Bitdefender has introduced the Ultimate Security Plus Extended, a comprehensive security package combining Bitdefender's malware protection with TransUnion's credit monitoring and identity insurance, aimed at enhancing online safety for users.
Expanded Security Features
The Ultimate Security Plus Extended plan offers a wide range of features including identity theft coverage up to $2 million, three-bureau credit monitoring, and daily credit score updates using VantageScore 3.0. Additionally, users benefit from a secure VPN and unlimited password management.
- Monthly subscription costs $8, with a family plan available at $12.
- Includes credit freeze button, Scam Alert, and access to restoration specialists.
- Covers monitoring for identity breaches, investment accounts, and transaction alerts.
Despite its robust coverage, the service may feel fragmented due to multiple interfaces and occasional slow responses.
Plan Pricing and Setup
The Bitdefender Extended plan offers competitively priced protection, costing $120 annually. Setting up the service requires several verification steps, like Social Security number and text message authentication.
- Initial annual pricing is cost-effective compared to renewal rates and competitors.
- Supports social media monitoring for platforms like Facebook and Twitter, excluding LinkedIn and TikTok.
- Mobile app setup on Android required approximately 13 minutes.
Features such as credit monitoring, alerts, and identity restoration proved effective during a three-month testing period.
Insurance and Notifications
The package extends insurance coverage for identity theft incidents and offers assistance for card cancellation and credit restoration. Users receive alerts via text and email, covering dark web scans and transaction notifications.
- Alerts are delivered through the Bitdefender Central interface.
- During testing, 22 alerts were received, including security reports and court proceeding alerts.
- Includes up to $25,000 ransomware coverage and social engineering reimbursement.
Although the package successfully integrates malware and identity protection services, improved interface cohesion would enhance user experience.
