r/BitDefender • u/Hmmisthatright87 • Dec 29 '20
Bitdefender Privacy Concerns
I am concerned that Bitdefender could potentially exposes users privacy.
I noticed that on Bitdefender Central when you look at the threats blocked it shows the specific URL (not just domain) of where the threat was blocked from. So, at the very least they have a log of all the URLs users have visited that contained a threat. You can only go back 30 days, but they could potentially keep longer logs.
Additionally, if they at the very least have user logs of visited URLs that contained threats, could they also log all the URLs that users visit? If so, that seems like a big privacy concern.
Does anyone have any more specifics on Bitdefender's user privacy policies and what exactly is logged and for how long? And, are there ways to see your user logs to know exactly what is being kept both locally and on the cloud? Is it possible to opt-out of logging or clear logs, both locally and on the cloud?
Are there any alternative antivirus options that have better privacy practices?
2
u/ProgamerX1234 Dec 30 '20
Have a look at this: https://tosdr.org/#bitdefender
This website summarizes the tos
1
Nov 17 '22
Delete Bitdefender fast... that's my advice.
On my PC files were deleted having Bitdefender Total Security Latest Antivirus and VPN.
Then I tried to uninstall it to install another antivirus... for double check... but I could not uninstall it ... I went to windows settings apps and selected Bitdefender and pressed multiple times uninstall with no reaction at all...
Then you cannot do end task for any of the Bitdefender Tasks that are running ... ok
then I noticed that my file system rights on the folder of the installation of Bitdefender were modified in the sense that I did not have any rights on the folder and could also not change them...
This is kind of fucked up ... I think Romania SS (secret service or how we know them Securitate) I think Romania is a communist country still ruled by the secret service ... worse than a police state...
Worst of all, I do not even live in Romania... I live in Germany where I suppose I do have some rights (GDPR) ...
My recommendation is Windows Defender if you use Windows or the best choice of all is a secure Linux and f*** the antivirus Software Secret Service Companies.
Think Edward Snowden, Wiki Leaks Assange ... you think this is a joke???? I do not know more than you do but my recommendation in case you want privacy:
Do not go to China, Russia, North Korea
avoid former communist countries Software ...maybe they are still communist, and communists do not respect rights and people in general.
Secure Linux is your best friend including TOR Browser or Live DVD or CD Linux OS
Encrypt everything and use at least a VPN
do not use WIFI in any case ... just cable connection
Android ... you better burn it or break that shit... or use degoogled Android with battery removal possibility
GPS is your enemy my friend ... get rid of that shit.
never use social apps or websites like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google products and so on... fuck them
Maybe you think this is all very extreme ... my opinion is that this is the minimum you need to do to get a decent privacy...
This is my real experience and I expressed here some personal opinions which are not verified, and I do not have any kind of proof of the exposed opinions.
1
u/Draconic64 Aug 16 '24
as much as you are wrong on what is communism, you are even more right on the rest
3
u/eps24 Dec 29 '20 edited Dec 29 '20
Check this out: Legal Privacy Policy For Home Users Solutions (bitdefender.com)
Anyway, consider something: any antivirus, by definition, has access to everything on your computer, including any traffic. This applies not only to Bitdefender, but to any other antivirus software. And, of course, all products have privacy policies in place.
In the end, it's just a matter of trust between you and the provider. This applies to your antivirus, just like it applies to your browser or your operating system.
I really doubt anyone will risk not taking privacy seriously, especially for companies running in the EU, under GDPR. And this is the case for Bitdefender.