US Search is one of the veterans in the people search industry, providing effective background check tools since 1993. Based in Culver City, California, this private company allows users to search for individuals using just a name, phone number, or address.
However, it's important to note that US Search reports may contain inaccurate information, so they should not be used for official purposes like employment or credit checks, as they are not compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Despite this limitation, the platform can still be a valuable resource for reconnecting with old friends or researching the background of a new acquaintance.
In our review of US Search, we will help you determine whether this people finder is worth your investment.
US Search only offers a monthly plan with unlimited reporting (Image credit: US Search)
US Search: plans and pricing
US Search has unclear pricing, as they do not provide an upfront cost or an option to request a custom quote. The absence of a pricing page makes it difficult to determine how much the company charges. After conducting a test search, we discovered only one available plan that offers unlimited reports for $19.86 per month. This plan automatically renews, and canceling requires a phone call. There is no option to purchase just a single report; payment must be made with a major credit card.
There is no free trial available; however, they offer a special trial for $1.99 for five days, including unlimited lookups.
US Search: features
US Search is a popular tool for retrieving information from public records, though its quality may not match that of some higher-end services. The platform utilizes publicly accessible databases to compile various records into a single report, making it convenient for users seeking information about individuals.
US Search offers a list of results for free so you can find the specific person you’re looking for before paying for a report (Image credit: US Search)
One of the key features of US Search is its flexible search capabilities. You can look for individuals by name, phone number, address, or email address. This breadth of search options is particularly useful when trying to track down someone in a crowded database of potential matches. The service allows you to compile a substantial list of results, helping guide you to the specific person you’re looking for. Unlike many similar services, US Search does not impose a paywall to initiate a search; however, accessing the detailed results does require a fee.
When you conduct a search, you'll be presented with a list of individuals that match your query. You can select the correct person based on the available information, and you only pay for the full report of an individual you’re interested in. These reports are quite comprehensive and typically include basic details such as names of family members, previous addresses, property ownership, and any criminal records. Additionally, they provide known phone numbers, email addresses, and social media handles, which are invaluable for reconnecting with old friends or long-lost relatives.
Despite its advantages, US Search has some notable drawbacks, primarily concerning accuracy and completeness. Many users have reported that the information returned in the reports can be inconsistent, with inaccuracies related to family member names and historical addresses often present alongside correct data. This is particularly concerning as US Search does not comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, meaning the reports generated cannot be used for activities such as employment or rental screening, where accuracy is critical.
Moreover, while the service promises extensive social media and property data, users frequently find these elements missing from the reports they receive. Unfortunately, there is no preview available to see exactly which data fields will be included in a report prior to purchasing access, leading to potential frustrations for users hoping for specific information.
On a more positive note, the searches are generally completed quickly, taking only a minute or two, which is certainly a plus compared to other services that can be cumbersome and slow. Additionally, US Search offers a relatively streamlined user experience without an overwhelming number of popups that often plague other websites.
Finally, US Search provides an “Information Opt-out” option, allowing individuals to remove their personal details from its database—a feature that highlights the service's awareness of privacy concerns in today’s digital age. Overall, while US Search can be a useful tool for gathering basic information, users should approach it with a critical eye, especially regarding the accuracy and completeness of the data provided.
US Search: interface and in use
The US Search interface is straightforward, although it lacks some streamlining. Upon entering the site, you are presented with options to search for individuals by name, phone number, or address. There are several tabs available for People Search, Criminal Records, Background Check, and more. However, these tabs do not actually change the search parameters or the content of the reports you receive.
US Search reports are presented in a single web page (Image credit: US Search)
US Search requests a full name and an email address during the search process. Before payment, you will only see the name of the person searched (which you presumably already know), their city, and age.
The reports are displayed on a single webpage, making navigation cumbersome, as it often requires extensive scrolling. While this isn’t a significant issue, it would be preferable if the reports were provided as PDFs with a table of contents or if the US Search website included tabs for more straightforward information navigation. Additionally, US Search does not have a mobile app, and the reports retain the same elongated layout when viewed on a smartphone.
Overall, the interface is user-friendly for novices but overly simplistic for more advanced users.
US Search offers basic support by phone and email (Image credit: US Search)
US Search: support
US Search doesn’t offer much in the way of support. There is not even a dedicated support page, a FAQ, nor a support portal. We also did not find a chat option, or a community forum.
You can get in touch with the company by a direct email address or a toll free phone number (between 10 am and 8 pm Eastern Standard Time, Monday to Friday, closed some holidays), but don’t expect a lot of help. The company’s representatives mostly deal with billing and account issues, and cannot assist you in finding someone using the software.
US Search uses 256-bit encryption (Image credit: US Search)
US Search: security
US Search uses 256-bit encryption to keep your search results and account information secure. However, there aren’t any security measures in place, like two-factor authentication (2FA), to protect your account from misuse.
We also thought it was telling that US Search simply requires you to check a box saying that you won’t abuse its reports by stalking or harassing someone. The company doesn’t do anything to verify the identity of people using its service, but then again this is common practice and its competitors don’t vet their users either prior to providing the info.
US Search: the competition
For the price, we believe there are better people search services than US Search. For example, Instant Checkmate costs more, but the quality of its information is significantly higher and more likely to be accurate. This service also offers more comprehensive data, including bankruptcies and weapons permits, which can be particularly useful if you're searching for someone in your neighborhood.
If you need to conduct a background check for employment, you should choose a service that complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). GoodHire is a solid option, though it is more expensive.
US Search: final verdict
US Search is marketed as an affordable tool that allows users to conduct an unlimited number of person searches each month. This makes it a budget-friendly option for those who need frequent or extensive data on individuals. This can be particularly appealing for casual users or those on a tight budget who want access to public records or basic background information without incurring high costs.
However, a significant drawback of US Search is its tendency to provide incomplete or inaccurate reports. Users often report discrepancies in the information, such as outdated addresses, incorrect phone numbers, or missing details. This inconsistency raises serious concerns about the reliability of the data, especially in situations where accurate information is crucial, such as in legal proceedings, hiring decisions, or personal safety matters.
The information provided is untrustworthy, which can significantly diminish the overall value of US Search’s services. Users who cannot rely on the reports generated may make decisions based on faulty data, potentially leading to adverse outcomes.
Given these concerns, we recommend a more accurate people search tool that can provide more reliable and comprehensive reports, even if it comes at a higher cost. Investing in a service known for its accuracy and up-to-date information can save users from tUS Search is advertised as an affordable tool that allows users to conduct an unlimited number of person searches each month. This makes it a budget-friendly option for those who need frequent or extensive data on individuals. It is particularly appealing to casual users or those on a tight budget who want access to public records or basic background information without incurring high costs.
However, a significant drawback of US Search is its tendency to provide incomplete or inaccurate reports. Users often report discrepancies in the information, such as outdated addresses, incorrect phone numbers, or missing details. This inconsistency raises serious concerns about the reliability of the data, especially in situations where accurate information is crucial, such as legal proceedings, hiring decisions, or matters related to personal safety.
The untrustworthiness of the information can greatly diminish the overall value of US Search’s services. Users who cannot rely on the reports generated may make decisions based on faulty data, potentially leading to negative outcomes.
Given these concerns, we recommend considering a more accurate people search tool that can provide reliable and comprehensive reports, even if it comes at a higher cost. Investing in a service known for its accuracy and up-to-date information can save users from the pitfalls of relying on questionable data, ultimately providing peace of mind and greater confidence in the results.he pitfalls of relying on questionable data, ultimately providing peace of mind and greater confidence in the results.
With that kind of pedigree, we’ve got high expectations for Zoho Vault, and the app’s list of features doesn’t disappoint. It’s got granular control for sharing and securing passwords across entire organizations, it integrates with popular apps like Gmail, Dropbox, and Microsoft 365, and it has every core feature you need for password security, making it one of thebest business password managers.
Zoho Vault: Plans and pricing
Zoho Vault has four pricing plans, including a free tier and free 15-day trial of all the paid plans where you do not need to enter your card details. Zoho Vault Free is the only plan for personal use, with unlimited password storage and two-factor authentication (2FA). It can also generate strong passwords, supports mobile platforms, has browser extensions for major browsers, and integrates with the other Zoho apps.
The Standard plan costs an affordable $0.90 / £0.85 / AUD$1.50 user/month and includes all the features from the free plan. It adds secure password sharing between team members, centralized admin controls, cloud backup, and priority technical support. Even though this is on the lower end of the business plans, you can still do more advanced things like apply IP address restrictions.
Upgrading to the $4.50 / £4.50 / AUD$7 per user/month Professional plan adds user groups and password groups to easily perform batch actions like mass password changes. It also supports folder sharing, “Break the glass” for emergency access, and user access and activity reports. If you need command line interface, then this is where you’ll be at.
At the top tier is the Enterprise plan for $7.20 / £7 / AUD$10 per user/month which adds support for Active Directory, single sign-on (SSO) for cloud apps, and password event notifications. It also has help desk integration and support for custom branding.
The prices quoted are for those willing to pay annually, but click a tab on Zoho’s website and you can find pricing for rolling monthly subscriptions which cost a little bit more.
(Image credit: Zoho)
Zoho Vault: Setup
Zoho Vault has mobile apps, but it’s abrowser-based password manager at heart. Signing up takes seconds. You’re asked for a memorable master password or passphrase before getting access to your dashboard. Then you add your passwords, either manually or by importing them from another password manager.
Most of your employees will interact with Zoho Vault through the browser extension, and the majority of Zoho’s other products are best thought of as being accessible through the browser. The extension functions like a bare-bones version of the full Zoho Vault dashboard, and will automatically suggest passwords from Zoho Vault when it detects relevant sites. When they add a new password, Zoho Vault will ask whether to save it to the Vault. It also has a built-inpassword generator to make creating unique passwords a breeze.
Zoho Vault: Interface and performance
If you need to share passwords between members of a team, Zoho Vault offers the granular control you need. Zoho Vault’s user management, permissions, and password policy features set it apart from personal password managers. You can easily make batch changes to passwords, which is ideal for allowing a team secure access.
Zoho Vault can integrate with third-party business apps like Gmail, Dropbox, Microsoft Active Directory, and Microsoft 365. Enterprise users can use Single Sign On (SSO) with cloud apps like Salesforce and Slack, and as Zoho Vault has an API, it’s possible to integrate it with any of your own apps.
Zoho Vault is packed with options and fine-grain controls, which is great for large businesses but overbearing for general users. For a team of 1–5 users, Zoho Vault will have far too many irrelevant features, but for large businesses that need secure password management across the workforce then Zoho Vault delivers in spades.
Zoho Vault gives the option to transfer passwords, such as when someone leaves an organization, or when they get transferred to another team. This allows business passwords to be transferred to a colleague or administrator and personal passwords to be exported. Admins can even recover passwords from users who have left on bad terms.
Speaking of passwords, Zoho Vault handles them with ease. It can generate unique, strong ones as needed for new sign-ups. Additionally, it can save these passwords, and the next time you visit that site, it can auto-login to allow people to get to work quickly.
Given that this password manager has the entire backing of Zoho, it should come as no surprise that compatibility should not be an issue. As well as mainstream browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, there are also Vivaldi and Brave extensions.
The mobile apps are clean and functional, but they’re not particularly exciting to look at. Nevertheless, users are unlikely to have to go into them too much as their main function is to provide a source for the smartphone to autofill.
Zoho is yet to reveal any plans to bring passkey compatibility to its Vault, while many other rival companies have been quick to act on the new passwordless signing method. With iOS and Android both making it easier for third parties to get involved on mobile devices in 2023, it’s a shame that a giant such as Zoho hasn’t been as quick to respond as others.
Admittedly, the majority of its plans are business-focused, and businesses are more likely to be slow when it comes to passkey adoption due to potential compatibility issues.
Similarly, other (primarily consumer-facing) password managers have started to bundle in more services like VPNs. Zoho doesn’t even have a VPN in its catalog, so this is unlikely to happen anytime soon. With Internet safety in mind, it would be nice to see Zoho create a more rounded package.
(Image credit: Zoho)
Zoho Vault: Security
With a system that uses a single master password, the security of that password is paramount. Only you know the Zoho Vault master password, and only an AES-256-encrypted version is stored on the Zoho servers. This is the same sort of protection you get with virtually any other password manager.
Zoho Vault uses a host-proof hosting model, which means it performs allencryption in your browser. An attacker can never see your passwords as they’re never sent in plain text. Every unique user has an RSA public/private key pair, so when you share a password across a team, it can only be decrypted by those with the correct authority.
Real-time audits help admins keep on top of their organization’s security situation, and you can also generate detailed reports to identify weak points and improve your security.Real-time audits help admins keep on top of their organization’s security situation, and you can also generate detailed reports to identify weak points and improve your security.
Zoho Vault: Support
Zoho Vault has one of the most impressive customer support sites we’ve seen, with extensive documentation on every aspect of the software. It includes comprehensive PDF guides, video demonstrations, FAQs, and webinars that range from basic introductions to the software to advanced functionality and best practice guides. We like how easy and painless it is to get a new team member up to speed on Zoho Vault by sending them the relevant PDFs.
Zoho Vault also has direct support options as well. This includes 24/7 email support via a direct email address, and a customer service support line in the US, Australia, India, and the UK. There is also the option of a support portal for messaging Zoho Vault to establish contact.
Zoho Vault: The competition
Though Zoho Vault’s free tier for personal use is fine, free personal password managers likeLastPass are more straightforward and streamlined if you don’t need to share passwords between users, and more suitable for novice and intermediate users. Proton Pass is also a free service (though there is a paid version), and that has some credible security credentials.
For families or small teams of 5–10 members,1Password is a valid alternative to Zoho Vault. Priced around the same as Zoho Vault, it includes secure document storage. However, as your team gets larger, Zoho Vault’s user management controls become more useful.
If you’re specifically after a business password manager, there are plenty of alternatives to consider depending on what you regard as being important. Look out for Bitwarden, which has some impressive features including the ability to opt for self-hosting your passwords in a location you know and trust.
Zoho Vault: Final verdict
Zoho Vault has excellent security, fine control over users and passwords, and superb third-party integrations. It’s also inexpensive, and customer support is one of the best we’ve seen in a password manager service
We don’t particularly recommend it for personal use as most of the features are geared towards teams, making the interface somewhat complex, but it could be well suited to sole traders who straddle the boundary. Equally, it’s an outstanding password manager for organizations and businesses.
Formerly known as Webroot SecureAnywhere, now simply Webroot, used to have AntiVirus Basic, Internet Security Plus, and Webroot Complete plans, which were replaced by Essentials, Premium, and Total Protection packages, each supporting different numbers of devices and features, as well as featuring family plans.
Despite the name change, at their core remains a curious little green-toned Windows and Mac app (which turns to angry red if it encounters a threat), as well as Android and iOS support, that takes an unconventional approach to malware hunting.
Specifically, other suites have a heavy focus on detecting known malware, typically requiring a bunch of background processes and regular downloads of signature definitions, whereas Webroot spends most of its time on smart behavior monitoring to allow it to detect the latest threats as soon as they emerge.
This allows it to be amazingly compact, with the 15MB on our test computer versus 1GB and more for many suites out there. And because it’s not checking every possible file for known threats the scans are completed in a matter of seconds.
Despite its small size, Webroot still manages a lengthy feature list, including antivirus, real-time anti-phishing, an extra anti-ransomware layer, a simple firewall, network monitor, system optimization, a password manager, unlimited cloud backup, and even a VPN with its top package.
Its identity protection feature includes a set of tools designed to prevent websites and malware from accessing your data. There’s protection from keyloggers, dubious browser add-ons, cookie and website data stealing, unauthorized screen grabbers, you name it, Webroot’s got it.
The interface reports statistics about recent scans and a button to launch an on-demand scan. A panel at the right-hand side provides access to the stack’s other security features and more.
Webroot Essentials offers antivirus, anti-malware, browser protection, anti-phishing, and password manager, while covering one, three, five, or 10 PCs, Macs, smartphones, Chromebooks, or tablets at the same time, starting at $37.49 for the first year, renewing at $49.99 per year, for one device.
Next is Webroot Premium which includes everything from Essentials and throws in a system optimizer and identity protection. It can protect five devices and one identity for an individual account, or families with 10 devices and 10 identities. Plus, you’ll get up to $1 million in fraud expenses and stolen funds reimbursement. Its pricing begins at $77.99 for the opening year, renewing at $129.99.
Finally, Webroot Total Protection throws in everything that’s in Premium, while adding a secure VPN, parental controls, as well as automated cloud backup and restore with unlimited storage for one device. Its coverage is the same as that of Webroot Premium, and it’s priced at $89.99 in the first 12 months, renewing at $179.99.
There’s also a 14-day free trial that doesn’t involve you handing over your payment details, so there are no traps here.
(Image credit: Webroot )
Setup
Installing Webroot is quite straightforward and speedy, which is no surprise considering that the package is so lightweight that there’s almost nothing to do. Webroot can run happily alongside most other antivirus apps as well, with none of the usual conflicts or hassles.
As part of getting started with Webroot, you’ll need to set up an online profile, password included. The platform demands a highly robust password and signing in requires that you successfully perform the traditional CAPTCHA testing.
After setup is complete, Webroot launches, runs an initial system scan, and begins actively monitoring your system. Now you can also run your own system scan, which took under a minute on our test PC but still managed to find a couple of items that other antivirus products typically ignore. The app allows you to review or deal with any findings in a click or two and proceed to leave Webroot protecting your device.
Whatever you’re doing, you won’t even notice Webroot doing its thing, as it doesn’t have any real impact on your system resources. In fact, it only added two background processes - one user application and one service, which usually consumed under 10MB of RAM, just about as undemanding as an antivirus can be.
You can also examine your protected devices from Webroot’s browser console and make sure their protective shields are active. Here you can also access your subscriptions and renew them if needed.
(Image credit: Webroot )
Antivirus
Webroot has a bit more cluttered interface than some of its competitors, featuring panels, icons, switches, tiny buttons, and plenty of text, but it is all neatly organized and decently straightforward, so it doesn’t impact user experience drastically.
The app starts protecting you immediately as it’s installed and the Scan My Computer button is pretty prominent, making it clear what you need to do from the get-go.
That said, locating other features can be a bit more tricky. For instance, there are multiple scan types, including Quick (RAM only), Full (local hard drives), Deep (searching for rootkits, Trojans, and more), and Custom (scanning specific files or folders), but you wouldn’t know it as they’re buried in the interface.
You’ll need to click on the little cog icon next to PC Security > Scan & Shields > Custom Scan to see what’s on offer.
Webroot will also add a right-click option to scan any file or folder in the Explorer (‘Scan with Webroot’) and you’ll be able to have the antivirus check them out even as another scan is already in progress.
(Image credit: Webroot )
That said, whichever scan you choose, you can be sure it’ll be speedy in the extreme. The Quick Scan lives up to its name, completing in a matter of seconds. The intensive Deep Scan won’t take much of your time either - taking a little under three minutes, and the rest were somewhere in between.
Features
Webroot’s URL filtering comes in the form of the Web Threat Shield browser extension that the app installs automatically on your default browser (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox). It features browser annotations (showing the reputation of the site you’re visiting), search annotations (reputation of pages in your search results), and real-time protection from malicious sites, including those with phishing tools.
(Image credit: Webroot )
When it comes to the latter (phishing websites that try to trick you into revealing your login credentials so they can get access to your bank account, online shopping account, or social media profiles), Webroot also does a pretty good job with its Phishing Shield, which you can turn on and off in its Settings.
The program also offers what Webroot calls a firewall, but it doesn’t have much configurability we see with some of the competition. Instead, it does most of the heavy lifting by itself, looking out for new and untrusted processes connecting to the internet, alerting you about new connections made by untrusted applications, and asking you to approve or deny them.
Running apps are categorized into good, bad, and unknown and the firewall fortifies itself when Webroot identifies an active infection, asking for permission to run unknown programs while leaving regular activities like web browsing to continue uninterrupted. When there’s no current emergency, it doesn’t interfere with programs trying to access the network.
Experts won’t be impressed by the lack of control and it doesn’t put your system’s ports in stealth mode (leaving it up for the Windows Firewall to deal with, which it does), with all the apps present before installing Webroot considered trusted by default. However, otherwise, this is a welcome and unusual addition to any antivirus package.
All packages also feature a password manager courtesy of top-of-the-line LastPass, with all of its expected features, although its security track record hasn’t done it a service (we’re talking about the 2022 breach that is still wreaking havoc across the board).
Then there’s the SafeStart Sandbox that experts will appreciate and that we didn’t expect Webroot to have. Specifically, if you’re an avid antivirus researcher, you can use this feature to run dubious programs in an isolated environment under detailed customizable limitations, making it impossible for them to modify your system.
The Antimalware Tools dialog provides a utility to remove suspect programs manually, along with their associated Registry entries. While it’s not a full uninstaller, it could be handy and isn’t something we’ve seen from other vendors.
Here, you can also access convenient system repair features to fix the damage left behind after malware remediation, which includes an option to ‘Set system policies to defaults,’ fixing Task Manager, Regedit, or another imposed policy-type restriction with a click. You can also reboot the device into Safe Mode, deal with malware-modified desktop background, or reset your screensaver.
(Image credit: Webroot )
Upgrade to the Premium plan, and you’re getting a handy system optimizer tool in the Utilities section of the main window and in settings that let you select data to clean up whenever it runs, either on-demand or on a schedule. The scheduler may run on a daily or weekly basis, or at a regular interval, up to every 24 hours.
The Optimizer can also quickly wipe out useless files, freeing up the space previously occupied by them, but there’s no preview of what it plans to delete, nor do you get a report upon completion. However, you can see a blow-by-blow list of things it removed by going to the platform’s settings and System Optimizer and pressing the View Log button at the bottom right.
That said, don’t worry, it’s only temporary files and the Recycle Bin. More advanced users can configure the Optimizer to erase other types of data, like login history, storage folder for files burned to CD or DVD, and memory dump files.
On top of that, Premium also adds automatic deletion of your web activities, while Total Protection throws in an online backup service with unlimited secure storage for one PC or Mac (courtesy of Carbonite - OpenText owns both Webroot and Carbonite).
(Image credit: SE Labs )
Protection
In terms of independent testing, neither AV-Comparatives nor AV-Tests have covered Webroot for years due to incompatibility, like Webroot’s prohibition of sending personal data to the internet and keeping a journal of reversible actions while awaiting a verdict from Webroot’s cloud analysis system.
We had more luck with SE Labs, which includes Webroot in its Home Protection tests.
Specifically, during the SE Labs’ Q4 2024 Home Protection test, Webroot rated eighth, with a Total Accuracy Rating of 97% and the top AAA award from SE Labs. However, it ranked lower than Avast Free Antivirus, Kaspersky Premium, McAfee Total Protection, Norton LifeLock Norton360, and Sophos Home Premium, which all scored 100%, as well as Panda Dome with 99% and Microsoft Defender at 98%.
Curious about what Webroot has been doing to protect your system while you weren’t looking? The Reports tab in its Settings allows you to check its current and historical activity. This is handy if technical support asks for available scan or threat logs. Also, if there’s a file you’re suspicious of, you can submit it to Webroot’s research team to have a closer look.
(Image credit: Webroot )
Anti-ransomware
Webroot also features handy built-in anti-ransomware capabilities and may even roll back the effects of encrypting ransomware in some cases (though not malware that encrypts or wipes the whole drive). That is, if it even manages to get past all the other layers of protection. That said, this comes with a disclaimer - the company itself warns that the success depends on available drive space.
(Image credit: Webroot )
Final verdict
Webroot is an exceptionally lightweight antivirus with accurate URL blocking and powerful bonus features, but test results show it may not be as accurate as the top players in the antivirus field. Still, it runs surprisingly easily alongside other antivirus products, perhaps allowing you to run it alongside Microsoft Defender, which would do a great job of keeping you safe.
Sterling conducts background checks to help businesses verify the identities of prospective employees. These checks can reveal problematic incidents from an applicant's past that might jeopardize the company culture moving forward. Sterling is a well-established company, having been founded in 1975. They serve over 40,000 clients and conduct more than 75 million background checks annually.
In this Sterling review, we will evaluate whether it offers one of the best employee background check services available today. We will analyze every aspect of Sterling’s offerings, including pricing, functionality, and features. Lastly, we will compare Sterling to its competitors to help you determine if it is the right choice for your organization.
Sterling: plans and pricing
Unfortunately, Sterling does not publicly disclose their background check pricing, which can be a bit frustrating for those looking to budget for these essential services. The cost of background checks can vary significantly based on several key factors that need to be considered:
1. Types of Checks Required: The kind of background checks you need will largely influence the price. Options may include criminal history screenings, employment verification, education verification, credit checks, and more specialized investigations. Each type of check has its own pricing structure, so understanding your specific requirements will help in estimating costs.
2. Volume of Checks: The number of background checks you plan to conduct is another critical factor. Sterling may offer tiered pricing or discounts for larger volumes, which can significantly reduce the per-check cost. If you're looking for a high volume of background checks, asking about these potential savings is worthwhile.
3. Customizations and Additional Services: If you have specific requirements or need custom services—such as international checks, enhanced criminal searches, or tailored reporting options—these can also affect the overall pricing. Customizations often come with additional fees, so clarifying these needs upfront is wise.
The best course of action is to contact Sterling directly to obtain a precise and tailored quote that reflects your unique background check needs. You can easily do this through their website or by calling their customer service team. This personalized approach will allow you to discuss your requirements in detail, ensuring you receive the most accurate pricing information.
While browsing comparison websites for background check pricing might be tempting, remember that their information may only provide a general overview and not specifically reflect Sterling's pricing structure. Each provider has its own unique pricing model influenced by their service offerings and market strategy.
When considering background check providers, it’s essential to remember that cost is just one piece of the puzzle. Factors such as accuracy of the checks, turnaround times and compliance with local and federal regulations are critical to ensuring you receive reliable and lawful information. Balancing these aspects with your budget will help you choose the right service provider for your needs.
Sterling uses legal means to find hidden information (Image credit: Sterling)
Sterling: how it works
Sterling offers background check services to businesses, assisting them in vetting potential employees. The process typically begins when an employer requests specific background checks based on the position and industry. Sterling then collects information from various sources, which may include criminal databases, court records, educational institutions, and previous employers. They verify this information to ensure its accuracy and to comply with relevant regulations, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
After gathering the data, Sterling compiles it into a report, which is delivered to the employer. The employer uses this report to make informed hiring decisions. Throughout the entire process, Sterling strives to provide accurate and timely information while maintaining confidentiality and adhering to legal guidelines. Additionally, they offer various integrations with HR systems to streamline the background check process for employers.
Sterling’s background checks are thorough and profession appropriate (Image credit: Sterling)
Sterling: features and services
Sterling provides a wide array of background check services specifically designed to address the diverse needs of employers in various industries. Their comprehensive offerings include thorough criminal background checks conducted at local, state, and federal levels. This service encompasses an extensive examination of county court records, state repositories, and national criminal databases, ensuring that employers receive a complete view of a candidate’s criminal history.
In addition to criminal checks, Sterling offers employment verification services that confirm a candidate's past employment history, including job titles, the duration of employment, and the reason for leaving. This ensures that employers can trust the accuracy of the information presented by job applicants.
Education verification is another crucial aspect of Sterling’s services. This allows employers to validate candidates' academic credentials by confirming degrees, diplomas, and attendance records from educational institutions. This is particularly important for positions that require specific qualifications.
Sterling also strongly emphasizes identity verification, ensuring potential employees provide accurate information. They conduct checks against terrorist watchlists and sanction lists to assist organizations in complying with federal regulations and enhancing overall security.
Sterling offers targeted background checks for specialized industries, including drug screening for safety-sensitive positions, healthcare sanction checks to ensure compliance with healthcare regulations, and transportation-specific background checks for roles requiring high responsibility and safety awareness.
Sterling uses CourtDirect technology and AI SmartData technology to conduct its End-to-End Criminal Background Checks (Image credit: Sterling)
Beyond these core services, Sterling provides various compliance tools and resources to help employers navigate the complex legal landscape surrounding background checks. These resources help organizations adhere to essential regulations, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), reducing the risk of non-compliance.
Furthermore, Sterling’s ongoing monitoring services inform employers of any significant changes in an employee’s background after being hired. This proactive approach allows organizations to take timely action if any issues arise.
Finally, Sterling integrates its background check services with human resources (HR) and applicant tracking systems to streamline the hiring process. This integration facilitates a more efficient recruitment workflow, allowing employers to make informed hiring decisions quickly and effectively.
Customer support that’s great for clients but not for candidates (Image credit: Sterling)
Sterling: support and customer care
Sterling offers extensive customer support 24 hours a day through a toll-free phone number that covers all American, European, and Asian business time zones, including Pacific Time and Eastern Time for clients in the United States. Clients can also reach support via direct email, which is helpful for asynchronous communication. Additionally, a support portal is available to initiate support requests.
However, those seeking advanced support options like live chat, video tutorials, or a user forum will not find these features available.
Sterling’s customer support teams are trained in specific industries like healthcare, retail, and government. Therefore, when you first speak with a Sterling customer support representative, they are already familiar with your industry’s particular background check requirements.
On the other hand, candidates do not have the same positive experience as business clients when seeking help. They can only submit inquiries through an onsite form, and many candidates often criticize Sterling on review sites for delays in processing documents, poor communication, and last-minute deadlines.
The competition
In contrast with competitor GoodHire, Sterling’s method of conducting background checks seems outdated. Sterling delivers the results of the background check at the close of the process. GoodHire integrates checks into your team’s workflow via your Applicant Tracking System platform, so you can see exactly what stage of the process is ongoing and receive notifications with each update.
Certn is one of Sterling’s leading competitors. Rather than conducting background searches and presenting them to your hiring manager, Certn enables hiring departments to conduct independent background checks using its software. Despite the convenience of inhouse software, outsourcing background checks can be beneficial from a legal standpoint, as it diminishes responsibility in case of civil suits.
Final verdict
Sterling is a highly regarded background check service that specializes in evaluating the character and credentials of potential hires. By conducting comprehensive examinations of candidates' legal and employment histories, Sterling provides valuable insights into their trustworthiness and reliability.
The background checks offered by Sterling are meticulously designed to meet varying demands based on the role being filled. Positions that involve handling sensitive data — such as financial information or personal records — as well as roles that require working with vulnerable individuals, like children or the elderly, necessitate more extensive evaluations. Additionally, positions that involve managing valuable assets may also prompt a deeper dive into a candidate's history. Sterling's thorough approach helps organizations make informed hiring decisions while safeguarding their interests.
Outsourcing background checks to Sterling not only streamlines the process for businesses but also plays a critical role in mitigating potential liabilities. In the event of civil suits related to the hiring process, having a reputable service conduct these checks can provide essential documentation and evidence of due diligence, thus protecting the organization.
We specifically recommend Sterling for small businesses that need to ensure the integrity of their employees. In a competitive landscape, safeguarding company assets and maintaining a positive workplace culture are paramount. Sterling's services can help small organizations build a trustworthy workforce, fostering a secure environment for both employees and clients. With their user-friendly mechanisms and responsive customer support, Sterling ensures that the background check process is efficient and reliable.
RoboForm is one of the best password managers, first released in 2000. In 2009, it introduced a dedicated Enterprise version for business users. It offers a rich and complex set of features that compete well with other premium password managers. It was relaunched as a software-as-a-solution (SaaS) solution, named RoboForm for Business, in 2015.
Security is a top priority, with military-grade encryption, flawless security records, and other features enhancing its offering. After trying RoboForm, you may want to check our list of the bestbusiness password managers to explore alternatives.
RoboForm ensures that your passwords are always synced and accessible, regardless of whether you’re using Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, or Android. This simple yet powerful tool makes managing passwords easy for both beginners and tech-savvy users. With industry-standard encryption protocols, RoboForm secures your data against unauthorized access, ensuring that only you can unlock your vault.
Roboform: Plans and pricing
RoboForm offers a range of options for individual, family, and business users, providing secure and easy-to-manage password protection for personal online activity.
The free version is ideal for new users and includes many features other companies usually charge for. These include unlimited logins, the ability to fill out web forms, a password audit, and two-factor authentication (2FA).
For personal use, the RoboForm Premium plan offers additional features at a competitive price point. It includes all the free version features plus cloud backup, sync across all devices, secure shared folder, web access, and priority 24/7 support. The RoboForm Premium plan is available for as little as $1.66 monthly.
RoboForm Family is designed for households with multiple users and includes all the features of RoboForm Premium for up to five members in a single package. The family plan is priced at $2.66 per month.
For businesses and teams, RoboForm offers plans that cater to the unique needs of companies, including centralized employee onboarding, secure group sharing, role-based permissions, Active Directory integration, advanced reporting, and dedicated technical support. RoboForm for Business operates on a per-user pricing model, with costs starting at $3.33/user/year.
For larger organizations, there’s also an Enterprise edition that offers customized, volume-based pricing, and a self-host option for installations that have over a thousand users.
Roboform: Setup
Setting up RoboForm for businesses is a straightforward process that ensures a smooth transition and minimal workflow disruption.
The journey to heightened security begins with setting up RoboForm on your company's workstations and devices. RoboForm’s installation process is user-friendly and straightforward, requiring RoboForm's time and technical knowledge. Administrators can quickly deploy the RoboForm business solution across multiple devices using standard deployment methods such as MSI installers or management platforms compatible with your IT infrastructure.
Once installed, RoboForm's administrative console becomes the command center for overseeing the use of RoboForms and permissions. Here, you'll initiate onboarding employees by creating new RoboForm accounts or integrating existing ones. The centralized control ensures all users adhere to the company's security policies, streamlining the management process and maintaining the board.
RoboForm enables administrators to enforce robust security policies, such as mandatory Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and strict password generation rules. You can assign role-based permissions, ensuring that employees have access only to the credentials and passwords relevant to their role within the organization.
One of RoboForm's key benefits for businesses is the ability to securely share login credentials and other sensitive information within the company. Efficient sharing mechanisms, such as creating shared folders, allow teams to collaborate without compromising security, increasing productivity without risking data breaches.
To maximize RoboForm’s benefits, staff should be encouraged through organized training sessions to understand cyber hygiene and the practical usage of the password manager. User buy-in is crucial, and straightforward tutorials will help employees become comfortable and proficient in using RoboForm's features, leading to a smoother transition and better compliance.
With RoboForm for Business, you're backed by robust technical support tailored to handle any questions or issues arising during and after implementation. Continuous updates and a dedication to customer service mean your business can rely on uninterrupted service and state-of-the-art security features, ensuring your password management system remains at the cutting edge.
By following these steps, your business will implement a reliable and effective password management system that strengthens your cyber defenses and enhances operational efficiency. RoboForm’s commitment to security and user experience makes it a wise choice for RoboForm's aim to protect its digital assets and streamline password management processes.
(Image credit: Roboform)
Roboform: Interface and performance
RoboForm includes features such as a password generator for creating strong and unique passwords of sufficient length and complexity, one-click login, cross-platform password syncing, and offline access. This feature has been further strengthened with the addition of a passphrase option that can add random words, not only a string of random characters. It can also auto-fill data fields for time savings on sites that need long web forms completed. As of January 2023, the company also added the much-anticipated 2FA generator into the experience so there’s no need for users to rely on third-party apps to generate codes.
We also love RoboForm’s integration of folders, enabling users to organize passwords in whatever way is most useful to them. For example, you can easily create separate folders for work-related passwords and personal passwords.
The app itself, in our experience, lacks the intuitiveness of some other offerings on the market but is more of a personal preference based on the numerous password managers tested. However, we did find ourselves digging around for options and trying to figure out how to best navigate the app. With time, the usage does get easier as you figure out where things that you use all the time are located.
We tested the RoboForm app on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, and were impressed by the speed of syncing. Although we had to conduct a manual sync, it took less than three seconds for data uploaded on the mobile app to appear on our desktop device. You can also enable automatic syncing.
Another strength of RoboForm is the high degree of account control. Users can make loads of customizations to security protocols and account settings when using the desktop or mobile apps. These advanced controls are one of the reasons RoboForm is one of our favorite password management solutions for businesses.
It’s worth mentioning that, unlike some of its rivals, this is purely a password manager. Other companies tend to bundle in some additional functionalities, or offer more services as a company, which makes RoboForm look a little bit expensive in comparison. For example, there’s no VPN service so you’ll either have to pay extra for one of those or go for a password manager that has one.
Companies that constantly evolve their offering are usually the ones that tend to be near and dear to users' hearts. RoboForm takes this seriously with another recent addition, where the app now supports passkeys, allowing users to store, autofill, and securely share passkeys in RoboForm. Passwordless logins have become increasingly popular, though the initial pick-up was slower than expected. With competitors also having the passkey option available, it is nice to see that RoboForm listens to the users and the market while adding new features to strengthen its offering.
(Image credit: Roboform)
Roboform: Security
As with any password management solution, a top-notch security framework is integral. Luckily, RoboForm doesn’t disappoint. As a standard, all data stored on RoboForm’s platform is encrypted end-to-end with AES 256-bit encryption. 2FA is also available for all businesses, further enhances data security, and supports third-party authentication apps.
Moreover, there’s an entire page on the company’s site dedicated to exposing the security measures and features, which is a major green flag for us. Companies that are open about how they operate inspire confidence, and subject themselves to more scrutiny.
RoboForm Business: Team and Admin Features
RoboForm Business gives admins adequate control over password management. Like its peers, it offers a centralized admin console to help you with all tasks from user onboarding, and single sign-on (SSO) integration, to access control, and password policy enforcement. You can also use it to monitor user activity, track weak passwords, manage groups, and view reports.
One of RoboForm's key benefits for businesses is the ability to securely share login credentials and other sensitive information within the company. You can use the admin interface to organize users into teams, or departments, like Sales, Engineering, Finance, and such. You can also create shared folders that are accessible only to designated groups, which is ideal for sharing team/department-wide credentials.
RoboForm Business enables you to assign permissions at both the folder and individual credential level. You can assign role-based permissions, ensuring that employees have access only to the credentials and passwords relevant to their role within the organization. Employees can either have full access to view and edit the credentials, or just limited access to only use the credentials, and not view them.
RoboForm enables administrators to enforce robust security policies, such as mandatory 2FA and strict password generation rules. By default, RoboForm also doesn’t allow users to export their data. You can also further tighten the screws by restricting access based on device type.
For example, if you don’t have any Mac users in your organization, you can ensure no one can connect to the server from that OS even if they try logging in with the right credentials.
You can also log off users forcibly after a defined period of inactivity. Similarly, you can log them out when they switch to a different Windows user, or lock their computers.
The admin interface also has adequate monitoring and reporting options. You can use it to monitor password health, get breach alerts, and generate detailed activity reports that track events like login attempts, credential changes, password sharing activity, and more. These can also be exported for internal audits or for compliance checks in SOC 2, HIPAA, or GDPR-aligned environments.
RoboForm Business: Integrations and Compatibility
You can integrate RoboForm Business with various essential business platforms and tools.
In addition to SAML-based SSO, RoboForm also integrates with popular identity providers (IdPs) for SCIM provisioning. You can plug the platform with Okta, OneLogin, and Microsoft Entra ID to automate user account provisioning and management.
RoboForm also offers an Active Directory (AD) Connector that you install on a local on-premise Windows server. Once installed it enables you to sync your AD users and groups to your RoboForm Business account. This will help you provision, suspend, and remove user accounts based on their AD membership status.
While not essential for everyone, these integrations are essential for organizations that use IdPs and AD, as they help ease the onboarding process, and ensure employee access aligns with their organizational status.
As we’ve already mentioned, RoboForm offers clients and apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, with browser extensions for the best web browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera.
While there is no desktop app for Linux, RoboForm rather offers Chrome and Firefox extensions for Linux users. Even Chromebook users are offered a Chrome extension instead of a native client.
RoboForm Business: Ease of Use and Deployment
The RoboForm for Business admin console is well laid out and intuitive to navigate, which makes it fairly approachable even for first time users. It lists key functions on the left side of the screen, some of which, such as Users, Groups, and Data, display detailed information in sortable tables on the right.
(Image credit: Roboform)
On the dashboard you get a snapshot of the number of active users, and groups, shared folders, an overall company security score, and other useful information. The security score (higher the better), available for the entire company, individual groups, and individual users, is computed based on the strength of a user’s password.
The dashboard also offers buttons to add users, groups, data, such as logins, and folders, and more. As an admin you can either add users manually, in bulk via CSV, or through automated provisioning, via SCIM or AD.
(Image credit: Roboform)
Once invited, users receive email invites with easy to follow setup instructions that’ll help them setup a master password, import existing credentials, and install the browser extension.
As we’ve said, RoboForm offers clients, apps, and extensions for all popular desktop and mobile platforms, which makes it fairly simple to roll it out in diverse environments, while ensuring consistent use. RoboForm also offers MSI installers that can quickly deploy the client app to all users in an organization by creating a Group Policy Object (GPO) in AD.
The process for creating and managing user groups is intuitive as well. You can easily add users to groups, review its data, get an overview of its security score, tweak its settings, take a backup of its data, and more.
(Image credit: Roboform)
Defining security policies is just as straightforward. They are broken into three broad categories, namely Security & Access, RoboForm Data, and User Settings. Just scroll through the settings listed within each, and toggle the ones you want to enable. In addition to company-wide policies, you can also define separate policies for the different groups.
The Reports section gives useful insights about the users and groups. For instance, it helps break down users by their security score, helping you identify users that use weak passwords.
Roboform: Support
RoboForm has a detailed manual for its desktop users. You can also look for quick solutions to common issues in the Help Center, which also has a separate section for RoboForm Business. While that platform doesn’t offer a forum board to ask questions, you do get the option to raise a support ticket.
RoboForm provides superior customer support for its subscribers and business customers. IT administrators or employees can contact the RoboForm team either via their online support system or by phone during business hours, 9AM to 5 PM EST.
Roboform: The competition
Although RoboForm is close to best in class, it still faces competition from some of its competitors. LastPass, often considered the top provider, offers advanced administrator controls and centralized account management comparable to RoboForm’s platform.
If security is of great important to you, you may want to consider the recently launched Proton Pass, or if you want to take it a step further, Bitwarden users can opt for self-hosting to keep their data in a location they know and trust, even behind a firewall or proxy, which is a really exciting option that isn’t typically seen in password management, and beyond.
Roboform: Final verdict
RoboForm is an exceptional password management app that offers top-notch security features and a user-friendly interface. It competes with the best in its class and is particularly cost-effective, with a range of plans to suit different needs. For individual users seeking a secure online experience without unnecessary complexities, the free version of RoboForm is a perfect fit.
In terms of security, RoboForm ensures data protection with 256-bit AES encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA), and secure vaults. The recent successful completion of a thorough security audit and penetration test by a third party demonstrates the company's commitment to maintaining high security standards. Additionally, RoboForm has a clean track record with no reported breaches, reaffirming its reliability in safeguarding sensitive data.
The company provides reliable customer support and consistently updates the app with new features, such as support for passkeys, an improved TOTP authenticator, and enhanced password change history. Regular communication through their blog and FAQs ensures users are well-informed about updates and improvements. While not the absolute best option available, RoboForm certainly offers competitive features that rival even premium offerings in the market.
What to look for in a password manager
In the era of increasing digital threats, the importance of robust cybersecurity practices cannot be overstated. Central to these practices is password management, which can significantly enhance a company's data security posture. However, with numerous options available, deciding on the right password manager for your business can be daunting. It requires careful consideration of several critical factors to ensure that the chosen solution protects your digital assets and aligns with your business processes.
Security Features: A password manager's primary purpose is to secure sensitive data. Look for advanced encryption standards, such as AES-256, which is the cornerstone of robust security. Two-factor authentication (2FA) or Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) capabilities are essential, adding an additional layer of security beyond just the master password. The ability to audit password health and enforce strong password policies across your organization is also vital, ensuring that all users adhere to best practices in password security.
User Management and Access Control: The ability to easily manage user access is crucial for businesses. The ideal password manager should offer granular access controls and user permissions, allowing administrators to define what employees can view or edit. Role-based access enhances operational efficiency by ensuring employees have the proper access for their roles, reducing the risk of internal data breaches.
Integration and Compatibility: Operational harmony requires seamless integration with your existing IT infrastructure and compatibility with a wide range of devices and platforms. The chosen password manager should work across different operating systems and integrate well with other tools your business uses, such as directory services for automating user provisioning and de-provisioning.
Ease of Use: Adopting across the company may be challenging if the password manager isn't user-friendly. The solution should offer an intuitive interface and straightforward functionalities that do not disrupt employees' workflows. Features like autofill and auto-login can significantly enhance productivity, reducing the friction of adopting new security measures.
Scalability: As your business grows, so do your password management needs. The selected password manager must be scalable, accommodating an increasing number of users and storing a growing volume of sensitive information without degradation in performance or security.
Cost Effectiveness: While cost should not be the primary factor in choosing a password manager, it's undeniably essential. Evaluate the password manager's pricing structure against the features and security it offers. Consider the return on investment, focusing on how much potential downtime and data breaches could cost your company in comparison to the password manager's subscription fee.
Customer Support and Training: Reliable customer support and access to extensive training materials are invaluable. Responsive technical support ensures that any issues can be promptly addressed, minimizing potential disruptions. Training resources like tutorials and webinars can facilitate smoother onboarding and ongoing use.
Selecting the right password manager is a critical decision that can significantly impact your company's security posture and operational efficiency. By carefully evaluating each password manager against these criteria, companies can make an informed choice that best fits their unique needs, ensuring the protection of their digital assets and the productivity of their teams.
PeopleFinders, headquartered in Sacramento, California, is a powerful and user-friendly online platform designed to help individuals uncover detailed information about others through an extensive compilation of public records. With a robust history dating back to 1999, PeopleFinders has established itself as a trusted resource, tapping into a sprawling network of approximately 43 billion public records across roughly 6,000 distinct databases.
This comprehensive people search tool specializes in identifying individuals using a variety of search parameters, including names, phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses. Whether you're trying to reconnect with a long-lost friend, verify a potential employee's background, or conduct research for personal reasons, PeopleFinders provides a streamlined process to access crucial information quickly and efficiently.
Users have flexible options when accessing the platform. You can purchase a single report for a one-time search or opt for an unlimited access plan, allowing you to conduct multiple searches without the constraints of additional fees. This versatility makes PeopleFinders an ideal solution for anyone looking to gather important insights and stay informed about the people around them.
Furthermore, PeopleFinders prioritizes user privacy and adheres to legal requirements when it comes to the use of public records, ensuring that the information provided is both accurate and responsible. With its extensive resources and commitment to transparency, PeopleFinders remains a go-to tool for those seeking to navigate the complexities of personal connections in today’s fast-paced world.
These are the pricing options for reports through PeopleFinders (Image credit: PeopleFinders)
PeopleFinders: plans and pricing
PeopleFinders provides a variety of pricing tiers designed to meet different search needs and usage patterns. For users seeking one-time searches, they offer single reports at competitive prices. The basic report is available for just $1.95, which is ideal for quick, straightforward inquiries.
For those needing more detailed information, a comprehensive report is offered at $9.95, giving access to additional data points. If you're in need of a thorough overview, including pertinent background and criminal records, you can opt for a complete report priced at $29.95.
PeopleFinders shows potential matches to your search before requiring you to pay for a report (Image credit: Future)
For regular users or those with ongoing search needs, PeopleFinders offers monthly subscription plans that provide more excellent value. The standard membership, which costs $24.95 monthly, grants subscribers unlimited access to people searches and reverses phone lookups. This is an excellent choice for individuals or businesses requiring information on multiple subjects.
For enhanced capabilities, there’s a premium membership priced at $29.95 per month. This option includes everything in the standard membership, with the added benefit of background checks, access to criminal records, and other enriched data. This can be particularly advantageous for real estate, law enforcement, or human resources professionals who require extensive background information.
Furthermore, PeopleFinders regularly promotes trial offers for their monthly subscriptions, allowing potential subscribers to experience the service at a reduced cost before committing to an entire month's plan. This is an excellent opportunity for users to evaluate the platform's features and determine if it meets their needs without a significant upfront financial commitment.
Additionally, PeopleFinders offers a rewards program called CFK*PF Rewards for subscribers. This program can provide various benefits, including discounted reports, free self-background checks, and exclusive promotions.
Pricing is subject to change, so checking the PeopleFinders website for the most current information is always recommended. It’s equally important to review the terms and conditions, particularly regarding trial periods, renewal policies, and cancellation procedures, to avoid unexpected charges.
Choosing the right plan ultimately depends on your search behavior. For occasional searches, single reports may be the most cost-effective route. Conversely, a monthly subscription could offer significant savings and convenience for those who require frequent access to search features. Please carefully examine your usage needs to select the plan that best supports your objectives.
PeopleFinders: features
PeopleFinders provides several methods for searching for someone. While many search services allow you to start with a name or an address, some also include a reverse phone lookup as a search option. What sets PeopleFinders apart is that it offers a fourth search method based on an email address.
When performing a name search that yields multiple potential matches, PeopleFinders lists possible results and details such as age and known family members. This feature is beneficial, as many similar tools require payment before you can see if there are any results for your search.
The reports generated by PeopleFinders offer a comprehensive overview of an individual. You'll receive their name, a history of addresses, phone numbers, and information about relatives in the search report. If you choose to purchase a background report, it will also include court and arrest records, property and bankruptcy information, and a check of the national sex offender registry. However, it's worth noting that PeopleFinders does not include email addresses or social media profiles in its reports nor provides information about whether an individual owns a gun or has a gun license.
All the data used by PeopleFinders is gathered from public databases. The main benefit of purchasing a report instead of conducting your searches is that PeopleFinders efficiently compiles data from various sources in just a few minutes.
PeopleFinders: interface and in use
Using PeopleFinders is a quick and straightforward experience, making it accessible even for those who may not be tech-savvy. The platform allows you to choose the type of search you want, whether it’s a reverse phone lookup, a name search, or even a background check. Simply enter the information you have, and the system does the rest.
For a reverse phone lookup, you’ll typically receive results in under a minute, providing a rapid response to your inquiry. However, if you're searching for a common name in a densely populated area, it may take a bit longer — possibly several minutes — as the system sifts through a wealth of information.
A standout feature of PeopleFinders is its advanced search function. This allows you to refine your searches significantly by adding parameters such as a middle name, age range, and location, helping you narrow down the results to find the specific individual you are looking for.
Additionally, one of the most user-friendly aspects of PeopleFinders is the ability to preview the information available in a report before committing to a purchase. This means you can see whether essential details like the individual’s current address, phone number, and background information are available. This transparency helps you make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the report and ensures that you’re only investing in the information that meets your needs. Overall, PeopleFinders offers a combination of efficiency, precision, and user-oriented features that enhance the search experience.
The PeopleFinders mobile app for iOS and Android will automatically run a reverse phone lookup on unknown numbers that call your phone (Image credit: PeopleFinders)
PeopleFinders offers mobile apps for both iOS and Android, although the app is called IdentityWatch instead of PeopleFinders. This naming can make it a bit challenging to locate the app in the app stores, but you can easily find it by following the link provided at the bottom of the PeopleFinders homepage. Both apps have received high ratings, averaging just over 4 out of 5 stars.
Each version of the app includes a surprising array of features that are not available through the web interface. For instance, the PeopleFinders app can automatically scan incoming phone numbers and conduct a quick reverse phone lookup. If the phone number matches PeopleFinders' proprietary list of spam callers, the app will automatically block the call for you. Additionally, the mobile apps offer report sharing, a feature that is not readily available on the PeopleFinders website.
PeopleFinders offers phone and email support seven days a week (Image credit: PeopleFinders)
PeopleFinders: support
PeopleFinders offers several avenues for customer support. Their primary contact method is through their customer service phone line, available Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM PST, and on weekends from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM PST. PeopleFinders also provides a contact form on their website for those who prefer written communication, promising email responses to inquiries. While they maintain a presence on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, these channels are not recommended for seeking direct support.
Beyond these options, PeopleFinders features a comprehensive Help Center on their website. This resource is populated with cataloged information and frequently asked questions, potentially offering quick answers to common queries. Though not a traditional support feature, PeopleFinders also allows users to remove their information from the site, guiding users through a self-service opt-out process.
Security
PeopleFinders uses standard SSL encryption to keep your account information and searches secure. When you search for someone with this tool, there’s no way for the person you searched to know that you pulled a report.
You can opt out to remove your information from PeopleFinders searches (Image credit: PeopleFinders)
If you want, you can opt out of PeopleFinders so that your information doesn’t appear in searches. You’ll need to search yourself and copy the URL of your report page in order to request removal from the site.
PeopleFinders: the competition
PeopleFinders competes directly with several people search finders owned by Intelius, including US Search, Instant Checkmate, and BeenVerified. One of the big advantages to PeopleFinders over those services is that it enables you to purchase a single report, whereas the others force you into a monthly subscription. We also much prefer PeopleFinders’ mobile apps since it makes it easy to share reports and automatically runs a search on any unknown number that calls your phone for a bonus spam alert.
PeopleFinders: final verdict
PeopleFinders is a highly accessible and affordable tool for reconnecting with a long-lost friend, screening a new acquaintance, or investigating who might be calling their phone. One of its standout features is its flexible pricing model, which allows users to purchase individual reports less frequently than they would if they committed to a more expensive, unlimited subscription. This approach ensures that users can tailor their experience based on their needs, making it ideal for anyone who might only require occasional access.
The benefits for those who opt for the monthly subscription expand significantly. Subscribers gain access to PeopleFinders’ user-friendly mobile apps, which enhance the service’s overall functionality. These apps streamline information retrieval and provide essential features such as automatic reverse phone lookups. This functionality allows users to identify unknown callers quickly and efficiently. The built-in spam blocking feature also protects users from unwanted calls, creating a safer communication experience.
Overall, PeopleFinders effectively balances affordability and ease of use with valuable features catering to casual users and those requiring more frequent searches. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with someone from your past or want to verify a new contact, PeopleFinders stands out as a reliable and versatile option.
If you’ve ever wished shopping for antivirus was simpler, then Sophos Home might just be what you’re looking for. There are no jargon-packed comparison tables, no detailed pricing schemes so complicated that you need Excel or Google Sheets to figure them all out - the company has one product, one plan divided into lengths, and that’s it.
Indeed, Sophos Home Premium is an unusual(ly basic) Windows and Mac antivirus solution that focuses on simplicity, yet still manages a decent feature list. These include real-time and on-demand virus protection, anti-ransomware, anti-phishing, parental control-type content filtering, keylogger protection, and more.
There’s no mobile app per se, but users can still protect their devices using free Android and iOS versions of Sophos Intercept X app and/or the company’s Security & Antivirus. The latter is an add-on to Sophos Intercept X for Mobile, making sure the app runs at all times, and restarting it if terminated.
The pricing is simple, too. There’s one plan which covers up to 10 Windows or Mac systems. A one-year subscription costs $44.99 ($59.99 upon renewal), a two-year package will set you back by $74.99 ($99.99 after the initial period), while the three-year option has a price tag of $104.99 ($139.99 when renewing).
Still unsure? No problem. There’s a very generous ad-free (yet slightly limited) 30-day trial available for download, no payment information required. If you decide to go for the Premium version, you can pay via card or Paypal, and if you sign up and still regret it, there’s a no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee.
Do note that the trial version covers up to three devices, whereas updating to Sophos Home Premium extends the coverage to its fullest - up to 10 Windows and MacOS devices and as many Android and iOS devices as you like at the same time.
In addition to the platform’s online Knowledge Base, there’s also live email and chat support available between 8 AM and 8 PM EST, from Monday to Friday.
Download the Sophos Home Premium trial, enter your email address, pick a password, and within a few minutes your antivirus is up and running, ready for its first system scan. The process is relatively quick. It took about 25 minutes to scan 80GB of files, dropping to only 10 minutes on the second run, and going even faster on subsequent scans.
We were surprised to find Sophos Home added around 1 GB of files to our system (we’ve seen far more powerful suites take up much less), especially considering how quickly the installation went. It also left up to 18 background processes and quite a few drivers running in the background.
In addition to being a bit heavy on the system performance, another potential downside to having so many active processes is that it could give malware more opportunity to attack and perhaps disable protection. But upon testing, Sophos’ tamper protection did its job.
(Image credit: Sophos )
Interface
Double-click the Sophos Home system tray icon and the program’s very simple interface will appear. It shows status information (last update and scan time), a full Scan button, and a handful of other buttons for lesser functions (management, settings, and a few other bits and pieces).
Tap the Scan button and Sophos will run a full system scan of your PC. There’s no upfront way to customize the scan, no quick scan option, removable device scan, or indeed any other scan type. That said, the program does add a right-click option to Explorer, allowing you to scan a particular file, folder, or drive.
However, unlike its competitors like Bitdefender and Kaspersky, it doesn’t support simultaneous scans. So, if it’s busy running a lengthy system scan and you try a right-click scan from Explorer, you'll get a message that a ‘scan is already running, try again later.’
(Image credit: Sophos )
Sophos will also add an icon to your system tray. However, it doesn’t do very much. You can do a double left-click to launch the program, but that’s about it. There’s no right-click menu with shortcut options, and the icon doesn’t change to reflect the app state (scanning, virus found, and so on).
This simplicity definitely means that Sophos Home Premium is easy to use, but if you’re looking for a deeper level of power or control over the app, you might end up disappointed.
(Image credit: Sophos )
Antivirus options
Sophos Home does have some security options and settings, but they’re only available via a web interface. For instance, tap any of the buttons (like ‘Malware Protection,’ ‘Web Protection,’ ‘Ransomware Protection,’ etc.) and a Sophos browser tab will open, where you can log in and configure the program.
The same thing will happen if you click on the ‘Dashboard’ or ‘Add Device’ button on the left-hand side of the Sophos interface.
This might be a bit inconvenient, and we agree. But once you’re logged in, it doesn’t take any more time. Plus, the central management is good news if you need access to the support pages that are only a click or two away, or intend to use Sophos’ remote device management features.
Also, if your family members aren’t exactly technical types, you don’t have to worry about them messing with low-level antivirus settings, as the client doesn’t have any. If they encounter a problem, they can simply contact you and you’ll be able to log on and make whatever tweaks you need.
The Sophos settings pages will open at the Protection tab, where you’ll see tools for scheduling scans, excluding particular drives, files, and folders from checks, turning on/off game mode for enhanced compatibility with games, AI scanning, AMSI protection, webcam protection, and so on.
More advanced options include the ability to enable or disable techniques used by Sophos to block common exploits, like browser plugins, privilege escalation, code cave utilization, and APC violations, as well as to select categories to block or allow when browsing.
There are further layers to fool sandbox-aware malware, prevent backdoor traffic (bypassing the system’s customary security mechanisms), protect against DLL hijacking (when attackers insert malicious code into an app to infect the way dynamic link libraries - DLLs - load), and more.
Having so many common attack vectors is good, but almost all of these settings are highly technical and turned on by default, so they’re unlikely to help most users. For instance, even users who know what an ‘APC violation’ is might not be confident enough to know when it should be turned off.
(Image credit: Sophos )
Protection
Unlike many other independent antivirus testing platforms, SE Labs Home Anti-Malware Protection tests have been covering Sophos Home for a while. The October - December 2024 test showed some impressive results, with 99% protection accuracy, 100% legitimate accuracy, 100% total accuracy, and 0% false positives.
According to SE Labs, Sophos Home Premium “produced extremely good results due to their ability to block malicious URLs, handle exploits, and correctly classify legitimate applications and websites,” and “performed well enough to achieve AAA awards.”
On top of that, Sophos “provided excellent protection against public email- and web-based threats by blocking these upon detection,” although in “one of two instances, however, [it] eventually blocked web-based threats but not before these left a malicious file in the system.”
Finally, Sophos Home Premium “stopped all the threats and allowed all legitimate applications,” excelling in terms of accuracy ratings.
Per Sophos’ website, its platform for Home users features artificial intelligence (AI) techniques that are turned on by default for all Sophos Home users. If you take Home Premium, then you’ll also get access to behavioral detection.
(Image credit: Sophos )
Blocking malicious URLs
Sophos Home includes a simple web protection layer that aims to keep you safe from dangerous websites. It works not just with the most common browsers, like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, but it also successfully blocked a malicious website we tried to open using Brave.
That said, if by any chance the app falsely flags a website, there’s no ‘let me in anyway’ option or another quick way to bypass Sophos and load the page. To get around the block, you need to open the Sophos Home console, go to the Web Protection settings, and enter the URL or domain you’d like to whitelist.
Of course, if you’re seeking to impose restrictions on someone else (say, your kids), making it more difficult to get around this protection could be a real plus, especially considering it works on unconventional browsers, such as Brave, even though it doesn’t say so on the website.
(Image credit: Sophos )
Content filtering
Sophos Home has one of the shortest feature lists in the antivirus industry, but poke around in the web-based configuration menus for a while, and you’ll discover one unusual bonus: a simple parental controls-like content filtering system.
Don’t get too excited about this - it’s extremely basic. There are three lists of site types: ‘Adult & Inappropriate,’ ‘Social Networking & Computing’ and ‘General Interest.’ These include various content areas that you might like to block, such as ‘Drugs,’ ‘Violence,’ ‘Networking,’ ‘Photo Searches,’ and so on. All areas are set to ‘Allowed’ by default, but you can set them to ‘Block’ with a single click.
It doesn’t take long to begin noticing issues. There’s no single item to block social networking sites, for example. And while there’s a site whitelist for domains that should never be blocked, Sophos Home doesn’t provide a blacklist to specify sites that should never be accessible.
Still, it’s simple enough to get you started and you can limit access to the worst of the World Wide Web in a very few clicks.
Once the system is all setup, attempting to visit a site in a no-go category will get you a desktop notification and a message in your web browser explaining that Sophos Home had just blocked access to the site.
Hence, any tech-savvy teenager (and let’s face it, many today are) will bypass Sophos Home’s content filters without much difficulty. But if you’re just looking for something to protect very young children from discovering web nastiness by accident, this feature could still be very useful.
(Image credit: Sophos )
Webcam hijacking
Despite Sophos Home interface listing Privacy as one of its layers of protection, this only includes a single item: monitoring and preventing webcam hijacking. As soon as you launch an app that uses your webcam, an alert appears on the top-left corner of your screen, telling you that ‘Host Process for Windows Services 10’ is accessing your webcam.
If a third-party app is trying to access the webcam, a very obvious alert will appear in a blue band across the center of your screen, asking you whether you’d like to block or allow the app. Tapping ‘Allow’ will let the app grab the frame.
That said, Sophos Home doesn’t maintain a blacklist or whitelist of your webcam-related decisions, so every time you run the same third-party frame-grabbing app, it’ll ask you if you’d like to approve access again.
Overall, Sophos’ webcam protection can keep you safe to a degree, but it’s extremely basic and some users may eventually turn it off to avoid the constant alerts.
(Image credit: Sophos )
Bonus features
Despite being super-basic, Sophos Home does list several additional features as part of its armory, but they’re not always easy to test. The company states that it ‘supports password security by preventing malware from stealing your usernames and passwords stored in your machine’s memory,’ for example, but there’s no meaningful way to measure this.
Furthermore, Sophos claims its platform can ‘secure your banking and credit card information against malicious third parties and keylogger software,’ but we’re unclear how exactly it’s protecting users from ‘malicious third parties.’
Final verdict
All things considered, the lack of features and configurability may represent a problem for experienced users, but Sophos Home could be worth a look if you’re after a simple, centrally managed antivirus to protect multiple desktop PCs. It also helps that the price is right.
This is our round-up review of all consumer-facing malware protection software offered by Malwarebytes for 2025. Here, you will find a breakdown of all three offerings. These include:
(a) Malwarebytes Free, a top-notch malware removal tool
(b) Malwarebytes Standard, its antivirus solution that helps protect your computer from threats once they are removed
(c) Malwayrebtyes Plus, the same protections found in lower-tiered plans but bundled with Malwarebytes’ VPN for additional privacy and security while online
For almost 20 years, Malwarebytes has been the top malware removal tool for many hoping to clean their device from various nasties. In the last few years, the company has extended its offering to include antivirus software, making Malwarebytes more effective at protecting against all kinds of present and future threats. With a few advanced features and some additional privacy tools, the package looks convincing, to say the least.
But looks aren’t everything, as they say - which is why a deeper look is highly warranted.
First up is Malwarebytes Free, the basic malware removal offering we recommend for infections already cozied up in your computer. That’s about all it does, though it certainly has enough merit to find itself on all your devices.
Moving on to paid subscriptions, within ‘Malwarebytes Premium Security’ offerings (a bit confusing, I know), Malwarebytes Standard gets you an upgrade in the form of AI-powered antivirus defenses, including real-time protection against robocalls, phishing, and the like. It covers up to 20 devices.
Malwarebytes Plus ups the ante and throws in a virtual private network (VPN) for the same maximum number of devices. A VPN shields your online movements so they can't be tracked or traced back to you.
I’d be remiss not to mention Malwarebytes Total as an option geared towards those who want an encompassing security solution that comes with identity theft protection - and a hefty price tag that makes the package too far off for the purposes of this review.
So, how good is Malwarebytes in safeguarding you from the ever-present online dangers? We took the software for a spin and set it side by side with its AV peers to see how well it performs. We also looked at independent antivirus test labs to see their findings and compared them with our data. Keep on reading to learn if Malwarebytes is right for you.
(Image credit: Malwarebytes)
Plans and pricing
With no cost of use, it’s important to think about potential consequences. Basically, you're left open to attacks since Malwarebytes Free is limited to malware removal. As such, it’s good enough to dispose of unwanted software that is currently on your machine(s).
On the other hand, Malwarebytes Standard starts at $44.99/yr for a single device. For 35 bucks more, you can extend the protection to five devices in total. You get real-time protection against the broad -ware spectrum, along with the ad and scam blocker extension called Browser Guard for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
If you fancy more privacy for your online activities, Malwarebytes Plus comes in at $59.99 per year for one device or $99.99 for five. The difference in pricing is solely due to unlimited access to a no-logs VPN.
Compare Malwarebytes Subscriptions
Malwarebytes Free
The sad reality is that some antivirus programs fail to detect current malware infections. Typically at this point, most users turn to Malwarebytes for help. The caveat here is that this is a malware removal tool, not full-fledged AV software. It employs uninstall protections to both install itself onto your device and prevent whatever is plaguing your machine from blocking its use. And it finds and removes malware with great success, mind you.
When you first install Malwarebytes (and it scans and cleans your computer), you’re given a two-week trial of paid features. These include 24/7 threat protection, automatic scanning, and a Trusted Advisor responsible for instant insights into your security status and recommendations to optimize both protection and device performance.
Besides doing it manually, you can set the program to conduct a scan of your device every few days. If you forget, a little message will pop up to remind you how long it’s been since your last malware scan. Malwarebytes is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
(Image credit: Malwarebytes)
Mobile apps
The free Android offering works on the same basis as its desktop version. Correspondingly, you get alerts on SMS phishing links and a small perk in Privacy Checker that shows which apps can access your information. This is a standard feature you’ll find in other apps, but it’s nice to have it nonetheless.
It’s pretty much the same thing with the free iOS app, supported by ad blocking for Safari and automatic filtering of fraudulent texts. Do note that the malware scanner isn’t available on iOS due to the nature of Apple’s operating system - though risks of getting infected are low, to begin with.
Final verdict
Malwarebytes provides decent help in combating online dangers. It’s far from a great AV and you won’t get the best protection, but then again, it won’t cost you a penny either. When paired with real-time protection from Windows Defender (or something similar), Malwarebytes offers a relatively safe haven with its malware-busting mechanism, so that counts for something.
Malwarebytes Standard
(Image credit: Malwarebytes)
The best part of using Malwarebytes Standard is access to top-of-the-range malware removal and immediate AV protection. This means security against exploits, ransomware, and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), as well as Brute Force Protection that kicks in when someone tries to guess your login information.
You can tinker with rules for specific apps and programs, schedule scans at the most convenient times, and configure the tool’s MO when playing games or streaming movies.
The question now is - does this combo of malware removal and antivirus work as advertised? Here’s what we found.
(Image credit: Malwarebytes)
Protection
For reasons unknown, Malwarebytes has a habit of not allowing most third-party test labs like AV-Comparatives and AV-Test (last results are from 2023) to regularly evaluate its software. When you do find fresh independent data (like on AVLab), it’s almost always only the Windows version, so there isn't any info on how it protects Mac users.
The mishmash of historical and recent data from independent labs and our testing shows that Malwarebytes is fairly average in blocking a fair share of threats. This is likely due to the company’s decision to rely on user feedback running its apps. It collects information on the threats and builds its own database, as opposed to tapping into the same threat databases as other antivirus software.
Our first test involved specially designed apps of our own creation to simulate malware that exploits common Windows tools to create processes, download malicious files, and behave in a suspect way. Malwarebytes ignored the behavior and allowed the files to download. It blocked them all on launch or when they were ready to open, keeping us safe.
“Malwarebytes has a habit of not allowing most third-party test labs like AV-Comparatives and AV-Test (last results are from 2023) to regularly evaluate its software.”
(Image credit: AV-Tests)
While that's good, other programs are more cautious. For example, Trend Micro spotted our test app's dodgy-looking actions and closed their processes before they could download anything. Bitdefender also recognized some of the behavior and stopped the potential threats in their tracks before having a chance to download. In both cases, if anything was missed, malicious files were still spotted either during download or shortly afterward and removed before the malware could do its bidding.
As a second, more high-stakes test, we pitted Malwarebytes against a simple ransomware simulator, once again made by our team. The idea was to throw at its behavior monitoring something it hadn’t seen before and check if it could detect the threat.
Sadly, Malwarebytes sat idly by as our simulator encrypted thousands of test documents.
Other vendors fared far better on our test. Trend Micro and Bitdefender not only spotted our simulator by its actions alone, but they also killed the process and recovered the handful of lost files, ensuring we didn't lose a byte of data.
We normally don't treat failing this test as a major black mark since it’s a single sample and not even real malware. As such, it would be unfair to draw big conclusions from so little data.
That said, the poor results broadly match the sentiment of independent labs and other testers: Malwarebytes simply doesn't deliver the protection you'll get elsewhere, and that has to be a concern.
(Image credit: Malwarebytes)
Performance
In terms of user-friendliness, Malwarebytes does well. It runs in the background and protects you immediately, with everything turned on and ready to go right out of the proverbial box.
A simple double-click on the Malwarebytes icon and another click on the Scan button will run an on-demand scan. The process is very straightforward so that even newbies will feel at home right away.
The main Scan feature swiftly checks memory, startup items, and key areas of your file system. It made sensible choices on our test system, examining enough areas to be useful but not so many that we were kept waiting for results. If you're in a real hurry, a Quick Scan checks RAM and startup objects blazingly fast.
(Image credit: Malwarebytes)
With the Custom Scan option, you can choose items you'd like checked, including specific files and folders. It provides a bit more control over the entire process, including what to do with PUPs. It's a welcome touch, albeit not at the level of control you'll see with more geek-friendly products from Avast, Avira, and others.
You're able to scan files, folders, or drives from the right-click Explorer menu. The Windows client can't handle simultaneous on-demand scans, which isn't a huge issue by any means. Malwarebytes' algorithms still pick up threats as they appear, even if another scan is running - but it's a hassle you don't get with the best AV solutions.
Extra features
(Image credit: Malwarebytes)
If you're hoping for a pile of bonus features and additional stuff, you're out of luck. There's no specialist banking protection here, no password manager, and all that jazz you might get with some of Malwarebytes’ peers. Truth be told, this focus on the fundamentals keeps the tool undemanding to use, so if you can live without all the bells and whistles, you’ll likely appreciate the simplicity and lack of clutter.
Final verdict
While Malwarebytes Premium Security has enough charm and wits to make your PC a little safer, it falls short of being a complete antivirus replacement. Its protection score isn’t all that great as it misses a little bit of this and that here and there, but it certainly passes off as a capable AV solution for basic users and needs.
Malwarebytes Plus
(Image credit: Malwarebytes)
In case you want to beef up your protection and privacy, Malwarebytes Plus adds the company's VPN product, Privacy VPN, to the paid offering.
Compared to most “proper” VPNs on the market, the network is quite modest, with 500+ servers in almost 50 countries. However, with an even global spread and 19 locations in the US alone, there's a good chance you'll have a server near you.
The general VPN offering is basic in the extreme (this goes for mobile, too), but there are some technical pluses underneath. Privacy VPN connects via the fast and secure WireGuard protocol, you can route your connection through two servers, and there is a kill switch to block all network traffic in case the connection drops.
(Image credit: Malwarebytes)
Privacy VPN
If you’ve ever used a VPN, you’ll be right at home with the simple but familiar interface of Privacy VPN. The dashboard shows the current server location, while you can choose another server from the list of countries and cities without closing the active connection first. Once connected, your new IP shows up, highlighting its location on a world map.
(Image credit: Malwarebytes)
And that’s the gist. The apps lack numerous common features, like a Favorites system to group your most commonly used locations. You have no idea the ping or load of each server, so you just have to wing it when choosing the best ones. You can’t switch protocols, either: it's strictly WireGuard-only.
Nonetheless, a deeper look reveals plenty of useful touches.
For instance, the app can automatically connect when you access insecure networks. It supports split tunneling to set which items use the VPN and which don't, and if you know what you’re doing, you can set an alternate DNS server for more privacy. We were impressed, briefly, until we spotted another big omission.
Performance
The thing is, Privacy VPN doesn't have an 'Automatic' or 'Fastest' option - a staple in most VPNs today. For some reason, Sweden is set as a default regardless of where you are, which means you have to pick your preferred location manually.
The saving grace is that the connection times were rather sensible, at around 5 seconds. With performance-oriented WireGuard protocol in tow, UK download speeds reached a commendable 780Mbps - though we've seen faster with Surfshark in recent testing.
Plus, the core VPN engine is tuned well. Case in point: when connecting from one location to another, most VPN apps close the first connection, leaving you unprotected until they establish a new one. Malwarebytes’ Privacy VPN seems to employ a temporary kill switch, blocking internet traffic for just those few unprotected seconds until the VPN is restored. Smart.
(Image credit: Malwarebytes)
Unfortunately, the actual kill switch was less useful. Sometimes when it was on, the app couldn't connect - to the point it couldn't even get online itself. Not so smart.
The bad news continued with our final unblocking tests, with Privacy VPN failing to get us into BBC iPlayer, US Netflix, Amazon, or Disney+.
Final verdict
Adding a VPN with great speeds for just $15 more seems like a great deal, but poor unblocking results and assorted technical troubles make it difficult to recommend Privacy VPN instead of a specialist VPN provider. For under $40 a year, you can get a lot more with the best-value long-term contracts.
• Original review date: December 2021
• Replaced by Shark's new 3-in-1 SpeedStyle in the US, but widely available
• Launch price: £229.99 / $229.99
• Official price now: £199.99 / $179.99
Updated: February 2024. The Shark Style iQ / HyperAir hair dryer is still widely available and is actually a little more affordable than it used to be, bucking the trend many manufacturers have followed in line with inflation. It's got a sister product now, too, the Shark 3-in-1 SpeedStyle, which we're presently in the process of reviewing. In the US, the SpeedStyle seems to have fully replaced the HyperAir on Shark's website, but it's available from third-party retailers like Walmart and Amazon, still. In the UK, it's retailing as usual. The rest of this review remains as previously published.
One-minute review
Shark is a brand well known for making some of the best vacuum cleaners around. Often mentioned as a rival to floor-cleaning stalwart Dyson, it’s no surprise that the brand has followed its competitor into the hair-care market.
The Shark Style iQ, which is known as the Shark HyperAir in the US, is the brand’s first hair dryer, but while Dyson opted to design its hair dryer from the ground up, Shark’s model follows the traditional design with which we’re all familiar. However, the Style iQ comes with smarts such as the ability to automatically adjust the air flow and temperature, based on the attachment you’ve connected, to suit the type of style you’re trying to create.
The Shark Style iQ hair dryer features three temperature settings, three speed levels, and a cool-shot function. The 1600W hair-care appliance ships with two attachments. The first is a concentrator nozzle with an adjustable opening, suitable for a gentle all-over quick-dry; or, when narrowed, it can be used to create a smooth, sleek style. The second is a diffuser, whose extendable prongs ensure the roots, as well as the ends of curly hair, can be dried evenly, reducing the risk of heat damage.
At £229.99 / $229.99, the Shark Style iQ is more expensive than many hair dryers on the market, but it still manages to undercut the Dyson supersonic. It’s ideal for those who want to create an array of hairstyles without worrying about which settings they should be using. It will also suit those with curly hair who wish to limit heat damage.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Shark style iQ hair dryer price and availability
List price: £229.99 / $229.99
The Shark Style iQ, or the Shark HyperAir iQ in the US, will set you back £229.99 / $229.99. It’s available directly through Shark, as well as from retailers including John Lewis in the UK.
In the UK, the Shark Style iQ comes bundled with a concentrator nozzle and a diffuser, while in the US the diffuser is replaced by a styling brush attachment. An additional bundle in the US also includes the diffuser, a tool for creating soft waves, plus hair clips and a non-slip mat for $249.95.
There are also Shark promo codes around, so see if the latest arrivals apply to this.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Design
Three temperature and speed settings
Ships with two attachments
Compact and lightweight
The Shark Style iQ looks as you’d expect a hair dryer to, although the barrel is slightly shorter than on some models we’ve tested, such as the Panasonic EH-NA67. It’s a compact hair-care appliance, measuring 25 x 7.5 x 12cm / 9.8 x 3 x 4.7 inches (h x w x d) and weighing 500g / 1.1lb.
The UK model comes in a stylish black and rose gold finish, while in the US the hair dryer has a muted gold tone. As mentioned, in the UK the hair dryer comes bundled with a concentrator nozzle and a diffuser, while in the US the package comprises a styling brush attachment in place of the diffuser.
The hair dryer offers 1600W of power with three temperature settings and three options for the speed of air flow, which are controlled using the buttons on the back of the barrel. The power button is located on the back of the handle, while on the front of the handle is a cool-shot button that delivers a blast of cold air to set your style.
Those who don’t have a mirror conveniently located next to a power outlet will still be able to dry their hair easily, thanks to the Style iQ’s 2.5m / 8.2ft power cord.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Performance
Fast drying times
Automatically adjusting heat and speed settings
Fiddly to clean
The Shark Style iQ certainly lives up to its claims of being super-quick to dry hair. On the fastest setting, it took 3 minutes and 56 seconds to get our damp, below-shoulder-length fine hair to completely dry. When used on the lowest temperature settings, this increased only to 5 minutes and 8 seconds, making it among the faster hair dryers we’ve tested.
On all settings, hair was left looking shiny and smooth, with very few fly-away strands. Overall, the Shark Style iQ was comfortable to hold in both the left and right hand (we switched hands, depending upon the side of the head being styled).
We were impressed that when the concentrator nozzle or diffuser were attached to the hair dryer, the temperature and speed settings were adjusted automatically to the optimum level to use that tool. We also found the sliders on the attachments – used to extend the prongs on the diffuser and widen or narrow the concentrator nozzle – moved smoothly.
In terms of noise, the Shark Style iQ registered 76dB on our decibel meter on the fastest settings. This puts it middle-of-the-range when it comes to noisy hair-care appliances, and is equivalent to the sound emitted by a vacuum cleaner. Since the hair dryer is likely to be on for only a few minutes at a time, it's acceptable.
However, we were disappointed that the hair dryer lacks a removable filter, which makes it fiddly to keep free of both dust and lint.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a list of the best antivirus software that doesn’t have Bitdefender on it. It's simply that good. Bitdefender is so quick at recognizing threats, it stops malware files before they have a chance to begin downloading. And if you try to visit a website with known threats, Bitdefender displays a prominent warning to help you avoid the danger.
This is our all-in-one roundup reviewing every Bitdefender consumer security solution for 2023. On this page, after our brief intro, you’ll find
(a) a full evaluation of the entry-level Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, along with our reviews of the additional features incorporated with the rest of the range:
(b) Bitdefender Internet Security, and
(c) the top-end package Bitdefender Total Security.
You can jump to the reviews of those individual products by clicking on the links in the bar at the top of this page, but bear in mind that this article is really designed to be read all the way through, as the features of Antivirus Plus are also present in the higher-level security suites.
Stellar protection isn’t the only perk Bitdefender offers. All of its options include some great security tools that make it more effective at keeping your entire system secure from threats like hackers and snoops.
Most antivirus programs have several subscription options known as tiers, and Bitdefender is no exception. Each tier builds upon the one before with the cheapest tier offering basic malware protection and the highest tier being the ultimate, all-in-one protection solution.
Bitdefender starts with Bitdefender Antivirus Plus as its basic malware protection program, though it does include a fair number of extra security tools to make it an overall great program.
Bitdefender Internet Security has the same excellent malware protection as its basic program but does include more features to make sure you're well protected against other threats like hackers and snoops.
The all-in-one solution, Bitdefender Total Security includes all available security tools offered by Bitdefender, and while it does have just about everything you could need to lock down your system, it's surprisingly light on your devices and doesn't typically cause noticeable slowdown.
The Bitdefender website is really confusing. Several comparison tables show differences in which devices are protected, starting price and the number of licenses included, and even discrepancies in which tools come with each subscription. So I’ve broken it down for you here to help you figure out which Bitdefender subscription is right for you.
(Image credit: Bitdefender)
Plans and pricing
For the level of security, Bitdefender comes with, and how well it works on your system without bogging it down, the price is right on point and worth every penny. All subscriptions come with free 24/7 support, real-time protection, and automatic updates, so you don’t have to worry about manually connecting or downloading patches.
Bitdefender has three great paid subscription options that work on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices. Plus, you can get multiple licenses to cover more than one device without paying an arm or a leg. All your devices can be managed from a single online account where you can also schedule scans or view protection reports. Bitdefender also has options of single-year, 2-year, and 3-year subscription plans, and choices of the number of devices to protect from one up to 10.
Starting at $29.99, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus can protect up to three devices. For a basic antivirus program, it includes some impressive advanced features like a file shredder, social media protections, and safe banking tools. You’re limited to 200/MB per day on its VPN, but the fact you even get VPN access at this level is impressive. Also, Antivirus Plus comes with a vulnerability scanner.
The mid-level program, Bitdefender Internet Security, builds on the impressive feature set of Antivirus Plus. Internet Security includes parental controls, webcam monitoring, and microphone protections to give your whole family extra privacy. Its starting cost is $34.99 for three devices, but you can bump that up to 10 devices for an additional cost.
The biggest subscription is Bitdefender Total Security. This package includes every tool, plus a system optimizer to help your devices run faster. It starts at $39.99 for a single year and five devices.
Since there isn’t a big difference between Internet Security and Total Security, this $5 difference isn’t too bad for the first year. However, after the introductory period, the cost jumps to $95 to continue using Total Security. At this point, it may be more economical to use the Internet Security option, which is cheaper.
If you're not yet convinced, no problem: every product has a 30-day trial build available. There are no credit card details required, just register with your email address and you can check out Bitdefender's abilities for yourself.
Compare Bitdefender Subscriptions
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
(Image credit: Bitdefender)
Installing Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is fast and almost automatic. It's as quick and easy as pointing, clicking the download button, and within, a couple of minutes, getting a reassuring 'Bitdefender is successfully installed' message. It walks you through every step to help you get started.
You don't need to set up much because the most important functions are already on by default. But Bitdefender has in-program tutorials and guides to help you enable additional tools for added security of your device.
During my in-house tests, Bitdefender equipped my test system with 13 new background processes and Windows services, some filter drivers and assorted other low-level clutter. That's not unusual for an antivirus, but it can be a problem if it's a drag on your system speed.
AV-Comparatives is one of the third-party test labs that consistently test antivirus software. During its latest round of testing, Bitdefender didn't show any real problems when it came to slowing down computer processes while running. The only noticeable slowdown was seen while opening new applications. Bitdefender tended to slow down the initial opening but didn't affect the programs while being used.
I ran several self-protection tests to see if malware can disable key protections of Bitdefender. This included trying to delete or replace files, suspend or close key processes, stop core services, remove or edit scheduled tasks, unload filter drivers, and change key settings. Bitdefender has always been a very well-defended product, though, and this time was no different: the package shrugged off all attacks and carried on as normal.
(Image credit: Bitdefender)
Interface
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is designed with simplicity in mind. Its dashboard is laid out intuitively with the most important tools displayed front and center. This includes scan options and VPN access. Finding additional functions isn't hard using the sign bar with icon navigation buttons.
Some tools are displayed but aren't available with Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. Clicking these will display a message encouraging you to upgrade to one of Bitdefender's higher-tiered programs in order to use that particular tool. Tools that aren't available do have a lock icon over them to help you see quickly which features aren't available to you.
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If the standard dashboard layout doesn't quite suit your needs, you can customize it to remove default features or add new ones. Not interested in the VPN, maybe? In a click or two you could replace it with links to the full system scan, the password manager, disk clean-up module, or a host of other tools. If only everyone was this flexible.
Overall, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus offers a polished and professional interface that's easy and comfortable to use for beginners but also offers the configurability and control that experts need.
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Antivirus
When you first start using Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, it will conduct a full system scan. This examines every part of your device to look for any unwanted intruders. Every antivirus software I've tested does this, but Bitdefender takes a lot more time to complete this compared to other programs.
On average, it takes about 20 minutes for other antivirus to do a full system sweep. Bitdefender, however, takes over an hour. Thankfully I didn't notice any computer slowdown during this scan, so I could continue workings, browsing, playing online, etc., without interruption.
Another scan mode support is Quick Scan. Quick Scan checks the most commonly infected areas. You can schedule Quick Scans for once a day, or weekly if you'd like, and a deeper system scan less often. Bitdefender lets you check individual objects and files, plus it has a bootable rescue environment to assist in cleaning the most stubborn threats.
A Manage Scans tool lets you create new scan types, as well as configuring how the scan works, and setting it up to run on a schedule or on-demand only. There is also a Custom Scan, which scans in any system location where there might be potential threats. Plus, a Vulnerability Scan, to check for privacy risks in application settings as well as for any critical software updates.
This doesn't quite provide the expert-level options that I've seen from vendors like Avast and Avira (you can't define specific file types to check or archive types you'd like to handle, for instance), but there's more than enough power here for most people. Unfortunately, you can't pin your custom scan type to the main dashboard, so it's always at least three clicks away.
Bitdefender's antivirus settings can't match the geek-level configurability of some of the competition, either, but they're well-judged and focus on the functions you're more likely to need.
You don't get intimidating and overly technical options to scan RAR archives to a nested depth of 4, but not scan TARs, for instance – there's just a simple 'scan archives, yes or no?' setting.
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Threat Timeline
During the review process, Bitdefender occasionally displayed its 'threat timeline', with what seems like a detailed explanation of how I nearly got infected. This all looks very impressive, a flow chart with times, app names, and big icons, but in my experience, it doesn't mean very much.
One timeline started with Outlook launching, told me it then launched Chrome, which executed software_reporter_tool.exe, and Bitdefender then detected a threat. Anyone seeing this might assume they'd received a malicious email, clicked a link, Chrome opened, and launched an app, which in turn ran a malicious program.
But in reality, I ran Outlook as normal; Chrome only launched because I clicked a legitimate link; the link had nothing to do with software_reporter_tool.exe (that's a standard part of Chrome); and the supposed 'threat' (actually a false alarm) was never downloaded in that or any other internet session.
Giving users more information about the source of an infection is a good idea, but during my review at least, Bitdefender's threat timelines caused confusion more than they answered any questions.
(Image credit: AV-Comparatives)
Performance
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus scanning speeds are decent, with Quick Scans taking around 15-30 seconds on my test computer. Regular scans started at 50 minutes to check my target files (209,000 of them, 50GB in total.) That's a little slow, and for example, Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security took 15 minutes to scan the same data.
Bitdefender only checks new and changed files in subsequent scans, though, and that makes a huge difference. Antivirus Plus took only 50 seconds to scan my test files in run #2, compared to nine minutes for Trend Micro.
The scanning engine is smart enough to manage simultaneous scans without difficulty, too. If you're running a lengthy full system scan, for instance, you can still run an on-demand scan of a recent download, or anything else you like. A window pops up to display the results of your second scan, while the first scan continues to run in the background.
The total sum of this is a polished set of malware-hunting tools which go well beyond the basics, but remain easy to use for not-so-technical types. Experts might wish for one or two more fine-tuning options, but in general, Bitdefender gets the configurability/ usability balance right.
Protection
To learn how well Bitdefender protects against malware, I looked at the real-world tests conducted by two of the biggest testing labs in the world, AV-Comparatives, and AV-Tests. Both use live malware in real-life scenarios in their testing and have years of data to compare against.
In the latest results by AV-Comparatives, Bitdefender blocked 99.94% of the threats used during testing. This placed Bitdefender in the top-rated solutions with a very good, higher-than-average protection score. A few of the programs that scored higher include Avast, AVG, Norton, and McAfee.
AV-Test uses a different testing methodology than AV-Comparaties but still simulates real-life usage. The latest AV-Test results show Bitdefender receiving perfect scores across the board. In fact, of the 18 programs reviewed by AV-Test, Bitdefender is among only six that earned perfect scores.
No individual reviewer can hope to compete with the testing labs for thoroughness, but I was keen to confirm their verdicts by seeing how Bitdefender Antivirus Plus handled a couple of ransomware threats. I used a few malware test files on my own test computers to learn first-hand how Bitdefender handles threats.
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The first, a real-world ransomware specimen, was blocked almost immediately, with Bitdefender killing the process before it could cause any harm.
The second was a custom ransomware simulator of my own. It's about as simple a malware sample as you could get, but it's also something Bitdefender would never have seen before, allowing me to evaluate how Antivirus Plus performs when presented with brand-new threats.
I ran the test software, and in just a fraction of a second, Bitdefender's engine cut in and displayed an alert. Not only had it detected and killed the test process, but Bitdefender's Ransomware Remediation technology successfully restored the ten files the software had managed to encrypt.
While this was a great performance, it did show a few small issues.
Firstly, the Ransomware Remediation feature isn't turned on by default. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus prompts you to enable it, but if you're not paying attention, you could lose at least a handful of files in an attack.
Next, the package didn't quarantine the simulator, either, despite detecting it performing ransomware-like actions. I ran it multiple times, and when I scanned the executable later, Bitdefender flagged it as 'clean.'
The company told me that threats are removed only if they're detected by the signature layer. Mine was picked up by the behavior layer, which will kill an offending process, but not try to remove it.
Other antivirus software I tested went further, quarantining the test executable to prevent it from running again, and on balance that's the approach I prefer. But this isn't a major deal, as Bitdefender's gentler approach doesn't seem to have any practical effect on system security, as although I was able to repeatedly run the same threat, Bitdefender blocked it each time.
That's a major improvement over many competitors, which either miss the simulator entirely or aren't able to stop it from destroying at least some files (Norton Antivirus Plus lost 57.) Overall, Bitdefender provides very capable and effective all-around ransomware protection.
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Blocking malicious sites
Bitdefender's web protection module monitors your internet access and blocks malicious and phishing links.
AV-Comparatives' tested Bitdefender for its July 2022 Anti-Phishing Certification Test. The results were a big improvement over the previous year's results with Bitdefender earning a 96% detection rate.
I've previously tested Bitdefender against 139 brand new suspect URLs (malicious and phishing) provided by independent security testing company MRG Effitas. These were so new – many reported only hours ago – that they hadn't all even been verified yet, making them a real challenge to block.
The results were very positive, though, with Bitdefender blocking 73% of my test links. For comparison, Avast Premium Security stopped 55% of the same set of links, while Windows Defender recognized just 30%.
Don't be distracted by the low percentages: this is a measure of how quickly a vendor responds to new threats, not your overall protection against any dangerous links. The main takeaway point from this test is Bitdefender was giving me significantly better protection than others against even the very latest malicious sites.
When you reach a legitimate site, Bitdefender's Anti-Tracker browser extension aims to detect and block the most intrusive web trackers, then displays a count of these in its address bar icon.
I pointed my browser at the newspaper site dailymail.co.uk and the extension reported blocking a chunky 35 trackers in two categories: Advertising (29) and Site Analytics (6). (Other categories include Social Media, Customer Interaction, and 'Essential.')
To compare Anti-Tracker's abilities with the ad-blocking competition, I revisited the same site with the excellent uBlock Origin activated, and this time Anti-Tracker blocked only five trackers. You can get much the same functionality for free, then, but it looks like Bitdefender Anti-Tracker does offer some additional privacy benefits. (And of course, as I did in my tests, you can run Anti-Tracker alongside your existing ad-blocker to get the best of all worlds.)
(Image credit: Bitdefender)
Password manager
Wallet is Bitdefender's password manager. Along with regular website logins, it's able to store credit card details, wireless network passwords, application logins, and license keys, email server credentials and details, and assorted personal information (name, date of birth, address, email, phone number(s), and more). Wallet is able to create multiple password databases and sync them across all your Bitdefender-equipped devices.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus automatically installed the Wallet extension on Internet Explorer and Firefox and gave me the option to install it on Chrome, but paid no attention at all to Edge or Opera.
I found Wallet wasn't as easy to use as top competitors like Dashlane: it didn't add icons to text fields, didn't always capture username and password fields as I entered them, sometimes failed to fill in forms correctly, and couldn't automatically submit forms. However, it just about handled the basics and is a worthwhile addition to the package.
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Online banking protection
Safepay is a secure and isolated browser that protects online banking and other transactions from snoopers – or maybe even malware that has somehow installed itself on your system.
Many other security vendors also claim to have similar secure browsers, but Bitdefender goes further than most. Safepay makes real efforts to isolate itself from other processes on your PC, running on a separate desktop and preventing screen grabbers and keyloggers from recording what you're doing.
I checked this by setting up a custom keylogger of my own and using a commercial screen capture tool to take snapshots of my activities every 15 seconds. Safepay worked perfectly, with no recorded keystrokes and plain white screenshots only.
Bitdefender has considered long-term storage, too. Once the session is closed, Safepay clears all temporary files and leaves no trace of my activities.
Much like the safe browsing competition, Safepay doesn't support installing third-party extensions, as they open you up to many more privacy problems. But it does have a handful of useful built-in extras, including a virtual keyboard as an extra defense again keyloggers, and a pop-up blocker to protect you from web trickery.
Safepay isn't just some throwaway extra, then - it's a real highlight of the suite, and using it for the most confidential web tasks could go a long way to keeping you safe.
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More features
A Vulnerability Scan checks your system for missing application updates and critical Windows patches, as well as weak Windows account passwords, and simple Wi-Fi network issues, and includes more checks for altered and poorly configured system settings.
I turned Autorun on, a risky setting that can automatically run software when you plug in a removable drive or media, and the Vulnerability Scan warned us and offered to fix the issue. It also spotted some far more obscure options - my system wasn't restricting access to site management policies for security zones, for instance - and, more usefully, spotted missing Java and Firefox updates.
This is a basic tool, with one or two usability issues. There's no 'Fix All' button, so you must choose an action for each individual item. You can't tell the Vulnerability Scan to ignore a particular issue, either; even if you're entirely happy with having unrestricted access to site management policies, it's going to warn you about the 'problem' each and every time.
Still, there is value here, particularly with the checks for missing updates, and overall, the Vulnerability Scan is a worthwhile addition to the suite.
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VPN
Last, but not least, there's the VPN. You're limited to only 200MB, which is enough for the lightest of uses, picking up email or carrying out some confidential web transactions via public Wi-Fi. But it's easy to use, has servers that cover 51 countries, and support for Hotspot Shield's Catapult Hydra protocol ensures decent speeds. It's worth having, even in its limited form (but check out this full Bitdefender Premium VPN review if you'd like to go further.)
Final verdict
This is a strong all-around antivirus tool that does a good job of keeping even brand-new, undiscovered threats at bay and throws in some useful extras, too. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is an absolute must for your PC security shortlist.
Bitdefender Internet Security
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Bitdefender Antivirus Plus has way more functionality than most antivirus apps, but it's still missing some key security suite features. And that's where Bitdefender Internet Security comes in, adding essentials like a firewall, spam filter, and parental controls.
A privacy layer protects you from webcam hijacking by stopping unauthorized apps from accessing your webcam, and a microphone monitor identifies all the apps using the microphone.
As I mentioned at the outset, Bitdefender Internet Security is reasonably priced and only marginally more expensive than Antivirus Plus. For example, a three-device, one-year Internet Security license costs $10 more in year one ($34.99 vs $24.99), and $25 more on renewal ($84.99 vs $59.99). You could spend more than that on a commercial parental controls package or spam filter alone.
Bitdefender's firewall works exactly as you would hope, automatically blocking incoming attacks, intelligently deciding which apps are safe to allow online, and which apps really, really aren't. Most people can leave the firewall to do its work, never seeing any prompts, or having to tweak a single setting.
If you're more experienced in the ways of networks, you can take plenty of low-level control, drilling down to the rule level and tweaking settings for protocols, ports, IP addresses, and more.
Bitdefender exposes this functionality carefully, though, so newbies aren't hit with all the gory details immediately. A smartly designed interface begins by enabling users to block or allow network access for individual apps, for instance, with a simple on/ off switch. The Rule Editor enables setting custom local and remote IP addresses, ports, and more, but again, you're not hit with all that complexity unless you go looking for it, and on balance, it's relatively easy to use.
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Spam filter
Internet Security comes with a simple spam filter, which in theory should have automatically added a tab to my Outlook setup. This didn't happen for me, and digging deeper, I found an Outlook alert reporting that 'Bitdefender Antispam... caused Outlook to crash. As a result, it was disabled.'
Enabling it manually, I found the filter has only a bare minimum of features, little more than Outlook's own junk filter (blacklists and whitelists, Is Spam and Not Spam options to mark misidentified emails, simple blocking of messages with Asian or Cyrillic characters).
This lack of control doesn't seem to affect functionality, though, with my brief tests suggesting the filter blocks more than 90% of junk mail, while falsely flagging less than 1% of legitimate emails as spam. This was only a very quick check, but it suggests that Bitdefender's filter matches the best of the specialist antispam competition.
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Parental controls
Bitdefender's Parental Controls feature has a reasonable set of features for monitoring and controlling your children's digital activities. You're able to block websites by content, restrict application use, block device usage for specified periods (like bedtime) or set a daily limit of screen time which includes both mobile and desktop devices.
After creating a profile for each child at Bitdefender Central (your account area on the Bitdefender website), your rules are enforced by Windows, Mac, Android and iOS clients. Return to Bitdefender Central at any time and you'll find reports on your child's activities: device usage, apps launched, websites visited, your child's latest phone contacts, and more.
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The web dashboard displays your child's location on a map (assuming they're using an iOS or Android device.) Geofencing support enables marking an area as restricted and raises the alarm if your child goes where they really shouldn't.
It's a decent feature set, especially for a security suite, where normally you're left with the absolute basics only. It hasn't changed much over the past few years, though - the iOS app hasn't had a significantly named new feature for several years - and app store ratings of 2.1 (Android) and 1.7 (iOS) - suggest users aren't happy. If parental controls are a priority for you, run plenty of in-depth tests during your Bitdefender trial before you commit to spending any cash.
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Webcam and microphone protection
A Webcam Protection module gives you control over which applications can access your webcam. This has more options than usual, with settings to block access to all but your chosen applications, block browsers only, or disable the webcam for everything. I tested this with my custom command line capture tool, and Internet Security correctly notified me that it was trying to access the webcam, and blocked it when requested.
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The Microphone Monitor takes a slightly more basic approach, raising alerts for apps that access the microphone, but not allowing you to block them, or setting up rules to block all future microphone access.
This clearly isn't as useful as it could be, but it's vastly better than most competitors, who typically have no microphone-related features at all. I'm happy to see it added to the package, and hopefully, it'll gain features in upcoming releases.
Bitdefender Total Security
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The top-of-the-range Bitdefender Total Security extends the range with a familiar set of PC maintenance tools, including modules to highlight large files, remove disk-hogging junk and optimize the boot process.
Total Security's clean-up tools found 1.2GB of hard drive junk on my test PC. Meanwhile, the free CCleaner located 3.4GB, and even the standard Windows Disk Cleanup could free up 1.53 GB.
The Privacy Cleaner aims to clear up your internet history, but it only covered Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Internet Explorer on my system. CCleaner does much better, this time, also deleting privacy-related traces of Edge, Brave, Windows, and assorted apps.
Bitdefender throws in a File Shredder to securely delete sensitive files, but again, there's nothing that you can't find elsewhere for free.
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The real benefit of upgrading to Bitdefender Total Security is you get apps for Android, Mac, and iOS devices, as well as PCs. And although the new apps can't match the power of the Windows edition, they're well worth having.
The Mac app looks out for malware and adware and includes Time Machine protection to keep your backups safe from ransomware. Top-quality anti-phishing blocks access to malicious links, and the 200MB a day version of Bitdefender VPN is thrown in.
Bitdefender Mobile Security for iOS is mostly about detecting malicious websites, but it does this well, and that alone could save you from real problems. As a bonus, an account privacy tool raises an alert if your web accounts are involved in a privacy breach.
Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android includes everything you get in the Mac and iOS builds, and adds on-installation scanning for dangerous apps, an app locker to prevent others from accessing your personal data, and anti-theft to remotely locate, lock or wipe a missing device.
You can get a lot of this functionality elsewhere for free – there's no shortage of app locker or anti-theft apps, for instance – but as I discussed earlier, Bitdefender's malicious URL blocking outperforms much of the competition, and could justify the installation on its own.
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If you're still in doubt, check the prices. A baseline Bitdefender Internet Security license protects up to three PCs for $35 in year one and $85 on renewal. Upgrading to Bitdefender Total Security protects up to five devices, which could be any mix of Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS, but only costs $40 in year one, and $95 on renewal.
Covering up to 10 devices with Total Security still only costs $45 in year one, and $105 on renewal, and you can save more money by adding years to the license.
There may be better deals around, depending on the features you need. Avira Prime is a little more expensive at $100 a year to protect five devices, for instance, and there's no introductory discount. But it also gives you unlimited access to Avira's Phantom VPN across all your devices, a very valuable extra.
If you're looking purely at antivirus and security, though, Bitdefender Total Security 2022 is an impressive package that is crammed with valuable features and functionality. If you're looking for a new all-platform antivirus, it's a must-see.
Want to compare Bitdefender to its rivals? Check out our best antivirus guide
