Bitdefender BOX Review: The Little White Box You Didn’t Know You Needed

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As parents raising kids in a world of mobile devices, streaming televisions, and frequent Internet usage, it’s important to take a close look at internet safety.

Whether you work from home, do online banking, allow your kids to play online, or just use the Internet to access email, it is imperative to know your home network is secure.

Our family relies on the Internet for nearly every daily task from sending money, booking doctor appointments, and of course planning all our travel. All things I would like to think are kept private on our network.

When I heard about the Bitdefender BOX, I started to wonder how secure our Internet connection really was. So I decided to find out if installing a Bitdefender BOX could protect our online interactions at home and on the go. Here’s the surprising results I discovered.

What Is It?

The Bitdefender BOX is a small sleek, futuristic white box that hooks up to your network router. Its job is to provide an Internet connection completely free of malware and phishing attempts. If you have ever opened a suspicious attachment or downloaded free movies, you have likely encountered malware (any software that is malicious, intending to harm your computer).

Basically, this tiny box protects you from the bad guys trying to break into your computer and steal or destroy your digital life. It protects not only your computers (whether they are PCs or Macs), but all devices that connect via Wi-Fi, which in our house includes iPhones, iPads, television, a gaming system and even our doorbell. If you don’t have an existing router you can also use the Bitdefender BOX to create your own private Wi-Fi network.

One of the coolest aspects of the Bitdefender BOX is that it not only protects and monitors all electronic gadgets connected to your home network, but also your mobile devices on any Wi-Fi or 3G/4G network while you are on the go. That’s right - all your communications can continue to be encrypted and scanned for threats even when you aren’t home.

I also particularly liked being able to monitor the devices left at home, even if we’re travelling to a far-off destination. We often don’t travel with our laptops, so it’s good to know they are protected while we’re away.

Installation of the Bitdefender BOX was easy. In less than 10 minutes, I was able to connect the BOX to my existing Internet router via an included Ethernet cable and my existing Wi-Fi connection. There was a small glitch due to the fact that one of our Internet provider settings needed to be disabled to provide the Bitdefender BOX with the access it needed. I phoned the Bitdefender customer service line and in less than 2 minutes was given step-by-step instructions. After making one small change, the light on the Bitdefender BOX turned blue meaning it was working.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Bitdefender BOX regularly retails for $199 dollars including one year of service valued at $99. Right now for a limited time, it’s discounted to $99. After the first year, there is an annual subscription fee of $99 which protects an unlimited number of devices. The upside is no other anti-virus or security programs are needed for any of your devices once they have been connected to the Bitdefender BOX. With that in mind, it’s excellent value.

The Good

After testing out the Bitdefender BOX at home, here are the features that impressed me.

Small and stylish

Next to our giant eyesore of a router, the design of this BOX really shines. No one will notice it unless you want to show it off.

Free efficient customer support 

Calling Bitdefender resulted in an immediate solution. Email support is available for those who prefer not to talk on the phone. The agent I spoke to was polite and extremely knowledgeable.

Easy-to-use mobile app

There’s nothing worse than having to lug around a computer to do basic online tasks. The Bitdefender BOX app (iOS, Android) helps me monitor our electronics when I’m at home or away. I particularly love that I can easily monitor my kids’ online vulnerabilities when they are at home (even with a babysitter) via the app.

No cost for extra devices

Who doesn’t love to save money? The included subscription provides protection for unlimited devices meaning we don’t need to decide if our Wi-Fi-enabled door lock, baby monitor or computer needs protection over another electronic device.

The Bad

While the Bitdefender BOX is an innovative and valuable product, it’s has a couple weaknesses.

Short cords

The minute I opened the box, I noticed how short the power cord was. I like to hide unseemly cables, and connecting the Bitdefender BOX meant using an extension cord. I didn’t want to move our existing router directly next to a power outlet (for a stronger Wi-Fi signal), but the Ethernet cable connecting the BOX and router was also unforgivingly short.

Resetting Wi-Fi enabled devices

When I initially installed the Bitdefender BOX, each Wi-Fi-enabled device needed to be reset (by turning the Wi-Fi connection off and back on) before the Bitdefender BOX could locate them. While this was a quick process for iPads, phones and computers, it was annoying to have to do this with our baby monitor, doorbell, and gaming systems.

Hard to know if it’s working

At first, it is hard to know if the Bitdefender BOX is working. But give it a few hours and you will start to receive notifications telling you when a dangerous website or unsecure download was blocked. 

Is Bitdefender BOX Worth It?

In my opinion, yes. Especially if you aren’t running any other online security systems or software. Consider how much time and money could be lost if your Internet banking login details are stolen. Or what about the effect of your children accidently accessing unsuitable videos. Over the last few days, I have been shocked at some of the notifications I have received. I initially expected I would need to open suspicious websites to test whether the Bitdefender BOX was working. What I didn’t expect is how many other websites and spam emails would get caught from our normal Internet usage. 

Security notifications on the Bitdefender BOX app

The Bottom Line

Is the Bitdefender BOX a necessity for your home? If you aren’t running anti-virus software or, like me, have kids, a fridge, and even a doorbell that are accessing your Wi-Fi network, then yes. It offers priceless peace of mind in an increasingly complex world. I have received a few notifications on my phone triggered by my kids’ iPads which has allowed me to teach them why a particular website isn’t trustworthy and how to be safe on the Internet. 

Price: USD$199 (Discounted to $99 for a limited time)

Where to buy: www.bitdefender.com

Reader Comments...

"I respond to every comment by direct private email. I look forward to your feedback" -

I do so much work on my laptops so this would be perfect for me! Thank you :)

Char Jul 21st, 2016

I want to go back to Florida!!

Dolores Miranda Jul 21st, 2016

i would love to go to Devon x

laura stewart Jul 22nd, 2016

Amazing features! Looks promising!

Jorge Granados Jul 22nd, 2016

Would love to travel to Arizona, but going to Bulgaria instead

Susan Smith Jul 22nd, 2016

I would love to fishing up in Haida Gwaii, for salmon and halibut

Wayne Couzens Jul 22nd, 2016

I would love to just go to the beach and not have to worry about if my network and devices are secure

Tim Cross Jul 22nd, 2016

This would be great for the kids downloading malicious things

Kenneth Cutcher Jul 23rd, 2016

I would love to travel to Las Vegas.

Wanda Bergman Jul 23rd, 2016

To the beach

Horace Jul 23rd, 2016

Business travel and stop-overs.

Mark Dwyer Jul 23rd, 2016

I would love to take my wife to Orange County, CA for a much-needed getaway.

David Medlin Jul 23rd, 2016

england

John Sweeney Jul 24th, 2016

interesting!

jane ann bucknot Jul 24th, 2016

this will be handy to me.

Rajeeva Jul 25th, 2016

I'd love to visita Australia or California

Ecz Jul 26th, 2016

We would love to travel to Colorado this summer.

Jodi Kershuk Jul 27th, 2016

Bitdefender BOX,
I do salute you.
My tech unshackled?
Protection! So true.

Christopher King Jul 27th, 2016

Where I live, there is a lot of power outage. This amazing handset could save me, save to say my smart TV, computer, smartphone while in power charging. I want one.

Luiz Fernando Jul 27th, 2016

Iceland for me - always been a dream!

Matt Baker Jul 27th, 2016

mountains

Adarsh Verma Jul 29th, 2016

I would love to go to Canada, or Alaska. I like the cold.

Rachel Butterworth Jul 31st, 2016

I want to go anywhere near a beach

Cylina Williams Aug 1st, 2016

i would love to go to hawaii

sandra Aug 3rd, 2016

i would love to go to hawaii

sandra Aug 3rd, 2016

i would love to go to hawaii

sandra Aug 3rd, 2016

No plans for the summer but I would love to go to Hawaii.

Nancy Schools Aug 4th, 2016

I would like to go to Solvang.

Roy F. Aug 5th, 2016

Wish to win

Reyan Siddiqui Aug 7th, 2016

This device is beautiful by design and all of my friends with the Geek Squad love it. I would love to win this so i can have that kind of security in my own home.

tyler m. Aug 7th, 2016

Very cool

Ricardo Pereira Aug 8th, 2016

my dream vacation is Hawaii, but i know thats just a dream
we live in florida our families live in ohio/michigan so thats the only place we ever get to visit

Tammy Kennedy Aug 10th, 2016

Sticking to the beach

Sara Muzzatti Aug 10th, 2016

We will be on the south coast

Sheri Darby Aug 12th, 2016

Would love to go to Daytona Beach this summer.

Aaron Humphrey Aug 14th, 2016

I want to visit local beaches & parks.

Dawn ganey Aug 14th, 2016

The French Pyrenees & Andorra

Allan Wilson Aug 15th, 2016

I wish to Travel to New Zealand!

Julia Mason Aug 16th, 2016

I could use one of these

ddeahl Aug 17th, 2016

I want to go interstate and visit Melbourne so hopefully I'll be able to fill this dream!

Kiraly Aug 17th, 2016

Virginia

Tyler LeFevre Aug 17th, 2016

I would like to go to Alaska.

Mona LeFevre Aug 17th, 2016

I think Arizona would be cool to visit.

Teryn LeFevre Aug 17th, 2016

I would like to visit my family in Geraldton as it has been over 2yrs since I last saw them

Renee Aug 17th, 2016

I would love to go to the Maldives and swim in the clear ocean without fear :)

Teena Kewus Aug 17th, 2016

I'd love to go to the beach while it's still hot. I love the ocean.

Heather Aug 17th, 2016

newzealand

donna l jones Aug 18th, 2016

I'd like to go to Greece

Lauren Old Aug 18th, 2016

Would love to travel round the uk to photograph ancient sites of wonder at sunset

Collette Mackey Aug 18th, 2016

I'd love to go to Florida

Lyndsey Bruce Aug 18th, 2016

I would like to travel to Germany.

Robin Aug 18th, 2016

I want to go to Florida to see my grandchildren.

Connie Merritt Aug 18th, 2016

I would love to go to the Bahamas

Shakeia Rieux Aug 19th, 2016

I love to holiday in Majorca, and stay in a nice villa inland. Utterly stunning views, and a tranquil retreat from today's rather hectic world. Love it!

Ian Campbell Aug 19th, 2016

spain to visit relatives xx

liz ferguson Aug 19th, 2016

I want to travel anywhere! Europe, Orlando, San Antonio, or absolutely anywhere!

Allyson becker Aug 19th, 2016

Key largo :)

Rob Hestar Aug 19th, 2016

wow

rosemary Aug 19th, 2016

I'm travelling to Nepal, via India which I am very happy about!

Chris Fletcher Aug 19th, 2016

To the coast of Maine

Michael Woods Aug 19th, 2016

I would have LOVED to travel to Australia and New Zealand. We're staying close to home this year though.

Laura Aug 19th, 2016

Cornwall for me!

Stephen Little Aug 19th, 2016

I want to travel to Alaska this Summer.

Shawna Aug 19th, 2016

Lanzarote

Tamara Foster Aug 19th, 2016

Australia to visit relatives

Kim Styles Aug 19th, 2016

Seychelles would be a dream vacation.

cindy Peterson Aug 19th, 2016

This looks so cool and would give me some relief on keeping my kids safe.

Julie Lundstrom Aug 19th, 2016

I would love to travel to Japan.

Diana Cote Aug 19th, 2016

I really want to go to England...

Brandon Sparks Aug 19th, 2016

I'd love to go to Italy to visit relatives I haven't seen for over 20 years.

Natalie Gillham Aug 19th, 2016

I would like to travel to Hawaii

AEKZ2 Aug 19th, 2016

I wish I could go to Tahiti.

Corey Olomon Aug 19th, 2016

I'd like to go anywhere at all but especially the Pacific Northwest, I love the scenery there!

Tosha H Aug 19th, 2016

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