Kaspersky vs Bitdefender Free | Test vs Malware

Summary

In this video, the PC Security Channel compares two popular free antivirus programs, Kaspersky and BitDefender, using over 2,300 live malware samples to test their effectiveness. The comparison includes an in-depth look at the proactive defense capabilities, performance, and resource usage of each program. While both show impressive detection rates (100% for Kaspersky and 99.83% for BitDefender), Kaspersky is noted for its more comprehensive features, while BitDefender stands out for its minimalistic and fast performance. The video highlights key differences in memory and CPU usage, offering viewers an insightful decision-making guide for choosing the best antivirus for their needs.

Takeaways

• 😀 Kaspersky and BitDefender are popular free alternatives to Windows Defender, both offering robust protection against malware.
• 😀 The test involved 2,326 live malware samples to assess the effectiveness of both antivirus products in real-time protection.
• 😀 The proactive detection feature was impressive for both products, with Kaspersky maintaining 100% detection, while BitDefender achieved 99.83%.
• 😀 Kaspersky's disinfection process slowed down the system, leading to longer testing times compared to BitDefender, which completed the test faster.
• 😀 BitDefender consumes less CPU resources (around 10%) during testing, while Kaspersky uses around 25% of the CPU, which may affect system performance.
• 😀 Kaspersky uses less RAM than BitDefender, with Kaspersky staying around 100-200 MB, while BitDefender went over 400 MB of memory usage.
• 😀 BitDefender offers a sleek, minimalist interface, focusing on simplicity, while Kaspersky provides more detailed customization options in its settings.
• 😀 Both products have zero-day protection, but Kaspersky offers more advanced features, such as system watchers and network attack blockers, available in its paid versions.
• 😀 Despite BitDefender being faster and lighter, Kaspersky's comprehensive features make it a more powerful security tool overall.
• 😀 Kaspersky's free version comes with added features like VPN and extra tools, while BitDefender provides a cleaner, more streamlined experience.
• 😀 Both antivirus engines performed well in the tests, with minor differences in system resource usage and detection rates, making either a solid choice for replacing Windows Defender.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the test conducted in the video?

The purpose of the test was to compare the performance of Kaspersky and BitDefender, focusing on their ability to detect malware and their resource usage, as well as their real-time protection and customization options.

How many malware samples were tested during the comparison?

A total of 2,326 live malware samples were tested on both Kaspersky and BitDefender.

What tool was used to launch the malware samples for testing?

The malware samples were launched using an automation tool called Mallets, developed by the tester.

How did the real-time protection feature perform for both antivirus programs?

Both Kaspersky and BitDefender showed 100% proactive detection at the beginning of the test, but there were slight differences in performance as the test progressed.

What was the major difference in how Kaspersky and BitDefender handled malware?

Kaspersky took a more aggressive approach, attempting to disinfect files during the test, which slowed it down slightly. In contrast, BitDefender focused more on blocking the files, leading to faster test results.

Which antivirus program showed faster performance during the test?

BitDefender showed faster performance in terms of processing the malware samples, completing the test in about 14 minutes, while Kaspersky took over 24 minutes.

How did the resource usage compare between Kaspersky and BitDefender?

Kaspersky used less RAM (about 100-200 MB) but utilized more CPU power (up to 25%). BitDefender used more RAM (over 400 MB) but had a lower CPU usage (around 10%).

What were the key differences in the customization options between Kaspersky and BitDefender?

Kaspersky offered more customization options, including detailed settings for web antivirus, network attack blockers, and system watchers. BitDefender, on the other hand, was more streamlined, with fewer settings and options available, focusing on simplicity and ease of use.

What was the final malware detection rate for both Kaspersky and BitDefender?

Kaspersky achieved a 100% detection rate, while BitDefender detected 99.83% of the malware samples.

Were there any concerns found during the forensics of the BitDefender system?

There was a suspicious driver found in the System32 folder during the forensics of the BitDefender system, which raised some concerns, but overall the system appeared clean.

What was the conclusion of the test regarding which antivirus is better?

Both Kaspersky and BitDefender performed well, with Kaspersky offering a more feature-rich experience and better proactive defense, while BitDefender was faster and more minimalist. The choice depends on the user's needs: Kaspersky for more customization and features, and BitDefender for a simpler, less cluttered experience.