TMBD-404 - Antivirus BITDEFENDER - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL TMBD-404 BITDEFENDER

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Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 User's Guide

Publication date 01/29/2018

Copyright© 2018 Bitdefender

Legal Notice

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without wr permission from an authorized representative of Bitdefender. The inclusion of brief quotations in reviews may possible only with the mention of the quoted source. The content can not be modified in any way.

Warning and Disclaimer. This product and its documentation are protected by copyright. The information in this document is provided on an "as is" basis, without warranty. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, the authors will not have any liability to any person or entity with respect to or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this work.

This book contains links to third-party Websites that are not under the control of Bitdefender, therefore Bitdefender is not responsible for the content of any linked site. If you access a third-party website listed in this document will do so at your own risk. Bitdefender provides these links only as a convenience, and the inclusion of not imply that Bitdefender endorses or accepts any responsibility for the content of the third-party site.

Trademarks. Trademark names may appear in this book. All registered and unregistered trademarks in this document are the sole property of their respective owners, and are respectfully acknowledged.

Table of Contents

Installation 1

1. Preparing for installation 2
2. System requirements .... 3

2.1. Minimum system requirements .....
2.2. Recommended system requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.3. Software requirements 4

1. Installing your Bitdefender product

3.1. Install from Bitdefender Central 5
3.2. Install from installation disc 7

Getting started 12

1. The basics ..... 13

4.1. Opening the Bitdefender window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.2. Fixing issues 14

4.2.1. Security Issues wizard 15
4.2.2. Conguring status alerts 16

4.3. Notifications 16
4.4. Autopilot 17
4.5. Proles 18

4.5.1. Congure automatic activation of proles

4.6. Password-protecting Bitdefender settings . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.7. Anonymous usage reports ..... 20
4.8. Special offers notifications 20

1. Bitdefender interface 21

5.1. System tray icon 21
5.2.Main window 23

5.2.1. Status area 23
5.2.2.Left sidebar 24
5.2.3. Action buttons and access to features area . . . . . . .
5.2.4. Bottom bar 25

5.3. The Bitdefender sections 26

5.3.1. Protection 26
5.3.2. Privacy 28

5.4. Security Widget 28

5.4.1. Scanning les and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.4.2. Hide / show Security Widget . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5.5. Activity 30

5.5.1. Checking the Security Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.5.2. Turning on or off the Security Report notification . . . . .

1. Bitdefender Central 34

6.1. Accessing Bitdefender Central 34
6.2. My Subscriptions 35

6.2.1. Check available subscriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.2.2. Add a new device 35
6.2.3. Renew subscription 36
6.2.4.Activate subscription 36

6.3.My Devices 36
6.4.My Account 38
6.5. Notifications 39

7. Keeping Bitdefender up-to-date

7.1. Checking if Bitdefender is up-to-date . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2. Performing an update 41
7.3. Turning on or off automatic update . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.4. Adjusting update settings 42
7.5. Continuous updates 43

How to 44

8. Installation 45

8.1. How do I install Bitdefender on a second computer? . . . .
8.2.How can I reinstall Bitdefender? 45
8.3. Where can I download my Bitdefender product from? . . . .
8.4. How can I change the language of my Bitdefender product? . .
8.5. How do I use my Bitdefender subscription after a Windows upgr
8.6. How can I upgrade to the latest Bitdefender version? . . . . .

9. Subscriptions 53

9.1. How do I activate Bitdefender subscription using a license key?

10. Bitdefender Central 55

10.1. How do I log in to Bitdefender Central using another online account?
10.2. How do I turn off Bitdefender Central help messages? . . .
10.3. I forgot the password I set for my Bitdefender account. How do I r
10.4. How can I manage the logon sessions associated to my Bitdefender account? 57

11. Scanning with Bitdefender

11.1.How do I scan a le or a folder? 58
11.2.How do I scan my system? 58
11.3.How do I schedule a scan? 58
11.4. How do I create a custom scan task?
11.5. How do I exclude a folder from being scanned? . . . . .
11.6. What to do when Bitdefender detected a clean le as infected?
11.7. How do I check what viruses Bitdefender detected? . . . . .

12. Privacy protection 63

12.1. How do I make sure my online transaction is secure? . . .
12.2. How do I remove a le permanently with Bitdefender? . . . .

13. Useful Information 64

13.1. How do I test my antivirus solution? . . . . . . . . . .
13.2.How do I remove Bitdefender?64
13.3. How do I remove Bitdefender VPN? . . . . . . . . . . . .

13.4. How do I automatically shut down the computer after the scan is on
13.5. How do I congure Bitdefender to use a proxy Internet connection?
13.6. Am I using a 32 bit or a 64 bit version of Windows?
13.7. How do I display hidden objects in Windows?
13.8. How do I remove other security solutions?
13.9.How do I restart in Safe Mode? 70

Managing your security 72

14. Antivirus protection 73

14.1. On-access scanning (real-time protection)

14.1.1. Turning on or off real-time protection
14.1.2. Conguring the real-time protection advanced settings
14.1.3. Restoring the default settings

14.2. On-demand scanning 79

14.2.1. Scanning a le or folder for malware
14.2.2. Running a Quick Scan 79
14.2.3. Running a System Scan
14.2.4. Conguring a custom scan
14.2.5. Antivirus Scan Wizard 83
14.2.6. Checking scan logs 86

14.3. Automatic scan of removable media

14.3.1. How does it work? 87
14.3.2. Managing removable media scan

14.4. Scan hosts le 89

14.5. Conguring scan exclusions 89

14.5.1. Excluding les and folders from scanning
14.5.2. Excluding le extensions from scanning
14.5.3. Managing scan exclusions

14.6.Managing quarantined les 92

15. Advanced Threat Defense

15.1. Turning on or off Advanced Threat Defense
15.2. Checking detected ransomware attacks
15.3. Checking detected suspicious apps
15.4. Adding processes to exclusions

16. Web Protection 96

16.1. Bitdefender alerts in the browser 97

17. Vulnerability 99

17.1. Scanning your system for vulnerabilities
17.2. Using automatic vulnerability monitoring
17.3.Wi-Fi Security Advisor 102

17.3.1. Turning on or off Wi-Fi Security Advisor notifications
17.3.2. Conguring Home Wi-Fi network
17.3.3. Public Wi-Fi 104
17.3.4. Checking information about Wi-Fi networks

18. Safe Files 106

18.1.Turning on or off Safe Files 106

18.2. Protect personal les from ransomware attacks . . . . . . . . . .
18.3. Conguring applications access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18.4. Protection at boot 108

19. Password Manager protection for your credentials

19.1. Create a new Wallet database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19.2. Import an existing database 110
19.3. Export the Wallet database 111
19.4. Synchronize your wallets in the cloud . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19.5.Manage your Wallet credentials
19.6. Turning on or off the Password Manager protection . . . . . . .
19.7. Managing the Password Manager settings . . . . . . . . . . . .

20. VPN 116

20.1. Installing VPN 116
20.2. Opening VPN 117
20.3. VPN interface 117
20.4. Subscriptions 118

21. Safepay security for online transactions

21.1. Using Bitdefender Safepay™ 120
21.2. Conguring settings 121
21.3.Managing bookmarks 122

22. Data Protection ..... 124

22.1. Deleting les permanently ..... 124

23. USB Immunizer 125

System optimization 126

24. Proles 127

24.1. Work Prole 128
24.2. Movie Prole 129
24.3. Game Prole 130
24.4. Public Wi-Fi Prole 131
24.5. Battery Mode Prole 132
24.6. Real-time optimization 133

Troubleshooting 134

25. Solving common issues

25.1. My system appears to be slow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25.2. Scan doesn't start 136
25.3. I can no longer use an application . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25.4. What to do when Bitdefender blocks a safe website or online applicat
25.5. What to do if Bitdefender detects a safe application as ransomware
25.6. How to update Bitdefender on a slow Internet connection . . . . .
25.7. Bitdefender services are not responding . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25.8. The Autoll feature in my Wallet doesn't work . . . . . . . . .
25.9. Bitdefender removal failed 143

25.10. My system doesn't boot up after installing Bitdefender

26. Removing malware from your system

26.1. Bitdefender Rescue Mode (Rescue Environment in Windows 10)

26.2. What to do when Bitdefender nds viruses on your computer?

26.3. How do I clean a virus in an archive?

26.4. How do I clean a virus in an email archive?

26.5. What to do if I suspect a le as being dangerous?

26.6. What are the password-protected les in the scan log?

26.7. What are the skipped items in the scan log?

26.8. What are the over-compressed les in the scan log?

26.9. Why did Bitdefender automatically delete an infected le?

Contact us 158

1. Asking for help 159

2. Online resources 161

28.1. Bitdefender Support Center 161

28.2. Bitdefender Support Forum 161

28.3.HOTforSecurity Portal 162

1. Contact information 163

29.1. Web addresses 163

29.2. Local distributors 163

29.3. Bitdefender ofces 163

Glossary 166

INSTALLATION

1. PREPARING FOR INSTALLATION

Before you install Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018, complete these preparations to ensure the installation will go smoothly:

- Make sure that the computer where you plan to install Bitdefer the minimum system requirements. If the computer does not make minimum system requirements, Bitdefender will not be installed or installed, it will not work properly and it will cause system sk instability. For a complete list of system requirements, please re "System requirements" (p. 3).

- Log on to the computer using an Administrator account.

- Remove any other similar software from the computer. If any i during the Bitdefender installation process, you will be notified to it. Running two security programs simultaneously may affect their operation and cause major problems with the system. Windows will be disabled during the installation.

- It is recommended that your computer be connected to the Int the installation, even when installing from a CD/DVD. If newer the application les included in the installation package are avail Bitdefender can download and install them.

2. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

You may install Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 only on computer the following operating systems:

• Windows 7 with Service Pack 1
• Windows 8
• Windows 8.1
• Windows 10

Before installation, make sure that your computer meets the minimum requirements.

Note

To nd out the Windows operating system your computer is running hardware information:

• In Windows 7, right-click My Computer on the desktop, and then select Properties from the menu.
• In Windows 8, from the Windows Start screen, locate Computer (for example, you can start typing "Computer" directly in the Start screen), and right-click its icon. In Windows 8.1, locate This PC.

Select Properties in the bottom menu. Look in the System area information about your system type.

- In Windows 10, type System in the search box from the taskbar and click its icon. Look in the System area to nd information about your type.

2.1. Minimum system requirements

• 1.5 GB available free hard disk space
• Dual Core 1.6 GHz processor
• 1 GB of memory (RAM)

2.2. Recommended system requirements

• 2 GB available free hard disk space (at least 800 MB on the
- Intel CORE Duo (2 GHz) or equivalent processor
• 2 GB of memory (RAM)

2.3. Software requirements

To be able to use Bitdefender and all its features, your computer meet the following software requirements:

• Microsoft Edge 40 and higher
• Internet Explorer 10 and higher
• Mozilla Firefox 51 and higher
• Google Chrome 34 and higher
• Skype 6.3 and higher

3. INSTALLING YOUR BITDEFENDER PRODUCT

You can install Bitdefender from the installation disc, or using the installer downloaded on your computer from Bitdefender Central.

If your purchase covers more than one computer (for example, you Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 for 3 PCs), repeat the installation and activate your product with the same account on every comp account you need to use is the one which contains your Bitdefi subscription.

3.1. Install from Bitdefender Central

From Bitdefender Central you can download the installation kit corr to the purchased subscription. Once the installation process is co Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 is activated.

To download Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 from Bitdefender Cent

1. Access Bitdefender Central.

2. Select the My Devices panel.

3. In the MY DEVICES window, click INSTALL LOCAL PROTECTION

4. Choose one of the two available options:

- DOWNLOAD

Click the button and save the installation le.

• On another device

Select Windows to download your Bitdefender product, and the CONTINUE. Type an email address in the corresponding eld, a SEND.

1. Wait for the download to complete, then run the installer.

Validating the installation

Bitdefender rst checks your system to validate the installation.

If your system does not meet the minimum requirements for inst Bitdefender, you will be informed of the areas that need improve you can proceed.

If an incompatible antivirus program or an older version of Bitdet detected, you will be prompted to remove it from your system. the directions to remove the software from your system, thus av problems occurring later on. You may need to reboot your compi complete the removal of detected antivirus programs.

The Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 installation package is constant updated.

Note

Downloading the installation les can take a long time, especially on Internet connections.

Once the installation is validated, the setup wizard appears. Follow to install Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018.

Step 1 - Bitdefender installation

In the Bitdefender installation screen, click the INSTALL button to the installation process of your Bitdefender product.

Three additional tasks can be performed at this step:

- Read the Subscription Agreement before proceeding with the inst The Subscription Agreement contains the terms and conditions u which you may use Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018.

If you do not agree to these terms, close the window. The in process will be abandoned and you will exit setup.

- Keep the Send anonymous reports option enabled. By allowing this option, reports containing information about how you use the product a to the Bitdefender servers. This information is essential for impr product and can help us provide a better experience in the fu note that these reports contain no condential data, such as yo or IP address, and that they will not be used for commercial

- Select the language you want to install the product in.

Step 2 - Installation in progress

Wait for the installation to complete. Detailed information about the is displayed.

Critical areas on your system are scanned for viruses, the latest the application les are downloaded and installed, and the Bitdefen services are started. This step can take a couple of minutes. Cii if you want to scan your system later on. For more information a system scan, please refer to "Running a System Scan" (p. 80).

Step 3 - Installation completed

Your Bitdefender product is successfully installed.

A summary of the installation is displayed. If any active malware detected and removed during the installation, a system reboot ma required. Click START USING Bitdefender to continue.

Step 4 - Get started

In the Get started window you can see details about your active Click FINISH to access the Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 interfa

3.2. Install from installation disc

To install Bitdefender from the installation disc, insert the disc in drive.

A installation screen should be displayed in a few moments. Foll instructions to start installation.

If the installation screen does not appear, use Windows Explorer to the disc's root directory and double-click the le autorun.exe.

If your Internet speed is slow, or your system is not connected click the Install from CD/DVD button. In this case, the Bitdefender available on the disc will be installed and a newer version will from the Bitdefender servers via product update.

Validating the installation

Bitdefender rst checks your system to validate the installation.

If your system does not meet the minimum requirements for inst Bitdefender, you will be informed of the areas that need improve you can proceed.

If an incompatible antivirus program or an older version of Bitdet detected, you will be prompted to remove it from your system. the directions to remove the software from your system, thus av problems occurring later on. You may need to reboot your compi complete the removal of detected antivirus programs.

Note

Downloading the installation les can take a long time, especially on Internet connections.

Once the installation is validated, the setup wizard appears. Follow to install Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018.

Step 1 - Bitdefender Installation

In the Bitdefender installation screen, click the INSTALL button to the installation process of your Bitdefender product.

Three additional tasks can be performed at this step:

- Read the Subscription Agreement before proceeding with the inst The Subscription Agreement contains the terms and conditions u which you may use Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018.

If you do not agree to these terms, close the window. The in process will be abandoned and you will exit setup.

- Keep the Send anonymous reports option enabled. By allowing this option, reports containing information about how you use the product a to the Bitdefender servers. This information is essential for impr product and can help us provide a better experience in the fu that these reports contain no condential data, such as your na address, and that they will not be used for commercial purpos

- Select the language you want to install the product in.

Step 2 - Installation in progress

Wait for the installation to complete. Detailed information about the is displayed.

Critical areas on your system are scanned for viruses and the E services are started. This step can take a couple of minutes. Cii

if you want to scan your system later on. For more information a system scan, please refer to "Running a System Scan" (p. 80).

Step 3 - Installation completed

A summary of the installation is displayed. If any active malware detected and removed during the installation, a system reboot ma required. Click START USING Bitdefender to continue.

Step 4 - Bitdefender account

After you complete the initial setup, the Bitdefender account window A Bitdefender account is required in order to activate the product its online features. For more information, please refer to "Bitdefender Central" (p. 34).

Proceed according to your situation.

I want to create a Bitdefender account

Type the required information in the corresponding elds, then CREATE ACCOUNT.

The data you provide here will remain credential.

The password must be at least 8 characters long and include Read the Bitdefender Terms of service before proceeding further

Note

Once the account is created, you can use the provided email password to log in to your account at https://central.bitdefender.

I already have a Bitdefender account

Click Sign In, and then type the email address and the pass Bitdefender account.

Click SIGN IN to continue.

If you forgot the password for your account or you simply the one you already set, click the Forgot my password link. email address, then click the FORGOT PASSWORD button. Check email account and follow the provided instructions to set a new for your Bitdefender account.

Note

If you already have a MyBitdefender account, you can use it your Bitdefender account. If you forgot your password, you rst go to https://my.bitdefender.com to reset it. Then, use the upda credentials to log into your Bitdefender account.

I want to log in using my Microsoft, Facebook or Google accou To log in with your Microsoft, Facebook or Google account:

1. Select the service you want to use. You will be redirected page of that service.
2. Follow the instructions provided by the selected service to account to Bitdefender.

Note

Bitdefender does not get access to any confidential information: the password of the account you use to log in, or the person of your friends and contacts.

Step 5 - Activate your product

Note

This step appears if you have selected to create a new Bitdefend during the previous step, or if you logged in using an account with subscription.

An active Internet connection is required to complete the activation product.

Proceed according to your situation:

• I have an activation code

In this case, activate the product by following these steps:

1. Type the activation code in the I have an activation code click CONTINUE.

Note

You can nd your activation code:

• on the CD/DVD label.
• on the product registration card.
• in the online purchase email.

2. I want to evaluate Bitdefender

In this case, you can use the product for a 30 day period trial period, select I don't have a subscription, I want to try for free, and then click CONTINUE.

Step 6 - Get started

In the Get started window you can see details about your active Click FINISH to access the Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 interfa

GETTING STARTED

4. THE BASICS

Once you have installed Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018, your com protected against all kinds of malware (such as viruses, spyware, ransomware, exploits, botnets and trojans).

The application uses the Photon technology to enhance the speed performance of the anti-malware scanning process. It works by least usage patterns of your system applications to know what and with thus minimizing the impact on system performance.

Connecting to public wireless networks belonging to airports, malls, or hotels without protection may be dangerous for your device a Mainly because fraudsters may be watching your activity and nd moment to steal personal data, but also because everyone can s address; thus making your machine a victim for future cyberattack avoid such unfortunate situations, install and use the "VPN" (p. 116) app.

You can keep track of your passwords and online accounts by with "Password Manager protection for your credentials" (p. 109) in a wallet.

With a single master password you are able to protect your private intruders that may try to let you out of money.

To safeguard you from potential snoops and spies when your de connected to an unsecured wireless network, Bitdefender analyzes its level, and when necessary, comes with recommendations to boost of your online activities. For instructions on how to keep your p secure, please refer to “Wi-Fi Security Advisor” (p. 102).

Your personal les stored locally such as documents, photos or m also those stored in the cloud can stay now far away from the dangerous malware, namely ransomware. For information on how to personal les to a shelter, please refer to "Safe Files" (p. 106).

While you work, play games or watch movies, Bitdefender can of continuous user experience by postponing maintenance tasks, elimin interruptions and adjusting system visual effects. You can benet f these by activating and conguring “Proles” (p. 127).

Bitdefender will make most security-related decisions for you and show pop-up alerts. Details about actions taken and information a program operation are available in the Notifications window. For more information, please refer to “Notifications” (p. 16).

From time to time, you should open Bitdefender and x any exists. You may have to congregate specific Bitdefender components or take preventive actions to protect your computer and your data.

To use the online features of Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and your subscriptions and devices, access your Bitdefender account. For information, please refer to “Bitdefender Central” (p. 34).

The “How to” (p. 44) section is where you will nd step-by-step on how to perform common tasks. If you experience issues while Bitdefender, check the “Solving common issues” (p. 135) section for possible solutions to the most common problems.

4.1. Opening the Bitdefender window

To access the main interface of Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018, steps below:

- In Windows 7:

1. Click Start and go to All Programs.

2. Click Bitdefender 2018.

3. Click Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 or, quicker, double-click Bitdefender Bicon in the system tray.

• In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1:

Locate Bitdefender from the Windows Start screen (for example, start typing "Bitdefender" directly in the Start screen), and then icon. Alternatively, open the Desktop app, and then double-click Bitdefender Bicon in the system tray.

• In Windows 10:

Type "Bitdefender" in the search box from the taskbar, and the icon. Alternatively, double-click the Bitdefender icon in the system

For more information about the Bitdefender window and icon in tray, please refer to "Bitdefender interface" (p. 21).

4.2. Fixing issues

Bitdefender uses an issue tracking system to detect and inform the issues that may affect the security of your computer and data monitors only a series of issues that are considered to be v

However, you can congregate it as needed, choosing which specific if you want to be noticed about.

Detected issues include important protection settings that are turned and other conditions that can represent a security risk. They are into two categories:

• Critical issues - prevent Bitdefender from protecting you against malware or represent a major security risk.
• Minor (non-critical) issues - can affect your protection in the near future.

The Bitdefender icon in the system tray indicates pending issues its color as follows:

F Critical issues are affecting the security of your system. They immediate attention and must be xed as soon as possible.
Non-critical issues are affecting the security of your system. Yo check and x them when you have the time.

Also, if you move the mouse cursor over the icon, a pop-up w existence of pending issues.

When you open the Bitdefender interface, the Security status area upper toolbar will indicate nature of issues affecting your system.

4.2.1. Security Issues wizard

To x detected issues follow the Security Issues wizard.

1. To open the wizard, do any of the following:

2. Right-click the Bitdefender icon in the system tray and choose View security issues.

3. Open the Bitdefender interface and click anywhere inside the Security status area on the upper toolbar.

4. You can see the issues affecting the security of your compu All current issues are selected to be xed.

If you do not want to fix a specific issue right away, clear t check box. You will be prompted to specify for how long to the issue. Choose the desired option from the menu and click monitoring the respective issue category, choose Permanently.

The issue status will change to Postponed and no action will x the issue.

1. To x the selected issues, click Fix. Some issues are xed im For others, a wizard helps you x them.

The issues that this wizard helps you x can be grouped into the categories:

- Disabled security settings. Such issues are fixed immediately, by enabling the respective security settings.

- Preventive security tasks you need to perform. When xing such issues, a wizard helps you successfully complete the task.

4.2.2. Conguring status alerts

Bitdefender can inform you when issues are detected in the open following program components:

• Antivirus
• Update
• Browser Security

You can congregate the alert system to best serve your security in choosing which specific issues to be informed about. Follow these

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Select the ADVANCED tab.
3. Click the Conjure status alerts link.
4. Click the switches to turn on or off status alerts according preferences.

4.3. Notifications

Bitdefender keeps a detailed log of events concerning its activity computer. Whenever something relevant to the security of your sy data happens, a new message is added to the Bitdefender Notific in a similar way to a new email appearing in your Inbox.

Notifications are an important tool in monitoring and managing you Bitdefender protection. For instance, you can easily check if the successfully performed, if malware or vulnerabilities were found on computer, etc. Additionally, you can take further action if needed actions taken by Bitdefender.

To access the Notifications log, click the icon on the left sidebar Bitdefender interface. Every time a critical event occurs, a counter noticed on the icon.

Depending on type and severity, notifications are grouped in:

• Critical events indicate critical issues. You should check them immediately.
- Warning events indicate non-critical issues. You should check and fix them when you have the time.
• Information events indicate successful operations.

Click each tab to nd more details about the generated events. I are displayed at a single-click on each event title, namely: a shot the action Bitdefender took on it when it happened, and the date when it occurred. Options may be provided to take further action

To help you easily manage logged events, the Notifications window options to delete or mark as read all events in that section.

4.4. Autopilot

For all the users who want nothing more from their security so be protected without being bothered, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 201 been designed with a built-in Autopilot mode.

While on Autopilot, Bitdefender applies an optimal security congura and takes all security-related decisions for you. This means you see pop-ups and you will not have to conjure any settings what

In Autopilot mode, Bitdefender automatically xes critical issues, ena and quietly manages:

• Antivirus protection, provided by on-access scanning and continuous scanning.
• Web Protection.
  • Automatic updates.

To turn the Autopilot on or off click the AUTOPILOT switch on toolbar of the Bitdefender interface.

As long as the Autopilot is on, the Bitdefender icon in the system to E.

Important

While the Autopilot is on, modifying any of the settings it manages in it being turned off.

To see a history of actions performed by Bitdefender while Auto engaged, open the Notifications window.

4.5. Proles

Some computer activities, such as online games or video presents require increased system responsiveness, high performance and no interruptions. When your laptop is running on battery power, it is unnecessary operations, which consume additional power, be postponed until the laptop is connected back to A/C power.

Bitdefender Proles assigns more system resources to the running applications by temporarily modifying protection settings and adjusti system conguration. Consequently, the system impact on your activ minimized.

To adapt to different activities, Bitdefender comes with the following

Work Prole

Optimizes your work efficiency by identifying and adjusting the and system settings.

Movie Prole

Enhances visual effects and eliminates interruptions when watch movies.

Game Prole

Enhances visual effects and eliminates interruptions when playing games.

Public Wi-Fi Prole

Applies product settings to benet from full protection while co to an unsecure wireless network.

Battery Mode Prole

Applies product settings and holds down background activity to battery life.

4.5.1. Congure automatic activation of proles

For an easy-to-use experience, you can congregate Bitdefender to make your working role. In this case, Bitdefender automatically detects activity you perform and applies system and product optimization

To allow Bitdefender to activate proles:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Select the PROFILES tab.
3. Use the corresponding switch to turn on Activate proles auton

If you do not wish for the Proles to be automatically activated, switch.

To manually activate a prole, click the corresponding ON/OFF swit one prole can be manually activated at once.

For more information on Proles, please refer to "Proles" (p. 127)

4.6. Password-protecting Bitdefender settings

If you are not the only person with administrative rights using it is recommended that you protect your Bitdefender settings with password.

To congure password protection for the Bitdefender settings:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. In the GENERAL window, turn on Password protection by click corresponding switch.
3. Type the password in the two elds, and then click OK. The must be at least 8 characters long.

Once you have set a password, anyone trying to change the Bit settings will rst have to provide the password.

Important

Be sure to remember your password or keep a record of it in a you forget the password, you will have to reinstall the program or Bitdefender for support.

To remove password protection:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. In the GENERAL window, turn off password protection by click corresponding switch.
3. Type the password, and then click OK.

Note

To modify the password for your product, click the Change password Type your current password, and then click OK. In the new window appears type the new password you want to use from now on t access to your Bitdefender settings.

4.7. Anonymous usage reports

By default, Bitdefender sends reports containing information about use it to Bitdefender servers. This information is essential for im product and can help us offer you a better experience in the f note that these reports will contain no credential data, such as or IP address, and that they will not be used for commercial p In case you want to stop sending Anonymous usage reports:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Select the ADVANCED tab.
3. Click the corresponding ON/OFF switch.

4.8. Special offers notifications

When promotional offers are available, the Bitdefender product is notify you through a pop-up window. This gives you the opportunity from advantageous prices and keep your devices protected for a period of time.

To turn on or off special offers notifications:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. In the GENERAL window, click the corresponding ON/OFF switch. The special offers and product notifications option is enabled by

5. BITDEFENDER INTERFACE

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 meets the needs of computer begin very technical people alike. Its graphical user interface is designed each and every category of users.

To go through the Bitdefender interface, an introduction wizard co details on how to interact with the product and how to congregate displayed on the upper left side. Select NEXT to continue being Skip tour to close the wizard.

To see the status of the product and perform essential tasks, the system tray icon is available at any time.

The main window allows you to manage the product's behavior to Autopilot, gives you access to important product information and you to perform common tasks. From the left sidebar you can a Bitdefender account and the Bitdefender sections for detailed conguration and advanced administrative tasks.

If you want to keep a constant eye on essential security inform have quick access to key settings, add the Security Widget to y

5.1. System tray icon

To manage the entire product more quickly, you can use the Bi icon in the system tray.

Note

The Bitdefender icon may not be visible at all times. To make the permanently:

• In Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1:

1. Click the arrow in the lower-right corner of the screen.
2. Click Customize... to open the Notification Area Icons window.
3. Select the option Show icons and notifications for the Bitdefender agent icon.

• In Windows 10:

1. Right-click the taskbar and select Properties.

2. Click Customize in the Taskbar window.

3. Click the Select which icons appear on the taskbar link in the Notifications & actions window.

4. Enable the switch next to Bitdefender agent.

If you double-click this icon, Bitdefender will open. Also, by right-icon, a contextual menu will allow you to quickly manage the B product.

• Show - opens the main window of Bitd
- About - opens a window where you can information about Bitdefender and where for help in case something unexpected
- View security issues - helps you remove security vulnerabilities. If the option is unavailable, there are no issues to be detailed information, please refer to "Fixin issues" (p. 14).
- Hide / Show Security Widget - enables / disables Security Widget.
- Update Now - starts an immediate update. You can follow the update status in the Update panel of the main Bitdefender window.
- Show Security Report - opens a window where you can see a weekly status and recommendations for your system. You can follow the recommendations to improve your system security.

The Bitdefender system tray icon informs you when issues affect computer or how the product operates, by displaying a special sy follows:

Critical issues are affecting the security of your system. They immediate attention and must be xed as soon as possible.
F Non-critical issues are affecting the security of your system. Yo check and x them when you have the time.
Bitdefender Autopilot is engaged.

If Bitdefender is not working, the system tray icon appears on a background: B. This usually happens when the subscription expires. Also occur when the Bitdefender services are not responding or errors affect the normal operation of Bitdefender.

Tray Icon

5.2. Main window

The main Bitdefender window allows you to perform common tasks x security issues, view information about product operation and access the panels from where you congregate the product settings. Everything a few clicks away.

The window is organized in four main areas:

Status area

This is where you can check your computer's security status, update and congregate the Autopilot.

Left sidebar

This menu allows you to access and manage your Bitdefender along with the online features of your product, or switch between three main product sections. From here, you can also access Notifications, the weekly Security Report, the General settings and the Help & Support areas.

Action buttons and access to features area

This is where you can run different tasks to keep your system. Also, you can access the Bitdefender features to congregate the system on your own.

Bottom bar

This is where you can easily install Bitdefender on other devic that your subscription has enough available slots.

5.2.1. Status area

The status area contains the following elements:

- Security Status on the left side of the area, informs you if there are any issues affecting your computer's security and helps you x them. The color of the security status area changes depending on the issues and different messages are displayed:

- The area is colored green. There are no issues to x. Your computer and data are protected.

- The area is colored yellow. Non-critical issues are affecting the security of your system. You should check and x them when you have

- The area is colored red. Critical issues are affecting the security of your system. You should address these issues immediately.

By clicking anywhere inside the security status area, you can a wizard that will help you easily remove any threats from your. For detailed information, please refer to "Fixing issues" (p. 14).

- AUTOPILOT allows you to engage optimal protection and enjoy completely silent security. For detailed information, please refer to "Autopilot" (p. 17).

- UPDATE NOW allows you to run a product update whenever you want to make sure that you have the latest malware signatures. For de information, please refer to "Keeping Bitdefender up-to-date" (p. 40)

- Active Prole displays the current prole enabled in your Bitdefender product. For detailed information, please refer to "Proles" (p. 127).

5.2.2. Left sidebar

Suggestive icons are available on the left sidebar giving you acc Bitdefender account, product sections, activity report, notifications, gen settings and support.

The names of the icons are visible by ≡clicking the icon, as foll

- Protection. The Quick Scan and Vulnerability Scan action buttons become visible in the lower-left corner of the Bitdefender interface information about blocked applications, detected threats and attack become visible. Click the VIEW FEATURES link to access the core area.

- Privacy. The Safepay and VPN action buttons become visible in the lower-left corner of the Bitdefender interface. Also, information ab detected wallets and shredded files is displayed. Click the VIEW link to access the conguration area.

• Activity. From here, you can view the product activity in the last 30 days and access the security report which is generated every

- Notifications. From here, you have access to the generated notifications.

- Account. Details about the Bitdefender account and in use subscription are available. Access your Bitdefender account to verify your sub and perform security tasks on the devices you manage.

- Settings. From here, you have access to general settings.

- Support. From here, whenever you need assistance in solving a situation with your Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018, you can cor Bitdefender Technical Support department.

5.2.3. Action buttons and access to features area

Using action buttons you can quickly launch important tasks. Action become visible in the lower-left corner of the Bitdefender interface selecting one of the two sections: Protection and Privacy from the left sidebar.

Depending on the section you choose, the action buttons visible can be:

- Quick Scan. Run a quick scan to make sure your computer is clean of malware.

- Vulnerability Scan. Scan your computer for vulnerabilities to make sure that all installed applications, along with the Operating System, and properly functioning.

- Safepay. Open Bitdefender Safepay™ to protect your sensitive data while performing online transactions.

- VPN. Open Bitdefender VPN to add an extra layer of protection while connected to the internet.

5.2.4. Bottom bar

To start protecting additional devices:

1. Click the INSTALL ON ANOTHER DEVICE link.

You are redirected to the Bitdefender account web page. Make you are logged in with your credentials.

1. In the window that appears select the wanted operating system click CONTINUE.

2. Type the email address where we should send the installation link of the chosen platform.

Depending on your choice, the following Bitdefender products will be

• Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 on Windows-based devices.
• Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac on macOS-based devices.
• Bitdefender Mobile Security & Antivirus on Android-based devices.
• Bitdefender Mobile Security on iOS-based devices.

5.3. The Bitdefender sections

The Bitdefender product comes with three sections divided into us features to help you stay protected while you work, surf the we or want make online payments.

Whenever you want to access the features for a specific section conguring your product, access the following icons located on the sidebar of the Bitdefender interface:

• Protection
Privacy

5.3.1. Protection

In the Protection section you can congregate your advanced security set up the Safe Files and Web Protection features, check and x system vulnerabilities and assess the security of the wireless network connect to.

The features you can manage in the Protection section are:

ANTIVIRUS

Antivirus protection is the foundation of your security. Bitdefence protects you in real-time and on-demand against all sorts of such as viruses, trojans, spyware, adware, etc.

From the Antivirus feature you can easily access the following tasks:

• Quick Scan
• System Scan
• Manage Scans
• Rescue Mode (Rescue Environment in Windows 10)

For more information about scan tasks and how to congregate protection, please refer to "Antivirus protection" (p. 73).

WEB PROTECTION

Web Protection helps you to stay protected against phishing a fraud attempts and private data leaks, while surng on the Int

For more information about how to configure Bitdefender to pr web activity, please refer to "Web Protection" (p. 96).

ADVANCED THREAT DEFENSE

Advanced Threat Defense actively protects your system against such as ransomware, spyware and trojans by analyzing the best all installed apps. Suspicious processes are identified and, when necessary, blocked.

For more information about how to keep your system protecte malware, please refer to “Advanced Threat Defense” (p. 94).

VULNERABILTY

The Vulnerability feature helps you keep the operating system applications you regularly use up to date and to identify the wireless networks you connect to.

Click Vulnerability Scan in the Vulnerability feature to start ide critical Windows updates, applications updates, weak passwords belonging to Windows accounts and wireless networks that are secure.

Click Wi-Fi Security Advisor to view the list of the wireless connect to, along with our reputation assessment for each of the actions you can take to stay safe from potential snoops.

For more information on configuring vulnerability protection, pleas to “Vulnerability” (p. 99).

SAFE FILES

The Safe Files feature ensures that your personal les stay pr from ransomware attacks.

For more information about how to congregate Safe Files to pro personal les from ransomware attacks, please refer to "Safe Files" (p. 106).

5.3.2. Privacy

In the Privacy section you can open the Bitdefender VPN app, p online transactions and keep your browsing experience secure.

The features you can manage in the Privacy section are:

VPN

VPN secures your online activity and hides your IP address e you connect to unsecured wireless networks while in airports, cafés, or hotels. Additional, you can access content that norm restricted in certain areas.

For more information about this feature, refer to "VPN" (p. 11)

PASSWORD MANAGER

Bitdefender Password Manager helps you keep track of your p protects your privacy and provides a secure browsing experience

For more information about configuring Password Manager, pleas to "Password Manager protection for your credentials" (p. 109).

SAFEPAY

The Bitdefender Safepay™ browser helps you to keep your online e-shopping and any other type of online transaction private an

Click the Safepay action button from the Bitdefender interface making online transactions in a secure environment.

For more information about Bitdefender Safepay™, please refer "Safepay security for online transactions" (p. 119).

DATA PROTECTION

The Data Protection feature lets you delete les permanently. Click File Shredder in the Data Protection pane to start a w allow you to completely eliminate les from your system.

For more information on conging Data Protection, please refer "Data Protection" (p. 124).

5.4. Security Widget

Security Widget is the quick and easy way to monitor and contr Antivirus Plus 2018. Adding this small and unintrusive widget to y lets you see critical information and perform key tasks at all tir

- open the main window of Bitdefender.

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018

• monitor scanning activity in real-time.

• monitor the security status of your system and x any existing

• view when an update is in progress.

• view notifications and get access to the latest events reported by Bitdefender.

- scan les or folders by dragging and dropping one or multiple the widget.

Security Widget

The overall security status of your computer is displayed at the widget. The status is indicated by the color and shape of the displayed in this area.

Critical issues are affecting the security of your system.

They require your immediate attention and must be fixed as soon. Click the status icon to begin xing the reported issues.

Non-critical issues are affecting the security of your system. Y k and x them when you have the time. Click the status ic the reported issues.

Your system is protected.

When an on-demand scan task is in progress, this animated ayed.

When issues are reported, click the status icon to launch the Fi wizard.

The lower side of the widget displays the unread events counter of outstanding events reported by Bitdefender, if any). Click the ev for example for one unread event, to open the Notifications windo more information, please refer to "Notifications" (p. 16).

5.4.1. Scanning les and folders

You can use the Security Widget to quickly scan les and folder le or folder you want to be scanned and drop it over the Sec

The Antivirus Scan wizard will appear and guide you through the process. The scanning options are pre-congured for the best detected results and can not be changed. If infected les are detected, Bi will try to disinfect them (remove the malware code). If disinfect Antivirus Scan wizard will allow you to specify other actions to infected les.

5.4.2. Hide / show Security Widget

When you no longer want to see the widget, click .

To restore Security Widget, use one of the following methods:

- From system tray:

1. Right-click the Bitdefender icon in the system tray icon.

2. Click Show Security Widget in the contextual menu that app

• From the Bitdefender interface:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interfa

2. Select the GENERAL tab.

3. Turn on Display Security Widget by clicking the corresponding The Bitdefender Security Widget is disabled by default.

5.5. Activity

The Activity window displays information about the actions taken Bitdefender on your device in the last 30 days. Here you can applications, threats and attacks were blocked during this period, ransomware attempts were made.

The Security Report, which provides a weekly status for your pro various tips to improve the system protection, can be accessed to the corresponding link. These tips are important for managing the protection and you can easily see the actions you can take on

The report is generated once a week and it summarizes the rel information on your product activity so you can easily understand events occurred during this period of time.

The information offered by the Security Report is divided into two

- Protection area - view information related to your system protection.

- Files Scanned

Allows you to see the les scanned by Bitdefender for the w can view details, such as the number of scanned les and tl of les cleaned by Bitdefender.

For more information on the Antivirus protection, please refer to "Antivirus protection" (p. 73).

- Webpages Scanned

Allows you to check the number of web pages scanned and Bitdefender. To protect you from disclosing personal information browsing, Bitdefender secures your web trafc.

For more information on Web Protection, please refer to "Web Protection" (p. 96).

- Vulnerabilities

Allows you to easily identify and x system vulnerabilities in make your computer more secure against malware and hackers

For more information on the Vulnerability scan, please refer to "Vulnerability" (p. 99).

- Events Timeline

Allows you to have an overall image of all scanning processes: xed by Bitdefender throughout the week. The events are separated days.

For more information on a detailed log of events concerning on your computer, see "Notifications" (p. 16).

- Optimization area - view information related to the space cleared, optimized applications and how much computer battery you have saved usi Mode Prole.

- Battery saved

Allows you to see how much battery you have saved while ran in the Battery Mode prole.

For more information on the Battery Mode profile, please refer to "Battery Mode Prole" (p. 132).

- Apps optimized

Allows you to see the number of the applications you have the Proles.

For more information on Proles, please refer to "Proles" (p. 1)

5.5.1. Checking the Security Report

The Security Report uses an issue tracking system to detect and about the events that may affect the security of your computer. Detected issues include important protection settings that are turned and other conditions that can represent a security risk. Using the can congregate specific Bitdefender components or take preventive activities to protect your computer and your private data.

To check the Security Report:

1. Access the report:

2. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface Click the Security Report link located in bottom right corner Activity Report window.

3. Right-click the Bitdefender icon in the system tray and select Show Security Report.
4. Once a report is complete you will receive a pop-up notification. Show to access the activity report.

A web page will open on your web browser where you can generated report.

1. Take a look at the top of the window to see the overall s
2. Check our recommendations at the bottom of the page.

The color of the security status area changes depending on the issues and different messages are displayed:

• The area is colored green. There are no issues to x. Your computer and data are protected.
• The area is colored orange. Non-critical issues are affecting the security of your system. You should check and x them when you have
• The area is colored red. Critical issues are affecting the security of your system. You should address these issues immediately.

5.5.2. Turning on or off the Security Report notica

To turn on or off the Security Report notification:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. In the GENERAL window, click the corresponding ON/OFF switch. The Security Report notification is enabled by default.

6. BITDEFENDER CENTRAL

Bitdefender Central is the web platform where you have access to product's online features and services and can remotely perform in tasks on devices Bitdefender is installed on. You can log in to Bitdefender account from any computer or mobile device connected Internet by going to https://central.bitdefender.com. Once you are lo in, you can start doing the following:

- Download and install Bitdefender on Windows, macOS, iOS and operating systems. The products available for download are:

• Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018

• Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac

- Bitdefender Mobile Security & Antivirus for Android

- Bitdefender Mobile Security for iOS

- Manage and renew your Bitdefender subscriptions.

- Add new devices to your network and manage them wherever

6.1. Accessing Bitdefender Central

There are several ways to access Bitdefender Central. Depending c you want to perform, you can use any of the following possibili

• From the Bitdefender main interface:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interfa

2. Select the Go to Bitdefender Central link.

3. Log in to your Bitdefender account using your email address password.

• From your web browser:

1. Open a web browser on any device with Internet access.

2. Go to: https://central.bitdefender.com.

3. Log in to your Bitdefender account using your email address password.

6.2. My Subscriptions

The Bitdefender Central platform gives you the possibility to easily the subscriptions you have for all your devices.

6.2.1. Check available subscriptions

To check your available subscriptions:

1. Access Bitdefender Central.
2. Select the My Subscriptions panel.

Here you have information about the availability of the subscription own and the number of devices using each of them.

You can add a new device to a subscription or renew it by s subscription card.

Note

You can have one or more subscriptions on your account provided are for different platforms (Windows, macOS, iOS or Android).

6.2.2. Add a new device

If your subscription covers more than one device, you can add and install your Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 on it, as follows:

1. Access Bitdefender Central.

2. Select the My Devices panel.

3. In the MY DEVICES window, click INSTALL LOCAL PROTECTION

4. Choose one of the two available options:

- DOWNLOAD

Click the button and save the installation le.

• On another device

Select Windows to download your Bitdefender product, and the CONTINUE. Type an email address in the corresponding eld, a SEND.

1. Wait for the download to complete, then run the installer.

6.2.3. Renew subscription

If you did not opt out for automatically renewing your Bitdefende subscription, you can manually renew it by following these steps:

1. Access Bitdefender Central.
2. Select the My Subscriptions panel.
3. Select the desired subscription card.
4. Click RENEW to continue.

A web page opens in your web browser where you can renew your subscription.

6.2.4. Activate subscription

A subscription can be activated during the installation process by Bitdefender account. Together with the activation process, its valid to count-down.

If you have purchased an activation code from one of our resel received it as a present, then you can add its availability to an Bitdefender subscription available on the account, provided that the same product.

To activate a subscription using an activation code:

1. Access Bitdefender Central.
2. Select the My Subscriptions panel.

3. Click ACTIVATION CODE to continue.

4. Click the ACTIVATION CODE button, then type the code in the corresponding eld.

The subscription is now activated. Go to My Devices panel, and INSTALL LOCAL PROTECTION to install the product on one of yo

6.3. My Devices

The My Devices area in Bitdefender Central gives you the possibil manage and take remote actions on your Bitdefender product on provided that it is turned on and connected to the Internet. The display the device name, protection status and if there are secur affecting the protection of your devices.

To view a list of your devices sorted according to their status the drop-down arrow in the upper-right corner of the screen.

To easily identify your devices, you can customize the device na

1. Access Bitdefender Central.
2. Select the My Devices panel.
3. Click the desired device card, and then the icon in the upper corner of the screen.
4. Select Settings.
5. Type in a new name in the Device name eld, then click SA In case the Autopilot is turned off, you can enable it by clickin Click SAVE to apply the settings.

You can create and assign an owner to each of your devices management:

1. Access Bitdefender Central.
2. Select the My Devices panel.
3. Click the desired device card, and then the icon in the upper corner of the screen.
4. Select Prole.
5. Click Add owner, then fill in the corresponding fields. Customize the profile by adding a photo and selecting a date of birth.
6. Click ADD to save the prole.
7. Select the desired owner from the Device owner list, then click ASSIGN.

To remotely update Bitdefender on a device:

1. Access Bitdefender Central.
2. Select the My Devices panel.
3. Click the desired device card, and then the icon in the upper corner of the screen.
4. Select Update.

For more remote actions and information regarding your Bitdefender on a specific device, click the desired device card.

Once you click on a device card, the following tabs are available

- Dashboard. In this window you can view details about the selected device, check its protection status, the status of Bitdefender VPN and threats have been blocked in the last seven days. The protection can be green, when there is no issue affecting your device, you the device needs your attention or red when the device is at there are issues affecting your device, click the drop-down arrow upper status area to nd out more details. From here you can x issues that are affecting the security of your devices.

- Protection. From this window you can remotely run a Quick or a System Scan on your devices. Click the SCAN button to start the pro also check when the last scan was performed on the device of the latest scan with the most important information is avail more information about these two scan processes, please refer to "Running a System Scan" (p. 80) and to "Running a Quick Scan" (p. 79).

- Vulnerability. To check a device for any vulnerabilities such as missing Windows updates, outdated applications, or weak passwords click SCAN button in the Vulnerability tab. Vulnerabilities cannot be x remotely. In case any vulnerability is found, you need to run a on the device and then take the recommended actions. Click M to access a detailed report about the found issues. For more this feature, please refer to “Vulnerability” (p. 99).

6.4. My Account

In the My Account area you have the possibility to personalize change the password associated to your account, manage the logo and the Bitdefender Central help messages.

Once you click the icon in the upper right side of the screen My Account, you have the following tabs:

• Prole - here you can add and edit account information.
• Change password - from here you can change the password associated to your account.
• Session management - here you can view and manage the latest inactive and active logon sessions running on devices associated to you

- Settings - here you can turn on and off the Bitdefender Central help messages and decide whether to be noticed or not when snap taken on your Android devices.

6.5. Notifications

To help you stay informed about what is happening on the device to your account, the icon is at hand. Once you click it you have image consisting of information about the activity of the Bitdefender installed on your devices.

7. KEEPING BITDEFENDER UP-TO-DATE

New malware is found and identified every day. This is why it is to keep Bitdefender up to date with the latest malware signature

If you are connected to the Internet through broadband or DSL, takes care of this itself. By default, it checks for updates when your computer and every hour after that. If an update is detected automatically downloaded and installed on your computer.

The update process is performed on the fly, meaning that the I updated are replaced progressively. This way, the update process affect product operation and, at the same time, any vulnerability excluded.

Important

To be protected against the latest threats keep Automatic Update

In some particular situations, your intervention is required in order your Bitdefender protection up-to-date:

• If your computer connects to the Internet through a proxy serve configure the proxy settings as described in "How do I configure Bitdefender to use a proxy Internet connection?" (p. 67).
• Errors may occur while downloading updates on a slow Internet To nd out how to overcome such errors, please refer to "How to update Bitdefender on a slow Internet connection" (p. 141).
• If you are connected to the Internet through a dial-up connection is recommended to regularly update Bitdefender by user request. information, please refer to "Performing an update" (p. 41).

7.1. Checking if Bitdefender is up-to-date

To check the time of the last update of your Bitdefender, check Status, on the left side of the Status area.

For detailed information about the latest updates, check the update

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. In the All tab, select the notification regarding the latest upda

You can nd out when updates were initiated and information abc (whether they were successful or not, if they require a restart to the installation). If required, restart the system at your earliest co

7.2. Performing an update

In order to perform updates, an Internet connection is required.

To start an update, do any of the following:

• Open the Bitdefender interface and click the UPDATE NOW link located under the status of your program.
• Right-click the Bitdefender B icon in the system tray and select Update Now.

The Update feature will connect to the Bitdefender update server check for updates. If an update is detected, you will be asked or the update will be performed automatically, depending on the settings.

Important

It may be necessary to restart the computer when you have com update. We recommend doing it as soon as possible.

You can also perform updates remotely on your devices, provided are turned on and connected to the internet.

To remotely update Bitdefender on a device:

1. Access Bitdefender Central.
2. Select the My Devices panel.
3. Click the icon on the desired device card, then select Update

7.3. Turning on or off automatic update

To turn on or off automatic update:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Select the UPDATE tab.

3. Click the corresponding ON/OFF switch.

4. A warning window appears. You must conrm your choice by from the menu how long you want the automatic update to I. You can disable the automatic update for 5, 15 or 30 minute permanently or until a system restart.

Warning

This is a critical security issue. We recommend you to disable au update for as little time as possible. If Bitdefender is not updated will not be able to protect you against the latest threats.

7.4. Adjusting update settings

The updates can be performed from the local network, over the directly or through a proxy server. By default, Bitdefender will change updates every hour, over the Internet, and install the available update alerting you.

The default update settings are suited for most users and you do need to change them.

To adjust the update settings:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Select the UPDATE tab and adjust the settings according to preferences.

Update frequency

Bitdefender is congured to check for updates every hour. To cha update frequency, drag the slider along the scale to set the des of time when the update should occur.

Update location

Bitdefender is congured to update from the Bitdefender update se the Internet. The update location is a generic Internet address th automatically redirected to the closest Bitdefender update server in region.

Do not change the update location unless advised by a Bitdefence representative or by your network administrator (if you are connected ofce network).

You can switch back to the generic Internet update location by DEFAULT.

Update processing rules

You can choose between three ways to download and install up

• Silent update - Bitdefender automatically downloads and implements the update.
• Prompt before downloading - every time an update is available, you will be prompted before downloading it.
• Prompt before installing - every time an update was downloaded, you will be prompted before installing it.

Some updates require a restart to complete the installation. By c update requires a restart, Bitdefender will keep working with the until the user voluntarily restarts the computer. This is to preven Bitdefender update process from interfering with the user's work.

If you want to be prompted when an update requires a restart, Postpone reboot option by clicking the corresponding switch.

7.5. Continuous updates

To make sure that you are using the latest version, your Bitdefender automatically checks for product updates. These updates may bring features and improvements, x product issues, or automatically upgr you to a new version. When the new Bitdefender version comes customized settings are saved, and the uninstall and reinstall process skipped.

These updates require a system restart in order to initiate the new les. When a product update is completed, a pop-up window you to restart the system. If you miss this notification, you can RESTART NOW in the Notifications window where the most recent is mentioned, or manually restart the system.

Note

The updates including new features and improvements will be delivered to users who have Bitdefender 2017 installed.

HOW TO

8. INSTALLATION

8.1. How do I install Bitdefender on a second computer?

If the subscription you have purchased covers more than one co can use your Bitdefender account to activate a second PC.

To install Bitdefender on a second computer:

1. Click the INSTALL ON ANOTHER DEVICE link on the lower-righ the Bitdefender interface.

You are redirected to the Bitdefender account web page. Make you are logged in with your credentials.

1. In the window that appears select the wanted operating system click CONTINUE.
2. Type the email address where we should send the installation link of the chosen platform.
3. Run the Bitdefender product you have downloaded. Wait until installation process is completed and close the window.

The new device on which you have installed the Bitdefender process appear in the Bitdefender Central dashboard.

8.2. How can I reinstall Bitdefender?

Typical situations when you would need to reinstall Bitdefender in following:

• you have reinstalled the operating system.
• you want to x issues that might have caused slowdowns and
• your Bitdefender product is not starting or working properly.

In case one of the mentioned situations is your case, follow the

• In Windows 7:

1. Click Start and go to All Programs.
2. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.

3. Click REINSTALL in the window that appears.

4. You need to restart the computer to complete the process.

• In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1:

1. From the Windows Start screen, locate Control Panel (for ex can start typing "Control Panel" directly in the Start screen), click its icon.

2. Click Uninstall a program or Programs and Features.

3. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.

4. Click REINSTALL in the window that appears.

5. You need to restart the computer to complete the process.

• In Windows 10:

1. Click Start, then click Settings.

2. Click the System icon in the Settings area, then select Apps & features.

3. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.

4. Click Uninstall again to conrm your choice.

5. Click REINSTALL.

6. You need to restart the computer to complete the process.

Note

By following this reinstall procedure, customized settings are saved available in the new installed product. Other settings may be switch to their default conguration.

8.3. Where can I download my Bitdefender pro from?

You can install Bitdefender from the installation disc, or using the installer you can download on your computer from the Bitdefender platform.

Note

Before running the kit, it is recommended to remove any antivirus installed on your system. When you use more than one security is the same computer, the system becomes unstable.

To install Bitdefender from Bitdefender Central:

1. Access Bitdefender Central

2. Select the My Devices panel.

3. In the MY DEVICES window, click INSTALL LOCAL PROTECTION

4. Choose one of the two available options:

- DOWNLOAD

Click the button and save the installation le.

• On another device

Select Windows to download your Bitdefender product, and the CONTINUE. Type an email address in the corresponding eld, a SEND.

1. Run the Bitdefender product you have downloaded.

8.4. How can I change the language of my product?

If you want to use Bitdefender in another language, you will have the product with the proper language.

To use Bitdefender in another language:

1. Remove Bitdefender by following these steps:

In Windows 7:

a. Click Start, go to Control Panel and double-click Programs and Features.

b. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.

c. Click REMOVE in the window that appears.

d. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then rebo system.

• In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1:

a. From the Windows Start screen, locate Control Panel (for you can start typing "Control Panel" directly in the Start s then click its icon.

b. Click Uninstall a program or Programs and Features.

c. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.

d. Click REMOVE in the window that appears.

e. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then rebound system.

• In Windows 10:

a. Click Start, then click Settings.

b. Click the System icon in the Settings area, then select Installed apps.

c. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.

d. Click Uninstall again to conrm your choice.

e. Click REMOVE in the window that appears.

f. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then reboot system.

1. Change the language of Bitdefender Central:

a. Access Bitdefender Central.

b. Click the icon in the upper right side of the screen.

c. Click My Account in the slide menu.

d. Select the Prole tab.

e. Select a language from the Language drop-down list box, and then click SAVE.

1. Download the installation le:

a. Select the My Devices panel.

b. In the MY DEVICES window, click INSTALL LOCAL PROTECT

c. Choose one of the two available options:

- DOWNLOAD

Click the button and save the installation le.

• On another device

Select Windows to download your Bitdefender product, and the CONTINUE. Type an email address in the corresponding eld, click SEND.

1. Run the Bitdefender product you have downloaded.

Note

This reinstall procedure will permanently delete the customized settin

8.5. How do I use my Bitdefender subscription Windows upgrade?

This situation appears when you upgrade your operating system a want to continue using your Bitdefender subscription.

If you are using a previous Bitdefender version you can upgrade, charge, to the latest Bitdefender, as follows:

• From a previous Bitdefender Antivirus version to the latest Bitdefender Antivirus available.
• From a previous Bitdefender Internet Security version to the late Bitdefender Internet Security available.
• From a previous Bitdefender Total Security version to the latest Total Security available.

There are two cases which may appear:

- You have upgraded the operating system using Windows Update notice Bitdefender is no longer working.

In this case, you need to reinstall the product by following th

• In Windows 7:

1. Click Start, go to Control Panel and double-click Programs and Features.
2. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.
3. Click REINSTALL in the window that appears.
4. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then reboot system.

Open the interface of your new installed Bitdefender product access to its features.

• In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1:

1. From the Windows Start screen, locate Control Panel (for you can start typing "Control Panel" directly in the Start set then click its icon.

2. Click Uninstall a program or Programs and Features.

3. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.
4. Click REINSTALL in the window that appears.
5. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then reboot system.

Open the interface of your new installed Bitdefender product access to its features.

• In Windows 10:

1. Click Start, then click Settings.
2. Click the System icon in the Settings area, then select Installed apps.
3. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.
4. Click Uninstall again to conrm your choice.
5. Click REINSTALL in the window that appears.
6. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then reboot system.

Open the interface of your new installed Bitdefender product access to its features.

Note

By following this reinstall procedure, customized settings are saved available in the new installed product. Other settings may be swi to their default conguration.

- You changed your system and you want to continue using the protection. Therefore, you need to reinstall the product using the version.

To solve this situation:

1. Download the installation le:

a. Access Bitdefender Central.
b. Select the My Devices panel.
c. In the MY DEVICES window, click INSTALL LOCAL PROTEC
d. Choose one of the two available options:

- DOWNLOAD

Click the button and save the installation le.

- On another device

Select Windows to download your Bitdefender product, and click CONTINUE. Type an email address in the correspond and click SEND.

1. Run the Bitdefender product you have downloaded.

For more information about the Bitdefender installation process, I refer to "Installing your Bitdefender product" (p. 5).

8.6. How can I upgrade to the latest Bitdefen version?

Starting with Bitdefender 2018, the upgrade to the newest version without following the manual uninstall and reinstall procedure. More the new product including new features and major product improve is delivered via product update and, if you already have an active subscription, the product gets automatically activated.

If you are using the 2017 version, you can upgrade to the new following these steps:

1. Click RESTART NOW in the notification you receive with the u information. If you miss it, access the Notifications window, point most recent update, and then click the RESTART NOW button. the computer to restart.
   The What's new window with information about the improved air features appears.
2. Click the Read more links to be redirected to our dedicated page with more details and helpful articles.
3. Close the What's new window to access the interface of the version.

Users that want to upgrade for free from Bitdefender 2016 or a to the newest Bitdefender version, have to remove their current v Control Panel, and then download the latest installation le from t Bitdefender website at the following address:

https://www.bitdefender.com/Downloads/. The activation is possible on with a valid subscription.

9. SUBSCRIPTIONS

9.1. How do I activate Bitdefender subscription a license key?

If you have a valid license key and want to use it to activate for Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018, there are two possible cases:

- You have upgraded from a previous Bitdefender version to the

1. Once the upgrade to Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 is com are asked to log in to your Bitdefender account.

2. Click Sign In, and then type the email address and the pa Bitdefender account.

3. Click SIGN IN to continue.

4. A notification informing you that a subscription was created on your account screen. The created subscription will be valid remaining days on your license key and for the same number of devices that are using previous Bitdefender versions and are with the license key you have converted to a subscription not activate the product with the same Bitdefender account.

- Bitdefender was not previously installed on the system:

1. As soon as the installation process is complete, you are as in to your Bitdefender account.

2. Click Sign In, and then type the email address and the pa Bitdefender account.

3. Click SIGN IN to continue, and then the FINISH button to Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 interface.

4. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interfa

5. Click the Activate Code link.

A new window appears.

1. Click the Get your FREE upgrade now! link.

2. Type in your license key in the corresponding eld and click MY PRODUCT. A subscription with the same availability and i of users of your license key is associated to your account.

10. BITDEFENDER CENTRAL

10.1. How do I log in to Bitdefender Central another online account?

You have created a new Bitdefender account and you want to know on.

To successfully use another account:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the SWITCH ACCOUNT button to change the account linl computer.
3. Type the email address and the password of your account in corresponding elds, then click SIGN IN.

Note

The Bitdefender product from your device automatically changes acc to the subscription associated to the new Bitdefender account.

If there is no available subscription associated to the new Bitdefend or you wish to transfer it from the previous account, you can cc Bitdefender for support as described in section "Asking for help" (p. 159).

10.2. How do I turn off Bitdefender Central he messages?

To help you understand what each option in Bitdefender Central for, help messages are displayed in the dashboard.

If you wish to stop seeing this kind of messages:

1. Access Bitdefender Central.
2. Click the icon in the upper right side of the screen.
3. Click My Account in the slide menu.
4. Select the Settings tab.
5. Disable the Turn on/off help messages option.

10.3. I forgot the password I set for my Bitd account. How do I reset it?

There are two possibilities to set a new password for your Bitd account:

• From the Bitdefender interface:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interfa
2. Click the SWITCH ACCOUNT button.

A new window appears.

1. Click the Forgot my password link.
2. Type the email address used to create your Bitdefender acc then click the FORGOT PASSWORD button.
3. Check your email and click the provided button.

The Bitdefender RESET PASSWORD window opens.

1. Type your email address and the new password in the cor eld. The password must be at least 8 characters long and numbers.
2. Click the RESET PASSWORD button.

• From your web browser:

1. Go to: https://central.bitdefender.com.
2. Click the Forgot my password link.
3. Type your email address, and then click the FORGOT PASSWO
4. Check your email account and follow the provided instruction a new password for your Bitdefender account.

To access your Bitdefender account from now on, type your email and the new password you have just set.

10.4. How can I manage the logon sessions a to my Bitdefender account?

In your Bitdefender account you have the possibility to view the and active logon sessions running on devices associated to your Moreover, you can sign out remotely by following these steps:

1. Access Bitdefender Central.
2. Click the icon in the upper right side of the screen.
3. Click My Account in the slide menu.
4. Select the Session management tab.
5. In the Active sessions area, select the SIGN OUT option next to the device you want to nish the logon session.

11. SCANNING WITH BITDEFENDER

11.1. How do I scan a le or a folder?

The easiest way to scan a le or folder is to right-click the ob to scan, point to Bitdefender and select Scan with Bitdefender from menu.

To complete the scan, follow the Antivirus Scan wizard. Bitdefend automatically take the recommended actions on detected les.

If there remain unresolved threats, you will be prompted to choose to be taken on them.

Typical situations when you would use this scanning method incl following:

• You suspect a specific le or folder to be infected.
• Whenever you download les from the Internet that you think m dangerous.
• Scan a network share before copying les to your computer.

11.2. How do I scan my system?

To perform a complete scan on the system:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the ANTIVIRUS pane, click System Scan.
4. Follow the System Scan wizard to complete the scan. Bitdefer automatically take the recommended actions on detected les.
   If there remain unresolved threats, you will be prompted to change actions to be taken on them. For more information, please refer "Antivirus Scan Wizard" (p. 83).

11.3. How do I schedule a scan?

You can set your Bitdefender product to start scanning important locations when you are not in the front of the computer.

To schedule a scan:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. In the ANTIVIRUS pane, click Manage Scans.

4. Choose the scan type that you want to schedule, Full System Quick Scan, then click Scan Options.

Alternatively, you can create a scan type to suit your needs I New custom task.

1. Enable the Schedule switch.

Select one of the corresponding options to set a schedule:

- At system startup

Once

- Periodically

In the Scan targets window you can select the locations you was scanned.

11.4. How do I create a custom scan task?

If you want to scan specific locations on your computer or to do scanning options, congure and run a customized scan task.

To create a customized scan task, proceed as follows:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. In the ANTIVIRUS pane, click Manage Scans.

4. Click New custom task. In the Basic tab enter a name for the scan and select the locations to be scanned.

5. If you want to configure the scanning options in detail, select the Advanced tab.

You can easily configure the scanning options by adjusting the Drag the slider along the scale to set the desired scan level.

You can also choose to shutdown the computer when the scan no threats are found. Remember that this will be the default every time you run this task.

1. Click OK to save the changes and close the window.

2. Use the corresponding switch if you want to set a schedule task.

3. Click Start Scan and follow the scan wizard to complete the scan. At the end of the scan, you will be prompted to choose the actions on the detected les, if any.

4. If you want to, you can quickly rerun a previous custom scan the corresponding entry in the available list.

11.5. How do I exclude a folder from being s

Bitdefender allows excluding specific les, folders or le extensions from scanning.

Exclusions are to be used by users having advanced computer k and only in the following situations:

• You have a large folder on your system where you keep movi
• You have a large archive on your system where you keep diff
• You keep a folder where you install different types of software applications for testing purposes. Scanning the folder may result some of the data.

To add a folder to the Exclusions list:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the ANTIVIRUS par

4. Click the EXCLUSIONS tab.

5. Click the List of files and folders excluded from scanning accordion menu, and then the ADD button.

6. Click Browse, select the folder that you want to be excluded from scanning, and then choose the type of scanning it should be excluded

7. Click Add to save the changes and close the window.

11.6. What to do when Bitdefender detected a le as infected?

There may be cases when Bitdefender mistakenly flags a legitima being a threat (a false positive). To correct this error, add the Bitdefender Exclusions area:

1. Turn off the Bitdefender real-time antivirus protection:

a. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface b. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
c. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the ANTIVIRUS p d. In the SHIELD window, click the ON/OFF switch.

A warning window appears. You must conrm your choice by from the menu how long you want the real-time protection disabled. You can disable real-time protection for 5, 15 or 3 for an hour, permanently or until a system restart.

1. Display hidden objects in Windows. To nd out how to do th refer to "How do I display hidden objects in Windows?" (p. 69).
2. Restore the le from the Quarantine area:

a. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface b. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

c. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the ANTIVIRUS p d. Select the QUARANTINE tab. e. Select the le, and then click RESTORE.

1. Add the le to the Exclusions list. To nd out how to do th to "How do I exclude a folder from being scanned?" (p. 60).
2. Turn on the Bitdefender real-time antivirus protection.
3. Contact our support representatives so that we may remove the signature. To nd out how to do this, please refer to "Asking for help" (p. 159).

11.7. How do I check what viruses Bitdefender detected?

Each time a scan is performed, a scan log is created and Bitt the detected issues.

The scan log contains detailed information about the logged scan process, such as scanning options, the scanning target, the threat and the actions taken on these threats.

You can open the scan log directly from the scan wizard, once completed, by clicking SHOW LOG.

To check a scan log or any detected infection at a later time:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. In the All tab, select the notification regarding the latest scan.

This is where you can nd all malware scan events, including detected by on-access scanning, user-initiated scans and status for automatic scans.

1. In the notifications list, you can check what scans have been recently. Click a notification to view details about it.
2. To open a scan log, click VIEW LOG.

12. PRIVACY PROTECTION

12.1. How do I make sure my online transact secure?

To make sure your online operations remain private, you can use provided by Bitdefender to protect your transactions and home ba applications.

Bitdefender Safepay ^™ is a secured browser designed to protect your card information, account number or any other sensitive data you while accessing different online locations.

To keep your online activity secure and private:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the Safepay action button.

3. Click the button to access the Virtual Keyboard.

Use the Virtual Keyboard when typing sensitive information such passwords.

12.2. How do I remove a le permanently with Bitdefender?

If you want to remove a le permanently from your system, you delete the data physically from your hard disk.

The Bitdefender File Shredder will help you to quickly shred les from your computer using the Windows contextual menu, by follow steps:

1. Right-click the le or folder you want to permanently delete, p Bitdefender and select File Shredder.

2. A conrmation window appears. Click YES, DELETE to start the Shredder wizard.

Wait for Bitdefender to nish shredding the les.

1. The results are displayed. Click FINISH to exit the wizard.

13. USEFUL INFORMATION

13.1. How do I test my antivirus solution?

To make sure that your Bitdefender product is properly running, I recommend you using the Eicar test.

The Eicar test allows you to check your antivirus protection using developed for this purpose.

To test your antivirus solution:

1. Download the test from the ofcial webpage of the EICAR org http://www.eicar.org/.

2. Click the Anti-Malware Testle tab.

3. Click Download on the left-side menu.

4. From Download area using the standard protocol http click the eicar.com test le.

5. You will be informed that the page you are trying to access EICAR-Test-File (not a virus).

If you click I understand the risks, take me there anyway, the of the test will begin and a Bitdefender pop-up will inform you was detected.

Click More details to nd out more information about this action. If you do not receive any Bitdefender alert, we recommend you Bitdefender for support as described in section "Asking for help" (p. 159).

13.2. How do I remove Bitdefender?

If you want to remove your Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018:

• In Windows 7:

1. Click Start, go to Control Panel and double-click Programs and Features.

2. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.

3. Click REMOVE in the window that appears.

4. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then reboot

• In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1:

1. From the Windows Start screen, locate Control Panel (for exa can start typing "Control Panel" directly in the Start screen), click its icon.

2. Click Uninstall a program or Programs and Features.

3. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.

4. Click REMOVE in the window that appears.

5. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then reboot

• In Windows 10:

1. Click Start, then click Settings.

2. Click the System icon in the Settings area, then select Installed apps.

3. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.

4. Click Uninstall again to conrm your choice.

5. Click REMOVE in the window that appears.

6. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then reboot

Note

This reinstall procedure will permanently delete the customized settin

13.3. How do I remove Bitdefender VPN?

The procedure of removing Bitdefender VPN is similar to the one remove other programs from your computer:

- In Windows 7:

1. Click Start, go to Control Panel and double-click Programs and Features.

2. Find Bitdefender VPN and select Uninstall.

Wait for the uninstall process to complete.

• In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1:

1. From the Windows Start screen, locate Control Panel (for ex can start typing "Control Panel" directly in the Start screen), click its icon.

2. Click Uninstall a program or Programs and Features.

3. Find Bitdefender VPN and select Uninstall.

Wait for the uninstall process to complete.

• In Windows 10:

1. Click Start, then click Settings.

2. Click the System icon in the Settings area, then select Installed apps.

3. Find Bitdefender VPN and select Uninstall.

4. Click Uninstall again to conrm your choice.

Wait for the uninstall process to complete.

13.4. How do I automatically shut down the c after the scan is over?

Bitdefender offers multiple scan tasks that you can use to make system is not infected with malware. Scanning the entire computer longer time to complete depending on your system's hardware and conguration.

For this reason, Bitdefender allows you to conjure Bitdefender to down your system as soon as the scan is over.

Consider this example: you have nished your work at the computer want to go to sleep. You would like to have your entire system malware by Bitdefender.

This is how you set up Bitdefender to shut down your system the scan:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. In the ANTIVIRUS pane, click Manage Scans.

4. In the MANAGE SCAN TASKS window, click New custom task name for the scan and select the locations to be scanned.

5. If you want to configure the scanning options in detail, select the Advanced tab.

6. Choose to shutdown the computer when the scan is over if found.

7. Click OK to save the changes and close the window.

8. Click the Start Scan button to scan your system.

If no threats are found, the computer will shut down.

If there remain unresolved threats, you will be prompted to choose to be taken on them. For more information, please refer to "Antivirus Scan Wizard" (p. 83).

13.5. How do I congregate Bitdefender to use a Internet connection?

If your computer connects to the Internet through a proxy server congure Bitdefender with the proxy settings. Normally, Bitdefender automatically detects and imports the proxy settings from your sy

Important

Home Internet connections do not normally use a proxy server. As thumb, check and configure the proxy connection settings of your I program when updates are not working. If Bitdefender can update, properly congured to connect to the Internet.

To manage the proxy settings:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Select the ADVANCED tab.

3. Turn on Proxy usage by clicking the corresponding switch.

4. Click the Manage proxies link.

5. There are two options to set the proxy settings:

- Import proxy settings from default browser - proxy settings of the current user, extracted from the default browser. If the proxy server username and a password, you must specify them in the co elds.

Note

Bitdefender can import proxy settings from the most popular b including the latest versions of Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox and Google Chrome.

- Custom proxy settings - proxy settings that you can congregate yourself. The following settings must be specified:

• Address - type in the IP of the proxy server.
• Port - type in the port Bitdefender uses to connect to the proxy server.
• Username - type in a user name recognized by the proxy.

• Password - type in the valid password of the previously specied user.

• Click OK to save the changes and close the window.

Bitdefender will use the available proxy settings until it manages to the Internet.

13.6. Am I using a 32 bit or a 64 bit versi Windows?

To nd out if you have a 32 bit or a 64 bit operating system

- In Windows 7:

1. Click Start.
2. Locate Computer on the Start menu.
3. Right-click Computer and select Properties.
4. Look under System in order to check the information about your system.

• In Windows 8:

1. From the Windows Start screen, locate Computer (for example start typing "Computer" directly in the Start screen) and then its icon.

In Windows 8.1, locate This PC.

1. Select Properties in the bottom menu.
2. Look in the System area to see your system type.

• In Windows 10:

1. Type "System" in the search box from the taskbar and clic
2. Look in the System area to nd information about your syst

13.7. How do I display hidden objects in Win

These steps are useful in those cases where you are dealing with situation and you need to find and remove the infected lesions, which hidden.

Follow these steps to display hidden objects in Windows:

1. Click Start, go to Control Panel.

In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1: From the Windows Start scre Control Panel (for example, you can start typing "Control Panel" in the Start screen), and then click its icon.

1. Select Folder Options.

2. Go to View tab.

3. Select Show hidden les and folders.

4. Clear Hide extensions for known le types.

5. Clear Hide protected operating system les.

6. Click Apply, then click OK.

In Windows 10:

1. Type "Show hidden les and folders" in the search box from and click its icon.

2. Select Show hidden les, folders, and drives.

3. Clear Hide extensions for known le types.

4. Clear Hide protected operating system les.

5. Click Apply, then click OK.

13.8. How do I remove other security solutions

The main reason for using a security solution is to provide prot safety for your data. But what happens when you have more tha product on the same system?

When you use more than one security solution on the same co system becomes unstable. The Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 inst automatically detects other security programs and offers you the uninstall them.

If you did not remove the other security solutions during the initi

- In Windows 7:

1. Click Start, go to Control Panel and double-click Programs and Features.

2. Wait a few moments until the installed software list is disp

3. Find the name of the program you want to remove and s

4. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then reboot

• In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1:

1. From the Windows Start screen, locate Control Panel (for ex can start typing "Control Panel" directly in the Start screen), click its icon.

2. Click Uninstall a program or Programs and Features.

3. Wait a few moments until the installed software list is disp

4. Find the name of the program you want to remove and s

5. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then reboot

• In Windows 10:

1. Click Start, then click Settings.

2. Click the System icon in the Settings area, then select Installed apps.

3. Find the name of the program you want to remove and s

4. Click Uninstall again to conrm your choice.

5. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then reboot

If you fail to remove the other security solution from your system uninstall tool from the vendor website or contact them directly in provide you with the uninstall guidelines.

13.9. How do I restart in Safe Mode?

Safe mode is a diagnostic operating mode, used mainly to trouble problems affecting normal operation of Windows. Such problems ran conflicting drivers to viruses preventing Windows from starting norr Safe Mode only a few applications work and Windows loads just drivers and a minimum of operating system components. This is

viruses are inactive when using Windows in Safe Mode and they easily removed.

To start Windows in Safe Mode:

- In Windows 7:

1. Restart the computer.
2. Press the F8 key several times before Windows starts in order to access the boot menu.
3. Select Safe Mode in the boot menu or Safe Mode with No you want to have Internet access.
4. Press Enter and wait while Windows loads in Safe Mode.
5. This process ends with a conrmation message. Click OK to acknowledge.
6. To start Windows normally, simply reboot the system.

• In Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10:

1. Launch System Conguration in Windows by simultaneously pre the Windows + R keys on your keyboard.
2. Write mscong in the Open dialog box, then click OK.
3. Select the Boot tab.
4. In the Boot options area, select the Safe boot check box.
5. Click Network, and then OK.
6. Click OK in the System Conguration window which informs the system needs to be restarted in order to be able to make you set.
   Your system is restarting in Safe Mode with Networking.

To reboot in normal mode, switch back the settings by launch the System Operation and clearing the Safe boot check box. Click OK, and then Restart. Wait for the new settings to be applied.

MANAGING YOUR SECURITY

14. ANTIVIRUS PROTECTION

Bitdefender protects your computer from all kinds of malware (virt Trojans, spyware, rootkits and so on). The protection Bitdefender (divided into two categories:

- On-access scanning - prevents new malware threats from entering system. Bitdefender will, for example, scan a word document for threats when you open it, and an email message when you re On-access scanning ensures real-time protection against malware, an essential component of any computer security program.

Important

To prevent viruses from infecting your computer keep on-access enabled.

- On-demand scanning - allows detecting and removing the malware already resides in the system. This is the classic scan initiated - you choose what drive, folder or le Bitdefender should scan, Bitdefender scans it - on-demand.

Bitdefender automatically scans any removable media that is connected to the computer to make sure it can be safely accessed. For more please refer to “Automatic scan of removable media” (p. 87).

Advanced users can congregate scan exclusions if they do not want les or le types to be scanned. For more information, please refer "Conguring scan exclusions" (p. 89).

When it detects a virus or other malware, Bitdefender will automate attempt to remove the malware code from the infected le and re the original file. This operation is referred to as disinfection. Files be disinfected are moved to quarantine in order to contain the more information, please refer to “Managing quarantined les” (p. 92).

If your computer has been infected with malware, please refer to “Removing malware from your system” (p. 148). To help you clean your com malware that cannot be removed from within the Windows operatir Bitdefender provides you with “Bitdefender Rescue Mode (Rescue Environment in Windows 10)” (p. 148). This is a trusted environment, especially designed for malware removal, which enables you to boot your computer i

of Windows. When the computer runs in Rescue Mode (Rescue E in Windows 10), Windows malware is inactive, making it easy to

14.1. On-access scanning (real-time protection)

Bitdefender provides continuous, real-time protection against a wide of malware threats by scanning all accessed les and email mess

14.1.1. Turning on or off real-time protection

To turn on or off real-time protection against malware:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the ANTIVIRUS par

4. In the SHIELD window, click the ON/OFF switch.

5. If you want to disable real-time protection, a warning window. You must conrm your choice by selecting from the menu how want the real-time protection to be disabled. You can disable protection for 5, 15 or 30 minutes, for an hour, permanently system restart. The real-time protection will automatically turn on the selected time will expire.

Warning

This is a critical security issue. We recommend you to disable protection for as little time as possible. If real-time protection is you will not be protected against malware threats.

14.1.2. Conguring the real-time protection advanced settings

Advanced users might want to take advantage of the scan settir Bitdefender offers. You can congregate the real-time protection setting detail by creating a custom protection level.

To congregate the real-time protection advanced settings:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the ANTIVIRUS par

4. In the SHIELD window, click the SHOW ADVANCED SETTINGS menu.

A paned window is displayed.

1. Scroll down on the window to congregate the scan settings as

Information on the scan options

You may nd this information useful:

- If you are not familiar with some of the terms, check them in the glossary. You can also nd useful information by searching the Internet.

- Scan options for accessed les. You can set Bitdefender to scan all accessed les or applications (program les) only. Scanning all ac les provides best protection, while scanning applications only car used for better system performance.

By default, both local folders and network shares are subject to scanning. For better system performance, you can exclude netwo locations from on-access scanning.

Applications (or program les) are far more vulnerable to malware than other types of les. This category includes the following le extensions:

386; a6p; ac; accda; accdb; accdc; accde; accdp; accdr; accdt; acr; action; ade; adp; air; app; as; asd; asp; awk; bas; bat; bin; class; cmd; cnv; com; cpl; csc; csh; dat; dek; dld; dll; doc; doc dotm; dotx; drv; ds; ebm; esh; exe; ezs; fky; frs; fxp; gadget; ghta; htm; html; iaf; icd; ini; inx; ipf; isu; jar; js; jse; jsx; kix; la mam; maq; mar; mat; mcr; mda; mdb; mde; mdt; mdw; mem; r mpt; mpx; ms; msg; msi; msp; mst; msu; oab; obi; obs; ocx; c onepkg; ost; ovl; pa; paf; pex; pfd; php; pif; pip; pot; potm; pot pps; ppsm; ppsx; ppt; pptm; pptx; prc; prf; prg; pst; pub; puz; pyc; pyo; qpx; rbx; rgs; rox; rpj; rtf; scar; scr; script; sct; shb; smm; snp; spr; svd; sys; thmx; tlb; tms; u3p; udf; url; vb; vbe; vxd; wbk; wcm; wdm; wiz; wll; wpk; ws; wsf; xar; xl; xla; xlam; xls; xlsb; xlsm; xlsx; xlt; xltm; xltx; xlw; xml; xqt; xsf; xsn; xtp

- Scan inside archives. Scanning inside archives is a slow and resource-intensive process, which is therefore not recommended for real-time protection. Archives containing infected files are not an i threat to the security of your system. The malware can affect only if the infected le is extracted from the archive and exec having real-time protection enabled.

If you decide on using this option, turn it on, and then drag the scale to set a maximum accepted size limit (in MB) of a scanned on-access.

- Scan emails. To prevent malware from being downloaded to your computer, Bitdefender automatically scans incoming and outgoing eThough not recommended, you can disable email antivirus scan t system performance. If you disable the corresponding scan optio emails and les received will not be scanned, thus allowing infeto be saved to your computer. This is not a major threat be protection will block the malware when the infected les are ac (opened, moved, copied or executed).

- Scan boot sectors. You can set Bitdefender to scan the boot sectors of your hard disk. This sector of the hard disk contains the need-computer code to start the boot process. When a virus infects sector, the drive may become inaccessible and you may not be start your system and access your data.

- Scan only new and changed les. By scanning only new and changed les, you may greatly improve overall system responsiveness with minimum trade-off in security.

- Scan for keyloggers. Select this option to scan your system for keylogger applications. Keyloggers record what you type on your keyboard reports over the Internet to a malicious person (hacker). The h nd out sensitive information from the stolen data, such as ban numbers and passwords, and use it to gain personal benets.

- Scan at system boot. Select the Early boot scan option to scan your system at startup as soon as all its critical services are loaded of this feature is to improve virus detection at system startup time of your system.

Actions taken on detected malware

You can congregate the actions taken by the real-time protection, by these steps:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the ANTIVIRUS par

4. In the SHIELD window, click the SHOW ADVANCED SETTINGS menu.

A paned window is displayed.

1. Scroll down on the window until you see the Actions after 1 completed option.

2. Congure the scan settings as needed.

The following actions can be taken by the real-time protection in

Take proper actions

Bitdefender will take the recommended actions depending on the of detected le:

- Infected les. Files detected as infected match a malware signature in the Bitdefender Malware Signature Database. Bitdefender wi automatically attempt to remove the malware code from the le and reconstruct the original le. This operation is referred disinfection.

Files that cannot be disinfected are moved to quarantine in contain the infection. Quarantined files cannot be executed or therefore, the risk of getting infected disappears. For more in please refer to “Managing quarantined les” (p. 92).

Important

For particular types of malware, disinfection is not possible by the detected le is entirely malicious. In such cases, the infec is deleted from the disk.

- Suspicious les. Files are detected as suspicious by the heuristic analysis. Suspicious les cannot be disinfected, because no

disinfection routine is available. They will be moved to quarant prevent a potential infection.

By default, quarantined les are automatically sent to Bitdefence Labs in order to be analyzed by the Bitdefender malware rule. If malware presence is conrmed, a signature is released to removing the malware.

• Archives containing infected les.

- Archives that contain only infected les are deleted automati

- If an archive contains both infected and clean les, Bitdefer attempt to delete the infected les provided it can reconstruct archive with the clean files. If archive reconstruction is not you will be informed that no action can be taken so as clean les.

Move les to quarantine

Moves detected files to quarantine. Quarantined files cannot be or opened; therefore, the risk of getting infected disappears. F information, please refer to "Managing quarantined les" (p. 92).

Deny access

In case an infected le is detected, the access to this will be

14.1.3. Restoring the default settings

The default real-time protection settings ensure good protection against malware, with minor impact on system performance.

To restore the default real-time protection settings:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the ANTIVIRUS par
4. In the SHIELD window, click the SHOW ADVANCED SETTINGS menu.

A paned window is displayed.

1. Scroll down on the window until your see the Reset settings option. Select this option to reset the antivirus settings to default.

14.2. On-demand scanning

The main objective for Bitdefender is to keep your computer clea. This is done by keeping new viruses out of your computer and your email messages and any new files downloaded or copied to

There is a risk that a virus is already lodged in your system, install Bitdefender. This is why it's a very good idea to scan y for resident viruses after you've installed Bitdefender. And it's deni good idea to frequently scan your computer for viruses.

On-demand scanning is based on scan tasks. Scan tasks specify the options and the objects to be scanned. You can scan the computer you want by running the default tasks or your own scan tasks (tasks). If you want to scan specific locations on your computer (the scan options, congure and run a custom scan.

14.2.1. Scanning a le or folder for malware

You should scan les and folders whenever you suspect they mig infected. Right-click the le or folder you want to be scanned, pc Bitdefender and select Scan with Bitdefender. The Antivirus Scan wizard will appear and guide you through the scanning process. At the scan, you will be prompted to choose the actions to be taken les, if any.

14.2.2. Running a Quick Scan

Quick Scan uses in-the-cloud scanning to detect malware running system. Running a Quick Scan usually takes less than a minute fraction of the system resources needed by a regular virus scan.

To run a Quick Scan:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. In the ANTIVIRUS pane, click Quick Scan.

4. Follow the Antivirus Scan wizard to complete the scan. Bitdef automatically take the recommended actions on detected les. If remain unresolved threats, you will be prompted to choose the be taken on them.

Or quicker, click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender and then click the Quick Scan action button.

14.2.3. Running a System Scan

The System Scan task scans the entire computer for all types of threatening its security, such as viruses, spyware, adware, rootkits and

Note

Because System Scan performs a thorough scan of the entire syst scan may take a while. Therefore, it is recommended to run this you are not using your computer.

Before running a System Scan, the following are recommended:

• Make sure Bitdefender is up-to-date with its malware signatures. your computer using an outdated signature database may prevent Bitdefender from detecting new malware found since the last up more information, please refer to "Keeping Bitdefender up-to-date" (p. 40).
• Shut down all open programs.

If you want to scan specific locations on your computer or to do scanning options, congure and run a custom scan. For more info please refer to "Conguring a custom scan" (p. 80).

To run a System Scan:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the ANTIVIRUS pane, click System Scan.
4. Follow the Antivirus Scan wizard to complete the scan. Bitdef automatically take the recommended actions on detected les. If remain unresolved threats, you will be prompted to choose the be taken on them.

14.2.4. Conguring a custom scan

To congregate a custom scan in detail and then run it:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. In the ANTIVIRUS pane, click Manage Scans.

4. Click the New custom task button. In the Basic tab enter a name for the scan and select the locations to be scanned.

5. If you want to configure the scanning options in detail, select the Advanced tab. A new window appears. Follow these steps:

a. You can easily congregate the scanning options by adjusting t level. Drag the slider along the scale to set the desired sc the description on the right side of the scale to identify th that better ts your needs.

Advanced users might want to take advantage of the scan Bitdefender offers. To configure the scan options in detail, clic You can nd information about them at the end of this sec

b. You can also congregate these general options:

- Run the task with low priority. Decreases the priority of the scan process. You will allow other programs to run faster and the time needed for the scan process to nish.

- Minimize Scan Wizard to system tray. Minimizes the scan to the system tray. Double-click the Bitdefender icon to op

- Specify the action to be taken if no threats are found.

c. Click OK to save the changes and close the window.

1. If you want to set a schedule for your scan task, use the in the Basic window. Select one of the corresponding options schedule:

• At system startup
Once
- Periodically

1. Click Start Scan and follow the Antivirus Scan wizard to complete the scan. Depending on the locations to be scanned, the scan may while. At the end of the scan, you will be prompted to choose to be taken on the detected les, if any.

2. If you want to, you can quickly rerun a previous custom scan the corresponding entry in the available list.

Information on the scan options

You may nd this information useful:

- If you are not familiar with some of the terms, check them in the glossary. You can also nd useful information by searching the Internet.

- Scan files. You can set Bitdefender to scan all types of files or applications (program les) only. Scanning all les provides best protection, which scanning applications only can be used to perform a quicker s Applications (or program les) are far more vulnerable to malware than other types of les. This category includes the following le extensions: 386; a6p; ac; accda; accdb; accdc; accde; accdp; accd; accdu; acl; acr; action; ade; adp; air; app; as; asd; asp; awk; bchm; cla; class; cmd; cnv; com; cpl; csc; csh; dat; dek; dld; dlldocx; dot; dotm; dotx; drv; ds; ebm; esh; exe; ezs; fky; frs; fxphlp; hms; hta; htm; html; iaf; icd; ini; inx; ipf; isu; jar; js; jse; lnk; maf; mam; maq; mar; mat; mcr; mda; mdb; mde; mdt; mdwmpp; mpt; mpx; ms; msg; msi; msp; mst; msu; oab; obi; obs; one; onepkg; ost; ovl; pa; paf; pex; pfd; php; pif; pip; pot; potmppam; pps; ppsm; ppsx; ppt; pptm; pptx; prc; prf; prg; pst; pub; py; pyc; pyo; qpx; rbx; rgs; rox; rpj; rtf; scar; scr; script; sct;sldx;smm;snp;spr;svd/sys/thmx;tlb;tms; u3p; udf; url; vb:vbscript:vxd: wbk:wcm:wdm:wiz: wll: wpk: ws: wsf;xar;xl;xlc;xll;xlm;xls;xlsb;xlsm;xlsx;xlt;xltm;xltx;xlw;xml;xqt

- Scan options for archives. Archives containing infected les are not an immediate threat to the security of your system. The malware your system only if the infected le is extracted from the arch executed without having real-time protection enabled. However, it recommended to use this option in order to detect and remove potential threat, even if it is not an immediate threat.

Note

Scanning archived les increases the overall scanning time and rec more system resources.

- Scan boot sectors. You can set Bitdefender to scan the boot sectors of your hard disk. This sector of the hard disk contains the nec Computer code to start the boot process. When a virus infects

sector, the drive may become inaccessible and you may not be start your system and access your data.

- Scan memory. Select this option to scan programs running in a system's memory.

- Scan registry. Select this option to scan registry keys. Windows Registry is a database that stores congruration settings and options for Windows operating system components, as well as for installed applications.

- Scan cookies. Select this option to scan the cookies stored by browsers on your computer.

- Scan only new and changed les. By scanning only new and changed les, you may greatly improve overall system responsiveness with minimum trade-off in security.

- Ignore commercial keyloggers. Select this option if you have installed and use commercial keylogger software on your computer. Comm keyloggers are legitimate computer monitoring software whose mos function is to record everything that is typed on the keyboard.

- Scan for rootkits. Select this option to scan for rootkits and objects hidden using such software.

14.2.5. Antivirus Scan Wizard

Whenever you initiate an on-demand scan (for example, right-click point to Bitdefender and select Scan with Bitdefender), the Bitdefender Antivirus Scan wizard will appear. Follow the wizard to complete the process.

Note

If the scan wizard does not appear, the scan may be congured in the background. Look for the scan progress icon in the system can click this icon to open the scan window and to see the sc

Step 1 - Perform scan

Bitdefender will start scanning the selected objects. You can see information about the scan status and statistics (including the ela an estimation of the remaining time and the number of detected

Wait for Bitdefender to nish scanning. The scanning process may while, depending on the complexity of the scan.

Stopping or pausing the scan. You can stop scanning anytime you clicking STOP. You will go directly to the last step of the wiza temporarily stop the scanning process, just click PAUSE. You will click RESUME to resume scanning.

Password-protected archives. When a password-protected archive is detected, depending on the scan settings, you may be prompted the password. Password-protected archives cannot be scanned unless provide the password. The following options are available:

• Password. If you want Bitdefender to scan the archive, select this option and type the password. If you do not know the password, change the other options.
• Don't ask for a password and skip this object from scan. Select this option to skip scanning this archive.
• Skip all password-protected items without scanning them. Select this option if you do not want to be bothered about password-prote archives. Bitdefender will not be able to scan them, but a rec kept in the scan log.

Choose the desired option and click OK to continue scanning.

Step 2 - Choose actions

At the end of the scan, you will be prompted to choose the a taken on the detected les, if any.

Note

When you run a quick scan or a system scan, Bitdefender will take the recommended actions on detected les during the scan. If remain unresolved threats, you will be prompted to choose the act taken on them.

The infected objects are displayed in groups, based on the malw infected with. Click the link corresponding to a threat to nd out information about the infected objects.

You can choose an overall action to be taken for all issues or separate actions for each group of issues. One or several of the options can appear on the menu:

Take proper actions

Bitdefender will take the recommended actions depending on the of detected le:

- Infected les. Files detected as infected match a malware signature in the Bitdefender Malware Signature Database. Bitdefender wi automatically attempt to remove the malware code from the le and reconstruct the original le. This operation is referred disinfection.

Files that cannot be disinfected are moved to quarantine in contain the infection. Quarantined files cannot be executed or therefore, the risk of getting infected disappears. For more in please refer to “Managing quarantined les” (p. 92).

Important

For particular types of malware, disinfection is not possible by the detected le is entirely malicious. In such cases, the infec is deleted from the disk.

- Suspicious les. Files are detected as suspicious by the heuristic analysis. Suspicious les cannot be disinfected, because no disinfection routine is available. They will be moved to quarant prevent a potential infection.

By default, quarantined les are automatically sent to Bitdefence Labs in order to be analyzed by the Bitdefender malware to If malware presence is conrmed, a signature is released to removing the malware.

• Archives containing infected les.

• Archives that contain only infected les are deleted automatic
• If an archive contains both infected and clean les, Bitdefer attempt to delete the infected les provided it can reconstruct archive with the clean files. If archive reconstruction is not you will be informed that no action can be taken so as clean les.

Delete

Removes detected les from the disk.

If infected les are stored in an archive together with clean I Bitdefender will attempt to delete the infected les and reconst archive with the clean les. If archive reconstruction is not po will be informed that no action can be taken so as to avoi les.

Take no action

No action will be taken on the detected files. After the scan you can open the scan log to view information on these les

Click Continue to apply the specied actions.

Step 3 - Summary

When Bitdefender nishes xing the issues, the scan results will ap a new window. If you want comprehensive information on the sc process, click SHOW LOG to view the scan log. The log is pro format and can be locally saved by clicking the Save Log butto choosing a location.

Important

In most cases Bitdefender successfully disinfects the infected les it or it isolates the infection. However, there are issues that cannot automatically. If required, please restart your system in order to co cleaning process. For more information and instructions on how to malware manually, please refer to “Removing malware from your system” (p. 148).

14.2.6. Checking scan logs

Each time a scan is performed, a scan log is created and Bid the detected issues in the Antivirus window. The scan log contain information about the logged scanning process, such as scanning the scanning target, the threats found and the actions taken on

You can open the scan log directly from the scan wizard, once completed, by clicking SHOW LOG.

To check a scan log or any detected infection at a later time:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. In the All tab, select the notification regarding the latest scan.
   This is where you can nd all malware scan events, including detected by on-access scanning, user-initiated scans and status for automatic scans.

3. In the notifications list, you can check what scans have been recently. Click a notification to view details about it.
4. To open the scan log, click VIEW LOG.

14.3. Automatic scan of removable media

Bitdefender automatically detects when you connect a removable device to your computer and scans it in the background when the option is enabled. This is recommended in order to prevent virus malware from infecting your computer.

Detected devices fall into one of these categories:

• CDs/DVDs
- USB storage devices, such as flash pens and external hard-drive
- mapped (remote) network drives

You can congregate automatic scan separately for each category of devices. Automatic scan of mapped network drives is off by defa

14.3.1. How does it work?

When it detects a removable storage device, Bitdefender starts so for malware in the background (provided automatic scan is enable type of device). A Bitdefender B scan icon will appear in the syste You can click this icon to open the scan window and to see t

If Autopilot is on, you will not be bothered about the scan. That be logged and information about it will be available in the Notice window.

If Autopilot is off:

1. You will be noticed through a pop-up window that a new dev detected and it is being scanned.
2. In most cases, Bitdefender automatically removes detected malware isolates infected files into quarantine. If there are unresolved the scan, you will be prompted to choose the actions to be

Note

Take into account that no action can be taken on infected or les detected on CDs/DVDs. Similarly, no action can be taken on or suspicious les detected on mapped network drives if you do the appropriate privileges.

1. When the scan is completed, the scan results window is disp inform you if you can safely access les on the removable me

This information may be useful to you:

- Please be careful when using a malware-infected CD/DVD, because malware cannot be removed from the disc (the media is read-csure real-time protection is turned on to prevent malware from to your system. It is best practice to copy any valuable data to your system, and then dispose of the disc.

- In some cases, Bitdefender may not be able to remove malwar specific les due to legal or technical constraints. Such an exam les archived using a proprietary technology (this is because the cannot be recreated correctly).

To nd out how to deal with malware, please refer to "Removing malware from your system" (p. 148).

14.3.2. Managing removable media scan

To manage automatic scan of removable media:

For best protection, it is recommended to let selected the Autos for all types of removable storage devices.

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the ANTIVIRUS par
4. Select the DRIVES AND DEVICES tab.

The scanning options are pre-congured for the best detection result infected les are detected, Bitdefender will try to disinfect them (r malware code) or to move them to quarantine. If both actions if Antivirus Scan wizard will allow you to specify other actions to

infected les. The scanning options are standard and you cannot them.

14.4. Scan hosts le

The hosts le comes by default with your operating system instal is used to map hostnames to IP addresses each time you acce page, connect to a FTP or to other Internet servers. It is a pl malicious programs may modify it. Advanced users know how to block annoying ads, banners, third-party cookies, or hijackers.

To congregate scan hosts le:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Select the ADVANCED tab.
3. Click the corresponding ON/OFF switch.

14.5. Conguring scan exclusions

Bitdefender allows excluding specific les, folders or le extensions from scanning. This feature is intended to avoid interference with your it can also help improve system performance. Exclusions are to users having advanced computer knowledge or, otherwise, following recommendations of a Bitdefender representative.

You can congregate exclusions to apply to on-access or on-demand only, or to both. The objects excluded from on-access scanning is scanned, no matter if they are accessed by you or by an appli

Note

Exclusions will NOT apply for system and contextual scanning. System scanning is an on-demand scanner which gives you the possibility the entire system for malicious threats that may endanger the security data. Contextual scanning is a type of on-demand scanning: you need the le or folder you want to scan and select Scan with Bitdefence

14.5.1. Excluding les and folders from scanning

To exclude specific les and folders from scanning:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the ANTIVIRUS par
4. Select the EXCLUSIONS tab.
5. Click the List of files and folders excluded from scanning accordion menu.

In the window that appears, you can manage the files and fol from scanning.

1. Add exclusions by following these steps:

a. Click the ADD button.
b. Click Browse, select the le or folder that you want to be scanning, and then click OK. Alternatively, you can type (or paste) the path to the le or folder in the edit eld.
c. By default, the selected le or folder is excluded from both and on-demand scanning. To change when to apply the excl select one of the other options.
d. Click Add.

14.5.2. Excluding le extensions from scanning

When you exclude a le extension from scanning, Bitdefender will scan les with that extension, regardless of their location on your The exclusion also applies to les on removable media, such as USB storage devices or network drives.

Important

Use caution when excluding extensions from scanning because such exclusions can make your computer vulnerable to malware.

To exclude le extensions from scanning:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the ANTIVIRUS par

4. Select the EXCLUSIONS tab.

5. Click the List of extensions excluded from scanning accordion the window that appears, you can manage the le extensions e from scanning.

6. Add exclusions by following these steps:

a. Click the ADD button.

b. Type the extensions that you want to be excluded from so separating them with semicolons (;). Here is an example: txt;avi;jpg

c. By default, all les with the specied extensions are excluded both on-access and on-demand scanning. To change when to the exclusion, select one of the other options.

d. Click Add.

14.5.3. Managing scan exclusions

If the congured scan exclusions are no longer needed, it is reco that you delete them or disable scan exclusions.

To manage scan exclusions:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the ANTIVIRUS par

4. Select the EXCLUSIONS tab.

5. Use the options in the List of les and folders excluded from accordion menu to manage scan exclusions.

6. To remove or edit scan exclusions, click one of the available as follows:

- To remove an entry from the list, select it and click the REMOVE button.

- To edit an entry from the table, double-click it (or select it EDIT button). A new window appears where you can change extension or the path to be excluded and the type of scanning them to be excluded from, as needed. Make the necessary action then click Modify.

14.6. Managing quarantined les

Bitdefender isolates the malware-infected les it cannot disinfect and suspicious les in a secure area named quarantine. When a virus quarantine it cannot do any harm because it cannot be executed

By default, quarantined les are automatically sent to Bitdefender L order to be analyzed by the Bitdefender malware researchers. If I presence is confirmed, a signature is released to allow removing t

In addition, Bitdefender scans the quarantined les after each malw signature update. Cleaned files are automatically moved back to the location.

To check and manage quarantined les:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the ANTIVIRUS par

4. Select the QUARANTINE tab.

5. Quarantined les are managed automatically by Bitdefender accor to the default quarantine settings. Though not recommended, you adjust the quarantine settings according to your preferences.

Rescan quarantine after virus denitions update

Keep this option turned on to automatically scan quarantined after each virus denitions update. Cleaned les are automatica moved back to their original location.

Submit suspicious quarantined les for further analysis

Keep this option turned on to automatically send quarantined Bitdefender Labs. The sample files will be analyzed by the malware researchers. If malware presence is conrmed, a sign is released to allow removing the malware.

Delete content older than {30} days

By default, quarantined les older than 30 days are automati deleted. If you want to change this interval, type a new v corresponding eld. To disable automatic deletion of old quarales, type 0.

1. To delete a quarantined le, select it and click the DELETE b want to restore a quarantined le to its original location, select RESTORE.

15. ADVANCED THREAT DEFENSE

Bitdefender Advanced Threat Defense is an innovative proactive defect technology which uses advanced heuristic methods to detect ransom and other new potential threats in real time.

Advanced Threat Defense continuously monitors the applications run on the computer, looking for malware-like actions. Each of these scored and an overall score is computed for each process.

As a safety measure you will be noticed each time a ransomwar detected and blocked, even if the Autopilot feature is engaged.

15.1. Turning on or off Advanced Threat Defen

To turn on or off Advanced Threat Defense:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the ADVANCED THREAT DEFENSE pane, click the ON/OFF s

Note

To keep your system protected from ransomware and other malware we recommend you to disable Advanced Threat Defense for as little possible.

15.2. Checking detected ransomware attacks

To check the ransomware attacks detected by Advanced Threat D

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the ADVANCED THREAT DEFENSE pane, click Ransomware P
4. In the window with the description of the Advanced Threat De click OK, GOT IT.

The attacks detected in the latest 90 days are displayed. To about the type of a detected ransomware, the path of the main process, or if the disinfection has been successful, simply click

15.3. Checking detected suspicious apps

To check the suspicious apps detected by Advanced Threat Defen

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. In the ADVANCED THREAT DEFENSE pane, click Threat Defense

4. In the window with the description of the Advanced Threat De click OK, GOT IT.

The apps that have been detected as threats and blocked in days are displayed. To nd details about an app, the path of process, or if the disinfection has been successful, simply click

15.4. Adding processes to exclusions

You can congregate exclusion rules for trusted applications so that Threat Defense does not block them if they perform malware-like Advanced Threat Defense will continue to monitor excluded applica To start adding processes to the Advanced Threat Defense exclus

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the ADVANCED THI DEFENSE pane.

4. In the WHITELIST window, click Add applications to the whitel

5. Find and select the application you want to be excluded, and OK.

To remove an entry from the list, click the Remove button next.

16. WEB PROTECTION

Bitdefender Web Protection ensures a safe browsing experience by you about potential malicious web pages.

Bitdefender provides real-time web protection for:

• Internet Explorer
• Microsoft Edge
• Mozilla Firefox
• Google Chrome
  • Safari
• Bitdefender Safepay™
• Opera

To congure Web Protection settings:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the WEB PROTECT

Click the switches to turn on or off:

• Scan HTTP trafc blocks malware coming from the Internet, include drive-by downloads.
• Search Advisor, a component that rates the results of your sea queries and the links posted on social networking websites by icon next to every result:

You should not visit this web page.

This web page may contain dangerous content. Exercise caution decide to visit it.

This is a safe page to visit.

Search Advisor rates the search results from the following web engines:

• Google
• Yahoo!
• Bing
  • Baidu

Search Advisor rates the links posted on the following online s networking services:

- Facebook

- Twitter

- Scanning SSL.

More sophisticated attacks might use secure web traffic to mislie victims. It is therefore recommended to enable SSL scanning.

• Protection against fraud.
• Protection against phishing.

You can create a list of web sites that will not be scanned by antimalware, antiphishing and antifraud engines. The list should contain only web sites you fully trust. For example, add the web sites online.

To congregate and manage web sites using the web protection prov Bitdefender:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the WEB PROTECTION pane, click Whitelist.
4. In the Add URL text box, type the name of the website you the whitelist, and then click Add.

To remove a web site from the list, select it in the list, and corresponding Remove link.

Click Save to save the changes and close the window.

16.1. Bitdefender alerts in the browser

Whenever you try to visit a website classified as unsafe, the web blocked and a warning page is displayed in your browser.

The page contains information such as the website URL and the threat.

You have to decide what to do next. The following options are

- Navigate away from the web page by clicking Take me back to safety.

- Proceed to the web page, despite the warning, by clicking I understand the risks, take me there anyway.

17. VULNERABILITY

An important step in protecting your computer against malicious devices and applications is to keep the operating system and the application regularly use up to date. Moreover, to prevent unauthorized physical security to your computer, strong passwords (passwords that cannot be easily guessed) must be congured for each Windows user account and Wi-Fi networks you connect to as well.

Bitdefender automatically checks your system for vulnerabilities and you about them. It scans for the following:

• outdated applications on your computer.
• missing Windows updates.
• weak passwords to Windows user accounts.
  • not secured wireless networks and routers.

Bitdefender provides two easy ways to x the vulnerabilities of yo

• You can scan your system for vulnerabilities and x them step using the Vulnerability Scan option.
• Using automatic vulnerability monitoring, you can check and x d vulnerabilities in the Notifications window.

You should check and x system vulnerabilities every one or two

17.1. Scanning your system for vulnerabilities

To x system vulnerabilities using the Vulnerability Scan option:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the Vulnerability Scan action button.
3. Wait for Bitdefender to check your system for vulnerabilities. Scanning process, click the Skip button at the top of the win

• Critical Windows updates

Click View details to see the list of critical Windows updates not installed on your computer.

To initiate the installation of selected updates, click Install up. Please note that it may take a while to install the updates

them may require a system restart to complete the installatio required, restart the system at your earliest convenience.

- Application updates

If an application is not up to date, click the Download new to download the latest version.

Click View details to see information about the application th to be updated.

- Weak Windows account passwords

You can see the list of the Windows user accounts congregate computer and the level of protection their password provides.

Click Change password at login to set a new password for

Click View details to modify the weak passwords. You can be between asking the user to change the password at the next changing the password yourself immediately. For a strong pass use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, number special characters (such as #, \$ or @).

- Weak Wi-Fi networks

Click View details to nd out more about the wireless network connected to. If it is recommended to set a stronger password home network, click the corresponding link.

When other recommendations are available, follow the provided instructions to make sure your home network stays safe from hackers' prying eyes.

In the upper-right corner of the window you can liter the results to your preferences.

17.2. Using automatic vulnerability monitoring

Bitdefender scans your system for vulnerabilities regularly, in the ba and keeps records of detected issues in the Notifications window.

To check and x the detected issues:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. In the All tab, select the notification regarding the Vulnerability

3. You can see detailed information regarding the detected system vulnerabilities. Depending on the issue, to x a specific vulnerable proceed as follows:

- If Windows updates are available, click INSTALL.

- If automatic Windows update is disabled, click ENABLE.

- If an application is outdated, click UPDATE NOW to nd a link to the vendor web page from where you can install the latest version application.

- If a Windows user account has a weak password, click CHAPASSWORD to force the user to change the password at the or change the password yourself. For a strong password, use combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and characters (such as #, \$ or @).

- If the Windows Autorun feature is enabled, click FIX to disable it.

- If the router you have congured has set a weak password, CHANGE PASSWORD to access its interface from where you strong one.

- If the network you are connected to has vulnerabilities which expose your system at risk, click CHANGE WIFI SETTINGS.

To congregate the vulnerability monitoring settings:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the VULNERABILITY pane, click the ON/OFF switch.

Important

To be automatically noticed about system or application vulnerability keep the Vulnerability option enabled.

1. Choose the system vulnerabilities you want to be regularly choosing using the corresponding switches.

Critical Windows updates

Check if your Windows operating system has the latest critic updates from Microsoft.

Application updates

Check if applications installed on your system are up-to-date. applications can be exploited by malicious software, making vulnerable to outside attacks.

Weak passwords

Check whether the passwords of the Windows accounts and configured on the system are easy to guess or not. Setting that are hard to guess (strong passwords) makes it very d hackers to break into your system. A strong password inclu uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special charact (such as #, \$ or @).

Media autorun

Check the status of the Windows Autorun feature. This featu applications to be automatically started from CDs, DVDs, USE or other external devices.

Some types of malware use Autorun to spread automatically removable media to the PC. This is why it is recommend this Windows feature.

Wi-Fi Security Advisor notifications

Check if the wireless home network you are connected to or not, and if it has vulnerabilities. Also, check if the pas home router is strong enough, and how you can make it

Most unprotected wireless networks are not secure, thus allow hackers' prying eyes have access to your private activities.

Note

If you turn off monitoring of a specific vulnerability, related issue longer be recorded in the Notifications window.

17.3. Wi-Fi Security Advisor

While on the go, working in a coffee shop, or waiting at the a to a public wireless network for making payments, checking email network accounts can be the fastest solution. But prying eyes try your personal data can be there, watching how the information le the network.

Personal data means the passwords and usernames you use to to your online accounts, such as emails, bank accounts, social m accounts, but also the messages you send.

Usually, public wireless networks are more likely to be unsafe since not require password at login, and if they do, the password could available to anybody who wants to connect. Moreover, they may be or honeypot networks, representing a target for cyber criminals.

To safeguard you against the perils of unsecured or unencrypted wireless hotspots, Bitdefender Wi-Fi Security Advisor analyzes how a wireless network is, and when necessary, it recommends you to Bitdefender VPN.

The Bitdefender Wi-Fi Security Advisor gives information about:

• Home Wi-Fi networks

• Public Wi-Fi networks

17.3.1. Turning on or off Wi-Fi Security Advisor not:

To turn on or off the Wi-Fi Security Advisor notifications:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the VULNERABILITY

4. In the SETTINGS window, click the corresponding ON/OFF switch

17.3.2. Conguring Home Wi-Fi network

To start conguring your home network:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. In the VULNERABILITY pane, click Wi-Fi Security Advisor.

4. In the HOME WI-FI tab, click the SELECT HOME WI-FI button A list with the wireless networks you connected to until now

5. Point to your home network, and then click SELECT.

If a home network is considered unsecured or unsafe, conguration recommendations to improve its security are displayed.

To remove the wireless network you have set as a home netwo REMOVE button.

17.3.3. Public Wi-Fi

While connected to an unsecured or unsafe wireless network, the Wi-Fi prole is activated. While running in this prole, Bitdefender A Plus 2018 is set to automatically accomplish the following program

• Advanced Threat Defense is turned on
• The following settings from Web Protection are turned on:

• Scan SSL
  • Protection against fraud
  • Protection against phishing

- A button that opens Bitdefender Safepay™ is available. In this Hotspot protection for unsecured networks is enabled by default.

17.3.4. Checking information about Wi-Fi networks

To check information about the wireless networks you usually cor

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. In the VULNERABILITY pane, click Wi-Fi Security Advisor.

4. Depending on the information you need, select one of the tw WI-FI or PUBLIC WI-FI.

5. Click View details next to the network you want to nd more. There are three types of wireless networks Itered by their important type indicated by a specific icon:

Wi-Fi is unsafe - indicates that the security level of the net. This means that there is a high risk to use it, and it is not make payments or check bank accounts without an extra protection situations, we recommend you to use Bitdefender Safepay™ with H protection for unsecured networks enabled.

Wi-Fi is unsafe - indicates that the security level of the net moderate. This means that it can have vulnerabilities and it is recommended to make payments or check bank accounts without protection. In such situations, we recommend you to use Bitdefen Safepay™ with Hotspot protection for unsecured networks enabled.

Wi-Fi is secure - indicates that the network you use is see case, you can use sensitive data for making online operations.

By clicking the View details link in the area of each network, t details are displayed:

• Secured - here you can view if the selected network is secured or not. Unencrypted networks can leave the data you use exposed.
• Encryption type - here you can view the encryption type used by the selected network. Some encryption types may not be secure. The we strongly recommend you to check information about the dis encryption type to be sure that you are protected while surng
• Channel/Frequency - here you can view the channel frequency used by the selected network.
• Password strength - here you can view how strong the password is. Note that the networks that have set weak passwords represent a t cyber criminals.
• Type of sign in - here you can view if the selected network is protected using a password or not. It is highly recommended to connect networks that have set strong passwords.
• Authentication type - here you can view the authentication type used by the selected network.

Keep the Notify option enabled to receive notifications every time connects to this network.

18. SAFE FILES

Ransomware is a malicious software that attacks vulnerable system locking them, and asks for money to let the user take back the system. This malicious software acts intelligent by displaying false to panic the user, urging him to proceed with the asked payment

The infection can be spread via spam emails, by downloading at or by visiting infected websites and installing malicious applications letting the user know what is happening on his system.

Ransomware can have one of the following behaviors preventing it from accessing his system:

• Encrypts sensitive and personal les without giving the possibility decryption until a ransom is paid by the victim.
• Locks the computer's screen and displays a message asking for In this case, no le is encrypted, only the user is forced to | the payment.
• Blocks applications from running.

With Bitdefender Safe Files you can keep protected from ransomware personal les, such as documents, photos or movies.

Note

Advanced Threat Defense and Safe Files are two layers of protective ransomware. Advanced Threat Defense is the feature that stops ran attacks in their tracks to your system's critical areas, while Safe I sure no important le on your computer gets encrypted.

18.1. Turning on or off Safe Files

To turn on or off the Safe Files feature:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the SAFE FILES pane, click the ON/OFF switch.

Each time an application will try to access one of the protected Bitdefender pop-up is displayed. You can allow or block the acce

Note

The Safe Files feature is enabled by default.

18.2. Protect personal les from ransomware atta

If you want to settle personal les to a shelter:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the SAFE FILES pane, click Protected Folders.
4. In the window with the description of the Safe Files feature, PROTECT MORE FOLDERS button.
5. Select the folder you want to protect, and then click OK.

To add additional folders, click the Protect more folders link. A drag folders to this window.

By default, the folders Pictures, Videos, Music, Desktop, and Down protected against threat attacks. Personal data stored in online le services such as Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive are a to the protection environment, provided that their applications are on the system.

To avoid system slow down, we recommend you to add utmost or save multiple les in a single folder.

Note

Custom folders can be protected only for current users. System and les cannot be added to exceptions.

18.3. Conguring applications access

Those applications that try to change or delete protected files ma as potentially unsafe and added to the Blocked applications' list. application is blocked and you are sure that its behavior is nor allow it by following these steps:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. In the SAFE FILES pane, click Application access.

4. The apps that have requested to change les in your protecte are listed. Click the Allow switch next to the application you safe.

In the same window you can disable ransomware protection for applications by clicking the Block switch.

If you want to add new applications to the list, click the Add to the list link.

18.4. Protection at boot

It is known that many malware applications are set to run at a fact which can seriously damage a machine. Bitdefender Boot protection scans all critical system areas before all les are being with zero impact on the system.

To disable Protection at boot:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the SAFE FILES p
4. Click the ON/OFF switch.

Note

Applications added to exclusions will be scanned as well and treat accordingly.

19. PASSWORD MANAGER PROTECTION FOR YOU CREDENTIALS

We use our computers to shop online or pay our bills, to conr media platforms or log in with instant messaging applications.

But as everybody knows, it's not always easy to remember the

And if we are not careful while browsing online, our private info as our email address, our instant messaging ID or our credit can be compromised.

To keep your passwords or your personal data on a sheet of computer can be dangerous because they can be accessed and people who want to steal and use that information. And to rem password you have set for your online accounts or for your fav is not an easy task.

Therefore, is there a way to make sure that we nd our password need them? And can we rest assured that our secret passwords safe?

Password Manager helps you keep track of your passwords, prote privacy and provides a secure browsing experience.

Using a single master password to access your credentials, Passv Manager makes it easy for you to keep your passwords safe in

To offer the best protection for your online activities, Password I integrated with Bitdefender Safepay™ and provides a unied solution various ways in which your private data can be compromised.

Password Manager protects the following private information:

- Personal information, such as the email address or the phone

- Login credentials for the websites

• Bank account information or the credit card number

- Access data to the email accounts

- Passwords for the applications

- Passwords for the Wi-Fi networks

19.1. Create a new Wallet database

Bitdefender Wallet is the place where you can store your persona an easier browser experience, you need to create a Wallet database follows:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the WALLET pane, click Create new Wallet.
4. Click the Create new button.

5. Type the required information in the corresponding elds.

6. Wallet label - type a unique name for your Wallet database.

7. Master Password - type a password for your Wallet.
8. Retype Password - retype the password you set.

9. Hint - type a hint to remember the password.

10. Click Continue.

11. At this step you can choose to store your information in the select Yes, banking information will remain stored locally on yo Choose the desired option, then click Continue.
12. Select the web browser you want to import credentials from.
13. Click Finish.

19.2. Import an existing database

To import a wallet database stored locally:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the WALLET pane, click Create new Wallet.
4. Click the From target button.
5. Browse to the location on your device where you want to s database, and then choose a name for it.

6. Click Open.

7. Give a name to your Wallet and type in the password assign was created in the rst place.

8. Click Import.
9. Select the programs you want the Wallet to import credentials then the Finish button.

19.3. Export the Wallet database

To export your Wallet database:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the WALLET pane, click My Wallets.
4. Click the icon on the desired wallet, and then select Export.
5. Search the location of your wallet database and select it (the
6. Click Save.

Note

The Wallet needs to be opened in order for the Export option to If the wallet you need to export is locked, click the ACTIVATE W and then type in the password assigned when it was created in

19.4. Synchronize your wallets in the cloud

To turn the wallets synchronization in the cloud on or off:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the WALLET pane, click My Wallets.
4. Click the icon on the desired wallet, and then select Settings
5. Choose the desired option in the window that appears, then

Note

The Wallet needs to be opened in order for the Export option to

If the wallet you need to synchronize is locked, click the ACTIVAT button, and then type in the password assigned when it was created first place.

19.5. Manage your Wallet credentials

To manage your passwords:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the WALLET pane, click My Wallets.
4. Select the desired Wallet database from the MY WALLETS win click the ACTIVATE WALLET button.
5. Type the Master password, and then click OK.

A new window appears. Select the desired category from the up the window:

• Identity
• Websites
• Online banking
• Emails
• Applications
• Wi-Fi Networks

Adding/ editing the credentials

• To add a new password, choose the desired category from the + Add item, insert the information in the corresponding elds ar Save button.
  • To edit an entry from the table, select it and click the Edit button.
  • To remove an entry, select it, click the Delete button.

19.6. Turning on or off the Password Manager protection

To turn the Password Manager protection on or off:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. In the WALLET pane, click the ON/OFF switch.

19.7. Managing the Password Manager settings

To congregate the master password in detail:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the WALLET pane.
4. Select the SECURITY SETTINGS tab.

The following options are available:

- Ask for my master password when I login to my PC - you will be prompted to insert your master password when you access the computer.

- Ask for my master password when I open my browsers and apps - you will be prompted to insert your master password when you access or an application.

- Automatically lock Wallet when I leave my PC unattended - you will be prompted to insert your master password when you return to yo after 15 minutes.

Important

Be sure to remember your master password or keep a record of place. If you forget the password, you will have to reinstall the contact Bitdefender for support.

Improve your experience

To select the browsers or the applications where you want to in Password Manager:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the WALLET pane.

4. Select the PLUGINS tab.

Check an application to use Password Manager and improve your experience:

• Internet Explorer
• Mozilla Firefox
• Google Chrome
• Safepay

Conguring the Autoll

The Autoll feature makes it easy for you to connect with your websites or to log in with your online accounts. The rst time login credentials and personal information into your web browser, automatically secured into the Wallet.

To congregate the Autoll settings:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the WALLET pane.
4. Select the AUTOFILL SETTINGS tab.
5. Congure the following options:

• Congure how Wallet secures your credentials:

• Save credentials automatically in Wallet - the login credentials and other identifiable information such as your personal and credit details are automatically saved and updated into the Wallet.
• Ask me every time - you will be asked every time if you want to add your credentials to the Wallet.
• Do not save, I will update the information manually - the credentials can be added only manually into the Wallet.

• Autoll login credentials:

- Autoll login credentials every time - the credentials are inserted automatically into the browser.

- Autoll forms:

- Prompt my ll options when I visit a page with forms - a popup with the ll options will appear every time Bitdefender detects that want to perform an online payment or to sign up.

Manage the Password Manager information from you browser

You can easily manage the Password Manager details directly from browser, to have all the important data at hand. The Bitdefender is supported by the following browsers: Google Chrome, Internet E and Mozilla Firefox, and is also also integrated with Safepay.

To access the Bitdefender Wallet extension, open your web brows the add-on to be installed and click the icon on the toolbar.

The Bitdefender Wallet extension contains the following options:

- Open Wallet - opens the Wallet.

- Lock Wallet - locks the Wallet.

- Websites - opens a submenu with all the websites logins store Wallet. Click Add website to add new websites into the list.

- Fill forms - opens a submenu containing the information you a specific category. From here you can add new data to your Wa

- Password Generator - enables you to generate random passwords can use for new or existing accounts. Click Show advanced se customize the complexity of the password.

- Settings - opens the Password Manager settings window.

- Report issue - report any issue you encounter with the Bitdefer Password Manager.

20. VPN

The VPN app may be installed from your Bitdefender product and time you want to add an extra layer of protection to your conVPN serves as a tunnel between your device and the network y to securing your connection, encrypting the data using bank-grade e and hiding your IP address wherever you are. Your traffic is redir a separate server; thus making your device almost impossible to I through the myriad of other devices that are using our services. while connected to the internet via Bitdefender VPN, you are able content that is normally restricted in specic areas.

Note

Some countries practice internet censorship and therefore the usage on their territory has been banned by law. To avoid legal consequent warning message can appear when you try to use the Bitdefender for the rst time. By continuing using the app, you conrm that you of the applicable country regulations and the risks to which you are exposed.

20.1. Installing VPN

The VPN app can be installed from your Bitdefender interface, as

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the VPN pane, click Enable VPN.
4. In the window with the description of the VPN app, read the agreement, and then click ENABLE Bitdefender VPN.

Wait several moments until the les are downloaded and installe

Note

Bitdefender VPN requires .Net Framework 4.5.2 or higher to be installed case you do not have this package installed, a notification window. Click install .Net Framework to be redirected to a page from when download the newest version of this software.

20.2. Opening VPN

To access the main interface of Bitdefender VPN, use one of the methods:

- From system tray

1. Right-click the icon in system tray, and then click Show.

• From the Bitdefender interface:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interfa

2. Click the VPN action button.

20.3. VPN interface

The VPN interface displays the status of the app, connected or connected to the server location for users with the free version is automatic. Bitdefender to the most appropriate server, while premium users have possibility to change the server location they want to connect to information about VPN subscriptions, refer to "Subscriptions" (p. 118).

To connect or disconnect, simply click on the status displayed at the screen, or right-click the system tray icon. The system tray a green check mark when the VPN is connected, and a red ch the VPN is disconnected.

While connected, the elapsed time and the IP address automatically to your device are displayed on the lower part of the interface.

To get access to more options, access the Menu area by clicking in the upper-left side. Here you have the following options:

- My Account – details about your Bitdefender account and VPN subscription are displayed. Click Switch Account if you want to sign in with account.

- Settings – depending on your needs, you can customize the behavior of your product:

- receive notifications when the VPN automatically connects or disconnects

• automatically run the VPN app at Windows startup

• automatically launch the VPN app when your device connects unsecured wireless networks
- Upgrade to Premium - if you are using the free version, you can upgrade to the premium plan from here.
- Support - contact our Customer Care department in case you need help in setting up your product.
- About - information about the installed version is displayed.

20.4. Subscriptions

Bitdefender VPN offers for free a daily 200 MB trafc quota per secure your connection every time you need, and connects you au to the optimal server location.

To get unlimited traffic and unrestricted access to content worldwide choosing a server location at your will, upgrade to the premium

You can upgrade to the Bitdefender Premium VPN version anytime the GET UNLIMITED TRAFFIC button available in the product inter

The Bitdefender Premium VPN subscription is independent from the Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 subscription, meaning you will be use it for its entire availability, regardless of the state of the a subscription. In case the Bitdefender Premium VPN subscription ex but the one for Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 is still active, you reverted to the free plan.

21. SAFEPAY SECURITY FOR ONLINE TRANSACTI

The computer is quickly becoming the main tool for shopping and Paying bills, transferring money, buying pretty much anything you can has never been quicker or easier.

This involves sending personal information, account and credit card passwords and other types of private information over the Internet words exactly the type of information flow that cyber-criminals are interested to tap into. Hackers are relentless in their efforts to information, so you can never be too careful about securing online transactions.

Bitdefender Safepay™ is first of all a protected browser, a sealed that is designed to keep your online banking, e-shopping and any of online transaction private and secure.

For the best privacy protection, Bitdefender Password Manager has integrated into Bitdefender Safepay™ to secure your credentials who you want to access private online locations. For more information refer to “Password Manager protection for your credentials” (p. 109).

Bitdefender Safepay™ offers the following features:

• It blocks access to your desktop and any attempt to take snay your screen.
• It protects your secret passwords while browsing online with Pa Manager.
• It comes with a virtual keyboard which, when used, makes it for hackers to read your keystrokes.
• It is completely independent from your other browsers.
• It comes with built-in hotspot protection to be used when your is connected to unsecured Wi-networks.
• It supports bookmarks and allows you to navigate between your banking/shopping sites.
• It is not limited to banking and e-shopping. Any website can I Bitdefender Safepay™.

21.1. Using Bitdefender Safepay™

By default, Bitdefender detects when you navigate to an online b or online shop in any browser on your computer and prompts y it in Bitdefender Safepay™.

To access the main interface of Bitdefender Safepay™, use one of following methods:

• From the Bitdefender interface:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interfa
2. Click the Safepay action button.

- From Windows:

• In Windows 7:

1. Click Start and go to All Programs.
2. Click Bitdefender.
3. Click Bitdefender Safepay™.

• In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1:

Locate Bitdefender Safepay™ from the Windows Start screen (for example, you can start typing "Bitdefender Safepay™" directly in Start screen) and then click the icon.

• In Windows 10:

Type "Bitdefender Safepay™" in the search box from the taskb click its icon.

Note

If the Adobe Flash Player plugin is not installed or is outdated, a message will be displayed. Click the corresponding button to continue. After the installation process is completed, you will have to manual the Bitdefender Safepay™ browser to continue your work.

If you are used to web browsers, you will have no trouble using Safepay™ - it looks and behaves like a regular browser:

• enter URLs you want to go to in the address bar.

• add tabs to visit multiple websites in the Bitdefender Safepay™ by clicking.

• navigate back and forward and refresh pages using respectively.

• access Bitdefender Safepay™ settings by clicking 📄 and choosing Settings.
• protect your passwords with Password Manager by clicking .
• manage your bookmarks by clicking next to the address bar.
• open the virtual keyboard by clicking .
• increase or decrease the browser size by pressing simultaneously Ctrl and the +/- keys in the numeric keypad.
  • view information about your Bitdefender product by clicking and choosing About.
• print important information by clicking .

Note

To switch between Bitdefender Safepay™ and Windows desktop, press Alt+Tab keys, or click the Minimize button.

21.2. Conguring settings

Click and choose Settings to congregate Bitdefender Safepay™:

• In the General Settings you can set up the following:

Bitdefender Safepay™ behavior

Choose what will happen when you access an online shop banking site in your regular web browser:

• Automatically open websites in Safepay.
• Recommend me to use Safepay.
• Do not recommend me to use Safepay.

Domains list

Choose how Bitdefender Safepay™ will behave when you visit from specific domains in your regular web browser by adding the domains list and selecting the behavior for each one:

• Automatically open in Bitdefender Safepay™.
• Have Bitdefender prompt you for action each time.
• Never use Bitdefender Safepay™ when visiting a page from domain in a regular browser.

Blocking pop-ups

You can choose to block pop-ups by clicking the correspondi You can also create a list of web sites to allow pop-ups should contain only web sites you fully trust.

To add a site to the list, provide its address in the corre and click Add domain.

To remove a web site from the list, select the X correspo desired entry.

• In the Advanced Settings area, the following options are available:

Manage Plugins

You can choose whether you wish to enable or disable spe in Bitdefender Safepay™.

Manage certificates

You can import certificates from your system to a certificate

Select Import certificates and follow the wizard to use the c in Bitdefender Safepay™.

Automatically launch Virtual Keyboard at password elds

The Virtual Keyboard will automatically appear when a passw is selected.

Use the corresponding switch to enable or disable the featu

Ask for conrmation before printing

Enable this option if you want to give your conrmation bef printing process starts.

21.3. Managing bookmarks

If you disabled the automatic detection of some or all websites, simply doesn't detect certain websites, you can add bookmarks to Safepay™ so that you can easily launch favorite websites in the

Follow these steps to add a URL to Bitdefender Safepay™ bookm

1. Click the icon next to the address bar to open the Bookman

Note

The Bookmarks page is opened by default when you start Bitde Safepay™.

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018

1. Click the + button to add a new bookmark.

2. Type the URL and the title of the bookmark and click Creat Automatically open in Safepay option if you want the bookmark to open with Bitdefender Safepay™ each time you access it. T also added to the Domains list on the settings page.

22. DATA PROTECTION

22.1. Deleting les permanently

When you delete a le, it can no longer be accessed through no. However, the file continues to be stored on the hard disk until when copying new les.

The Bitdefender File Shredder helps you permanently delete data by removing it from your hard disk.

You can quickly shred files or folders from your computer using contextual menu, by following these steps:

1. Right-click the le or folder you want to permanently delete.
2. Select Bitdefender > File Shredder in the context menu that appears.
3. A conrmation window appears. Click YES, DELETE to start the Shredder wizard. Wait for Bitdefender to nish shredding the les.
4. The results are displayed. Click FINISH to exit the wizard.

Alternatively, you can shred les from the Bitdefender interface, as

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the DATA PROTECTION pane, click File Shredder.
4. Follow the File Shredder wizard:

a. Click the ADD FOLDERS button to add the les or folders be permanently removed.

Alternatively, drag these les or folders to this window.

b. Click DELETE PERMANENTLY, and then conrm that you wish continue with the process.

Wait for Bitdefender to nish shredding the les.

c. Results Summary

The results are displayed. Click FINISH to exit the wizard.

23. USB IMMUNIZER

The Autorun feature built into Windows operating systems is a v tool that allows computers to automatically execute a le from m connected to it. For example, software installations can start auto when a CD is inserted into the optical drive.

Unfortunately, this feature can also be used by malware to autor launch and infiltrate your computer from rewritable media such as drives and memory cards connected through card readers. Numerous based attacks have been created in recent years.

With USB Immunizer you can prevent any NTFS, FAT32 or FAT flash drive from automatically executing malware ever again. Once device is immunized, malware can no longer conjure it to run a application when the device is connected to a computer running

To immunize an USB device:

1. Connect the flash drive to your computer.
2. Browse your computer to locate the removable storage device right-click its icon.
3. In the contextual menu, point to Bitdefender and select Immunize this drive.

Note

If the drive has already been immunized, the message The USB protected against autorun-based malware will appear instead of the Immunize option.

To prevent your computer from launching malware from unimmuniz devices, disable the media autorun feature. For more information, refer to “Using automatic vulnerability monitoring” (p. 100).

SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION

24. PROFILES

Daily job activities, watching movies or playing games may cause slow down, especially if they are running simultaneously with Win update processes and maintenance tasks. With Bitdefender, you can choose and apply your preferred prole, which makes system adjust suited to increase the performance of specic installed applications.

Bitdefender provides the following proles:

• Work Prole
• Movie Prole
• Game Prole
  • Public Wi-Fi Prole
• Battery Mode Prole

If you decide to not use Proles, a default prole called Standard is enabled and it brings no optimization to your system.

According to your activity, the following product settings are applied: Work, Movie or Game proles are activated:

• All Bitdefender alerts and pop-ups are disabled.
• Automatic Update is postponed.
- Scheduled scans are postponed.
- Search Advisor is disabled.
• Special offers notifications are disabled.

According to your activity, the following system settings are applied: Work, Movie or Game proles are activated:

• Windows Automatic Updates are postponed.
• Windows alerts and pop-ups are disabled.
• Unnecessary background programs are suspended.
• Visual effects are adjusted for best performance.
• Maintenance tasks are postponed.
  • Power plan settings are adjusted.

While running in the Public Wi-Fi prole, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus set to automatically accomplish the following program settings:

• Advanced Threat Defense is turned on
• The following settings from Web Protection are turned on:

• Scan SSL
  • Protection against fraud
  • Protection against phishing

24.1. Work Prole

Running multiple tasks at work, such as sending emails, having a communication with your distant colleagues or working with design applications may affect your system performance. Work Prole has designed to help you improve your work efficiency, by turning off your background services and maintenance tasks.

Conguring Work Prole

To congregate the actions to be taken while in Work Prole:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Select the PROFILES tab.
3. Click the CONFIGURE button from the Work Prole area.

4. Choose the system adjustments you would like to be applied the following options:

5. Boost performance on work apps

6. Optimize product settings for Work prole
   • Postpone background programs and maintenance tasks
   • Postpone Windows Automatic Updates

7. Click Save to save the changes and close the window.

Manually adding applications to the Work Prole list

If Bitdefender does not automatically enter Work Prole when you certain work application, you can manually add the application to Applications list.

To manually add applications to the Applications list in Work Proc

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Select the PROFILES tab.

3. Click the CONFIGURE button from the Work Prole area.

4. In the WORK PROFILE window, click the Applications list link.

5. Click Add to add a new application to the Applications list.

A new window appears. Browse to the application's executable it and click OK to add it to the list.

24.2. Movie Prole

Displaying high quality video content, such as high definition movie significant system resources. Movie Prole adjusts system and product settings so you can enjoy an uninterrupted and seamless movie

Conguring Movie Prole

To congregate the actions to be taken while in Movie Prole:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. Select the PROFILES tab.

3. Click the CONFIGURE button from the Movie Prole area.

4. Choose the system adjustments you would like to be applied the following options:

5. Boost performance on video players

6. Optimize product settings for Movie prole
7. Postpone background programs and maintenance tasks
   • Postpone Windows Automatic Updates

8. Adjust power plan settings for movies

9. Click Save to save the changes and close the window.

Manually adding video players to the Movie Prole

If Bitdefender does not automatically enter Movie Prole when you a certain video player application, you can manually add the app the Players list.

To manually add video players to the Players list in Movie Prole

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Select the PROFILES tab.
3. Click the CONFIGURE button from the Movie Prole area.
4. In the MOVIE PROFILE window, click the Players list link.
5. Click Add to add a new application to the Players list.

A new window appears. Browse to the application's executable it and click OK to add it to the list.

24.3. Game Prole

Enjoying an uninterrupted gaming experience is all about reducing load and diminishing slowdowns. By using behavioral heuristics also a list of known games, Bitdefender can automatically detect runni and optimize your system resources so that you can enjoy your break.

Conguring Game Prole

To congregate the actions to be taken while in Game Prole:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Select the PROFILES tab.
3. Click the CONFIGURE button from the Game Prole area.
4. Choose the system adjustments you would like to be applied the following options:

- Boost performance on games

- Optimize product settings for Game prole

- Postpone background programs and maintenance tasks

• Postpone Windows Automatic Updates

- Adjust power plan settings for games

1. Click Save to save the changes and close the window.

Manually adding games to the Game list

If Bitdefender does not automatically enter Game Prole when you a certain game or application, you can manually add the application Games list.

To manually add games to the Games list in Game Prole:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Select the PROFILES tab.
3. Click the CONFIGURE button from the Game Prole area.
4. In the GAME PROFILE window, click the Games list link.
5. Click Add to add a new game to the Games list.

A new window appears. Browse to the game's executable le, s and click OK to add it to the list.

24.4. Public Wi-Fi Prole

Sending emails, typing sensitive credentials or shopping online while connected to unsafe wireless networks can expose your personal risk. Public Wi-Fi Prole adjusts product settings to give you the to make payments online and use sensitive information in a prot environment.

Conguring Public Wi-Fi prole

To congregate Bitdefender to apply product settings while connected unsafe wireless network:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Select the PROFILES tab.

3. Click the CONFIGURE button from the Public Wi-Fi Prole area.

4. Let the Adjusts product settings to boost protection when con an unsafe public Wi-Fi network check box enabled.

5. Click Save.

24.5. Battery Mode Prole

Battery Mode prole is specially designed for laptop and tablet us purpose is to minimize both system and Bitdefender impact on p consumption when the battery charge level is lower than the def the one you select.

Conguring Battery Mode Prole

To congure the Battery Mode prole:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Select the PROFILES tab.
3. Click the CONFIGURE button from the Battery Mode Prole area

4. Choose the system adjustments to be applied by checking the options:

5. Optimize product settings for Battery mode.

6. Postpone background programs and maintenance tasks.
   • Postpone Windows Automatic Updates.
7. Adjust power plan settings for Battery mode.

8. Disable external devices and network ports.

9. Click Save to save the changes and close the window.

Type a valid value in the spin box or select one using the up keys to specify when the system should start operating in Batter default, the mode is activated when the battery charge level drop 30%.

The following product settings are applied when Bitdefender operat Battery Mode prole:

• Bitdefender Automatic Update is postponed.
• Scheduled scans are postponed.

• Security Widget is turned off.

Bitdefender detects when your laptop has switched to battery power based on the battery charge level it automatically enters Battery Likewise, Bitdefender automatically exits Battery Mode when it detects laptop is no longer running on battery.

24.6. Real-time optimization

Bitdefender Real-time optimization is a plugin that improves your performance silently, in the background, making sure that you are interrupted while you are in a prole mode. Depending on the CF plugin monitors all processes, focusing on those that take up a to adjust them to your needs.

To turn on or off Real-time optimization:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Select the PROFILES tab.
3. Scroll down until you see the Real-time optimization option, and the corresponding switch to turn it on or off.

TROUBLESHOOTING

25. SOLVING COMMON ISSUES

This chapter presents some problems you may encounter when us Bitdefender and provides you with possible solutions to these problems. Most of these problems can be solved through the appropriate cost of the product settings.

• "My system appears to be slow" (p. 135)
- "Scan doesn't start" (p. 136)
- “I can no longer use an application” (p. 139)
- "What to do when Bitdefender blocks a safe website or online application" (p. 140)
- "What to do if Bitdefender detects a safe application as ransomware" (p. 140)
- "How to update Bitdefender on a slow Internet connection" (p. 14)
- "Bitdefender services are not responding" (p. 141)
• "The Autoll feature in my Wallet doesn't work" (p. 142)
- "Bitdefender removal failed" (p. 143)
- "My system doesn't boot up after installing Bitdefender" (p. 144)

If you cannot nd your problem here, or if the presented solution solve it, you can contact the Bitdefender technical support represe as presented in chapter "Asking for help" (p. 159).

25.1. My system appears to be slow

Usually, after installing a security software, there may appear a slowdown of the system, which to a certain degree is normal.

If you notice a significant slowdown, this issue can appear for the reasons:

• Bitdefender is not the only security program installed on the sy
  Though Bitdefender searches and removes the security programs during the installation, it is recommended to remove any other program you may use before installing Bitdefender. For more int please refer to "How do I remove other security solutions?" (p.

• The Minimum System Requirements for running Bitdefender are n

If your machine does not meet the Minimum System Requireme computer will become sluggish, especially when multiple application running at the same time. For more information, please refer to "Minimum system requirements" (p. 3).

- You have installed applications that you do not use.

Any computer has programs or applications that you do not use unwanted programs run in the background taking up disk space memory. If you do not use a program, uninstall it. This is all other pre-installed software or trial application you forgot to rem

Important

If you suspect a program or an application to be an essential operating system, do not remove it and contact Bitdefender Custo for assistance.

- Your system may be infected.

Your system speed and its general behavior can also be affected by malware. Spyware, viruses, Trojans and adware all take a toll of computer's performance. Make sure to scan your system periodic least once a week. It is recommended to use the Bitdefender because it scans for all types of malware threatening the secure system.

To start the System Scan:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interfa

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. In the ANTIVIRUS pane, click System Scan.

4. Follow the wizard steps.

25.2. Scan doesn't start

This type of issue can have two main causes:

- A previous Bitdefender installation which was not completely rem a faulty Bitdefender installation.

In this case reinstall Bitdefender:

- In Windows 7:

1. Click Start, go to Control Panel and double-click Programs and Features.

2. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.

3. Click REINSTALL in the window that appears.

4. Wait for the reinstall process to complete, and then reboo system.

• In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1:

1. From the Windows Start screen, locate Control Panel (for you can start typing "Control Panel" directly in the Start set then click its icon.

2. Click Uninstall a program or Programs and Features.

3. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.

4. Click REINSTALL in the window that appears.

5. Wait for the reinstall process to complete, and then reboo system.

- In Windows 10:

1. Click Start, then click Settings.

2. Click the System icon in the Settings area, then select Installed apps.

3. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.

4. Click Uninstall again to conrm your choice.

5. Click REINSTALL in the window that appears.

6. Wait for the reinstall process to complete, and then reboo system.

Note

By following this reinstall procedure, customized settings are saved available in the new installed product. Other settings may be swi to their default conguration.

- Bitdefender is not the only security solution installed on your system.

In this case:

1. Remove the other security solution. For more information, please to "How do I remove other security solutions?" (p. 69).

2. Reinstall Bitdefender:

- In Windows 7:

a. Click Start, go to Control Panel and double-click Programs and Features.
b. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.
c. Click REINSTALL in the window that appears.
d. Wait for the reinstall process to complete, and then reb system.

• In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1:

a. From the Windows Start screen, locate Control Panel (for you can start typing "Control Panel" directly in the Start and then click its icon.
b. Click Uninstall a program or Programs and Features.
c. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.
d. Click REINSTALL in the window that appears.
e. Wait for the reinstall process to complete, and then reb system.

• In Windows 10:

a. Click Start, then click Settings.
b. Click the System icon in the Settings area, then select apps.
c. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.
d. Click Uninstall again to conrm your choice.
e. Click REINSTALL in the window that appears.

f. Wait for the reinstall process to complete, and then rebi system.

Note

By following this reinstall procedure, customized settings are available in the new installed product. Other settings may be back to their default conguration.

If this information was not helpful, you can contact Bitdefender 1 as described in section "Asking for help" (p. 159).

25.3. I can no longer use an application

This issue occurs when you are trying to use a program which normally before installing Bitdefender.

After installing Bitdefender you may encounter one of these situat

• You could receive a message from Bitdefender that the program to make a modification to the system.
• You could receive an error message from the program you're tr
  This type of situation occurs when Advanced Threat Defense mist detects some applications as malicious.

Advanced Threat Defense is a Bitdefender feature which constantly the applications running on your system and reports those with malicious behavior. Since this feature is based on a heuristic system may be cases when legitimate applications are reported by Advance Defense.

When this situation occurs, you can exclude the respective application being monitored by Advanced Threat Defense.

To add the program to the exclusions list:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the ADVANCED THI DEFENSE pane.

4. In the WHITELIST window, click Add applications to the whitel

5. Find and select the application you want to be excluded, and OK.

If this information was not helpful, you can contact Bitdefender 1 as described in section "Asking for help" (p. 159).

25.4. What to do when Bitdefender blocks a website or online application

Bitdefender offers a secure web browsing experience by iterating all trafc and blocking any malicious content. However, it is possible Bitdefender considers a safe website or online application as unsa will cause Bitdefender HTTP trafc scanning to block them incorrect

Should the same page or application be blocked repeatedly, they added to a whitelist so that they will not be scanned by the engines, thus ensuring a smooth web browsing experience.

To add a website to the Whitelist:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the WEB PROTECTION pane, click Whitelist.
4. Provide the address of the blocked website or online application corresponding eld and click Add.
5. Click Save to save the changes and close the window.

Only websites and applications that you fully trust should be added list. These will be excluded from scanning by the following engine phishing and fraud.

If this information was not helpful, you can contact Bitdefender 1 as described in section "Asking for help" (p. 159).

25.5. What to do if Bitdefender detects a safe application as ransomware

Ransomware is a malicious program that tries to make money from by locking their vulnerable systems. To keep your system safe from unfortunate situations, Bitdefender gives you the possibility to induce personal les.

When an application tries to change or delete one of your proteins will be considered as unsafe and Bitdefender will block its functions

In case such an application is added to the untrusted application you are sure that it is safe to use it, follow these steps:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the SAFE FILES pane, click Application access.
4. The apps that have requested to change les in your protecte are listed. Click the Allow switch next to the application you safe.

25.6. How to update Bitdefender on a slow In connection

If you have a slow Internet connection (such as dial-up), errors during the update process.

To keep your system up to date with the latest Bitdefender mal signatures:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Select the UPDATE tab.
3. Next to Update processing rules, select Prompt before downloading from the drop-down menu.
4. Go back to the main window and click the Update action by Bitdefender interface.
5. Select only Signatures updates, and then click OK.
6. Bitdefender will download and install only the malware signature

25.7. Bitdefender services are not responding

This article helps you troubleshoot the Bitdefender Services are no responding error. You may encounter this error as follows:

- The Bitdefender icon in the system tray is grayed out and you are informed that the Bitdefender services are not responding.

- The Bitdefender window indicates that the Bitdefender services are responding.

The error may be caused by one of the following conditions:

• temporary communication errors between the Bitdefender services.
• some of the Bitdefender services are stopped.
• other security solutions running on your computer at the same Bitdefender.

To troubleshoot this error, try these solutions:

1. Wait a few moments and see if anything changes. The error temporary.
2. Restart the computer and wait a few moments until Bitdefender Open Bitdefender to see if the error persists. Restarting the co usually solves the problem.
3. Check if you have any other security solution installed as the normal operation of Bitdefender. If this is the case, we re you to remove all of the other security solutions and then re Bitdefender.

For more information, please refer to "How do I remove other solutions?" (p. 69).

If the error persists, please contact our support representatives fo described in section "Asking for help" (p. 159).

25.8. The Autoll feature in my Wallet doesn't

You have saved your online credentials in your Bitdefender Passw Manager and you noticed that the autoll is not working. Usually, appears when the Bitdefender Wallet extension is not installed in browser.

To x this situation, follow these steps:

• In Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Click Tools.
3. Click Manage add-ons.
4. Click Toolbars and Extensions.
5. Point to Bitdefender Wallet and click Enable.

• In Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox.
2. Click Tools.
3. Click Add-ons.

4. Click Extensions.

5. Point to Bitdefender Wallet and click Enable.

• In Google Chrome:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Go to the Menu icon.
3. Click More Tools.

4. Click Extensions.

5. Point to Bitdefender Wallet and click Enable.

Note

The add-on will be enabled after you restart your web browser.

Now check if the autoll feature in Wallet works for your online If this information was not helpful, you can contact Bitdefender 1 as described in section "Asking for help" (p. 159).

25.9. Bitdefender removal failed

If you want to remove your Bitdefender product and you notice process hangs out or the system freezes, click Cancel to abort this does not work, restart the system.

When removal fails, some Bitdefender registry keys and les may your system. Such remainders may prevent a new installation of They may also affect system performance and stability.

In order to completely remove Bitdefender from your system:

- In Windows 7:

1. Click Start, go to Control Panel and double-click Programs and Features.
2. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.

3. Click REMOVE in the window that appears.

4. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then reboot

• In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1:

1. From the Windows Start screen, locate Control Panel (for ex can start typing "Control Panel" directly in the Start screen), click its icon.

2. Click Uninstall a program or Programs and Features.

3. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.

4. Click REMOVE in the window that appears.

5. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then reboot

• In Windows 10:

1. Click Start, then click Settings.

2. Click the System icon in the Settings area, then select Installed apps.

3. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.

4. Click Uninstall again to conrm your choice.

5. Click REMOVE in the window that appears.

6. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then reboot

25.10. My system doesn't boot up after installi Bitdefender

If you just installed Bitdefender and cannot reboot your system i mode anymore there may be various reasons for this issue.

Most probably this is caused by a previous Bitdefender installation was not removed properly or by another security solution still pro system.

This is how you may address each situation:

- You had Bitdefender before and you did not remove it properly

To solve this:

1. Reboot your system and enter in Safe Mode. To nd out h please refer to "How do I restart in Safe Mode?" (p. 70).

2. Remove Bitdefender from your system:

• In Windows 7:

a. Click Start, go to Control Panel and double-click Programs and Features.

b. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.

c. Click REMOVE in the window that appears.

d. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then rel system.

e. Reboot your system in normal mode.

• In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1:

a. From the Windows Start screen, locate Control Panel (for you can start typing "Control Panel" directly in the Start and then click its icon.

b. Click Uninstall a program or Programs and Features.

c. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.

d. Click REMOVE in the window that appears.

e. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then rel system.

f. Reboot your system in normal mode.

• In Windows 10:

a. Click Start, then click Settings.

b. Click the System icon in the Settings area, then select apps.

c. Find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 and select Uninstall.

d. Click Uninstall again to conrm your choice.

e. Click REMOVE in the window that appears.

f. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then reb system.

q. Reboot your system in normal mode.

1. Reinstall your Bitdefender product.

- You had a different security solution before and you did not properly.

To solve this:

1. Reboot your system and enter in Safe Mode. To nd out h please refer to "How do I restart in Safe Mode?" (p. 70).

2. Remove the other security solution from your system:

- In Windows 7:

a. Click Start, go to Control Panel and double-click Programs and Features.

b. Find the name of the program you want to remove an Remove.

c. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then rel system.

• In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1:

a. From the Windows Start screen, locate Control Panel (for you can start typing "Control Panel" directly in the Start and then click its icon.

b. Click Uninstall a program or Programs and Features.

c. Find the name of the program you want to remove an Remove.

d. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then rel system.

• In Windows 10:

a. Click Start, then click Settings.

b. Click the System icon in the Settings area, then select apps.

c. Find the name of the program you want to remove an Uninstall.

d. Wait for the uninstall process to complete, and then rel system.

In order to correctly uninstall the other software, go to their and run their uninstall tool or contact them directly in order you with the uninstall guidelines.

1. Reboot your system in normal mode and reinstall Bitdefender. You have already followed the steps above and the situation is. To solve this:

2. Reboot your system and enter in Safe Mode. To nd out h please refer to "How do I restart in Safe Mode?" (p. 70).

3. Use the System Restore option from Windows to restore the to an earlier date before installing the Bitdefender product.
4. Reboot the system in normal mode and contact our support representatives for help as described in section "Asking for help" (p. 159).

26. REMOVING MALWARE FROM YOUR SYSTEM

Malware can affect your system in many different ways and the approach depends on the type of malware attack. Because viruses their behavior frequently, it is difficult to establish a pattern for and their actions.

There are situations when Bitdefender cannot automatically remove malware infection from your system. In such cases, your intervention required.

• "Bitdefender Rescue Mode (Rescue Environment in Windows 10)" (p. 148)
• "What to do when Bitdefender nds viruses on your computer?" (p. 152)
• "How do I clean a virus in an archive?" (p. 153)
• "How do I clean a virus in an email archive?" (p. 154)
• "What to do if I suspect a le as being dangerous?" (p. 155)
• "What are the password-protected les in the scan log?" (p. 156)
• "What are the skipped items in the scan log?" (p. 156)
• "What are the over-compressed les in the scan log?" (p. 157)
• "Why did Bitdefender automatically delete an infected le?" (p. 157)

If you cannot nd your problem here, or if the presented solution solve it, you can contact the Bitdefender technical support represe as presented in chapter "Asking for help" (p. 159).

26.1. Bitdefender Rescue Mode (Rescue Environn in Windows 10)

Rescue Mode is a Bitdefender feature that allows you to scan all existing hard drive partitions inside and outside of your operat

Once Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 is installed on Windows 7, 8 and Windows 8.1 and the Bitdefender Rescue Mode Image file Rescue Mode can be used even if you are no longer able to Windows.

In Windows 10, Bitdefender Rescue Environment is integrated with RE, meaning there is no need to download any Rescue Mode In

operating system, and the feature cannot be used if there are s problems. To clean the system before Windows services are loaded recommend using Bitdefender Rescue CD.

Bitdefender Rescue CD is a free tool that scans and cleans you whenever you suspect a malware threat is affecting its operation. articles containing details on how to create and use it are avail Bitdefender Support Center platform at https://www.bitdefender.com/support/consumer.html.

Downloading the Bitdefender Rescue Mode Image

To be able to use Rescue Mode in Windows 7, Windows 8 and first you have to download its image le as follows:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the ANTIVIRUS pane, click Rescue Mode.
4. Click YES in the conrmation window that appears to reboot ) computer.

Wait for the Bitdefender Rescue Mode Image le to be download the Bitdefender servers. As soon as the downloading process is the computer will restart.

A menu appears prompting you to select an operating system. step you can choose to start your system in Rescue Mode o mode.

Note

Due to the integration with Windows Recovery Environment in Wind, there is no need to download any Rescue Mode Image on this system.

Starting your system in Rescue Mode in Windows Windows 8 and Windows 8.1

You can enter Rescue Mode in one of two ways:

From the Bitdefender interface

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender inter

2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

3. In the ANTIVIRUS pane, click Rescue Mode.
4. Click YES in the conrmation window that appears to reboc computer.
5. After the computer restarts, a menu appears prompting you an operating system. Choose Bitdefender Rescue Mode to be a Bitdefender environment from where you can clean up you partition.
6. If prompted, press Enter and select the screen resolution of the one you normally use. Then press Enter again.

Bitdefender Rescue Mode loads in a few moments.

Boot your computer directly into Rescue Mode

If Windows no longer starts, you can boot your computer dir Bitdefender Rescue Mode by following the steps below:

- In Windows 7:

1. Press the F8 key until the Advanced Boot Options scree

2. Use the arrow keys to select Bitdefender Rescue Mode, press Enter.

Bitdefender Rescue Mode will load in a few moments.

• In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1:

1. Press the Shift key until the Advanced Startup Options appears.

2. Select the Use another operating system option, and then Bitdefender Rescue Mode.

Bitdefender Rescue Mode will load in a few moments.

Note It is

It is possible to load your computer in Rescue Mode only if Mode Image le has been previous downloaded as described in "Downloading the Bitdefender Rescue Mode Image" (p. 149).

Starting your system in Rescue Environment in Win 10

You can enter Rescue Environment only from your Bitdefender pro follows:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
2. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
3. In the ANTIVIRUS pane, click Rescue Environment.
4. Click Reboot in the window that appears.

Bitdefender Rescue Environment loads in a few moments.

Scanning your system in Rescue Mode (Rescue Environment in Windows 10)

To scan your system in Rescue Mode (Rescue Environment):

• In Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1:

1. Enter Rescue Mode, as described in "Starting your system in Mode in Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1" (p. 149).
2. The Bitdefender logo will appear and the antivirus engines v be copied.
3. A welcome window will then appear. Click Continue.
4. An update of the antivirus signatures is started.
5. After the update is completed, the Bitdefender On-demand An Scanner window appears.
6. Click Scan Now, select the scan target in the window that then click Open to start scanning.

It is recommended to scan your entire Windows partition.

Note

When working in Rescue Mode, you are dealing with Linux-type names. Disk partitions will appear as sda1 probably correspond the (C:) Windows-type partition, sda2 corresponding to (D:) and so on.

1. Wait for the scan to complete. If any malware is detected, instructions to remove the threat.
2. To exit Rescue Mode, right-click in an empty area of the Exit in the menu that appears, and then choose whether to shut down the computer.

- In Windows 10:

1. Enter Rescue Environment, as described in "Starting your sys Rescue Environment in Windows 10" (p. 151)
2. The Bitdefender scanning process starts automatically as soon system is loaded in Rescue Environment.
3. Wait for the scan to complete. If any malware is detected, instructions to remove the threat.
4. To exit Rescue Environment, click the CLOSE button in the the scan results.

26.2. What to do when Bitdefender nds viruses your computer?

You may nd out there is a virus on your computer in one of

• You scanned your computer and Bitdefender found infected items
• A virus alert informs you that Bitdefender blocked one or multi on your computer.

In such situations, update Bitdefender to make sure you have the malware signatures and run a System Scan to analyze the system. As soon as the system scan is over, select the desired action items (Disinfect, Delete, Move to quarantine).

Warning

If you suspect the le is part of the Windows operating system of not an infected le, do not follow these steps and contact Bitdefer Customer Care as soon as possible.

If the selected action could not be taken and the scan log reve which could not be deleted, you have to remove the le(s) manu

The rst method can be used in normal mode:

1. Turn off the Bitdefender real-time antivirus protection:

a. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface. b. Click the VIEW FEATURES link. c. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the ANTIVIRUS protocol. d. In the SHIELD window, click the ON/OFF switch.

1. Display hidden objects in Windows. To nd out how to do th refer to "How do I display hidden objects in Windows?" (p. 69).
2. Browse to the location of the infected le (check the scan lc it.
3. Turn on the Bitdefender real-time antivirus protection.

In case the rst method failed to remove the infection:

1. Reboot your system and enter in Safe Mode. To nd out how please refer to "How do I restart in Safe Mode?" (p. 70).
2. Display hidden objects in Windows. To nd out how to do the refer to "How do I display hidden objects in Windows?" (p. 69).
3. Browse to the location of the infected le (check the scan lo it.
4. Reboot your system and enter in normal mode.

If this information was not helpful, you can contact Bitdefender 1 as described in section "Asking for help" (p. 159).

26.3. How do I clean a virus in an archive?

An archive is a le or a collection of les compressed under a to reduce the space on disk necessary for storing the les.

Some of these formats are open formats, thus providing Bitdefenc option to scan inside them and then take appropriate actions to them.

Other archive formats are partially or fully closed, and Bitdefender detect the presence of viruses inside them, but is not able to actions.

If Bitdefender noties you that a virus has been detected inside and no action is available, it means that removing the virus is due to restrictions on the archive's permission settings.

Here is how you can clean a virus stored in an archive:

1. Identify the archive that includes the virus by performing a S of the system.

2. Turn off the Bitdefender real-time antivirus protection:

a. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface b. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.

c. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the ANTIVIRUS p d. In the SHIELD window, click the ON/OFF switch.

1. Go to the location of the archive and decompress it using a application, like WinZip.

2. Identify the infected le and delete it.

3. Delete the original archive in order to make sure the infection removed.

4. Recompress the les in a new archive using an archiving appl WinZip.

5. Turn on the Bitdefender real-time antivirus protection and run scan in order to make sure there is no other infection on th

Note

It's important to note that a virus stored in an archive is not an threat to your system, since the virus has to be decompressed and in order to infect your system.

If this information was not helpful, you can contact Bitdefender 1 as described in section "Asking for help" (p. 159).

26.4. How do I clean a virus in an email a

Bitdefender can also identify viruses in email databases and email stored on disk.

Sometimes it is necessary to identify the infected message using information provided in the scan report, and delete it manually.

Here is how you can clean a virus stored in an email archive:

1. Scan the email database with Bitdefender.
2. Turn off the Bitdefender real-time antivirus protection:

a. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface
b. Click the VIEW FEATURES link.
c. Click the icon in the lower-right corner of the ANTIVIRUS p
d. In the SHIELD window, click the ON/OFF switch.

1. Open the scan report and use the identification information (Su To) of the infected messages to locate them in the email cli

2. Delete the infected messages. Most email clients also move the message to a recovery folder, from which it can be recovered. Make sure the message is deleted also from this recovery fold

3. Compact the folder storing the infected message.

4. In Microsoft Outlook 2007: On the File menu, click Data File Management. Select the personal folders (.pst) les you intend compact, and click Settings. Click Compact Now.

5. In Microsoft Outlook 2010 / 2013/ 2016: On the File menu, and then Account settings (Add and remove accounts or change connection settings). Then click Data File, select the personal (.pst) les you intend to compact, and click Settings. Click Cc Now.

6. Turn on the Bitdefender real-time antivirus protection.

If this information was not helpful, you can contact Bitdefender 1 as described in section "Asking for help" (p. 159).

26.5. What to do if I suspect a le as being

You may suspect a le from your system as being dangerous, ev your Bitdefender product did not detect it.

To make sure your system is protected:

1. Run a System Scan with Bitdefender. To nd out how to do refer to "How do I scan my system?" (p. 58).

2. If the scan result appears to be clean, but you still have done to make sure about the le, contact our support representatives we may help you.

To nd out how to do this, please refer to "Asking for help" (p. 159).

26.6. What are the password-protected les in t scan log?

This is only a notification which indicates that Bitdefender has de these les are either protected with a password or by some form encryption.

Most commonly, the password-protected items are:

• Files that belong to another security solution.
• Files that belong to the operating system.

In order to actually scan the contents, these les would need to extracted or otherwise decrypted.

Should those contents be extracted, Bitdefender's real-time scanner automatically scan them to keep your computer protected. If you scan those les with Bitdefender, you have to contact the product manufacturer in order to provide you with more details on those

Our recommendation to you is to ignore those les because they threat for your system.

26.7. What are the skipped items in the scan

All les that appear as Skipped in the scan report are clean.

For increased performance, Bitdefender does not scan les that have changed since the last scan.

26.8. What are the over-compressed les in the log?

The over-compressed items are elements which could not be extra the scanning engine or elements for which the decryption time w taken too long making the system unstable.

Overcompressed means that Bitdefender skipped scanning within that archive because unpacking it proved to take up too many systems. The content will be scanned on real time access if needed.

26.9. Why did Bitdefender automatically delete infected le?

If an infected le is detected, Bitdefender will automatically attempt disinfect it. If disinfection fails, the le is moved to quarantine in contain the infection.

For particular types of malware, disinfection is not possible because detected le is entirely malicious. In such cases, the infected le from the disk.

This is usually the case with installation les that are downloaded untrustworthy websites. If you nd yourself in such a situation, do the installation file from the manufacturer's website or other truste

CONTACT US

27. ASKING FOR HELP

Bitdefender provides its customers with an unparalleled level of fa accurate support. If you experience any issue or if you have an about your Bitdefender product, you can use several online resour a solution or an answer. At the same time, you can contact th Customer Care team. Our support representatives will answer your in a timely manner and will provide you with the assistance you

The "Solving common issues" (p. 135) section provides the necessary information regarding the most frequent issues you may encounter using this product.

If you do not nd an answer to your question in the provided can contact us directly:

- "Contact us directly from your Bitdefender product" (p. 159)

- "Contact us through our online Support Center" (p. 160)

Contact us directly from your Bitdefender product

If you have a working Internet connection, you can contact Bitde assistance directly from the product interface.

Follow these steps:

1. Click the icon on the left sidebar of the Bitdefender interface

2. You have the following options:

- USER'S GUIDE

Access our database and search for the necessary information

• SUPPORT CENTER

Access our online articles and video tutorials.

- CONTACT SUPPORT

Click CONTACT SUPPORT to launch the Bitdefender Support To contact the Customer Care Department.

a. Complete the submission form with the necessary data:

i. Select the type of issue you experienced.

ii. Type a description of the issue you encountered.

iii. Click TRY TO REPRODUCE THIS ISSUE in case you are encountering a product issue. Continue with the required Wait for a few moments while Bitdefender gathers produce information. This information will help our engineers find a to your problem.

iv. Click CONFIRM TICKET.

b. Continue completing the submission form with the necessary

i. Type your full name.
ii. Type your email address.
iii. Select the agreement check box.
iv. Click SEND TICKET.

Wait for a few moments while your ticket is created ar gathered information is sent to the Bitdefender Customer Department.

c. Click CLOSE to exit the wizard. You will be contacted as possible by one of our representatives.

Contact us through our online Support Center

If you cannot access the necessary information using the Bitdefer product, refer to our online Support Center:

1. Go to https://www.bitdefender.com/support/consumer.html.

The Bitdefender Support Center hosts numerous articles that cor solutions to Bitdefender-related issues.

1. Use the search bar at the top of the window to nd articles provide a solution to your problem. To search, just type a term Search bar and click Search.

2. Read the relevant articles or documents and try the proposed

3. If the solution does not solve your problem, go to

https://www.bitdefender.com/support/contact-us.html and contact our support representatives.

28. ONLINE RESOURCES

Several online resources are available to help you solve your Bitdefender-related problems and questions.

• Bitdefender Support Center:
https://www.bitdefender.com/support/consumer.html
• Bitdefender Support Forum:
https://forum.bitdefender.com
• The HOTforSecurity computer security portal:
https://www.hotforsecurity.com

You can also use your favorite search engine to nd out more about computer security, the Bitdefender products and the company

28.1. Bitdefender Support Center

The Bitdefender Support Center is an online repository of informat the Bitdefender products. It stores, in an easily accessible format, on the results of the ongoing technical support and bugxing acti the Bitdefender support and development teams, along with more articles about virus prevention, the management of Bitdefender solu with detailed explanations, and many other articles.

The Bitdefender Support Center is open to the public and freely. The extensive information it contains is yet another means of pro Bitdefender customers with the technical knowledge and insight the All valid requests for information or bug reports coming from Bit clients eventually nd their way into the Bitdefender Support Center bugx reports, workaround cheatsheets or informational articles to supplement product helples.

The Bitdefender Support Center is available any time at

https://www.bitdefender.com/support/consumer.html.

28.2. Bitdefender Support Forum

The Bitdefender Support Forum provides Bitdefender users with an way to get help and to help others.

If your Bitdefender product does not operate well, if it cannot re viruses from your computer or if you have questions about the post your problem or question on the forum.

Bitdefender support technicians monitor the forum for new posts to assist you. You may also get an answer or a solution from experienced Bitdefender user.

Before posting your problem or question, please search the forum similar or related topic.

The Bitdefender Support Forum is available at https://forum.bitdefende in 5 different languages: English, German, French, Spanish and Ro Click the Home & Home Office Protection link to access the sect to consumer products.

28.3. HOTforSecurity Portal

HOTforSecurity is a rich source of computer security information. can learn about the various threats your computer is exposed to connected to the Internet (malware, phishing, spam, cyber-criminals).

New articles are posted regularly to keep you up-to-date with the threats discovered, the current security trends and other information computer security industry.

The HOTforSecurity web page is https://www.hotforsecurity.com.

29. CONTACT INFORMATION

Efcient communication is the key to a successful business. Since BITDEFENDER has established an unquestionable reputation by cons striving for better communication so as to exceed the expectation clients and partners. Should you have any questions, do not hesi contact us.

29.1. Web addresses

Sales department: [e-mail]

Support Center: https://www.bitdefender.com/support/consumer.html

Documentation: [e-mail]

Local distributors: https://www.bitdefender.com/partners

Partner program: [e-mail]

Media relations: [e-mail]

Careers: [e-mail]

Virus submissions: [e-mail]

Spam submissions: [e-mail]

Report abuse: [e-mail]

Website: https://www.bitdefender.com

29.2. Local distributors

The Bitdefender local distributors are ready to respond to any in regarding their areas of operation, both in commercial and in gene

To nd a Bitdefender distributor in your country:

1. Go to https://www.bitdefender.com/partners/partner-locator.html.

2. Choose your country and city using the corresponding options.

3. If you do not nd a Bitdefender distributor in your country, fe contact us by email at [e-mail]. Please write your in English in order for us to be able to assist you promptly.

29.3. Bitdefender ofces

The Bitdefender ofces are ready to respond to any inquiries rega areas of operation, both in commercial and in general matters. T respective addresses and contacts are listed below.

U.S.A

Bitdefender, LLC

6301 NW 5th Way, Suite 4300

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309

Phone (ofce&sales): 1-954-776-6262

Sales: [e-mail]

Technical support: https://www.bitdefender.com/support/consumer.html

Web: https://www.bitdefender.com

UK and Ireland

BITDEFENDER LTD

C/O Howsons Winton House, Stoke Road, Stoke on Trent

Staffordshire, United Kindon, ST4 2RW

Email: [e-mail]

Phone: [phone]

Sales: [e-mail]

Technical support: https://www.bitdefender.co.uk/support/

Web: https://www.bitdefender.co.uk

Germany

Bitdefender GmbH

TechnoPark Schwerte

Lohbachstrasse 12

D - 58239 Schwerte

Ofce: [phone] - 162

Fax: [phone] - 169

Abern Alle 24, 2970 Hørsholm, Denmark

Ofce: [phone]

Technical support: http://bitdefender-antivirus.dk/

Web: http://bitdefender-antivirus.dk/

Spain

Complex DV24, Building A, 24 Delea Veche Street, Sector 2

Bucharest

Fax: [phone]

Sales phone: [phone]

Sales email: [e-mail]

Technical support: https://www.bitdefender.ro/support/consumer.html

Website: https://www.bitdefender.ro

United Arab Emirates

Dubai Internet City

Building 17, Ofce # 160

Dubai, UAE

Sales phone: [phone]

Sales email: [e-mail]

Technical support: https://www.bitdefender.com/support/consumer.html

Website: https://www.bitdefender.com

Glossary

Activation code

Is a unique key that can be bought from retail and used to specific product or service. An activation code enables the active valid subscription for a certain period of time and number can also be used to extend a subscription with the condition generated for the same product or service.

ActiveX

ActiveX is a model for writing programs so that other progra operating system can call them. ActiveX technology is used w Microsoft Internet Explorer to make interactive Web pages that behave like computer programs, rather than static pages. With users can ask or answer questions, use push buttons, and in other ways with the Web page. ActiveX controls are often wr Visual Basic.

Active X is notable for a complete lack of security controls; security experts discourage its use over the Internet.

Advanced persistent threat

Advanced persistent threat (APT) exploits vulnerabilities of system steal important information to deliver it to the source. Big groups as organizations, companies, or governments, are targeted by the malware.

The objective of an advanced persistent threat is to remain it for a long time being able to monitor and gather important without damaging the targeted machines. The method used to the virus into the network is through a PDF le or an Ofce that look harmless so that every user can run the les.

Adware

Adware is often combined with a host application that is pro charge as long as the user agrees to accept the adware. Be applications are usually installed after the user has agreed to agreement that states the purpose of the application, no often committed.

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018

However, pop-up advertisements can become an annoyance, and some cases degrade system performance. Also, the information some of these applications collect may cause privacy concerns who were not fully aware of the terms in the license agree

Archive

A disk, tape, or directory that contains les that have been b A le that contains one or more les in a compressed format.

Backdoor

A hole in the security of a system deliberately left in place or maintainers. The motivation for such holes is not always some operating systems, for example, come out of the box with accounts intended for use by eld service technicians or the v maintenance programmers.

Boot sector

A sector at the beginning of each disk that identities the disk architecture (sector size, cluster size, and so on). For startup boot sector also contains a program that loads the operating

Boot virus

A virus that infects the boot sector of a xed or floppy disk to boot from a diskette infected with a boot sector virus with virus to become active in memory. Every time you boot your that point on, you will have the virus active in memory.

Botnet

The term “botnet” is composed of the words “robot” and “net Botnets are internet-connected devices infected with malware an be used to send spam emails, steal data, remotely control vu devices, or spread spyware, ransomware, and other kinds of m Their objective is to infect as many connected devices as po as PCs, servers, mobile or IoT devices belonging to big comp industries.

Browser

Short for Web browser, a software application used to locate Web pages. Popular browsers include Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox and Google Chrome. These are graphical browsers, which

that they can display graphics as well as text. In addition, r browsers can present multimedia information, including sound and though they require plug-ins for some formats.

Command line

In a command line interface, the user types commands in the provided directly on the screen using command language.

Cookie

Within the Internet industry, cookies are described as small less containing information about individual computers that can be a and used by advertisers to track your online interests and ta realm, cookie technology is still being developed and the intent target ads directly to what you've said your interests are. It's double-edge sword for many people because on one hand, it's and pertinent as you only see ads about what you're interest the other hand, it involves actually "tracking" and "following" w go and what you click. Understandably so, there is a debate and many people feel offended by the notion that they are "SKU number" (you know, the bar code on the back of pack gets scanned at the grocery check-out line). While this viewpo be extreme, in some cases it is accurate.

Disk drive

It's a machine that reads data from and writes data onto a

A hard disk drive reads and writes hard disks.

A floppy drive accesses floppy disks.

Disk drives can be either internal (housed within a computer) (housed in a separate box that connects to the computer).

Download

To copy data (usually an entire le) from a main source to device. The term is often used to describe the process of c from an online service to one's own computer. Downloading ca refer to copying a le from a network le server to a comput network.

Email

Electronic mail. A service that sends messages on computers or global networks.

Events

An action or occurrence detected by a program. Events can I actions, such as clicking a mouse button or pressing a key, occurrences, such as running out of memory.

False positive

Occurs when a scanner identities a le as infected when in fa

Filename extension

The portion of a lename, following the nal point, which indicates kind of data stored in the le.

Many operating systems use lename extensions, e.g. Unix, VMS MS-DOS. They are usually from one to three letters (some sa support no more than three). Examples include "c" for C sour "ps" for PostScript, "txt" for arbitrary text.

Heuristic

A rule-based method of identifying new viruses. This method of does not rely on specific virus signatures. The advantage of the scan is that it is not fooled by a new variant of an existir it might occasionally report suspicious code in normal program generating the so-called "false positive".

Honeypot

A decoy computer system set to attract hackers in order to way they act and identify the heretical methods they use to system information. Companies and corporations are more interest in implementing and using honeypots to improve their overall security.

IP

Internet Protocol - A routable protocol in the TCP/IP protocol is responsible for IP addressing, routing, and the fragmentation reassembly of IP packets.

Java applet

A Java program which is designed to run only on a web page applet on a web page, you would specify the name of the size (length and width, in pixels) that the applet can utilize. Web page is accessed, the browser downloads the applet from and runs it on the user's machine (the client). Applets differ applications in that they are governed by a strict security procedure.

For example, even though applets run on the client, they can write data onto the client's machine. Additionally, applets are restricted so that they can only read and write data from the that they are served from.

Keylogger

A keylogger is an application that logs anything you type.

Keyloggers are not malicious in nature. They can be used for purposes, such as monitoring employees or children activity. How they are increasingly being used by cyber-criminals for malicious purposes (for example, to collect private data, such as login and social security numbers).

Macro virus

A type of computer virus that is encoded as a macro embedocument. Many applications, such as Microsoft Word and Excel, powerful macro languages.

These applications allow you to embed a macro in a document the macro execute each time the document is opened.

Mail client

An email client is an application that enables you to send a email.

Memory

Internal storage areas in the computer. The term memory iden storage that comes in the form of chips, and the word stor for memory that exists on tapes or disks. Every computer co certain amount of physical memory, usually referred to as mai or RAM.

Non-heuristic

This method of scanning relies on specific virus signatures. The advantage of the non-heuristic scan is that it is not fooled seem to be a virus, and does not generate false alarms.

Packed programs

A file in a compression format. Many operating systems and a contain commands that enable you to pack a le so that it memory. For example, suppose you have a text le containing consecutive space characters. Normally, this would require ten storage.

However, a program that packs les would replace the space by a special space-series character followed by the number of being replaced. In this case, the ten spaces would require on! This is just one packing technique - there are many more.

Path

The exact directions to a file on a computer. These directions described by means of the hierarchical ling system from the The route between any two points, such as the communication between two computers.

Phishing

The act of sending an email to a user falsely claiming to be legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into sur private information that will be used for identity theft. The er the user to visit a website where they are asked to update information, such as passwords and credit card, social security, bank account numbers, that the legitimate organization already The website, however, is bogus and set up only to steal the information.

Photon

Photon is an innovative non-intrusive Bitdefender technology, des to minimize the performance impact of antivirus protection. By monitoring your PC's activity in the background, it creates usage that help optimize booting and scanning processes.

Polymorphic virus

A virus that changes its form with each le it infects. Since no consistent binary pattern, such viruses are hard to identify.

Port

An interface on a computer to which you can connect a device computers have various types of ports. Internally, there are seven for connecting disk drives, display screens, and keyboards. External personal computers have ports for connecting modems, printers, and other peripheral devices.

In TCP/IP and UDP networks, an endpoint to a logical connection port number identities what type of port it is. For example, p used for HTTP traffic.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a malicious program that tries to make money users by locking their vulnerable systems. CryptoLocker, CryptoW and TeslaWall, are only some variants that hunt personal system users.

The infection can be spread by accessing spam emails, downl email attachments, or installing applications, without letting the know about what is happening on his system. Daily users and are targeted by ransomware hackers.

Report le

A file that lists actions that have occurred. Bitdefender maintain file listing the path scanned, the folders, the number of archiv scanned, how many infected and suspicious les were found.

Rootkit

A rootkit is a set of software tools which offer administrator-I to a system. The term was rst used for the UNIX operating and it referred to recompiled tools which provided intruders administrative rights, allowing them to conceal their presence s to be seen by the system administrators.

The main role of rootkits is to hide processes, les, logins are may also intercept data from terminals, network connections or peripherals, if they incorporate the appropriate software.

Rootkits are not malicious in nature. For example, systems and some applications hide critical les using rootkits. However, they mostly used to hide malware or to conceal the presence of into the system. When combined with malware, rootkits pose a threat to the integrity and the security of a system. They can trafc, create backdoors into the system, alter les and logs and detection.

Script

Another term for macro or batch le, a script is a list of c can be executed without user interaction.

Spam

Electronic junk mail or junk newsgroup postings. Generally know any unsolicited email.

Spyware

Any software that covertly gathers user information through the Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually for a purposes. Spyware applications are typically bundled as a hidden component of freeware or shareware programs that can be done from the Internet; however, it should be noted that the major shareware and freeware applications do not come with spyware installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and that information in the background to someone else. Spyware gather information about email addresses and even passwords credit card numbers.

Spyware's similarity to a Trojan horse is the fact that users install the product when they install something else. A commo become a victim of spyware is to download certain peer-to-peer swapping products that are available today.

Aside from the questions of ethics and privacy, spyware steals user by using the computer's memory resources and also by bandwidth as it sends information back to the spyware's home the user's Internet connection. Because spyware is using memory system resources, the applications running in the background c to system crashes or general system instability.

Startup items

Any les placed in this folder will open when the computer s example, a startup screen, a sound le to be played when th rst starts, a reminder calendar, or application programs can be items. Normally, an alias of a le is placed in this folder rat le itself.

Subscription

Purchase agreement that gives the user the right to use a product or service on a specific number of devices and for a period of time. An expired subscription can be automatically using the information provided by the user at the rst purchase

System tray

Introduced with Windows 95, the system tray is located in the taskbar (usually at the bottom next to the clock) and contain icons for easy access to system functions such as fax, print volume, and more. Double click or right-click an icon to view the details and controls.

TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol - A set of network protocols widely used on the Internet that provides communication across interconnected networks of computers with diverse hardware architectures and various operating systems. TCP/IP includes star for how computers communicate and conventions for connecting networks and routing traffic.

Trojan

A destructive program that masquerades as a benign application viruses, Trojans do not replicate themselves but they can be destructive. One of the most insidious types of Trojan horse program that claims to rid your computer of viruses but insto introduces viruses onto your computer.

The term comes from a story in Homer's Iliad, in which the a giant wooden horse to their foes, the Trojans, ostensibly as offering. But after the Trojans drag the horse inside their city soldiers sneak out of the horse's hollow belly and open the allowing their compatriots to pour in and capture Troy.

Update

A new version of a software or hardware product designed to older version of the same product. In addition, the installation for updates often check to make sure that an older version installed on your computer; if not, you cannot install the upd

Bitdefender has its own update feature that allows you to mail for updates, or let it automatically update the product.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Is a technology that enables a temporary and encrypted direct to a certain network over a less secure network. This way, receiving data is secure and encrypted, difficult to be caught by A proof of security is the authentication, which can be done in a username and password.

Virus

A program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer your knowledge and runs against your will. Most viruses can replicate themselves. All computer viruses are manmade. A sim that can copy itself over and over again is relatively easy to even such a simple virus is dangerous because it will quickly available memory and bring the system to a halt. An even if dangerous type of virus is one capable of transmitting itself networks and bypassing security systems.

Virus signature

The binary pattern of a virus, used by the antivirus program and eliminate the virus.

Worm

A program that propagates itself over a network, reproducing it goes. It cannot attach itself to other programs.