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BullGuard understands our expectations of internet security software. They relate that "looking good only gets you so far. The product needs to work, and to work well." We agree. It does not matter how beautiful the interface is or how many modules it includes if it cannot protect you and your computer from all troublesome malware. But if a product has a proven track record of reliable performance and an attractive interface, that's even better. BullGuard Internet Security balances good looks with simplicity and performance to bring you effective protection.

Besides failed internet protection, users complain most about annoying security pop-ups. BullGuard makes it easy for you to decide exactly how much interaction you want to have with the software. They also understand that some want to install the software and never look at it again and others want to tweak every characteristic. This internet security suite includes powerful default setting and advanced configuration options for those who want to dictate exactly how the software reacts.

Protection:
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BullGuard is a lesser-known security company, but they are beginning to collect a substantial list of certifications and awards. They have passed all AV-Tests in the last year and all VB100 tests since 2009. They have yet to be tested by AV-Comparatives, but we suspect that they will meet their testing standards soon and enter into a round of testing in their Austrian labs.

Though we install and test all the security software we review, we still value third-party testing and a consistent test history. BullGuard has performed quite well in the last few years. They passed four AV-Tests in the last year running Windows XP, Vista and 7. The AV-Test scores average out to 4 of 6, or roughly 66.7 percent. This may not seem like a high score, but it is higher than about half of all other security products. Since 2007, they have passed 11 of 13 VB100 tests running Windows XP, Vista, 7 and server editions. Based on their successful test history, we can deem BullGuard a dependable security product with confidence.

This internet security software can protect your computer and personal information from all types of malware, including viruses, rootkits, spyware, phishing, suspicious apps, outdated software, spam and more. It has the ability to detect suspicious behaviors to ward off zero-day threats, and it includes a website advisor that can warn you about dangerous websites before you visit them. Though it does not have a specific tool for protecting you on social networking sites, you can block your children from accessing them using the parental control tools.

Security Features:
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BullGuard has recently improved their security suite by adding parental controls and a generous 5GB of online backup. The internet provides safe and educational resources for children, and standing over your child's shoulder the entire time they are online may not be practical. Parental controls can help you manage how your child interacts with the internet. Capable parental controls such as those included with BullGuard can block your child from visiting dangerous websites, prevent them from engaging in online conversations with strangers and manages how much time they spend online. This internet security software will also keep a log of when your child attempts to visit restricted sites, disable the parental controls or share protected information. With this report, you can know exactly what your teen attempts while you are away and how much time they spent online.

This internet security suite also includes all required basics such as custom scans, a game mode, automatic updates, device and disc scanners and the ability to create a rescue CD. This software also comes with a few liberal extras such as 5GB of online storage, backup and restore tools, and a PC tune-up tool. The PC tune-up tool can remove traces of uninstalled software, erase temporary files, remove broken registry entries and more. This tool can help you maximize your hard drive space and decrease startup time. Though we did not see configurations specifically for laptops, it can secure your laptop. In fact, with one BullGuard license you can secure three PCs or laptops.

Help & Support:
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BullGuard is always available to assist you. They offer email and live chat support 24/7 and in a variety of languages. They provide support during specific hours in Danish, German, French, Spanish, Swedish and Norwegian. English chat support is 24/7. They post a helpful online user guide, FAQs and technical information about known malware. They also support a forum and post industry news and product information on Twitter. They do not provide telephone support.

Summary:

The BullGuard Internet Security Suite provides everything you need to protect your computer, identity and family. Their interface is concise and simple to navigate. They have proven through third-party testing to be able to protect adequately against known and zero-day threats. Give them a few years and they will likely break into one of our top spots.

 
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BullGuard Internet Security 12

Pros
BullGuard provides 24/7 support, 5GB of online storage and safe browsing.

Cons
Their independent test scores are not as high as our top-ranked products, and they don't provide telephone support.

The Verdict

The BullGuard Internet Security suite is efficient, effective and evolving. This security software can be trusted to manage your family's internet security.