BitDefender is an antivirus software suite developed by Romanian-based software company SOFTWIN. It was launched in November 2001, and is currently in its thirteenth version. The 2010 version was launched in August 2009, and it includes several protection and performance enhancements.
The BitDefender products feature antivirus and antispyware, personal firewall, privacy control, user control and backup for corporate and home users. PC Tuneup is available in the Total Security Suite.
BitDefender replaced SOFTWIN's earlier AVX (AntiVirus eXpert) product range. Between 1996 and 2001 AVX became a product available worldwide that offered intelligent updating without user intervention and integrated an internal browser which scanned and monitored all downloaded files. AVX hold the first behavior- based application blocking technology and it was the first antivirus product to include personal firewall features. With the sixth generation of AVX, the product became the first antivirus to include an application firewall as well as behavior- based blocking. The BitDefender group spun off from SOFTWIN in 2007.