Bitdefender Free Is Ransomware! How To Remove Safely?

Does anyone know how to remove BitDefender Free Edition ransom-ware?

After installing, it took some of my files "hostage" by quarantine, and does not allow me to override that. There are 3 dozen files -- they are NirSoft Utilities, and NONE had a virus, as the disk was scanned by Microsoft Security Essentials, MalwareBytes and SuperAntispyware previously.

I was able to click RESTORE for the first 10 files, but the other 24 are LOCKED! I can't even copy them individually, and don't know what will happen if I uninstall BitDefender.

Their Support page for email is broken: http://www.bitdefender.com/support/contact-us.html and the chat doesn't work, either. I did get through by phone (954-928-2780), but all the person could tell me is that the paid version does not limit the restore function!

This is RANSOMWARE!!!

The support person then followed up with an email, asking me to send the LOCKED files for "analysis"! I replied that they were LOCKED. They replied back with another request for samples.<sigh>

I've turned the software OFF, but my files are still locked.

Anyone have a suggestion on how to "un-quarantine" and get my files back?

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Comments

Ravius

I have the same exact issue. This morning my Nirsoft directory had several programs that were quarantined. They will not restore. These are valid programs for network administrators and IT folks. This is crap. I just installed the free version yesterday to evaluate it. I am less than impressed if this is the way it handles false positives. I need those files.

JohnathanStein

It's NOT getting better -- After the phone call, finally got a follow-up email asking for the affected files to be sent in a ZIP file. The files are quarantined-in-place, renamed to an extension of a 4-5 digit number and ".gzquar", but cannot be touched -- they cannot be put in a ZIP or even copied to another folder. I replied back with the problem, and they asked AGAIN for the samples to be sent via email!

"Stupid-is-as-stupid-does, Forest..."

I have filed complaints with BBB, Rippoff Report, AV-Comparitives (http://www.av-comparatives.org/summary-reports/) and AV-Test (http://www.av-test.org/en/home/).

This story gets WORSE -- I tried it on my laptop first, where it did not quarantine anything, so I've done the un-install, which has failed. Also, it tried to call the browser for a survey, and every Addon in the Chrome browser crashed.

According to http://www.bitdefender.com/support/how-to-...fender-333.html, in order to remove the software fully, yet more of their crapware must be used, from here http://www.bitdefender.com/site/Downloads/...umer_trial.html

If I can get my files back, I'll uninstall from the desktop.

This has turned into an incredible nightmare -- it is amazing none of the online reviews or test sites mention the RANSOMWARE aspect of this software. People need to know this BEFORE they try it -- I will track down as many online reviews as possible, and paste a warning about it. Guess I have a new hobby...

Come to think of it, this crap should be detected by existing A/V as malware -- since I have to find another solution anyway, I'll take the time to suggest to other vendors that it be flagged as the RANSOMWARE it is.

If you have any suggestions, or find a safe way around the problem, please leave a note.

antikythera

The Bitdefender Free removal tool is here:

http://www.bitdefender.com/files/Knowledge...nstall_Tool.exe

You don't need to install any other trial versions, that would just complicate matters further.

I tried this free version once in a virtual machine but never realised it into the wild on real computers.

Anyhow, try the above tool. I hope it works okay...

One last recommendation would be not to rely too much on MSE scan results. MSE is designed specifically as a very basic and not very efficient security product for all other security solutions to compare against.

This is Microsoft's own admission.

Go back on AV-Comparatives, AV-Test or any other antivirus benchmark and test site and you will see which are the best paid/free solutions and find MSE at the bottom of all tests.

MBAM free version is good for a second opinion scan. I use that along with BDIS.

JohnathanStein

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, I cannot un-install before I get my files back -- I don't know what BitDefender will do when removed.

I have turned off functionality, but BitDefender still holds my files hostage, and I don't know how to get around it.

After this fiasco, I certainly will not buy the software voluntarily -- unless it is necessary to get my files back.

In THAT case, I will file a criminal complaint with the County Prosecutor, against the CEO Florin Talpes. I may do that anyway, as soon as I find a U.S. address for this slimeball company.

Ravius

While not as upset as the OP, I am very surprised there is not a way to white-list directories or files. This is a serious oversight. I guess they are assuming most people don't need to do this. Every antivirus I have used had this capacity in some form or other. I am very disappointed with the results of this trial. I hope they remedy this in future offerings, but for now I am going to have to pass. I hope I can get these files restored by changing the extension and then uninstalling. Very disappointed, had read good things about bitdefender's detection rates and wanted to test it before plunking down the cash.

AdrianHa

While not as upset as the OP, I am very surprised there is not a way to white-list directories or files. This is a serious oversight. I guess they are assuming most people don't need to do this. Every antivirus I have used had this capacity in some form or other. I am very disappointed with the results of this trial. I hope they remedy this in future offerings, but for now I am going to have to pass. I hope I can get these files restored by changing the extension and then uninstalling. Very disappointed, had read good things about bitdefender's detection rates and wanted to test it before plunking down the cash.

You should have used a free trial of one of the Bitdefender paid products.

AV+ and the other products support folder/file/app exclusions . The paid products are very different.

This is the .PDF User Guide for Antivirus Plus http://download.bitdefender.com/windows/de...serGuide_en.pdf

That will give you an idea of what is included.