As a cybersecurity professional with over 15 years of experience in cloud data protection, readers often ask me for recommendations on comprehensive internet security suites. BullGuard is one option I regularly get asked about.
BullGuard has been around for two decades and has a loyal user base. But since being acquired by NortonLifeLock in 2022, there has been uncertainty around whether BullGuard products will continue or customers should switch to something else.
In this extensive review, I’ll take a deep dive into BullGuard Internet Security to see how it stacks up against the competition in 2024. I’ll provide my expert analysis as a cloud security specialist on BullGuard‘s capabilities for malware protection, network security, online privacy and ease of use.
Contents
Overview of BullGuard Internet Security
BullGuard Internet Security sits in the middle of BullGuard’s pricing tiers. It offers robust protection for Windows, Mac and Android devices.
Here’s an overview of what you get:
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Antivirus engine – Uses machine learning and behavioral analysis to detect malware.
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Firewall – Monitors network traffic and blocks intrusions.
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Secure Browser – Encrypts connections and blocks malicious sites.
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PC tune-up – System optimization and cleaning tools.
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Parental controls – Filters content and limits screen time.
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Cloud backup – Auto-saves files to cloud storage.
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Identity protection – Watches for misuse of personal information.
BullGuard Internet Security covers up to 10 devices for an annual price of $59.99. That works out to just $5 per month, which is very affordable compared to other premium suites.
Next, I’ll take a closer look at the key features in BullGuard that provide front-line protection.
Malware Detection Capabilities
The most vital element of any internet security software is how well it detects and blocks malware. Malware includes viruses, spyware, ransomware and other bad stuff that can steal your data and compromise accounts.
BullGuard uses a multi-layered approach combining signature detection, machine learning, behavioral analysis and anomaly detection.
Signature detection looks for known malware by fingerprints. This technique alone often misses new threats it hasn‘t seen before.
That‘s where machine learning comes in. Machine learning studies billions of malware code samples to learn their patterns. It can identify brand new malware strains because their code shares similarities with existing samples.
Behavioral analysis monitors programs on your device for suspicious activities like modifying system settings or injecting code into other processes. Anything deemed risky gets flagged or blocked.
Anomaly detection develops a baseline of normal behavior on your system. If any programs deviate from normal activity patterns, BullGuard treats it as a potential threat.
This combination of old and new technology gives BullGuard an edge in blocking zero-day threats. To see how it holds up in the real world, we can look at testing from independent labs.
BullGuard Antivirus Protection Test Results
| Lab | Test Date | Protection Score |
|---|---|---|
| AV-Test (Windows) | Sept-Oct 2020 | 100% |
| AV-Test (MacOS) | Nov-Dec 2020 | 100% |
| AV-Comparatives (Android) | Feb-May 2020 | 99.7% |
Multiple labs have tested BullGuard and found it provides airtight protection against widespread, common malware.
But more impressive is it also does very well at detecting brand new, zero-day threats. In AV-Test‘s December 2020 test, it scored 99.4% at blocking zero-day malware.
This puts BullGuard on par with top antivirus engines from Bitdefender, Kaspersky and Norton which also scored 99% or higher in recent testing.
Based on these independent tests, the BullGuard malware engine appears highly effective thanks to machine learning capabilities. Customers can feel confident BullGuard can detect emerging, never-before-seen threats.
Firewall & Network Protection
In addition to hosted endpoint protection, BullGuard Internet Security includes a firewall to monitor network traffic.
Firewalls act as gatekeepers, filtering incoming and outgoing network connections for suspicious activity. This provides an extra layer of security alongside the antivirus.
BullGuard‘s firewall automatically configures rules to allow connections to and from trusted programs and resources. Anything unknown trying to communicate is blocked by default.
Of course, hardcore users can customize firewall policies and connections to their liking. But the default settings work well for most people.
During testing by AV-Test in 2020, BullGuard‘s firewall correctly identified 100% of malware traffic on Windows 10 machines. It also blocked all network-based exploit attacks.
The firewall in BullGuard Internet Security delivers robust intrusion prevention alongside the endpoint protection. For those seeking complete network security, BullGuard also offers a router with built-in firewall features.
Secure Browser for Privacy
Maintaining privacy while banking and shopping online is crucial. BullGuard includes a Secure Browser to enforce connections using SSL/TLS encryption.
The Secure Browser offers a couple key advantages:
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Forces HTTPS encryption on all sites that support it.
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Blocks access to known malicious URLs and phishing sites.
This protects you against man-in-the-middle eavesdropping attacks. It also prevents visiting fake sites masquerading as the real ones.
I typically recommend using dedicated privacy browsers like Brave or Firefox Focus which are designed solely for privacy. But BullGuard‘s Secure Browser is still much safer than browsing with something like Chrome or Edge.
The encrypted connections and website blocking create a protective tunnel against snooping and fake sites. You don‘t need any extra extensions to enable these features either.
Optimization Tools
Slow computer? No problem. BullGuard includes a tune-up module to get your PC running like new again.
It provides essential utilities for:
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Disk defragmentation – Reorganizes files on your hard drive so they load faster.
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Junk cleaning – Clears browser caches and other unneeded temporary files.
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Startup optimization – Controls programs that launch at boot to speed things up.
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Shortcut fixer – Repairs broken application shortcuts.
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Registry cleaner – Removes invalid registry entries while avoiding issues.
These tune-up tools work great provided you use them properly. Just take care with the registry cleaner. Being overzealous can sometimes cause more harm than good.
I recommend using the disk defrag and junk cleaner regularly. Check your startup items once in a while to disable stuff you don‘t need launching all the time.
Following good computing hygiene like this keeps your system running smoothly for years to come. The pc tune-up utilities in BullGuard help automate the process.
Vulnerability Scanning
Hackers constantly target vulnerable, unpatched software full of security holes. BullGuard combat this using vulnerability scanning.
The vulnerability scanner checks for missing Windows updates, outdated applications and weak passwords. It provides actionable advice on risks you need to address.
For example, the scanner may detect:
- You‘re 3 Windows updates behind – simply click to install them.
- An app is severely out of date – navigate to the update page.
- Reused or weak passwords – prompts you to improve them.
Proactively patching holes like this significantly reduces your risk. It helps keep you from getting infected through vulnerabilities that are already fixed.
Vulnerability management is essential practice for large enterprises. Having a basic scanner in BullGuard is great for home users as it prompts you to fix weaknesses.
Parental Controls
Giving kids their first internet-connected device is always a worrisome milestone for parents. BullGuard eases concerns using parental controls to filter inappropriate content and limit screen time.
You can block websites across 24 categories such as violence, drugs and pornography. Time limits applied to specific apps curb excessive game or social media usage.
Additional options exist like disabling file sharing apps commonly used for piracy. You can also view detailed reports on browsing history and block new apps from installing.
BullGuard gives parents granular tools to shield children from adult content and enforce responsible device usage. Features like capping screen time and software installation prevent kids from getting into trouble online.
Backup & Recovery
No security suite would be complete without data backup. BullGuard includes continuous cloud backup to protect your files from ransomware and hardware failure.
You can configure scheduled backups to occur automatically at your desired frequency. Or enable continuous backup which instantly uploads file changes as they occur.
BullGuard supports syncing backups to Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive or their own cloud servers. Storage space is unlimited on BullGuard‘s cloud.
Set and forget backup is essential these days with the rising risk of ransomware. BullGuard makes it easy to implement a backup plan securing your data in the cloud.
Identity Protection
Identity theft affects millions and can ruin lives. BullGuard offers basic identity protection to alert you when personal information appears somewhere it shouldn‘t.
It monitors websites, data breaches and criminal networks for email addresses, passwords and financial information. If it finds your info, you‘ll be notified to take action.
For instance, you may get an alert that your email was detected on a cybercrime forum. This could prompt you to change passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
BullGuard‘s ID protection mainly acts as an early warning system. It doesn‘t offer services like resolution assistance or insurance which full identity protection services provide.
But getting notified your info is compromised gives you a big head start responding to identity theft. For casual monitoring, BullGuard‘s features help protect your digital life.
Ease of Use
Juggling a bunch of separate security programs quickly becomes frustrating. BullGuard aims to simplify security under one unified interface.
The dashboard neatly organizes tools into logical groups. For example, identity protection and parental controls are together under the Privacy & Data category.
Essential malware protection is front and center. Running scans and updating virus definitions is only 2 clicks away.
Advanced settings do exist for those wanting to fine tune options. But BullGuard doesn‘t barrage beginners with technical jargon and complex configurations upfront.
Streamlining complex security capabilities for ease of use is a strength of BullGuard. It manages to provide robust protection through machine learning without complicating things for average users.
Performance Impact
A common frustration with security suites is degraded system performance from resource intensive background scans. But independent testing reveals BullGuard has low system overhead.
In benchmarks by AV-Test, BullGuard Internet Security reduced system performance by just 2-3%. This minimal impact means it avoids the system slowdowns plaguing some competitors.
BullGuard‘s emphasis on lightweight, optimized code pays dividends in real-world usage. The days of antivirus hogging so much RAM your computer grinds to a halt appear to be behind us.
What‘s the Verdict in 2024?
BullGuard Internet Security brings together complete endpoint and network security in an easy-to-use package.
Customers clearly like BullGuard‘s offerings based on positive reviews. In particular, they praise the highly accurate malware detection, low system impact, firewall protection and included tune up utilities.
Independent lab testing consistently gives BullGuard top scores for malware blocking and performance optimization year after year.
There‘s no question BullGuard provides comprehensive security capabilities on par with big names like Norton, McAfee and Kaspersky. And it manages to deliver all this without slowing down your PC.
The biggest downside is lack of a full-featured VPN. BullGuard only offers a basic VPN as a separate add-on. Competing suites from Norton and others bake in high-end VPN protection.
Additionally, while BullGuard works across Windows, Android and MacOS, it lacks advanced features specifically for Macs compared to rivals. The parental controls are also less extensive than dedicated third-party programs.
At the end of the day, BullGuard remains a very solid option for hassle-free endpoint and network security in 2024. Given many suites cost $80-100 for yearly access, BullGuard‘s $60 price tag makes it budget-friendly too.
Existing customers can continue using BullGuard products worry-free. And new users seeking multifaceted protection without performance headaches should absolutely consider giving BullGuard a try.
What antivirus do you rely on to stay protected online? I welcome feedback from readers on your experiences or questions about BullGuard. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.
