SOFTWIN was established in 1990 and is based in Bucharest, Romania. They have four divisions, eash dealing with a different type of software solutions. These divisions are CRM, Business Information Solutions, eContent Solutions, and Data Security Solutions. SOFTWIN is a customer service-focused corporation, and their Data Security Solutions division is committed to the continued development of innovative computer security products and solutions. SOFTWIN is very picky about who they hire, and as a result they have a team of some of the brightest minds in the industry.

SOFTWIN’s Data Security Solutions division is responsible for the development of a highly regarded brand of outstanding information security software products that we all know as BitDefender. The Bit Defender security product began with a team of two people, and now this division employs over 90 developers, engineers, analysts, and other experts. Bit Defender is a name that is recognized and sold all over the world.

The BitDefender computer security product lineup for home users includes:

• Bit Defender Internet Security
  • This “all inclusive” internet security suite includes a state of the are Antivirus application, a Software Firewall, Anti Spam, Anti Spyware, and Parental Control software that blocks access to websites you deem inappropriate as well as blocking internet access altogether for certain periods of time.
• BitDefender Professional Plus
  • This is a slightly scaled down version of BitDefender Internet Security. It includes the Anti Virus product, Anti Spyware, Anti Spam, and a Personal Firewall.
• BitDefender Standard
  • This is the flagship product of Bit Defender, including the famous BitDefender Antivirus product as well as AntiSpyware.
• Bit Defender AntiSpyware
  • Only the Anti Spyware software is included in this package. Bit Defender Antispyware includes a real time spyware shield, as well as hourly updates to make sure you are always protected.
• BitDefender Anti Virus Scanner for Unices
  • This is the BitDefender Antivirus product designed for Unix, Linux, and Free BSD systems.
• Bit Defender Free Edition
  • This is the “bare bones” free antivirus scanner that uses Bit Defender’s state-of-the-art virus scanning engines. This software is intended for use in a forensics or system recovery role, and is not recommended for use as a total virus protection product.

Bit Defender products have won numerous industry awards, and became ICSA certified in 2002.

For laptop users, I recommend the use of BitDefender Internet Security, because it includes every possible protection you need if you are spending any time at all on the internet. Although BitDefender Professional Plus comes in a close second, BitDefender Internet Security offers the added option of setting the software firewall to “stealth mode”, making your laptop invisible to hackers and casual curiosity seekers that often hang out on public wireless networks.