Today we will discuss Bitdefender for Linux, also known as “GravityZone,” in detail. If you’d like to know more about what Bitdefender for Linux has to offer in terms of features, ease of use, and pros and cons, this is the best article for you. We’ll also show you how to install and uninstall this antivirus with supporting screenshots.
Written by Ria du Plessis - Web Developer Updated on September 22 , 2021 |
Bitdefender has been a trusted, award-winning antivirus brand for the past 19 years. Bitdefender for Linux offers comprehensive protection against the full spectrum of advanced cyber threats. It accomplishes this with accuracy, speed, and minimal system impact to its users.
Up next, we’ll break down the main advantages and disadvantages of Bitdefender for Windows 10 users.
There are several key features that Bitdefender for Linux offers. I will mention a few of the best ones below.
Content control - This is to protect PCs against threats delivered via the internet and limit users to traffic-specific traffic if you wish, as seen below.
Device control - This is used to prevent malware infections and data leaks. Administrators control permissions for devices such as USB flash drives, CD/DVD players, and Bluetooth devices.
Security virtual appliance - This allows centralized scanning to take place and lets end-users offload security tasks to the virtual security appliance, which frees up PC resources.
Bitdefender for Linux offers advanced threat protection on multiple layers and keeps your systems in an optimal state. It does this through various methods.
Machine learning - This method uses existing machine models and algorithms to predict and terminate threats before infection. It improves the accuracy of malware protection and minimizes false positives.
Real-time process monitoring - Uses filters to inspect all operating systems processes. It searches for any abnormal behavior or suspicious activity. It automatically takes action and terminates any suspicious behavior, then returns your operating system to normal.
Web security filtering - This is used to scan incoming emails and web traffic. It prevents the downloading of malware, and the anti-phishing protection automatically blocks phishing websites.
There are several scanning options available with Bitdefender for Linux. You can run a quick scan, a full scan, a custom scan, or a network scan. These are available options outside of existing scheduled scans. Each scan is fully equipped with its functionality and purpose.
Bitdefender for Linux offers various layers of protection for your Linux system.
Bitdefender for Linux’s malware protection layer is based on heuristic analysis and signature scanning against worms, trojans, spyware, adware, rootkits, keyloggers, and other malicious software types. It uses technology based on scanning and checking against a database of known threats. Bitdefender regularly updates this database. This works effectively against all known threats.
There is a second layer of protection provided by the heuristic engine called B-HAVE. This engine uses heuristic algorithms to detect malware based on behavioral characteristics. If any threats are detected, Bitdefender will prevent the file or process from continuing to operate.
Below is a screenshot of the anti-malware dashboard in Bitdefender for Linux
If any threats manage to make it through the heuristic analysis, the advanced threat control layer will detect any suspicious activity. This system is continuously monitoring processes and grades suspicious activity.
If a process is trying to disguise its activity, execute code in another process’s area, drop files, replicate, or hide from enumeration applications, it will be graded. When the grading threshold is reached, an alarm is triggered to detect the threat.
This is a defense module used to detect network attacks trying to access PCs through specific means. Network exploits, bots, trojans, and password stealers are all detected through network attack defense.
The firewall controls applications trying to access the internet or network. Only known legitimate applications will be granted access.
The firewall will also protect the system against port scans, restrict command and control networks, and warn users when new nodes connect to your Wi-Fi network.
Below you can see a screenshot of the firewall rules.
Bitdefender for Linux is excellent at offering comprehensive privacy and protection. There is no surprise that it provides privacy and security features such as email security and two different types of browser protection. I’ll explain more about this below.
With Bitdefender for Linux’s email security, you control your and your end users’ emails. You can control email delivery, filter messages, and apply email policies across your network to stop targeted and advanced email threats. You are also protected against business email compromising and CEO fraud.
Below is a screenshot of the email protection configuration in Bitdefender for Linux
Bitdefender for Linux offers an excellent browser extension you can add to Firefox to increase your browsing privacy. Not only will it improve your privacy, but it will also increase your browsing speed by stopping trackers from accessing your data. Please see a screenshot of the add-on below.
Bitdefender for Linux offers this brilliant tool that will keep you protected online. It uses a malware filter, protects against phishing attacks, scans links, and also identifies trackers. It is also straightforward to install and use.
Bitdefender GravityZone for Linux’s pricing depends on how many devices you would like to have protected and the length of the protection you will need. Please see below for more pricing details.
| Devices Protected | Period of protection | Price |
| Three | One year | $77.69 |
| Two years | $124.59 | |
| Three years | $155.39 | |
| Four | One year | $103.59 |
| Two years | $165.89 | |
| Three years | $207.19 | |
| Five | One year | $129.49 |
| Two years | $209.99 | |
| Three years | $258.99 |
All prices listed above are excluding tax. You can purchase protection for up to 100 devices.
Bitdefender for Linux offers a user-friendly graphical user interface. Whether it’s a one-off or a scheduled scan, it is an easy process to configure. Bitdefender GravityZone mainly focuses on protecting larger networks and businesses. It has some advanced and intricate settings. To configure these, you need to know what settings you are looking for and how to manage these settings.
Below is a screenshot of the dashboard for Bitdefender for Linux.
Once you have accessed the more advanced settings, the graphical user interface remains user-friendly. There are many settings and configurations available at this point. I will share a screenshot with you below, showing how to upgrade the operating system Bitdefender for Linux uses to the latest version.
It is clear that even though the graphical user-face is still easy to use, things get a lot more detailed.
Below I’ll elaborate on some of the configurations available. I have added a screenshot to show you how to create and assign a custom policy within a network. This is typically a business function and will be rolled out across a business network for either some or all of its end users.
One of the best parts about Bitdefender for Linux is that it comes with many educational knowledge base articles when you are unsure of what to do. These articles are all available on the Bitdefender website.
Below are the steps for Bitdefender for Linux installation on Linux Ubuntu. Follow these steps to complete the installation.
You have now completed the installation.
You have now completed the uninstallation.
Bitdefender for Linux is an excellent choice of antivirus security. Bitdefender is an award-winning brand for cybersecurity, and you won’t go wrong by choosing it. Bitdefender GravityZone is specialized for businesses and network users. But even if you are not going to use it for business or network requirements, you will get comprehensive and up-to-date protection.
It offers everything that you need in terms of privacy and protection. If you are looking for a trustworthy antivirus for your Linux machine, I would highly recommend Bitdefender for Linux. If you are still unsure, then go ahead and try it before you buy it. You have nothing to lose.
