Bitdefender 2010 Suggestions Options

[Eric]

My Ever Growing Suggestion List:

BitDefender's Look

Instead of having a dreary, boring silver look, BitDefender’s interface should include a variety of eye pleasing colors. I think it would be cool if the BitDefender could look as professional as
Internet Security Suite Version 10 did. Give it back it's professional look,
and let us change the theme to blue or red again!

Give us the option to create custom skins since you won't ever make a nice looking one ever again unless you revert back to the v10 design.

BitDefender’s Settings

It's imperative that BitDefender remembers all security settings, no matter what happens dealing with BitDefender updates or random computer crashes.

Updates have caused my firewall settings to be reset which should
never happen even in version 2009!

This is a big one that should be fixed.

FIREWALL ALERTS

Instead of asking me to approve or deny up to 6 different connection protocols for different programs, why not only ask me once whether the process should be allowed to connect to the internet or not and set the RULE to ANY PORT, ANY PROTOCOL.

Game Mode Configuration

Game mode should be configurable. I want the on demand scanning to stop
when I play games. However, I'd still like the firewall set to REPORT, because during play, an inactive firewall can lead to several virus threats and unwanted activity.

GameMode should not disable the firewall!!!! GameMode should only affect
all scanning by turning it off, as it should stop scanning files when users game.

The firewall should still be active during gaming.

Basically, make GameMode configurable, and make the scan activity bar disappear during game play.

Privacy Tab / P2P

BitDefender ISS 2010 Should Also Have a P2P / Torrent / Connection General
Privacy Control in addition to registry control and identity control. This
function would add an IP block list for known malicious IPs. Kinda like
Peerguardian. It would also closely monitor the ports being used. In this
tab, a basic IP filter would be nice to block out private instigators over
P2P who infringe privacy, block commonly known hacker IPs, and just privacy
breaking IPs in general. Privacy is a thing we are losing control over
thanks to our bribed politicians, so why not fight back?

Under the Privacy Control again for surfing, instead of manually having to set
rules for every site, why not allow the user to set a general privacy
setting that blocks cookies, ads, popups, javascript, vbscripts, and activeX
on every site and is fully configurable instead of having to manually set everything for the trillions of sites out there? However, still keep the
manual settings, as some sites should be setup differently.

FOR THIS, ALLOW US TO ADD AN IPFILTER.DAT or a text file filled with IPs one
per line, as some users may want to block millions of IPs, and set it up so we can actively enable or disable it, and make sure the settings are remembered.

Keep blocking port scans in the next version too.

AntiSpyware

BitDefender's AntiSpyware should be improved, as none of my cookies are
ever identified as spyware even though other scanners do. Though cookies
may not be considered "bad" spyware, it's something that should be scanned
and deleted.

Improve the general engine for AntiSpyware.

BURNING ISSUES WITH ACTIVE SCANS

DVD Next Copy and Nero both experience issues reading and writing CDs and
DVDs when BitDefender is running. In fact, when using DVD Next Copy, it
copies the DVD and successfully burns the DVD, but during the whole process
all programs become unresponsive and stay unresponsive and won't even shut
down until I manually turn my PC off. To test my theory as to it being
BitDefender causing my issues, I quickly uninstalled BitDefender and tried
burning the DVD again. It worked perfectly, and I was able to open several
programs and use them without lag while it burned the DVDs.

I'm guessing BitDefender's Active Scanning may have caused the issue. Instead of
scanning all programs that are currently running, BitDefender should have
the option to:

Only scan the Documents and Settings folder and the Windows Folder as the
first option.

The second option would be Scan All Programs

Third option would to scan the Documents and Settings folder + Windows Folder + programs with an active internet connect which are not being blocked by the firewall

Most viruses, rootkits, and spyware install themselves in the documents
folder and the windows folder. Therefore, this first option would allow
BitDefender to just actively those locations.

I know you can manually exclude items for the on demand scan, but it's still
annoyingly difficult and lengthy to do so.

EXIT OPTION

Please re-add the exit option which will shut down BitDefender’s protected processes.

Add an HIPS

Add an HIPS to BitDefender 2010 so that it monitors a few activities of currently running programs. However, don't create a HIPS that marks safe programs as unsafe such as WordPerfect Office X3.

Add Monthly Bandwidth Consumption Charts

In the Firewall section of BitDefender, I think it would be cool to add a tab next to the "Activity" tab named "Statistics". In it, our daily bandwidth usage could be merged into a graph that informs users just how much internet bandwidth they consume per month. Since ISPs in the United States are trying to cap our "unlimited" internet, which I hope someone sues Comcast and the FCC jumps in again, it would be nice if the firewall could record how much bandwidth we use so that we're informed.

KEEP USERS INFORMED

Show what the firewall has blocked. Create another tab under the firewall section called "Logs". There, provide users with a detailed log of the activities the firewall has blocked.

Release updates with a release log so users can know what has been
updated.

Clean TEMP FILES

Make the Clean Internet Files faster, as it takes a while for BitDefender to
count up everything and delete it. PLEASE RE-ADD THIS FEATURE IN BD 2010!

Don't count it, just delete it. It's only internet cache! Also, it would be
cool if we could configure the type of cache it cleans. For example, we
could config it to CLEAN URL HISTORY, DELETE COOKIES, DELETE TEMPORARY
FILES, Delete Auto Complete Forms, Delete Password Forms, and you could even
add support the cleaning of some of Windows Temp files that are unneeded.

SCAN ACTIVITY BAR

I've noticed that when gaming, the little BitDefender scanning graph/chart
that provides information on local and internet scanning activity pops
through my games. It's literally flashing on and off during play. This
should not happen.

Thus, perhaps when gaming is initialized, BitDefender could set the option
for the chart to hide but only while the user is gaming, as I like this
feature, and it's nice to see what's going on when I'm not gaming.

Please re-add this feature in BitDefender 2010, but just make it disappear while gaming.

[Eric]

Previous BitDefender Version Keys

I have Total Security 2008, and I'm shocked to find that BitDefender Total Security 2009 doesn't allow me to participate in online backup. I have Total Security, and I should be able to participate in the online backup regardless of whether or not it's from a previous version. The key works to install and register BitDefender 2009, so I don't see why previous version owners, such as myself, can't use this feature. As a customer, I'm disgusted.

Instant Messaging Encryption

Please add support for the two other major popular IM programs you left out; AOL Instant Messenger and ICQ.

Better yet, support encryption for Trillian Astra which includes MySpace IM, MSN, Yahoo, AIM, ICQ, IRC, GoogleChat all in one application. It's quite popular, and I use it a lot. I'd love to have encryption for all of Trillian. Trillian Astra is a new version that will be released soon.

Vulnerability Settings

Get rid of these settings, as I refuse to download Microsoft updates. It's the security suite's job through antivirus, antispyware, and firewall stealth to protect our computer. Microsoft updates hardly fix anything.

Firewall Rules

Under the advanced user interface, instead of having to choose Firewall, then Rules, and then on a screen that lists the rules already, hit Advanced to edit the rules, why not let us go to Firewall, Rules, and then choose the rule on the list already viewable, hit the Play button which is already there to edit the rules? As of right now, the play button does not work until you click on Advanced under the Rules' Settings Page. Get rid of Advanced all together, and let us see and edit the rules right then and there under the "Rules" tab.

AntiVirus Real Time Protection

When HTTP scanning is enabled under the AntiVirus Real Time Protection Settings (set to Aggressive), do not keep blocking websites that you deem malicious. I'm glad you warned me about my suspicious source for a file (with the possibility of containing a virus), but if I hit refresh again in my browser and try access that page again despite your warning, let me through. BitDefender mislabeled the website, as the file I downloaded was safe, and the file I downloaded contained no viruses according to BitDefender AntiVirus.

Spyware Protection?

I don't even think BitDefender protects us from spyware. Please include a decent lightweight antispyware engine. I don't want malicious tracking cookies on my computer, rootkits, keyloggers, or anything else that tracks my data.

BitDefender Forum Suggestion

Let users edit or modify there posts no matter how old the post is. What kind of forum doesn't allow its users to edit their posts?

This post has been edited by Eric: Oct 6 2008, 05:42 AM

[Christian]

BitDefender Forum Suggestion
Let users edit or modify there posts no matter how old the post is. What kind of forum doesn't allow its users to edit their posts?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
By saying this, you mean that moderators are useless. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

This will not happen. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Take a look on all IPB based forums, users can't edit their posts .

If you want to modify something in your posts, press Report and we will take a look. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

This post has been edited by crysty2k5: Oct 6 2008, 11:02 AM

[kungfu]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
By saying this, you mean that moderators are useless. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

This will not happen. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Take a look on all IPB based forums, users can't edit their posts .

If you want to modify something in your posts, press Report and we will take a look. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

He does have a point ,the time to edit a post is a couple of minutes ?,Thats strange and has nothing to do with saying that moderators are useless has it ?

But first thing first how can we talk about Version 2010 if version 2009 isnot fully functional ?

This post has been edited by kungfu: Oct 6 2008, 07:34 PM

[Cris]

Previous BitDefender Version Keys

I have Total Security 2008, and I'm shocked to find that BitDefender Total Security 2009 doesn't allow me to participate in online backup. I have Total Security, and I should be able to participate in the online backup regardless of whether or not it's from a previous version. The key works to install and register BitDefender 2009, so I don't see why previous version owners, such as myself, can't use this feature. As a customer, I'm disgusted.

The Online Backup license is a somehow separate thing from the actual BD license. The TS2009 version is more expensive than the TS2008 version just because the price includes the online backup service costs.

2008 licenses (and previous) don't work and will not activate Online Backup. Ever.

Vulnerability Settings

Get rid of these settings, as I refuse to download Microsoft updates. It's the security suite's job through antivirus, antispyware, and firewall stealth to protect our computer. Microsoft updates hardly fix anything.

Again...if you don't like a feature, it doesn't mean it's useless. Windows Updates are extremely recommended and are actually the first line of defense especially against exploits. Without a solid OS, any other "addons" (like AVs, Firewalls, etc...) won't be able to keep up with the threats.

Nothing stops you to just disable the features that you don't like. Vulnerability Scan will remain.

Firewall Rules

Under the advanced user interface, instead of having to choose Firewall, then Rules, and then on a screen that lists the rules already, hit Advanced to edit the rules, why not let us go to Firewall, Rules, and then choose the rule on the list already viewable, hit the Play button which is already there to edit the rules? As of right now, the play button does not work until you click on Advanced under the Rules' Settings Page. Get rid of Advanced all together, and let us see and edit the rules right then and there under the "Rules" tab.

The "Play" button works just fine. You just have to select a rule, not an application. In front of each application in the list there's a "+" sign. Expand the list, and you'll see the rule(s) for that application. Selecting a rule and pressing "Play" (or simply double clicking a rule) will open the Edit dialog.

The "Advanced" dialog has a different purpose, and is meant for advanced users only.

AntiVirus Real Time Protection

When HTTP scanning is enabled under the AntiVirus Real Time Protection Settings (set to Aggressive), do not keep blocking websites that you deem malicious. I'm glad you warned me about my suspicious source for a file (with the possibility of containing a virus), but if I hit refresh again in my browser and try access that page again despite your warning, let me through. BitDefender mislabeled the website, as the file I downloaded was safe, and the file I downloaded contained no viruses according to BitDefender AntiVirus.

Please report any false positives on the Malware Talk -> False positive reporting section.

I'm sure you don't realize at all what a security hazard would be what you ask. It would simply make the HTTP scanner useless against more advanced exploits, because the exploit could check the pages header (or something in the page's code) and re-download it if it it's not "valid". So, on the second try, the actual harmful code will be downloaded and executed, and you'll be back here asking "Why on Earth did BitDefender let this malware through even if it already knows it??".

As I said: you don't like a feature, disable it.

Spyware Protection?

I don't even think BitDefender protects us from spyware. Please include a decent lightweight antispyware engine. I don't want malicious tracking cookies on my computer, rootkits, keyloggers, or anything else that tracks my data.

Spyware protection has been added since v10 (or even earlier) if I'm not mistaking.

Rootkits and keyloggers are not spyware, but they are rootkits and/or keyloggers.

BitDefender Forum Suggestion

Let users edit or modify there posts no matter how old the post is. What kind of forum doesn't allow its users to edit their posts?

No, for the reasons already posted by crysty2k5.

Cris.

[Eric]

The Online Backup license is a somehow separate thing from the actual BD license. The TS2009 version is more expensive than the TS2008 version just because the price includes the online backup service costs.

2008 licenses (and previous) don't work and will not activate Online Backup. Ever.

That's lame; we were guarenteed updates for two years.

The "Play" button works just fine. You just have to select a rule, not an application. In front of each application in the list there's a "+" sign. Expand the list, and you'll see the rule(s) for that application. Selecting a rule and pressing "Play" (or simply double clicking a rule) will open the Edit dialog.

The "Advanced" dialog has a different purpose, and is meant for advanced users only.

I see that now, thanks. It, however, does offer the same functionality of the advanced area of the rules, so there's no point in having something repeat with no added incentive or additional features.

Please report any false positives on the Malware Talk -> False positive reporting section.

I'm sure you don't realize at all what a security hazard would be what you ask. It would simply make the HTTP scanner useless against more advanced exploits, because the exploit could check the pages header (or something in the page's code) and re-download it if it it's not "valid". So, on the second try, the actual harmful code will be downloaded and executed, and you'll be back here asking "Why on Earth did BitDefender let this malware through even if it already knows it??".

As I said: you don't like a feature, disable it.

It's probably better to be on the safe side, but when there are false positives, I'll post them in the proper forum.

Spyware protection has been added since v10 (or even earlier) if I'm not mistaking.

Rootkits and keyloggers are not spyware, but they are rootkits and/or keyloggers.

Yeah, that's why no cookies are ever marked as spyware and deleted? No spyware is ever found on any of my systems?

No, for the reasons already posted by crysty2k5.

Cris.

His reasons were sad. You know, free forum software such as SMF offers more functionality and features than this IP.Board, and it lets users edit their posts.

I've never seen a forum that doesn't let you edit your posts. It's your freedom of speech, and you should have the option to edit it.

Moderators are simply supposed to organize topics, delete spam, and check language.

This post has been edited by Eric: Oct 12 2008, 02:23 AM

[Christian]

His reasons were sad. You know, free forum software such as SMF offers more functionality and features than this IP.Board, and it lets users edit their posts.
I've never seen a forum that doesn't let you edit your posts. It's your freedom of speech, and you should have the option to edit it.
Moderators are simply supposed to organize topics, delete spam, and check language.

Wrong !

I can't suspend spammers if they change their posts. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

You can edit your post for 10 or 20 minutes. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

This post has been edited by crysty2k5: Oct 13 2008, 11:01 AM

[Eric]

Wrong !

I can't suspend spammers if they change their posts. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

You can edit your post for 10 or 20 minutes. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

If they change their posts, they're obviously not spamming! Spammers don't put much time into editing their posts anyway. You have plenty of time to catch them...

We "angel" members should have to suffer such oppression due to the threat of spam.

[Florin Stiuca]

I'm OFF-TOPIC like you are also, but I'm here to inform you that the edit time is at 35 minutes from now on.

Why such a short time? Because we had cases "back in the days" when there was no edit time and people were lying about what they said. We had users that were posting some illegal links and after a period they began to delete them.

So there you have it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Eric]

I'm OFF-TOPIC like you are also, but I'm here to inform you that the edit time is at 35 minutes from now on.

Why such a short time? Because we had cases "back in the days" when there was no edit time and people were lying about what they said. We had users that were posting some illegal links and after a period they began to delete them.

So there you have it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

It's sad when a company doesn't care about their customers. This is not off topic. It's a serious suggestion to revert the forum edit time back to unlimited like it once was.

Links are not illegal. The content provided by links may perhaps be questionable. I seriously hope that BitDefender 2010 will finally include a few of my suggestions. Of course, I'm highly convinced that you have your own agenda and are not interested in our desires based on the arrogance of the moderators here.

This post has been edited by Eric: Oct 18 2008, 04:48 AM

[Florin Stiuca]

1. This is off topic because we're in Products > Workstation > Feature Request. Requests for products not for forum functionality.

2. Links are illegal when pointing to keygens or warez.

3. Many developers from our team are checking the forums. They see your complains, impressions or requests, but the thing is that some features aren't so popular among others.

So the fact that you are sending us all sorts of requests doesn't mean that all of them will find their places "by default" in our next generation of products.

We really appreciate the fact that you are sending us all sorts of suggestions and you have always have, but please understand that every small thing that we get from you users is first analyzed and it passes though many teams before hitting the product, if it does.

Thanks for the suggestions and stop thinking that everyone is against your words or no one is listening.

[Eric]

So the fact that you are sending us all sorts of requests doesn't mean that all of them will find their places "by default" in our next generation of products.

We really appreciate the fact that you are sending us all sorts of suggestions and you have always have, but please understand that every small thing that we get from you users is first analyzed and it passes though many teams before hitting the product, if it does.

Thanks for the suggestions and stop thinking that everyone is against your words or no one is listening.

Thanks a lot. I feel relieved from that response. It just seems that some of my feature requests are common sense, and after all this time, they have never made it into the program. It can be frustrating, but thanks for that response.

[Zaim]

KEEP USERS INFORMED

Show what the firewall has blocked. Create another tab under the firewall section called "Logs". There, provide users with a detailed log of the activities the firewall has blocked.

Release updates with a release log so users can know what has been
updated.


^

could you not add the firewall blocks in the Overview of BD. (in advanced tab maybe)
would be appreciated.

thanks

This post has been edited by Zaim: Oct 25 2008, 09:43 PM

[Zaim]

KEEP USERS INFORMED

Show what the firewall has blocked. Create another tab under the firewall section called "Logs". There, provide users with a detailed log of the activities the firewall has blocked.

Release updates with a release log so users can know what has been
updated.


^

could you not add the firewall blocks in the Overview of BD. (in advanced tab maybe)
would be appreciated.

thanks

would be better in the Firewall Tab next to the incoming connections/outcoming connections.

couldnt edit my last post.

This post has been edited by Zaim: Oct 26 2008, 12:07 AM

[Cris]

Firewall -> Activity -> Show log is the function that you're looking for. If you need more details, you can select Increased log verbosity.

Also, for new created rules, and Firewall status changes, you can check the History -> Firewall page.

Cris.

[Eric]

ASP.NET Machine Account

After installing BitDefender Total Security Suite 2009, I noticed that a new account has been created under User Accounts in Control Panel. The new account is called ASP.NET Machine Account, and I believe it appears after the installation of .net Framework 1.1 which is included in BitDefender's installation package. This is annoying, as I now have to delete this account so that XP will not ask me to logon. I don't use a password on my account, so I just want XP to load and automatically sign me in. It will only do this if there is only one account. In BitDefender 2010, please fix this bug.

Weak Firewall

I don't know if this has come to your attention, but your firewall is obviously horrible. I mean, just look:

http://www.matousec.com/projects/firewall-...nge/results.php
http://www.matousec.com/projects/firewall-...2012.0.10.2.pdf

I'm hoping that BitDefender 2010 will pass most of these tests and continue to use less than 10MB of background memory for the suite's entire operation.

[Cris]

ASP.NET Machine Account

This is obviously not BitDefender's fault. If you want to blame someone for that extra account, blame Microsoft, because .NET Framework is their "art".

However, you can use TweakUI (freeware, made also by Microsoft) to set Windows to auto-logon into your account.


About the Firewall part: the first link, as discussed a lot in other threads, is NOT a firewall test, but a HIPS test, and Matousec just gives wrong information (either because they're ignorant, either because they don't even know the difference between a Firewall and a HIPS). The second link I didn't yet read, so I won't comment about it (not yet anyway).

Cris.

[Eric]

This is obviously not BitDefender's fault. If you want to blame someone for that extra account, blame Microsoft, because .NET Framework is their "art".

I do blame them, but I do know that .net framework 2.0 does not create this issue. Perhaps BitDefender should utilize that framework...

About the Firewall part: the first link, as discussed a lot in other threads, is NOT a firewall test, but a HIPS test, and Matousec just gives wrong information (either because they're ignorant, either because they don't even know the difference between a Firewall and a HIPS). The second link I didn't yet read, so I won't comment about it (not yet anyway).

See that's what I'm trying to find out. Does BitDefender provide a good enough firewall compared to other security suites? In order for any of these matousec tests to first be conducted, hackers must obviously be able to hack through the firewall, right? How else would they do it? Basically, BitDefender lacks HIPS capabilities, but this is minor, as the firewall first has to be penetrated?

HIPS could be an annoying feature if programs are always suspected with showing signs of suspicious behavior? I know ZoneAlarm has an HIPS, but it is annoying at times that it continues to ask you whether or not to allow programs to monitor certain functions.

I think the problem with BitDefender's Firewall is it allows too many things to pass through. If I give acccess to a program that connects to multiple IPs, BitDefender never actively checks these connections to see if any of these peers or hosts are showing signs of suspicious behavior, sending bad packets, or sending pointless packets. I could be wrong, but I can remember instances in which ZoneAlarm blocked specific connections based on the data being sent from one connection to another based on its firewall rules.

This post has been edited by Eric: Nov 27 2008, 07:36 PM

[Cris]

Starting with BitDefender 2009, BitDefender products DO have some sort of HIPS protection, composed of:

- Behavioral Scanner (a.k.a Midas), part of the Antivirus engine, which monitors applications' activity.
- Intrusion Detection System (a.k.a. IDS), part of the Firewall module, which monitors applications' activity related to network connections.

Too many details about what these modules do and how they do it I don't have (and I'm sure that the specific details are not public anyway).

But yes, BD Firewall 2009 was much improved since 2008, and offers one of the best protections related to firewall. At some other chapters (like maybe the HIPS engine), BitDefender might still lack some features, but at firewall protection it's one of the best.

Cris.

[_black_cell_]

Settings backup

A nice little feature if you lose your settings, back them up from a file. Settings like firewall rules and so on.