BUCHAREST, ROMANIA -- (Marketwire) -- 01/24/13 -- Bitdefender, which signed on this month to become a Data Privacy Champion, aims to alert computer users to the growing risks to their privacy and help them control their digital footprint in the company's new status as a Data Privacy Champion.

As a pioneer in data privacy, Bitdefender is hosting a webinar to examine what kind of data is sent and collected over the internet on January 28 between 9AM and 10AM PST. Featuring Chief Security Strategist Catalin Cosoi, Bitdefender's Data Protection Webinar aims to tackle sizzling user privacy topics and the risks associated with user profiling and identity theft.

"Data privacy is becoming a growing concern as websites often integrate third-party services designed to monitor and profile user behavior," said Cosoi, who has spent the past decade studying the increasing frequency of data privacy invasions for one of the world's leading computer security companies.

"We're trying to raise awareness on just how much information is tracked when people simply visit a website, and how even non-personally identifiable information can be used to track someone, with or without their consent," he said.

Bitdefeder already protects users' privacy by continuously improving its iOS web-based Clueful app and social media watchdog, SafeEgo. With both products designed to safeguard user privacy, Bitdefender provides the proper tools for navigating in a safe online environment.

Recognizing and supporting the ideal that individuals, organizations, business and government share responsibility for protecting privacy, Bitdefender encourages everyone to bring information privacy into their daily thoughts, conversations and actions.

Increasing sophistication and precision targeting of data privacy invasions mean that user awareness of data privacy needs to reach ever-higher levels. Bitdefender spearheads efforts to keep users safe from potential online attacks on their private data and privacy.

About Bitdefender®
Bitdefender is the creator of one of the world's fastest and most effective lines of internationally certified internet security software. Since 2001, the company has been an industry pioneer, introducing and developing award-winning protection. Today, Bitdefender technology secures the digital experience of around 400 million home and corporate users across the globe.

Recently, Bitdefender won a series of important awards and accolades in the global security industry, including "Editor's Choice" by PC Mag for Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013 and the "GoldAward" by TopTenREVIEWS that confirmed the software's top spot among 25 tested security products. Bitdefender antivirus technology has also finished top in leading industry tests from both AV Test and AV-Comparatives. More information about Bitdefender's antivirus products is available from the company's security solutions press room. Additionally, Bitdefender publishes the HOTforSecurity blog, a sizzling blend of steamy computer security stories and stimulating visuals that spotlights the seedy underworld of internet fraud, scams, malicious software -- and gossip.