Bitdefender Antivirus Plus v10 offers an all-in-one suite of Internet security tools, bundling a firewall, anti-spam and anti-spyware with standard virus protection.

Installation is straightforward enough with the software running an initial scan of your system to check for viruses and spyware before it enables the firewall.

Bitdefender picked up a handful malicious files on our test system that other software, namely Zonealarm, seemed to miss.

Once setup is complete you’re shown a rather basic looking red and white interface from which you control the software. This no-nonsense approach isn’t really a problem; all the tools you’d expect to find are here and easily accessible through a categorised list.

A set of general options allows you to configure your internet security to one of three levels – Internet Plus, Internet and Local System. The Plus option gives you extra protection against spam and phishing, while Local System is for users without internet access who just require virus protection.

Scrolling through the individual elements of the package, such as the anti-virus tool or firewall, allows you to control the functionality of each in a straightforward manner. A series of system scans can be configured using a sliding protection level to decide exactly how aggressively to search. These can be scheduled for various times and offer you access to quarantine areas to assess the results of scans.

Information on threats is rather limited though, both in terms of viruses and firewall intrusions. Although detailed information is of little use to most people, it would have been good to have the option.

The firewall’s strongest asset is its simplicity. Bitdefender maintains a database of safe programs, what it calls the Whitelist, that are automatically granted access. As you browse around online or open new applications, rules are added to Bitdefender’s database with a simple notification bar minimising interruptions.

You’ll also find it very easy to set up rules for programs, not only in terms of permitting or denying access but in opening or blocking ports, IP Addresses and connection types. Many other firewalls make a meal of doing this so it’s refreshing to see Bitdefender keeping it simple.

Unfortunately there are drawbacks to this simplistic nature and we found legitimate sources that pose no threats are often automatically blocked. When this happens it's not easy to force the software to accept access if it doesn't want to.

This, along with other minor issues means that Bitdefender isn't without its glitches, and neither the software or support department are forthcoming in offering a solution – our email request for help was ignored.

Elsewhere, anti-spam and anti-spyware protection rounds off the tool-set and are controlled in a similar way to the firewall and anti-virus tools, with a simple slider allowing you to control how aggressively your system is monitored.

Anti-spam is automatically integrated into Outlook if you use this for your email, allowing you to choose which mails are or aren’t spam and run a wizard to configure settings for your account.

Overall Bitdefender will appeal to casual internet users who will likely get along fine without any problems, which is where the hassle-free nature of the software is an advantage. We’d have liked a bit more information on threats and more control over the fine tuning though, more experienced users will no doubt experience similar headaches.

After extended testing with Bitdefender, and one hiccup too many, we still ended up going back to Zonealarm, for the reason that it’s still the best all-round security suite available.

Also consider:
Zonelabs Zonealarm Internet Security Suite 6
An excellent all-round product with strong features and usability

Grisoft AVG Internet Security
Full internet security package from the makers of AVG Free

PC-Cillin Internet Security 2007
Internet and system security suite for home computers and networks

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