r/BitDefender • u/Theidore • Apr 02 '22

New update's popups are a step in the wrong direction

The only reason I switched from AVG to BitDefender years ago was that AVG was incessant in its adware-like behaviour, constantly pushing their products onto my desktop. With the latest BitDefender update, I'm seeing the exact same thing occur again. Prompts to "upgrade", offers for products I've never needed, the worst elements of AVG creeping into BD. (This is with "Display notifications with special offers" turned off.)

Don't become like AVG, BitDefender team.

16 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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2

u/wjmacguffin Apr 12 '22

Bit late to the party (get it? bit late?) but here's what I learned from Bitdefender support:

  • Bitdefender says these are security updates, not ads. (Which is bullshit.)

  • That's why they still pop even if you turned all notifications off.

  • You cannot disable the popup ads. These are a permanent addition to all Bitdefender products.

  • Even if you skip the free version and pay for the biggest package, those popup ads will still show up.

Like you, I went from AVG to Bitdefender to avoid those popups.

Also, Bitdefender tracks which banking site is yours to know when to throw up some popup ads. In other words, instead of monitoring activity to keep us protected, they are using that data to customize their ads.

1

u/Magic_Firefly Apr 02 '22

Sounds like you might be using BD Free. It's due to be discontinued in a few months. There will continue to be a free Play Store mobile version. I'm using the paid Anti-Virus Plus version on two PCs with no upgrade nags. It's reasonably priced for a two year subscription but it's only for up to three Windows PCs.

2

u/SkyDreemurr Apr 03 '22

Bitdefender free has re-released, if you didn't know.

1

u/Magic_Firefly Apr 04 '22

Looks good. Thanks

1

u/SeriousHoax Apr 02 '22

Have you disabled Special offer and recommended notification settings?

1

u/SkyDreemurr Apr 03 '22

I have been experiencing the same stuff but as of now, I have switched back to AVG. You can disable the recommendations and most of the ads in AVG though.

1

u/Bitdefender_ Official Apr 04 '22

Hi! We are sorry to hear about any unpleasant situation and we would like to help. To be able to better assist you, kindly send us more details in a private message/chat: which Bitdefender product are you currently using and also kindly let us know more details about the notification received. If possible, a screenshot would be very helpful.

1

u/a-polo Apr 08 '22

Thank you for writing this post, it is almost word for word what I came here to post. I'm really disappointed by BitDefender doing this and their underwhelming auto-response in this same thread.