Kaspersky antivirus review: is it safe to use?
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Kristina Jarusevičiūtė
Writer
Kaspersky antivirus has enjoyed two decades of robust competition in the cybersecurity space. It might be quite user-friendly, and it might be quite popular. However, the reputation and security ties of the company are much more important than bells and whistles of an antivirus app.
The Russian-owned company has been reported to be in communication with Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) and is responsible for providing them with real-time intelligence and identifying data of customers’ computers. Plus, the domain of the Russian Ministry of Defense is hosted in Kaspersky's infrastructure, and Eugene Kaspersky, the owner of the company, has recently refused to condemn the Russian army's unlawful military actions in Ukraine.
With that in mind, many users might have a serious problem using any products with such a connection – let alone a personal cybersecurity product.
So is Kaspersky safe to use? Is it worth overlooking the scandals – especially when there are much more trustworthy antivirus providers, such as TotalAV or Bitdefender, available?
Let's have a look what's under the hood of this antivirus provider.
| ⭐ Rating: | |
| 🥇 Overall rank: | - |
| 💵 Price: | From $29.99/year |
| ✂️ Free version: | Yes |
| 🖥️ Platforms: | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS |
| 🔥 Coupons: | Cybernews Antivirus Coupons |
Kaspersky antivirus pros and cons
- Database regularly updated with the latest threats and viruses
- Little impact on memory and system performance
- System optimization available
- TDSKILLER looks for bootkits and rootkits
- User-friendly
- 24/7 phone, chat, and email support
- On the higher end of the pricing scale
- Unremarkable features in higher-priced plans
- Lowest-priced plan is for Windows only
- Low brand trust due to 2017 scandal
- Connections with Russia's secret services
Kaspersky security features
While Kaspersky's reputation and ties with Russian secret services can give a lot of doubt about the company, the product itself claims to be good. Of course, as with any paid service, the actual set of available features will heavily depend on the pricing plan you pick. This means that it could range from basic virus and malware protection to an extensive suite with many additional tools.
Let's take a look at some of the features Kaspersky provides.
Virus scans
Firstly, there are the scans. Kaspersky antivirus solution includes these scans:
- Quick scan – checks the usual places on your device where malware could be – temporary files folder and similar. If it finds any threats, the user gets a suggestion to do a full scan.
- Full scan – scans the entire system.
- Selective scan – the user can choose particular folders or files to be scanned.
- Removable drives scan – scans drives such as hard drives, USB sticks, and similar.
- Vulnerability scan – scans the applications for vulnerabilities.
- Background scan – scans system memory, disk boot sectors, and startup objects. The scan starts together with the vulnerability scan and cannot be launched independently.
We did some in-house testing of some of these scans. Let’s take a look at how they went:
Quick scan
The quick scan took around 1 minute and 30 seconds and scanned more than 3,000 files. The CPU load was between 25-58%. The scan did not find any of the 10 malware files, which is not that unusual for quick scans.
Full scan
The full scan took a little more than 6 minutes to complete and scanned around 234,000 files. The CPU load was high – around 85% on average. The scan managed to find all 10 of the malicious files.
Vulnerability scan
The vulnerability scan was very quick – it took around only 15 seconds to scan around 7,000 files. It did not find any vulnerabilities.
Background scan
The background scan started together with the vulnerability scan but took a lot longer. In around 2 minutes, almost 3,500 files were scanned, and no threats were found.
Malware protection
Kaspersky’s malware scanner has been tested as recently as fall of 2022 by major testing labs. Such labs as AV-Comparatives and AV-Test showed that Kaspersky performed extremely well, capturing 100% of zero-day malware and 100% of widespread malware, with an excellent result of 0 false positives.
Tests performed by SE Labs only confirmed these great results, with a 100% detection record. It resulted from blocking the malware from being installed, rather than dismantling it once it had been installed.
All tests considered, Kaspersky offers excellent malware protection measures. Few antiviruses can boast the same results – one example is TotalAV, making it a great Kaspersky alternative.
Payment protection
A premium feature of Kaspersky Internet Security and Kaspersky Total Security, Safe Money makes it easy to protect your identity and secure sensitive information when making an online payment.
It does this by launching a separate web browser for the transactions to take place. This browser is more secure than your average browser. It automatically checks the payment page in Kaspersky’s constantly-updated “trusted site” list.
Safe Money also checks the security of your connection and scans your PC environment for threats that could imperil the transaction.
Many users buy online with barely a second thought, but payment transactions on popular web browsers do get targeted by cybercriminals. Sending money over a secured browser like Kaspersky Safe Money is not unreasonably paranoid.
Real-time protection
Kaspersky real-time protection is a feature that protects your device from online threats, most commonly malware disguised as legitimate files.
During our tests, it worked quite well. The feature found and unzipped all 10 of the malicious files and deleted 8 out of 10 threats. The process was a little different than that of other antivirus programs, though. First, it flagged the malware, then marked it for termination, and only then deleted it, while other programs would put files into quarantine and ask the user how to proceed.
Two-way firewall
The app lock feature of Kaspersky is mostly designed for mobile devices. It allows users to restrict access to chosen mobile apps, such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, or others. This ensures maximum privacy protection.
The app lock works by essentially locking an app, and once someone tries to access it, it asks for a code. This feature is only available with the premium version of the Internet Security plan.
App lock
The app lock feature of Kaspersky is mostly designed for mobile devices. It allows users to restrict access to chosen mobile apps, such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, or others. This ensures maximum privacy protection.
The app lock works by essentially locking an app, and once someone tries to access it, it asks for a code.
Web threat protection
Kaspersky’s Web Threat Protection scans various links for phishing website addresses and prevents the user from visiting them if any threats are found. A similar feature is a URL Advisor, which checks websites and flags them as safe, suspicious, or dangerous.
However, it is worth mentioning that this feature is not on the Kaspersky Anti-Virus app.
Password manager
Kaspersky Total Security, the highest-priced plan, includes the full version of Kaspersky Password manager, allowing you to store unlimited passwords and vaults behind a master password.
Most Internet users have many password-protected accounts, and Internet security specialists recommend using a different and strong password for every account. Since most people can’t memorize that many random strings of characters, password managers are an increasingly essential component of web browsing as they fill in the login credentials for you.
Kaspersky password manager includes:
- Password generator – can generate up to 99 character long passwords.
- Password check – notifies if the password is weak or old.
- Leak detection – notifies if any of your passwords have been leaked online.
- Document vault – a storage solution to keep your sensitive documents.
- Auto-fill – automatically fills out login information on websites or apps.
- Ignored websites – if you don’t want the password manager to save passwords from certain websites, you can mark those websites to be ignored.
Kaspersky has developed a browser extension for Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox. When you install the browser extension and activate it with your master password, you can autofill passwords from your vault whenever you visit the relevant site on that browser.
When compared to other top password managers such as NordPass or Keeper, Kaspersky password manager is quite good, but not on the same level as the market-leading solutions. For example, the browser extensions don’t always work and the free version allows for only 15 data entries, no matter if they’re passwords, photos, documents, or other types of files.
Privacy protection
A premium feature of Kaspersky, Privacy Protection guards your browsing activities in a number of ways.
By default, Privacy Protection alerts you of attempts to collect your data – the way Facebook creepily knows what you have in your cart on Amazon and markets it to you, for example. The feature can also be armed to block data collection if you prefer to browse privately and not have your browsing history harvested for marketing.
Privacy Protection includes an intelligent ad blocker that doesn’t block ads when doing so would disable the website, as is the case with many banner ads.
Privacy Protection also includes a setting to block external access to your webcam by Peeping Toms. Note that popular apps like Zoom and Loom require access to your webcam, but these domains can be added to a “safe” list to selectively enable access to the webcam.
Protection for kids
A feature of the highest-priced plan Kaspersky Total Security, the premium version of Kaspersky Safe Kids includes a GPS monitor to track the location of your kids’ smartphones. On the devices themselves, it blocks inappropriate content, text and call screening, social-network monitoring, YouTube blocking, YouTube search alerts, and app usage controls.
Safe Kids was not designed for iOS and doesn’t work as well on an iOS device as it does on Android.
Secure connection VPN
A premium feature of Kaspersky Internet Security and Kaspersky Total Security, Kaspersky Secure Connection VPN is easy to use and adequate as a basic VPN. Powered by Hotspot Shield, it offers a smaller range of locations compared to more competitive virtual private networks.
The Kaspersky VPN paid version features include:
- Smart protection – VPN automatically connects when an insecure network is detected.
- Kill switch – temporarily shuts down your Internet to prevent data leaks in case the VPN connection accidentally drops
- Unlimited bandwidth
- 90+ server locations
There is also a free version of Kaspersky VPN available, however, it only offers one VPN server location in the Netherlands, no kill switch, and has a 200Mb/day data limit. That is not nearly enough data for anything, and it will take you only a few internet search queries before it runs out.
Compared to top VPN providers such as NordVPN, Kaspersky Secure Connection VPN is lacking in features, server count, and overall functionality.
Plans and pricing
| Plan | Features | Price |
| Free | Malware protection | Free |
| Anti-Virus | Malware protection, ransomware blockers, Privacy Protection | $29.99/year |
| Internet Security | Malware protection, Privacy Protectio , Safe Money | $39.99/year |
| Total Security | Malware protection, Privacy Protection, Safe Money, Safe Kids mode, password manager, file protection | $44.99/year |
We don’t recommend getting Kaspersky because of its ties to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). However, we strongly suggest looking into some alternatives, such as Bitdefender, TotalAV, or Norton.
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Kaspersky offers a range of plans – a free one and 3 paid subscriptions. The free version is basic and fairly limited, providing you with malware protection only.
If advanced security is what you’re looking for, then the Kaspersky Anti-Virus plan is a solid solution. On top of protection from malware, you’re also secured from ransomware and are informed about your data collection practices.
Furthermore, if you opt for the Kaspersky Internet Security plan, you’re going to get the same benefits as with the Anti-Virus plan. Except you also get the identity and payment protection feature.
If you want the highest protection levels, the Total Security subscription is where it’s at. With it, you get the same features as with the Internet Security plan, plus the Safe Kids mode, a password manager, and file protection.
Keep in mind that all paid plans support 3 devices simultaneously. Yet, you can increase the count for an additional cost. For example, Kaspersky Anti-Virus and Internet Security plans allow up to 5 devices, while Total Security – 10 devices.
Ease of use and setup
Kaspersky antivirus is very easy to install. Once you select and purchase your plan, a download link gives you access to the installer file. It walks you through a total of four screens. You have the option to participate in the Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) and the option to install recommended settings.
Windows
Once installed, Kaspersky offers a new and intuitive, visually-appealing control panel with the main sections laid out as convenient tiles on the left side of the screen. Most features are very easy to find, but if a feature is not available with your plan, you may be prompted to upgrade. A gear icon in the bottom left allows you to access settings.
The app’s main screen displays a green checkmark or a red “x” to tell you whether your device is protected or not, and recommended actions are accessible via the Details button. It takes just a few minutes a day to square away your device with Kaspersky Anti-Virus, Internet Security, or Total Security.
The Windows app has some unique additions like weak settings control. It prompts you to fix the issues to patch the holes, which could be used as an attack vector. Other features, such as Rescue Disk, creates a bootable CD. You can use it in cases when your system is out of order, and Windows refuses to load.
macOS
Although the offered feature set is undoubtedly smaller on the macOS version, the service does bring additional value. You can perform system-wide scans, disable your webcam, block ads, and intrusive scripts. There are some extra additions to increase your overall online security like a VPN and a password manager. If you were wondering, this doesn't include parental controls, as the app doesn't seem to be working on Mac.
During our tests, we noticed that the broken parental controls app wasn't the only issue. The installation itself proved to be a challenge in itself. After running the app, I got an error that some protection components aren't running. Even after reinstalling the app, the suggested fix from their support page did nothing. It wasn't possible to ask the community for help either as there was no code or indication of which component failed to install.
All in all, it seems that antivirus programs such as TotalAV, Bitdefender, or Norton would be better alternatives for easy setup than Kaspersky in this case.
Kaspersky mobile apps
Mobile users, instead of one app that has all the features get three separate apps on all platforms. iOS users get Kaspersky Security Cloud (which is useful only for data leak checks and malicious URLs block), Secure VPN & Proxy, and a password Manager. System-wide antivirus scans are irrelevant for iOS users, so it's not really a problem.
Android follows the same clunky model and consists of Kaspersky Security Cloud, Kaspersky Internet Security, and Kaspersky Password Manager. So, you'll have to combine all of these apps to make a comparable desktop experience. That said, with them, you can check your Android settings for vulnerabilities, view the devices on your network, check if your credentials have been leaked, scan for viruses, and enable real-time protection.
Some functions are more tailored to phones, such as blacklisting phone numbers, checking SMS messages for malicious links, locking certain apps, and anti-theft features.
Overall, Android's version comes off as full of features. It's quite an easy recommendation if you're looking for an antivirus for your phone.
Customer support
| Kaspersky | |
| 24/7 live chat | ✅ |
| ✅ | |
| Phone line | ✅ |
| Guides or articles | ✅ |
| FAQs | ✅ |
Kaspersky has a bunch of customer support options available, whether you need human assistance or want to solve issues yourself. For starters, there’s a 24/7 live chat available, letting you find solutions to your issues at any time of the day.
In terms of human support options, there’s also a phone number you can use to contact the support team for more complex issues. And if it’s not a time-sensitive problem or you just want to ask a particular question, you can simply fill in an email form. Keep in mind that all support options are available 24/7.
However, if you like to fix everything independently, Kaspersky provides you with an extensive knowledge base as well as FAQs. So, whatever the case, you’ll have plenty of support at your doorstep.
Is Kaspersky Antivirus safe to use?
We don't recommend using Kaspersky Antivirus, because there might be security issues related to its user identification ties to the Russian secret services.
In fact, the connection is so well established, Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) actively recommends not to use Kaspersky antivirus, and urges its users to consider alternative products.
However, as a product itself, Kaspersky Antivirus offers decent protection from viruses, malware, and ransomware, protecting your devices. Kaspersky also provides lots of useful features, such as WebCam protection, a fast VPN, and an Ad Blocker to help you maximize your device’s security at all times.
Keep in mind that all of these perks are designed to use as minimal resources as possible, so the antivirus has little impact on your device memory and system performance. Just have in mind that there are way more secure and reliable alternatives to choose.
All in all, the decision whether or not to use Kaspersky is entirely in your hands. It can be good if you're looking for simplicity, ease of use, and a couple of extra features to make your online experience safe – even at a pretty high price.
The taint of Russian espionage allegations remains, as do the bans by the US government, Twitter, and Best Buy. Kaspersky has been proactive in its attempts to rehabilitate its reputation… but when an Internet security company is accused of being an avenue for espionage, proceed with caution.
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FAQ
Can Kaspersky be trusted?
No, Kaspersky is not a very trustworthy company. It first became a lightning rod for criticism in 2017 over allegations by US and British intelligence organizations that the company had colluded with Russian intelligence agencies to facilitate espionage and data theft. After Russia's army unlawfully invaded Ukraine, effectively weaponizing its intelligence, we can conclude that we don't recommend personal users trusting Kaspersky with their personal information.
Why is Kaspersky banned?
On September 13, 2017, the US Department of Homeland Security banned the use of Kaspersky products by all government agencies in response to allegations that Kaspersky had collaborated with the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) to use Kaspersky software as a tool for facilitating espionage and the theft of sensitive data. Kaspersky has denied these allegations.
Is Kaspersky good?
Yes. Before the Russian intelligence scandal, Kaspersky was a reputable name with 20 years in the industry. It has tested above-average or excellent in its ability to detect and block viruses, malware, and ransomware. It can be used with Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android operating systems, making it a versatile antivirus solution. It is user-friendly, with appealing scanning options and privacy-protection features. All things being equal, it compares favorably with other top antivirus programs.
Do I really need antivirus?
Modern operating systems aren’t as barebones as they used to be in the early ’00s. Meaning that they have their proprietary measures to protect you against all kinds of cyberthreats. However, since they supervise large infrastructures, they may not be as quick to react to a malware threat as professionals who strictly work in the same field. So, potentially using a third-party antivirus might give you better results.
Comments
But now, how can I protect my privacy and personal data by relying on Kaspersky?
There is no way because alas kaspersky has become an active spy in home and life.
Shame on whoever did this.
As for Kaspersky support in my country, they are rude and incapable of any help
I do not like the idea Kaspersky is Russian, the owner an X-KGB, and that their servers also run the russian government (still verifying that though).
The price is NOT in the high tier. Kaspersky endpoint security >200 endpoints is about $15 a seat.
Norton is junk.
I actually trust Kaspersky KAS more than Norton that runs LifeLock.
But, because of the issues in Russia I'll be moving away from KAS to ESET or TrendMicro.
never would touch norton, even with a 10 foot pole.
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