Opinion on BitDefender - good, safe, useful?

[Aiumu]

Hello!

I'm using Malwarebytes, but hear there is free scanner from BitDefender in App Shop
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bitdefender-virus-scanner/id500154009?mt=12

Any opinions? Would it be safer to have two scanners to use from time to time?
Is BitDefender safe or could it do something bad with my Mac? It's even in App Store so, respectable enough?

 

[willmtaylor]

Hello!

I'm using Malwarebytes, but hear there is free scanner from BitDefender in App Shop
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bitdefender-virus-scanner/id500154009?mt=12

Any opinions? Would it be safer to have two scanners to use from time to time?
Is BitDefender safe or could it do something bad with my Mac? It's even in App Store so, respectable enough?

Though probably unnecessary, yes, BitDefender is legitimate & reputable.

 

[Anna Leif]

Hello,

I've used BitDefender from the App Store on my 2010 MacBook for a long time with no problems at all. It's basic, working as a standalone scanner with no real time scanning, so it won't slow down your Mac. It is resource heavy when it's scanning though, on the plus side, a scan doesn't take long. It has options for 'critical locations', 'deep scan' and 'custom scan' (scan files, partitions, external drives) As a reassuring back up on the security side, it's useful.

As a note: It's never found anything nasty on my MacBook

Anna

 

[satcomer]

Hello,

I've used BitDefender from the App Store on my 2010 MacBook for a long time with no problems at all. It's basic, working as a standalone scanner with no real time scanning, so it won't slow down your Mac. It is resource heavy when it's scanning though, on the plus side, a scan doesn't take long. It has options for 'critical locations', 'deep scan' and 'custom scan' (scan files, partitions, external drives) As a reassuring back up on the security side, it's useful.

As a note: It's never found anything nasty on my MacBook

Anna

You won't find any unless you get Mac software "that falls off a truck" or go to many p0rn sites! Plus downloading free music also brings some Trojans too!

 

[iModFrenzy]

I've found OS X or macOS to be pretty virus free.(as most developers aim at Windows, easier to?) But that doesn't mean there aren't any obviously. I just don't think the average user is likely to encounter a virus.

 

[kiwipeso1]

You usually only hear about viruses coming to mac from "free bollywood movies" sites, at least that's what happened to my neighbour before his MBP 2011 logic board died.

 

[Jinshinpan]

There have been few users with issues with BitDefender. It is bit more faulty App than malwarebytes

 

[willmtaylor]

There have been few users with issues with BitDefender. It is bit more faulty App than malwarebytes

"few users" or "a few users"? The difference is significant.

 

[Jinshinpan]

"few users" or "a few issues"? The difference is significant.

I said "few users". Few comes before users and issues after "with".

 

[Anna Leif]

There have been few users with issues with BitDefender. It is bit more faulty App than malwarebytes

I've never had an issue with the App Store version. Are the issues with the full, real time scanner, version or standalone App Store version?

Anna

 

[Jinshinpan]

I've never had an issue with the App Store version. Are the issues with the full, real time scanner, version or standalone App Store version?

Anna

From the few posts I've seen, the update error freeze seem to be with full time scanner, but at least one person had issue with the free App Store version. I can't find the post about what the issue was, but main complaint was about BitDefender help not being helpful at all. User specifically said "I got what I paid for - zero"

Not saying BitDefender is bad, but likelihood of getting more issues is bit bigger than with Malwarebytes. And those are only two anti-malware scanners I'd even recommend for Mac.

 

[willmtaylor]

I said "few users". Few comes before users and issues after "with".

Corrected. "Few" or "a few"?

 

[thomasareed]

Is BitDefender safe or could it do something bad with my Mac? It's even in App Store so, respectable enough?

First, be cautious about assuming anything in the App Store is respectable. There are a LOT of scam "anti-virus" or "adware removal" apps on the App Store right now.

That said, Bitdefender is legit, but you should note that it will only be able to scan your user folder, which means it'll miss some of the threats in circulation right now.

 

[997440]

First, be cautious about assuming anything in the App Store is respectable. There are a LOT of scam "anti-virus" or "adware removal" apps on the App Store right now.

That said, Bitdefender is legit, but you should note that it will only be able to scan your user folder, which means it'll miss some of the threats in circulation right now.

Regarding the first paragraph --

What's your take on the reason(s) why this is the case? Is it the volume of App submissions that prevents more thorough auditing...something else?

 

[Anna Leif]

First, be cautious about assuming anything in the App Store is respectable. There are a LOT of scam "anti-virus" or "adware removal" apps on the App Store right now.

That said, Bitdefender is legit, but you should note that it will only be able to scan your user folder, which means it'll miss some of the threats in circulation right now.

Scan running apps, scan critical locations, scan a specific location or scan the entire system – from Bitdefender website.

Deep system scan for all the locations the user has granted access to – from the App Store.

If a full system scan is required, the user must grant access due to sandboxing rules.

Anna

 

[thomasareed]

Regarding the first paragraph --

What's your take on the reason(s) why this is the case? Is it the volume of App submissions that prevents more thorough auditing...something else?

I'd like to say it's just volume, but I've reported those apps through two different channels, and only a couple got removed. One can only assume that the remainder - including one NOT made by me that is named "Adware Medic" - are not things Apple is interested in enforcing.

Incidentally, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac will now detect and remove Mac Ads Cleaner. It's just a new variant of Mac Adware Cleaner, from scam software developer PCVARK:

PCVARK plays dirty

 

[Anna Leif]

I'd like to say it's just volume, but I've reported those apps through two different channels, and only a couple got removed. One can only assume that the remainder - including one NOT made by me that is named "Adware Medic" - are not things Apple is interested in enforcing.

Incidentally, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac will now detect and remove Mac Ads Cleaner. It's just a new variant of Mac Adware Cleaner, from scam software developer PCVARK:

PCVARK plays dirty

This is interesting, I have an app name Duplicates Cleaner on my Mac, made PCVARK and downloaded from the App Store. I've used it without any issues, although haven't found it particularly efficient with large amounts of duplicated files. After reading your post I downloaded Malwarebytes which has just flagged it as a PUP. Would this be for the same potential reasons as outlined in your article?

Anna

 

[thomasareed]

I have an app name Duplicates Cleaner on my Mac, made PCVARK and downloaded from the App Store. ... I downloaded Malwarebytes which has just flagged it as a PUP. Would this be for the same potential reasons as outlined in your article?

Yup, since PCVARK has been caught making actual malware, we detect everything they make, under both the PCVARK and Techyutils aliases, as either malware or PUPs.

 

[Anna Leif]

Right, that's deleted. Thank you so much, I'm glad you popped up on this thread and posted the info.

A couple of questions, if you don't mind:

Does the App Store sandboxing of apps prevent malicious action by rogue applications? (As posted, I haven't had any issues with the app to date, but if the potential is there...)
Would Malwarebytes be a satisfactory replacement for Bitdefender? It does scan incredibly fast, does it scan for all known (relevant to 2017) Mac malware?

It is worrying that potentially rogue apps can make their way into the App Store.

Thank you

Anna

 

[thomasareed]

Does the App Store sandboxing of apps prevent malicious action by rogue applications?

Not really. It certainly prevents them from doing certain things, but a malicious app can still be very damaging with just access to your user folder.

Of course, the review process for all apps should catch any outright malicious behavior, but it doesn't really prevent fraudulent behaviors, where the app makes promises it doesn't keep or exists only to drive referrals to a different paid app.

Would Malwarebytes be a satisfactory replacement for Bitdefender? It does scan incredibly fast, does it scan for all known (relevant to 2017) Mac malware?

I'd certainly say so, but I'm a bit biased.

I'd say it depends on what you're looking for. If you want something that will catch Windows malware before you pass it on, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac won't do that. If you're looking for real-time protection, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac doesn't do that (yet!).

 

[997440]

I'd like to say it's just volume, but I've reported those apps through two different channels, and only a couple got removed. One can only assume that the remainder - including one NOT made by me that is named "Adware Medic" - are not things Apple is interested in enforcing.

Thanks for the info. The developer who reused the name "Adware Medic" evidently took the Copycat clause literally. No minor changes to the name were made.

[...]

• 4.1 Copycats
  Come up with your own ideas. We know you have them, so make yours come to life. Don’t simply copy the latest popular app on the App Store, or make some minor changes to another app’s name or UI and pass it off as your own. In addition to risking an intellectual property infringement claim, it makes the App Store harder to navigate and just isn’t fair to your fellow developers.

[...]

https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#copycats

Incidentally, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac will now detect and remove Mac Ads Cleaner. It's just a new variant of Mac Adware Cleaner, from scam software developer PCVARK:

PCVARK plays dirty

Thanks again.