[resolved] Bitdefender Installs Popups?

I logged in to my computer this morning and was greeted by ads on my desktop from Bitdefender.

The first is a white box with no way to close it with the text "Threats to your privacy keep diversifying. Your e-mail, your messaging, your entire Web presense and activities can be targeted."

After about 10 minutes of being logged in, a second ad appeared over the first.

First of all, why is Bitdefender installing popups on my computer? I paid for their software, to help fight this type of thing. Secondly, how do I close these popups and stop them from popping up again in the future?

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Rockgod

I'm getting the same thing. I can't get rid of it!

Only started coming up now.

Only thing I've installed in past week is latest uTorrent client.

Rock

kultsound

Here is one from my computer! <img class= " />

I can not believe any company can be THIS idiotic!!!!! If this is you Bitdefender, then as much as I love the ptoducts, I will give you 24h to fix this and then I am going for another software that does respect their clients......

Swampster

*Sigh* not this again!!... Bitdefender has a previous track record for this frankly disgraceful and intrusive behavior!

Just what are Bitdefender playing at? This isn't acceptable at all for a paid for product.

craigeve

Having the same problem too.

Really irritating that a product that's supposed to stop this kind of thing is actively doing it.

Anyway, a workround for those that have a firewall is to stop Bitdefender from accessing the Internet for now then reboot. This means the popups won't be able to be got from the central service.

This is obviously not great from a virus update side, but for those that need to do work and can't have a massive advert over the top of everything, it should at least get you by.

Simoncurly

i agree with the sentiments above...what a disgraceful pop up!! ...no way of closing apart from rebooting..and the thing is I already have 2013..Sorry Bitdefender i will be moving on when my updates expire....

bye bye

kultsound

Having the same problem too.

Really irritating that a product that's supposed to stop this kind of thing is actively doing it.

Anyway, a workround for those that have a firewall is to stop Bitdefender from accessing the Internet for now then reboot. This means the popups won't be able to be got from the central service.

This is obviously not great from a virus update side, but for those that need to do work and can't have a massive advert over the top of everything, it should at least get you by.

Adding to this, their "support" pages are a bunch of Q&A but no direct contact, and the Contact Us link on the bottom does not work on my version of Chrome... Well done. Didn't expect this, to be honest <img class= " />

kneekon

Got this as well, just purchased this product several weeks ago. The most anoying thing is you cannot close this popup.

Not a good start to this product!!!

nitemares

I have been a paid customer for the past 6 yrs, I can't believe this is happening. I am almost sad that I still have a yr on this subscription cause this popup is the reason why i will not renew.

loki_racer

Bitdefender, can we get a response to this issue? I have paid for 18 licenses and am in the process of installing them on the computers in an office I manage IT for. I have less than zero interest in getting calls from the office employees asking why I "installed popups" on their computers. Do I need to get a refund for these licenses?

Pushkar112

Bitdefender, can we get a response to this issue? I have paid for 18 licenses and am in the process of installing them on the computers in an office I manage IT for. I have less than zero interest in getting calls from the office employees asking why I "installed popups" on their computers. Do I need to get a refund for these licenses?

Why Don't You Do Live Chat?

you will get your answer quickly

loki_racer

Why Don't You Do Live Chat?

you will get your answer quickly

Because I'm not the only one effected by this. Bitdefender can help out numerous people by replying here instead. Also, by asking in the forums, and not in chat, potential customers can see how Bitdefender responds to our complaints that they install popups on our computers.

buridan

Because I'm not the only one effected by this. Bitdefender can help out numerous people by replying here instead. Also, by asking in the forums, and not in chat, potential customers can see how Bitdefender responds to our complaints that they install popups on our computers.

Exactly!

I WAS a Bitdefender user years ago. I read about the recent AV-Test results and decided to look at Bitdefender again. As I do with all software companies, I head off to their forums to see what real-world issues users are currently facing....I'll give you one guess why I stopped being a Bitdefender user. <img class= " />

Thanks everyone for the heads up on this. I'm looking elsewhere.

By the way, do the popups start showing themselves before or after the 30-day money back guarantee expiration?

loki_racer

By the way, do the popups start showing themselves before or after the 30-day money back guarantee expiration?

Directly after by my count.

Pushkar112

Because I'm not the only one effected by this. Bitdefender can help out numerous people by replying here instead. Also, by asking in the forums, and not in chat, potential customers can see how Bitdefender responds to our complaints that they install popups on our computers.

Don't Complain If Don't Know Real Facts:

There Only One Technical Support Available(Christian)

If You Do Live Chat Or E-mail You Would Get Your Answer Within 48 Hours.

As And When He Is Called By His colleagues For Some Work He Is Not Available On Forum.

wkwood

Don't Complain If Don't Know Real Facts:

There Only One Technical Support Available(Christian)

If You Do Live Chat Or E-mail You Would Get Your Answer Within 48 Hours.

As And When He Is Called By His colleagues For Some Work He Is Not Available On Forum.

Well that's a bit of a stretch isn't it? Do you know how many support people they have? Look I realize that there seems to be some frustration with this issue, and I'll tell you something, I'm not seeing this *problem* of popups. There may be something else installed on your systems that could be causing it. I have 7 Windows PCs with 2013 Sphere edition, no issues. 5 tablets, 5 cell phones (android) no popups.

So, before we start jumping on people for a presumed "feature" encroachment from BitDefender, can we wait until somebody who has contacted support, I mean not the forum and post the answer back here?

Thanks.

loki_racer

Well that's a bit of a stretch isn't it? Do you know how many support people they have? Look I realize that there seems to be some frustration with this issue, and I'll tell you something, I'm not seeing this *problem* of popups. There may be something else installed on your systems that could be causing it. I have 7 Windows PCs with 2013 Sphere edition, no issues. 5 tablets, 5 cell phones (android) no popups.

So, before we start jumping on people for a presumed "feature" encroachment from BitDefender, can we wait until somebody who has contacted support, I mean not the forum and post the answer back here?

Thanks.

Here is what I know for a fact:

The popups only started after I installed Bitdefender
The popups show Bitdefender ads
The popups link to Bitdefender.com
I have a virtual machine where I have Windows 7 and only Bitdefender installed that had the popup problem.
If another piece of software(adware) did this, then this is still a Bitdefender problem, because that's part of Bitdefender's job, to fight adware.

wkwood

Here is what I know for a fact:

The popups only started after I installed Bitdefender

The popups show Bitdefender ads

The popups link to Bitdefender.com

I have a virtual machine where I have Windows 7 and only Bitdefender installed that had the popup problem.

If another piece of software(adware) did this, then this is still a Bitdefender problem, because that's part of Bitdefender's job, to fight adware.

So, here's the $64 question then, did you open a ticket with support and are you running a trial version of the product?

Swampster

Don't Complain If Don't Know Real Facts:

Excuse me? Just who are you to dictate when and where people can complain? It seems to me loki (and others) have all the facts they need to make a complaint.

There Only One Technical Support Available(Christian)

Well, for a multinational IT security company, that's a bit poor isn't it? Perhaps they should get more staff to deal with customer concerns on their official forums!?

If You Do Live Chat Or E-mail You Would Get Your Answer Within 48 Hours.

His point was that by making the complaint here it can be seen by multiple people, and how it is addressed by the company... and it's a valid point.

As And When He Is Called By His colleagues For Some Work He Is Not Available On Forum.

That probably explains why stuff just goes unanswered half the time then... not Christian's fault, but something the company needs to address.

So, here's the $64 question then, did you open a ticket with support and are you running a trial version of the product?

It's not just limited to trial versions (and loki's previous answer would suggest for him it was after the 30 day money back period)... and not the first time it's happened either. The simple fact is this should NOT happen at all with paid for software, unless you opt in to it.. Oh and they acknowledged the problem on their Facebook page.

loki_racer

So, here's the $64 question then, did you open a ticket with support and are you running a trial version of the product?

It is not a trial version. Has about 330 days left on the license.

As I mentioned before, I posted on the forums for a couple reasons. One, because it helps potential customers see how Bitdefender handles issues. Two, it gives Bitdefender the opportunity to answer one question, that multiple people have, instead of having to reply to multiple tickets from multiple users.

I left Bitdefender a few years ago because they flagged Firefox as a virus for over 24 hours and refused to quickly handle the situation. I decided to give them another try in hopes that they would have their customer services issues resolved. It does not appear that way since it's been a couple days and they still haven't replied.

wkwood

It is not a trial version. Has about 330 days left on the license.

As I mentioned before, I posted on the forums for a couple reasons. One, because it helps potential customers see how Bitdefender handles issues. Two, it gives Bitdefender the opportunity to answer one question, that multiple people have, instead of having to reply to multiple tickets from multiple users.

I left Bitdefender a few years ago because they flagged Firefox as a virus for over 24 hours and refused to quickly handle the situation. I decided to give them another try in hopes that they would have their customer services issues resolved. It does not appear that way since it's been a couple days and they still haven't replied.

Well something is definitely amiss because I have 2013 sphere edition on quite a few things without the issue you describe. So again, have you contacted support to resolve the issue? It sounds like you haven't and I realize it may be a bit of a maze to get them but I've had great support via phone and via online chat. I think that would be the appropriate channel to get something like this resolved.

loki_racer

Well something is definitely amiss because I have 2013 sphere edition on quite a few things without the issue you describe. So again, have you contacted support to resolve the issue? It sounds like you haven't and I realize it may be a bit of a maze to get them but I've had great support via phone and via online chat. I think that would be the appropriate channel to get something like this resolved.

I hate to sound harsh, but feel free to stop commenting simply to boost your post count.

Saying "it works for me, so it must work for you" adds nothing to the conversation. Multiple people have reported this issue and the fact that you have a completely different piece of software than I, doesn't do anything to help.

No, I haven't called them. They have support forums, that's where we are, so I posted on here looking for support. I've already explained that I have asked for help in the open, so that others can get a response at the same time.

Swampster

Well something is definitely amiss because I have 2013 sphere edition on quite a few things without the issue you describe. So again, have you contacted support to resolve the issue? It sounds like you haven't and I realize it may be a bit of a maze to get them but I've had great support via phone and via online chat. I think that would be the appropriate channel to get something like this resolved.

Sphere is a different product to BTS 2013.. it's not something amiss with Loki's setup, it's a problem that affected lots of people.. a problem they acknowledged on their Facebook page.

It's not the first, and I suspect not the last time this has happened with BTS..

I suspect the problem has been resolved at present.. (it has for me), however the point being made is this shouldn't happen at all with a paid for product.. and as it is an issue affecting many users, the company's official forums are as valid a place as anywhere to raise the issue, because as loki has explained.. it's visible to all those users that have had the same problem; as is the response from the company (or lack thereof).

I think the pertinent questions are..

Why does this/did this happen?

Is this going to happen again?

Does Bitdefender deem that pop-up self advertisements (with no opt out) are valid in paid for software?

Answers to these questions, and/or a visible response or not can give customers the facts they need to determine whether they should purchase the software or renew subscriptions.

wkwood

Sphere is a different product to BTS 2013.. it's not something amiss with Loki's setup, it's a problem that affected lots of people.. a problem they acknowledged on their Facebook page.

It's not the first, and I suspect not the last time this has happened with BTS..

I suspect the problem has been resolved at present.. (it has for me), however the point being made is this shouldn't happen at all with a paid for product.. and as it is an issue affecting many users, the company's official forums are as valid a place as anywhere to raise the issue, because as loki has explained.. it's visible to all those users that have had the same problem; as is the response from the company (or lack thereof).

I think the pertinent questions are..

Why does this/did this happen?

Is this going to happen again?

Does Bitdefender deem that pop-up self advertisements (with no opt out) are valid in paid for software?

Answers to these questions, and/or a visible response or not can give customers the facts they need to determine whether they should purchase the software or renew subscriptions.

First, Sphere is a licensing model. When I upgraded to Sphere, nothing changed from TS2013 on the Windows boxes. Secondly, I can agree that it's a problem however my point was that it seems awfully strange to rant about an issue in a forum, that let's agree isn't well moderated and doesn't have an SLA. I didn't read in the forum rule postings that issues presented here had any chance of being answered, it's a community forum and I think you take that with a grain of salt. If you need support for a product you purchased, go through the support channels.

In this particular case, I reported that I don't see the issue, now let's see if I change my license back to the Total Security 2013 that I have 60+ days left on, will it change from Sphere? Probably not but if I start seeing pop-ups I can say "ah ha that's it." But then again, my job isn't support for BitDefender and they have people who are paid to provide support services, so if you have a problem with a licensed product that is still covered why not use the mechanisms that are provided. Call them on the phone, send them an e-mail, send a pizza to Romania for all I care, it's just that since I don't have access to Source Code out here how does one expect any of us to fix this issue, or any issue? This then becomes an area to exchange information or to rant, which is more or less what most of the General Forum topics are about.

Anyway, I'm not having this issue, multiple systems, so again, I'll ask Mr. Loki if he's even bothered trying one of the established support channels to get his issue resolved? If he hasn't, I suggest he does and be patient. If he doesn't get satisfaction, then he can certainly rant to his hearts content.

Swampster

Careful you're now starting to look like you're simply trolling..

Secondly, I can agree that it's a problem however my point was that it seems awfully strange to rant about an issue in a forum, that let's agree isn't well moderated and doesn't have an SLA.

Firstly the point is.. nobody was ranting, people were describing the problem they were having on Bitdefender's official forum's.. How are customer's of Bitdefender with a first time problem to know that they're basically going to be ignored by the company that makes the software they're commenting about, and hosts these forums?

Secondly, Which is more strange? The situation you described above where people 'rant' on an official support forum in the slim chance they might get some support.. Or ranting to people who clearly aren't interested in your opinion on how you think they should or shouldn't use the forum?

I didn't read in the forum rule postings that issues presented here had any chance of being answered

It may or may not say that; I don't know.. what I do know is that it isn't unreasonable to expect on the official site of the software people are discussing, a forum that comes under the main heading of "Support" and described in those 'rules' as:

'Official BitDefender Support Forum'

would you know.. offer some official support?

it's a community forum and I think you take that with a grain of salt. If you need support for a product you purchased, go through the support channels.

Who says it's simply a community forum? as previously mentioned it sits on Bitdefender's official site... is listed under the menu header of Support, and is described as 'Official BitDefender Support Forum'

In this particular case, I reported that I don't see the issue, now let's see if I change my license back to the Total Security 2013 that I have 60+ days left on, will it change from Sphere? Probably not but if I start seeing pop-ups I can say "ah ha that's it." But then again, my job isn't support for BitDefender and they have people who are paid to provide support services, so if you have a problem with a licensed product that is still covered why not use the mechanisms that are provided. Call them on the phone, send them an e-mail, send a pizza to Romania for all I care, it's just that since I don't have access to Source Code out here

So why have you, and are still posting in this thread if you have no problem, have a different licence type than those of us with a problem... other than to be inflammatory?

Sphere might be merely licencing, but if you'd have observed the initial posts.. in particular the ones with the pictures of the pop-up ads, the only products being advertised were BAV 2013, BIS 2013 and BTS 2013... as they're the only products being advertised, and as you clearly have no problem.. it's reasonable to assume it's targeted at specific licence types.

how does one expect any of us to fix this issue, or any issue?

One[sic] doesn't expect you to fix this issue, I expect people would rather something back from an official source..

This then becomes an area to exchange information or to rant, which is more or less what most of the General Forum topics are about.

People only start to rant when others start to make unconstructive or asinine comments in threads that they have no actual real interest in. In fact 14 of the first 15 comments in this thread were specifically discussing the issue as descibed in the OP.. as for the rest (a further 10 posts), they've either been posts telling us we shouldn't use these forums for support, and our replies...

Anyway, I'm not having this issue, multiple systems, so again, I'll ask Mr. Loki if he's even bothered trying one of the established support channels to get his issue resolved? If he hasn't, I suggest he does and be patient.

Did you actually bother to read his last post, or did you feel an overwhelming urge to to start spouting at me and forget about it?

In case you missed it.. here's what he had to say...

I hate to sound harsh, but feel free to stop commenting simply to boost your post count.

Saying "it works for me, so it must work for you" adds nothing to the conversation. Multiple people have reported this issue and the fact that you have a completely different piece of software than I, doesn't do anything to help.

No, I haven't called them. They have support forums, that's where we are, so I posted on here looking for support. I've already explained that I have asked for help in the open, so that others can get a response at the same time.

Seems pretty unambiguous to me.. but I've highlighted the salient points just in case you miss them again.

If he doesn't get satisfaction, then he can certainly rant to his hearts content.

He can do that anyway, he doesn't need your permission to do so if he so chooses.. but at least he's had the common courtesy to 'rant' about a specific problem with a product, and not waste everybody's time ranting about how he feels others should use the forums!

ghling

I hate to sound harsh, but feel free to stop commenting simply to boost your post count.

Saying "it works for me, so it must work for you" adds nothing to the conversation. Multiple people have reported this issue and the fact that you have a completely different piece of software than I, doesn't do anything to help.

Thank you, I'm totally your opinion.

No, I haven't called them. They have support forums, that's where we are, so I posted on here looking for support. I've already explained that I have asked for help in the open, so that others can get a response at the same time.

As much as I can understand your point, I'm concerned you won't get any help here. So maybe open a ticket with the support and post their answers and solutions (if they have any) in here, this would also help people with the same problem searching for a solution.

alexx69

Hello everyone,

This is a known issue, more about it can be found here :

http://forum.bitdefender.com/index.php?sho...popups&st=0

http://forum.bitdefender.com/index.php?sho...=36730&st=0

@Christian has a solution !

Hi

Thank you for your feedback.

We apologize for any negative experience you have encountered with our products or our support. Your feedback is appreciated, and will be directed to the appropriate team for review, to enable us to improve our support and services.

For now, that's the only solution fro pop-ups, they need to be deactivated manually from our servers.

Let me know if you have other questions/requests.

Have a great weekend!

@Christian promises

Hello

Thank you for your feedback!

Some changes will be made in Bitdefender 2013 regarding the pop-ups.

Have a great day.

@Christian´s sincerity

Hi

Actually, we can extend this to to real world: nothing is perfect, but it can be improved constantly.

Thank you!

I hope that was helpful..... somehow

Regards.

Swampster

Hello everyone,

This is a known issue, more about it can be found here :

http://forum.bitdefender.com/index.php?sho...popups&st=0

http://forum.bitdefender.com/index.php?sho...=36730&st=0

Thanks Alexx, was aware of one of those threads (as I was again directly involved in it for the very same reasons, as this thread).

The other thread I hadn't seen before.. and it more or less confirms Bitdefender's thinking/strategy on this pop-up spam, i.e. they do think it's a valid method of advertising.

We have a lot of customers that like this type of promotions or special offers. Clicking an X button is not that bad.

Simply beggers belief to be honest, that they think it's acceptable to introduce unsolicited pop-up advertising which is the kind of thing this product is supposed to protect us from!

Oh well, I guess I've got a couple of months (remaining license) to get my research done for a replacement product.

werby3

@ BDTeam for pop ups (it's not the first time):

This is the new Romanian way of thinking. BUT be careful...here's NOT Romania.

@ Will Wood for his comments (it's not the first time):

This is the new American way of thinking. BUT be careful...here's NOT Iraq.

wkwood

@ BDTeam for pop ups (it's not the first time):

This is the new Romanian way of thinking. BUT be careful...here's NOT Romania.

@ Will Wood for his comments (it's not the first time):

This is the new American way of thinking. BUT be careful...here's NOT Iraq.

So you want me to just send the nukes rather than encouraging somebody to use an official support channel rather than the forums? Okay, I'll see what I can do. ;-)

It just confusing as to why people think that they'll get better support in a forum than just picking up the phone or using the normal support channels. Out here there only appears to be Cristian and his appearances appear very sporadically. If this was an official support forum I would expect N+1 tech reps out here moderating. By some of the post counts of a few folks it seems to be that all people have to do all day is complain about BitDefender. That's a dubious way of spending ones day vs. opening up a ticket or picking up a phone.

Seeing no other official BitDefender support people out here, the forum (especially this one) more routinely resembles a circle jerk whereby everybody ###### and complains about everything while quite a few of us don't seem to be having any of the problems. Ahh I guess the Romainians like the Americans better than most of the rest of the world? .. ha ha (that was a joke BTW) :blink:

Swampster

So you want me to just send the nukes rather than encouraging somebody to use an official support channel rather than the forums? Okay, I'll see what I can do. ;-)

It just confusing as to why people think that they'll get better support in a forum than just picking up the phone or using the normal support channels. Out here there only appears to be Cristian and his appearances appear very sporadically. If this was an official support forum I would expect N+1 tech reps out here moderating. By some of the post counts of a few folks it seems to be that all people have to do all day is complain about BitDefender. That's a dubious way of spending ones day vs. opening up a ticket or picking up a phone.

Seeing no other official BitDefender support people out here, the forum (especially this one) more routinely resembles a circle jerk whereby everybody ###### and complains about everything while quite a few of us don't seem to be having any of the problems. Ahh I guess the Romainians like the Americans better than most of the rest of the world? .. ha ha (that was a joke BTW)

Way to miss the point... again!! ... or simply trolling!

Actually both seem likely!

Speaking of 'circle jerks'.... enjoy!

loki_racer

So you want me to just send the nukes rather than encouraging somebody to use an official support channel rather than the forums? Okay, I'll see what I can do. ;-)

It just confusing as to why people think that they'll get better support in a forum than just picking up the phone or using the normal support channels. Out here there only appears to be Cristian and his appearances appear very sporadically. If this was an official support forum I would expect N+1 tech reps out here moderating. By some of the post counts of a few folks it seems to be that all people have to do all day is complain about BitDefender. That's a dubious way of spending ones day vs. opening up a ticket or picking up a phone.

Seeing no other official BitDefender support people out here, the forum (especially this one) more routinely resembles a circle jerk whereby everybody ###### and complains about everything while quite a few of us don't seem to be having any of the problems. Ahh I guess the Romainians like the Americans better than most of the rest of the world? .. ha ha (that was a joke BTW)

+1 for your post count without adding an ounce of content to this thread. Congrats.

Since you seem to be dense, I will explain it again. I, and others, have posted here because this is an official support forum and instead of each of us creating a ticket, we created one thread, making it easier for Bitdefender.

Again, please feel free to excuse yourself from this thread.

werby3

@ Will Wood

I've noticed (in other topics) that you have much technical experience - at least on security issues - so, you could be very useful to some people. Unfortunately, you have no experience about people's behavior, especially yours.

Kindly, 'let' them act as they want to.

As for your nukes, you may put them in...the place you know...

Regards

rootkit

Hello

We are truly sorry for all the inconvenience.

The issue with the pop-ups was resolved then in about 4 hours.

Happy Holidays!