NETGEAR Armor vs. Bitdefender BOX – Which is better suited to meet your internet needs?
With these two cyber security ecosystems for your entire home, you get maximum access to advanced security features on compatible NETGEAR routers, including vulnerability assessment, safe browsing, and seamless management of all the devices connected to your home network.
The NETGEAR Armor and the Bitdefender BOX are hardware security solutions that have been designed to give tougher and better protection for your home network, especially if you have multiple Internet of Things (IoT) devices around your home. These two security solutions act as a hardware firewall and works along with your already existing NETGEAR router to guard your home network from viruses and hacking. Sometimes, however, these devices can replace your router when protecting your network. That said, let us go over the features, differences, and value addition factor that the NETGEAR Armor and the Bitdefender BOX have to offer.
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Is the NETGEAR Armor and Bitdefender BOX the same?
The NETGEAR Armor is similar to the Bitdefender BOX, but they are not the same cyber security ecosystem. To explain this better, the NETGEAR Armor, which is powered by Bitdefender is a new cyber security solution on select NETGEAR routers, which have been developed in partnership with Bitdefender. Along with that, you should understand that not all NETGEAR routers will have the Bitdefender BOX technology embedded into them. Just like the Bitdefender BOX, however, the NETGEAR Armor features intelligent device management & alerts, safe surfing & dynamic blocking, endpoint protection through Bitdefender Total Security, and vulnerability assessment.
Further, the NETGEAR Armor is designed to detect and protect your connected network devices from various cyber threats, such as hackers, phishing, spyware, viruses, and spam. In simpler terms, this cyber security ecosystem acts as a router, which has inbuilt protection which is provided from Bitdefender so that you can seamlessly surf the internet. That means that this security ecosystem actively protects your laptops, PC, phones, tablets and other network devices from any malicious websites by immediately blocking any malicious file downloads on any of these devices.
That said, the NETGEAR Armor is the best cyber security ecosystem for anyone who already owns a compatible NETGEAR router and is trying to find the best way to protect their smart home against any online attacks, without having to buy a new hardware device.
Is the Bitdefender BOX worth it?
Yes, it is. Bitdefender BOX antivirus is well renowned and welcomed by many as a high-performing cyber security ecosystem. Along with the hardware defense, you also get the Bitdefender Total Security bundle – which offers an extra layer of security protection to your network devices – that you can install to your network devices.
Besides that, by getting the Bitdefender BOX, you are guaranteed free setup assistance on your phone so that you do not have any trouble during the set up and installation process. Despite the fact that it may be slightly costly to get the Bitdefender BOX, it is a worthy investment and it significantly toughens up your home network, especially if you have a load of smart network devices.
What are the features of the Bitdefender BOX?
The table below highlights the key features of the Bitdefender box and outlines the benefit of each feature to your smart home network environment.
Feature |
Benefit to home network |
Great Protection & Defense features for everything |
Because of this, it watches for inbound traffic over an insecure connection to prevent hacks and malware. |
Bitdefender Total Security |
By subscribing to this, you get an extra layer of security and device protection on all your devices when you are away from home |
Parental Controls |
Facilitates setting various restriction and blocking certain content for safe internet usage for all your children’s devices |
Guest Network |
With BOX, you can seamlessly set up a guest Wi-Fi network for your visitors, so that they can access the internet without interfering with your primary home network |
Private Mode |
Turning this on instantly blocks the internet connection of various eavesdropping devices such as Google Assistant and Alexa |
Does NETGEAR Armor include Bitdefender Total Security 2019?
Yes, it does. The NETGEAR Armor includes the Bitdefender Total Security 2019; however, there are significant differences between the NETGEAR Armor subscription with Bitdefender Total Security 2019 and the independent Bitdefender Total Security 2019. The table below highlights these differences.
Features |
NETGEAR Armor with the Bitdefender Total Security 2019 |
Independent Bitdefender Total Security 2019 |
Number of protected devices |
unlimited |
5-10 |
Types of devices protected – Automatic Scans, URL blocking, Port Awareness, Security Scans, |
Smart home devices, such as range extenders, smart lights, and Wi-Fi security cameras and devices with Android, Windows, and iOS softwares |
Only devices with Android, Windows, and iOS softwares |
Vulnerability assessment feature |
Scans your entire network and all the network devices connected to it |
Only scans individual devices but not your entire home network |
Remote management and protection of network |
You can access threats remotely using the Nighthawk or Orbi app |
Doesn’t offer this |
Does NETGEAR Armor cost a lot?
Not necessarily. If you want to try the NETGEAR Armor for the first time, you will get a 30-day trial subscription. Via a firmware upgrade, you can get a 90-day fee trial. Afterwards, you would need to pay about $9 every month or $90 annually if you want to keep the NETGEAR Armor.
Once you purchase your NETGEAR Armor subscription, you will receive an activation code which you will have to key into the Armor portal to start your paid subscription.
Conclusion
As the digital world evolves, there is a rise of negative internet use by hackers and fraudsters, which puts your smart devices and home network at risk. That said, it is important to explore and invest in the various cyber security solutions designed to protect your network and smart devices.
FAQs
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What version of Bitdefender comes with the NETGEAR Armor security solution?
The NETGEAR Armor includes the Bitdefender Total Security 2019, which significantly protects your network devices and home network as well.
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Is the NETGEAR Armor a VPN?
Yes, it is. In fact, it is one of the high-performing virtual private networks and one of the most valued cybersecurity solutions worldwide.
