I was a previous user of Norton and had been for a number of years, but it seemed good to test and alternative product. I signed up to the BitDefender beta programme and when I received the e-mail inviting me to download the install file I did so having created a user account. I know enough about security software to know that running two suites contemporaneously is not a good idea; they do not make good bed fellows. Therefore I uninstalled Norton before proceeding. However, I was concerned that I received no warning from BitdDefender to do so and this may catch out the less "wordly-wise".
After install you get the message - "Your free trial was successfully activated! After you complete the installation and sign in with your credentials, your new device will appear in the Bitdefender Central dashboard." - more about this shortly.
There a tick box to send anonymous reports which I left left ticked and ignored Custom install. There was no mention that I could find of what the significance is of leaving the tick box unchecked.
BitDefender then scanned computer "to make sure it is clean for installation" which did not take long and was provided with licence to 28/08/2017 (90 days) and I completed the 5 step brief tour - nothing too startling here.
I opened my browser, Firefox, to check that the install was functioning OK. At first browser launch, I was asked to modify Firefox by installing Bitdefender Wallet - no idea what this is and no explanation given.
Also I received the message "The owner of www.google.co.uk has configured their web site improperly. To protect your information from being stolen, Firefox has not connected to this web site." This has never happened before installing BitDefender and it is possible that it is coincidence, but I suspect not. Thankfully it was the only time this message occurred
As indicated in a previous FE forum post it it says I have Bitdefender Total Security 2017. But also as stated, 2018 was installed after an update.
After an update and restart, it has a welcome screen that says "What's new in Bitdefender Total Security 2018" Clicking on links for further information comes up with a 404 page not found error.
Received e-mail asking to verify my account. Took ages (sorry no timings), but completed eventually.
My biggest concern through the install process is that Bitdefender appears not auto start - or so it seemed. Worrying! However after about 40 seconds from the time that Windows appears to have started up fully, the icon appears in the taskbar and hovering over it brings up the legend "Bitdefender services are loading, please wait." This goes on for another 15 seconds or so. Does this mean my PC is unprotected if I surf the web or open e-mails and attachments in the intervening period? Also, when running CCleaner, it does not appear listed as a Windows start up program, but is listed as a Scheduled Task. It seems that Bitdefender is on a delayed start. If this is true it is a major defect that needs addressing. It is certainly nothing that happened all the time I was using Norton.
I think that is all with regard to the install. I have a few more comments to make about the programme in normal use, but that is for a later thread.