Bitdefender can be downloaded from the Mac App Store. After providing it with full access to your disk and access to your security preferences in System Preferences, Bitdefender is ready to use. It updates itself automatically with new virus definitions and allows you to choose between a quick scan or a Deep Scan. You can also choose to scan files and external volumes at a specific location. The application comes with a highly efficient anti-theft feature which allows you to find and record an alarm on your device, remotely remove its contents and prevent it from connecting to wifi networks.
It also includes a knowledge base on the internet with articles and videos. A quick custom scan on my test device took less than 5 minutes. It’s also one of the few competitors to include an vulnerability scanner that can check your device for weak passwords and outdated software and offers an easy scheduler that allows for quick custom scans.
Overall, Bitdefender is among the best malware detection scanners consistently delivering impressive results in independent lab tests. It offers unbeatable spyware detection rates and a comprehensive protection suite that includes features like a password manager, a speedy VPN as well as an anti-tracker, and parental controls. It also offers machine protection as part of a variety of its business plans. This is a huge benefit over other services.
Bitdefender is easy to navigate and group its features into three categories: Protection, Privacy and Utilities. Protection is the part of Bitdefender that covers features common to most antivirus software, such as real-time protection, firewall monitoring, and ransomware countermeasures. Privacy covers methods to ensure security while browsing the web, such as a safe browser (designed with banking and shopping websites in mind) that runs websites in the sandbox and stops malware from infecting your regular internet browser. The Utilities section contains useful utilities and optimization tools.