BitDefender Makes Free Editions of Most Popular Security Solutions Available for Internet Users

BitDefender Free Edition, Anti-Phishing and Chat Encryption Available for Download

BitDefender� announced today the availability of many of its most popular security solutions as free editions, available for download. Among these are BitDefender Free Edition, an on-demand virus scanner, BitDefender Anti-Phishing Free Edition, and BitDefender Chat Encryption.

BitDefender Free Edition uses the same certified antivirus engines as other BitDefender products, providing users with an efficient way to scan their PCs and remove any viruses detected. Benefits include:

# Virus scanning and removal � Powerful scan engines ensure detection and removal of all viruses in the wild

# Scheduled scanning � The Scheduler allows users to plan and schedule full system/drive scans in off hours

# Immediate scanning � Users can easily check files and folders with a right click

# Quarantine � Users have the option to isolate infected files and can send them to BitDefender Labs for further analysis

# Reports � When launching a scan, users can create a report file where they can see statistics about the scan process

BitDefender Free Edition is an on-demand virus scanner and does not offer real-time protection against viruses or other malware. BitDefender Free Edition is best used in a system recovery or forensics role. If a user plans to employ an "always-on" Internet connection, BitDefender advises using a more complex antivirus solution such as BitDefender Antivirus 2009, BitDefender Internet Security 2009 or BitDefender Total Security 2009.

�BitDefender Free Edition is perfect for users who want to quickly scan and disinfect a PC, even if they are already using an anti-malware solution,� said Bogdan Dumitru, BitDefender�s CTO. �Many of today�s anti-malware programs can�t keep up with the speed and volume with which new malware is being released. This causes many computers to become infected � despite running anti-malware software � with the user not even realizing it. BitDefender Free Edition allows users to test and verify the effectiveness of their anti-malware solution using the industry�s leading proactive anti-malware technology free-of-charge.�

BitDefender Anti-Phishing Free Edition provides browser-based protection from phishing attempts by blocking the malicious web pages used to steal credit card data and other personal identification information. This tool is compatible with Microsoft Internet Explorer and with Mozilla Firefox.

BitDefender Chat Encryption allows users to communicate securely via Yahoo! Messenger or Windows Live Messenger by encrypting the instant messages exchanged with another PC on which BitDefender Chat Encryption or a BitDefender 2009 product is installed. BitDefender Chat Encryption keeps instant messages safe from hijacking through a simple and automatic encryption process.

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