Bitdefender VS Norton

If you are looking for a premium security package that would provide you with advanced features and excellent malware protection, this article is for you. Bitdefender Total Security and Norton Security Premium both offer premium protection, however, if you need to choose one, read this article that might help you to choose. 

Bitdefender Total Security

Bitdefender Total Security is developed by same name cybersecurity company based in Romania. Bitdefender was founded in 2001 and since then successfully operates the market. Bitdefender delivers robust security products and services consumers can rely on. At the present time, the company protects about half a billion users across the globe. Bitdefender offers cybersecurity for individual users and businesses.^[1]

Bitdefender provides users with antivirus system and security software for every user needs, including Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, Bitdefender Internet Security, Bitdefender Total Security, Bitdefender Family Pack, and Bitdefender Box. 

Bitdefender Total Security is a premium security software that protects up to five computers or ten computers, depending on the package. It also includes licenses for mobile security for Android and Bitdefender’s iOS and Mac software. What is more, together with Bitdefender Total Security purchase users get a system optimizer and a tracker for a lost or stolen laptop. 

All BitDefender products:

Product	Price / Devices / 1-year	Get it
BitDefender Total Security 2019	$45.21 / up to 5 devices
BitDefender Internet Security 2019	$44.11 / up to 3 devices
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2019	$29.40 / up to 3 devices
BitDefender Family Pack 2019	$61.07 / up to 15 devices
Bitdefender Antivirus for MAC 2019	$39.57 / up to 3 devices

Malware Protection

Bitdefender uses a multiple layered protection: a file-scanning engine looks for known exploits and heuristic monitoring checks for attack signs. In addition, if Bitdefender detects any suspicious icons, they are sent to Cloud Center lab for further analysis. Bitdefender also provides users with the Autopilot feature that adjust the application’s defensive posture based on current system’s conditions. Bitdefender offers users with two types of scan, Quick Scan, and a full System Scan. 

According to German independent lab AV-TEST, the software has excellent malware detection rates, and detected and stopped all malware. However, it also notched up four false positives. 

Security and Privacy 

Bitdefender Total Security provides users with webcam protection that limits applications’ use of the camera. In addition, the application has a powerful Password Manager, that supports Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Internet Explorer browsers, the Wi-FI Security Advisor, Safepay browser, Quick Risk Checker and more useful features. Even if you lost your laptop, the application is capable to locate and remotely wipe the drive if it’s turned on. However, Bitdefender Total Security does not include virtual private network (VPN).

Optimization

It also provides users with optimization features, including One Click Optimizer, Startup Optimizer, Disk Cleanup and more. 

Parental Controls

For those who have children, Bitdefender provides Parental Controls, so users can block a variety of questionable websites and material. Parents can limit a child’s web time and block specific applications. 

Impact on a System 

Bitdefender Total Security has a light impact on a system and does not drown it. During scans, there are small system slowdowns that users might not even notice.

Interface

The interface is dark with white type, and blue and green details. The window cannot be resized but it can be moved around. The navigation is simple and easy.

The Final Verdict

Bitdefender Total Security is a premium class software that provides advanced malware protection and many useful features. 

 Norton Security Premium

Norton Security Premium is developed by cybersecurity company Norton by Symantec. The company operates the industry since 1990 and provides users with advanced, award-winning antivirus system and security software for Windows PCs, Macs, Android, iOS devices, Wi-Fi networks, routers and more. The company is based in California, USA, but protects individual users and businesses around the world.^[2]

Norton provides security software for all users according to their needs: Norton AntiVirus Basic, Norton Security Standard, Norton Security Deluxe and Norton Security Premium. 

Norton Security Premium is the most expensive tier from Norton. Norton Security Premium provides backup software for both online and local drives, 25 GB of cloud storage and other security features. 

Malware Protection

Norton’s malware protection includes three defensive layers, including traditional signature matching, heuristic analysis, and sending new samples to Norton’s cloud servers. Norton also includes browser extensions for Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. If users want to reduce notifications and signature updates, Norton offers Silent Mode instead of Game mode. 

According to AV-TEST, Norton Security scored excellent 100% results against both known and unknown malware, and it also had only two false positives. Norton has almost perfect malware detection rates, and it would be a great solution for those who want to shield their computer against malware. 

Security and Privacy

Norton Security Premium protects users against spyware, phishing, emails, and ransomware.It also secures your registry and stops potentially unwanted applications from being installed on a system. It also provides users with an advanced firewall. It is worth to mention, that Norton does not offer some tools, including local network scanner, a file shredder, file encryption and more. 

Parental Controls

If you are looking for family protection, it is important that Parental Controls features are included with Norton Security Premium for Windows PCs, however, Mac users do not get this feature. 

Impact on a System

Norton software used to noticeably slow down computers during scans, but the problem has been resolved. Norton Security Premium has a moderate impact on a system and slows down computer performances during scans just a little. 

Interface

Norton has a very bright interface which is also very functional. It is easy to understand and operate. 

The Final Verdict

Norton Security Premium has excellent malware detection and removal rates and a medium impact on a system. It would be a great choice for those who want to protect their devices from cyber attacks or hackers. However, the package lacks some features. 

To Summarize

Both security packages provide premium protection and excellent malware protection. Even though Norton would be a great choice for those who want to shield their devices, we would say that Bitdefender Total Security would be a better choice because the application has a lower impact on a system and provides users more features.