offering different levels of features: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013, Bitdefender Internet Security 2013, and its most comprehensive product, Bitdefender Total Security 2013.
Earlier this month, the company launched a standalone version of its Anti-Theft product that supports both PCs and Android devices. While most anti-theft solutions require that a mobile device be connected to a carrier network in order to execute functions remotely, Bitdefender Anti-Theft helps protect lost or stolen devices even if an attacker changes the SIM card.
With the software, if a missing Android device is not connected to the Internet, the device can still be controlled via SMS quickly and safely. Using SMS control, Bitdefender Anti-Theft can also make a device call their owners back or answer their next call. Bitdefender Anti-Theft runs in the background — most thieves won’t even know it’s there.
Both Bitdefender 2013 products and Bitdefender Anti-Theft are available immediately.
Disclosure: Travel and accommodations for SecurityWeek to attend a product launch event were provided by Bitdefender, under the condition that no coverage was guaranteed nor would positive coverage be guaranteed.
