BitDefender announced today the availability of many of its most popular security solutions as free editions, available for download.

Among these are BitDefender Free Edition, an on-demand virus scanner, BitDefender Anti-Phishing Free Edition, and BitDefender Chat Encryption.

BitDefender Free Edition uses the same certified antivirus engines as other BitDefender products. The software offers virus scanning and removal, scheduled scanning, easy scanning of files and folders with a right click and quarantine.

BitDefender Free Edition is an on-demand virus scanner and does not offer real-time protection against viruses or other malware.

BitDefender Anti-Phishing Free Edition provides browser-based protection from phishing attempts by blocking the malicious web pages used to steal credit card data and other personal identification information. This tool is compatible with Microsoft Internet Explorer and with Mozilla Firefox.

BitDefender Chat Encryption allows users to communicate securely via Yahoo Messenger or Windows Live Messenger by encrypting the instant messages exchanged with another PC on which BitDefender Chat Encryption or a BitDefender 2009 product is installed. BitDefender Chat Encryption keeps instant messages safe from hijacking through a simple and automatic encryption process.

To download the ButDefender Free edition, visit http://www.bitdefender.com/PRODUCT-14-en--BitDefender-Free-Edition.html