What do I do when I suspect my anti-virus software of causing problems on purpose?

In My Humble Opinion
1

Paranoia time here. I have Bitdefender, and aside from constantly trying to sell me additional “services” that I don’t want, I sort of suspect them of being complicit in some problems. For example, recently I had problems (I don’t know what caused them) when I was trying to boot up my laptop, and not 10 minutes after I got those problems resolved, up came a Bitdefender ad for an add-on service to prevent those kinds of problems.

I kind of feel like my software is saying “Nice laptop you got there, pity if anything should happen to it.”

2

Software following what you do and giving you targeted ads? Say it ain’t so.

3

Do you have Windows 10?

If so just uninstall it and rely on the free Windows Defender.

4

I have Windows 8.1, and I’m not interested in switching to Windows 10.

5

Seconded.

You can use Windows Defender on Windows 8.1 too.

Definitely uninstall Bitdefender if you are unhappy with it. There are many other antivirus options, but Windows Defender is simple (it’s probably on your machine already), free, and effective. And it won’t bug you.

6

i can empathize with you … paranoia rains all around me. and, you might be thinking you don’t wish to upgrade from win-8.1 to win-10 … because of microsoft’s grip and underhanded tactics. can’t say i blame you. at least you’re off win-7 os. you will have until 01-2023 to upgrade to win-10 … after that time, the “extended-support” phase will no longer be available for microsoft security updates.

you did not state which version of bitdefender you have, Roderick_Femm … you also did not state which website you downloaded bitdefender from. always download software directly from the developer’s website … never software clearing houses. even then … scan the software before downloading with virustotal.com … also scan after downloading with your own dedicated av.

just as an aside … i went to bitdefender’s website … and felt a bit overwhelmed by all the different packages. and all those are, purportedly, just with regard to the home environment … business environment has different webpage. and, notably, to access bitdefender’s “free” version … that’s located on an entirely different webpage (under tools) as well. furthermore, with any of the packages … you really have no idea what you’re getting … and what’s being omitted. one package contains ‘this’, but does not state if it contains ‘that’ … next package … etc.

i’m inclined to agree with PastTense along with GreenWyvern’s seconded motion. uninstall the bitdefender crapware and allow wd to protect your environment. along with malwarebytes (free).

you might check your program-install interface via control-panel … see if bitdefender-free is listed … additionally, check if bitdefender-agent is also listed. before uninstalling … i, personally, would check bitdefender’s forum … see what other consumers had to navigate through. ah ic … there is link below … if you wish to uninstall their “free” version.

ref:

Summary

bitdefender free — The Bitdefender Expert Community

Summary

Bitdefender Free: Can't uninstall or reinstall — The Bitdefender Expert Community

Summary

Lifecycle FAQ - Windows | Microsoft Learn

“Windows 8.1 reached the end of Mainstream Support on January 9, 2018, and will reach end of Extended Support on January 10, 2023. With the general availability of Windows 8.1, customers on Windows 8 had until January 12, 2016, to move to Windows 8.1 to remain supported.”

7

Plenty of free AV programs out there, just pick one and give it a try.

I don’t know Bitdefender, but I got rid of a program by Lavasoft when I saw an article saying that it was suspect. It can happen.