Bitdefender has released its 2013 range: Antivirus Plus 2013 ($49.95), Internet Security 2013 ($69.95), and the high-end Total Security 2013 ($79.95).
And the headline addition this time is Safepay, a secure virtual browser which aims to protect your online banking and shopping details (although the technology will help to shield any confidential online activity). It’s a useful feature and is available on all three products.
The 2013 products also now include a “USB Immunizer”. Right-click a flash drive in Explorer, select “Immunize this drive” and it’ll be protected against future infection by autorun-based malware.
The other major new feature is Anti-Theft, a computer location service which is available in Total Security 2013 only. If your system is lost or stolen then just log in to your Bitdefender account, and you may be able to display its whereabouts on a map, as well as locking the computer remotely or – as a last resort – wiping it clean.
And just as you’d expect, several of the existing features have also seen worthwhile enhancements. The parental controls are more capable, Safebox now allows secure file sharing, and the MyBitdefender dashboard now makes your program status accessible to any internet-connected device, for instance.
Put it all together and this looks like a solid move forward for Bitdefender. Safepay in particular seems a very effective way to avoid malware, and it’s good to see the tool available in every program across the range. If you’re looking for a new security suite then Antivirus Plus 2013, Internet Security 2013, and Total Security 2013 deserve careful consideration, and 30-day trial builds of each are available now.
