Tech Review: Bitdefender For Mac

Bitdefender is a Romanian-based company that has been providing antivirus software for over 20 years. Its growing suite of products offers comprehensive protection against viruses and ransomware, adware blocking and removal, and included VPN service for fast and secure online browsing. They also offer a completely free antivirus for PC users.

Antivirus software used to be a PC only service but as Apple Macs grew in popularity so did the number of viruses for the operating system. Many users still believe that Macs are impervious to viruses but they couldn’t be more wrong. I currently use Bitdefender, which is an antivirus for Mac and I was completely surprised at the results after the first scan. Since then I conduct periodic scans to ensure my Mac is virus free and as fast as it can be.

The installation process for Bitdefender for Mac is quick and easy, and the initial scan is fast and doesn’t slow down the computer. The user interface is clean and easy to use, with an easy-to-use dashboard to turn on and off various protection options. The notifications tab is useful after a month or so as it shows the times and dates of previous scans and keeps a log of all important information.

It only takes one use to be sold on Bitdefender as it lists (and removes) a whole host of unwanted files and viruses you had no idea were there. Similarly, I had my external hard drive connected and it scanned that too and found all sorts of viruses in the multitude of downloaded files I had accumulated over the years.

The software offers Time Machine Protection for backed-up files in case of a ransomware attack. A great feature if the majority of your files are stored on your computer. Additionally, one of the standout features of Bitdefender is the additional VPN service, which provides online privacy protection, bandwidth improvements, and the ability to access region-blocked services like Netflix. This feature is optional but worth the extra £30.

However, the software isn’t perfect. The parental controls need updating and I discovered that the password manager is a Windows-only feature, which becomes a bit useless if you can’t use it on your smartphone too. Also, the unlimited VPN service costs extra. Similarly, the VPN is great but it would be fantastic if it was built in.

In conclusion, Bitdefender for Mac was an excellent choice for protecting my Mac, with advanced features such as real-time protection, adware blocking and removal, and VPN service. The lack of parental controls and password manager on the Mac is annoying but not a deal breaker. Bitdefender for Mac is an affordable option and is highly recommended for those looking for comprehensive protection for their Mac.