#1 Kaspersky Review in 2024
Kaspersky has been a household name in the antivirus industry for many years. After reading this Kaspersky review, you’ll understand why. I’ve tested every little feature of Kaspersky’s most advanced product, and the 60+ screenshots serve as proof.
But here’s the thing…
Unfortunately, their reputation was shaken by allegations that the Russian government used the company’s resources to obtain classified information. Kaspersky has since denied these claims and even went so far as to launch the Global Transparency initiative to restore its reputation.
So, the question is:
Can you trust Kaspersky to keep your digital assets safe and private? Furthermore, how does it compare to famous brands like Bitdefender and McAfee? This Kaspersky review will uncover what makes Kaspersky good (or bad) and whether you can still trust this antivirus solution.
Let’s begin.
In a Hurry? Here’s a Quick Summary:
Kaspersky is a high-quality antivirus solution that impressed me for the most part. The ransomware protection is stalwart; it even blocked the ransomware simulator I attempted to run. The web protection and scans are top-notch, and the extra privacy features are above average.
That said, some features did not meet my expectations. For example, the software updater doesn’t search for driver updates or OS updates. In addition, the network monitor is too basic, and the parental controls can be challenging to use.
Kaspersky was excellent overall but didn’t quite make our top three list. Albeit, it has the potential to do so in the future. For now, it has earned a spot in our top ten list of the best antivirus software. If you think that Kaspersky is right for you, give it a try today.
What You’ll Like
Strong ransomware protection ensures your data remains safe
Fast scans that keep viruses at bay
A versatile firewall for network protection
A Hardened browser for secure online banking
What You Won’t Like
A VPN that’s limited to 300 MB/day
A software updater that can’t find driver updates or OS updates
Parental controls that are a bit complex to use
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
What Makes This Kaspersky Antivirus Review Different?
Here’s the truth…
Most of the antivirus software reviews you’ll encounter on the Internet are not genuine reviews. Often, the “reviewer” simply copies the text and images found on the developer’s website. They then promote these antivirus products as if they’ve tested them. Unfortunately, many people take these reviews as gospel.
We don’t do that at AntivirusGuide.
Our reviews are the result of following a step-by-step framework. We buy, install, test, and review the antivirus solutions that we review in detail to offer you the best insight into the features of each product.
For this Kaspersky review, I used the following devices: my Dell XPS laptop, MacBook Pro M1, and Samsung Galaxy S20 FE. Although I took 103 screenshots, I selected only the 63 most relevant.
Here's all you need to know about the Kaspersky antivirus suite.
Purchasing Kaspersky
I purchased the most advanced version — Kaspersky Total Security — for a massive discount. This allowed me to save quite a bit of money. If you don’t like the antivirus package, you can ask for a refund within 30 days of the purchase.
After submitting my information, Nexway (a popular payment platform) handled my purchase. My order was approved within a few seconds; afterward, I immediately received an activation code and a download link via email.
I purchased the full version of Kaspersky for an affordable price.
Installation
I used the download link and the activation code I received by email to install Kaspersky. First, I selected my region and downloaded the appropriate installer.
I opened the installer and followed the few simple steps provided. Aside from enabling Kaspersky Security Network, there were no customization options.
Installation took roughly one minute. I was now ready to test the Kaspersky experience. By the way, Kaspersky automatically started a background scan, which I’ll discuss later.
You can’t customize the installation aside from opting for Kaspersky Security Network participation.
Interface
Kaspersky’s user interface boasts several essential features: Scan, Database Update, Safe Money, etc. The dominant color, a light green, stays true to Kaspersky’s brand colors.
The color of the checkpoint in the upper right corner remains green as long as there are no security warnings. If, for instance, an important security feature is disabled, the icon will turn red.
Some features that should be on the main interface, such as the VPN and PC cleaner, are hidden away in the Tool’s interface (which you can see by clicking on “More Tools”).
You can configure antivirus modules like a real-time scanner, email filter, firewall, and more from the Protection settings.
But here’s the deal…
I think that Kaspersky could have organized its features better. For instance, to access protection features like the firewall, you must first go to Settings > Protection. Why isn’t this feature in the main interface or the Tools window?
Anyway, Kaspersky features plenty of great customization options. I especially like the self-defense feature (accessed from General Settings), which prevents attempts to change Kaspersky’s installation files.
The interface feels slightly disorganized and takes a while to get used to.
Major Features
Kaspersky includes a wealth of features which we’ll discuss below. The first security feature is arguably the most important.
Ransomware Protection
Kaspersky’s ransomware protection is included in the System Watcher module. It monitors suspicious activity and alerts you in real-time.
I tested its ransomware protection using the KnowBe4 Ransomware Simulator (RanSim). Here’s what I found:
When I opened the RanSim tool, Kaspersky automatically deleted the launcher required to run the program. I went to quarantine and restored the file, but the antivirus software removed it again; I couldn’t add an exception for the launcher. Consequently, I couldn’t run the simulation, resulting in inconclusive results.
This is a good sign as it means the antivirus app has strong filters in place to protect against threats. Here’s an example of Kaspersky defending my system from the ransomware simulator:
Kaspersky’s ransomware protection is robust. It even blocked the simulator I attempted to run.
Web Protection
The web protection feature, aka Web Anti-Virus, blocks malicious websites and online threats in real-time. This is useful for repelling phishing attempts and drive-by downloads, which are common risks. You can enable or disable this shield from the settings:
How good is Kaspersky’s web protection? I tested it using a few simulated threat websites.
Maliciouswebsitetest.com — Kaspersky treated this page as malicious, which a good anti-malware program should do. The antivirus program opened a page that informed me about the dangers of accessing the website.
WICAR.org — I achieved the same results when attempting to open faux malicious test links on WICAR. Kaspersky blocked all of the links from this page and displayed a warning page notifying me of the threats it thwarted.
AMTSO.org — As expected, Kaspersky prevented all threats from the AMTSO malicious test page. Not only did Kaspersky inform me of the present danger, but it also displayed some desktop notifications.
The web protection layer blocked all the threat simulations I attempted to open.
Scans
Full Scan — The first full scan lasted 32 minutes and scanned nearly 710,000 files. You can follow scanning progress during a scan and choose what you want to happen upon completion.
You can view detailed reports of each scan and other antivirus activities from the Reports window:
The second full scan took less time — just 15 minutes. This time, it skipped the system files and other objects that remained the same.
Note: I kept the same default settings for the second scan. That said, you can set the scan depth from the advanced settings.
Quick Scan — This scan only examines system memory, boot files, and objects involved with the operating system. The first quick scan finished in roughly one minute and scanned 4359 files.
Removable Drive Scan — The antivirus package automatically scans removable hard drives, such as USB flash drives, when you insert them. It performed well in my tests. Also, you can configure a few of the settings:
Background Scan — Scans the system memory, boot sectors, and startup files. This scan runs automatically and can’t be configured.
A scan takes roughly 25-30 minutes. The number of scanned objects depends on the type of scan (rootkit scan, idle scan). This is similar to a full scan, but the objects it scans are fewer.
The scans are fast and hit the deepest parts of your operating system.
Firewall
Kaspersky’s firewall automatically deactivates Windows Defender Firewall to become the primary protector of your network. It filters all network traffic to keep threats at bay. You can control application rules, packet rules, and network properties from the firewall's settings.
The application rules contain advanced settings for viewing and changing what each application does over the network or Internet.
The packet rules allow you to manage network packets. By default, the window displays predefined packet rules recommended by Kaspersky to achieve the best security regarding network traffic.
From the Network Properties window, you can view and control the networks connected to your machine that the firewall recognizes.
I tested Kaspersky’s firewall using ShieldsUp!, a reputable firewall testing app. The results were positive, meaning that my network remained safe from cyber attacks.
The firewall passed a reputable security test and included many advanced options.
Safe Money
Like Bitdefender’s Safepay, Safe Money is a browser for securing sensitive online transactions. Kaspersky’s version is a Chromium-based browser that opens in a secure environment, separate from other programs. This protects against code injection from compromised software. You can also manually add sensitive websites into the Safe Money window.
When you attempt to open one of these sites using your default browser, Kaspersky will open it using its secure browser. It has a green border around it. It worked as expected in my tests.
Conversely, it may prompt you to open it in the secure browser, but this depends on the configuration.
The great thing about this browser is that it automatically scans for rootkits and certificates when visiting banking sites.
Safe Money adds an extra layer of security for Chromium browsers.
Password Manager
Kaspersky Password Manager is a program and browser extension that enables you to store and sync passwords across devices.
If you have tens or even hundreds of accounts, a password manager is a great asset. I’ve been using password manager apps since they first appeared, as I have tons of accounts that I need to manage.
Kaspersky’s desktop program is well-made. You can view and add new accounts, addresses, bank cards, and more from the main interface.
You can access plenty of options from the settings:
The browser extension is equally good, with plenty of options to add and organize accounts. Of course, the extension can also memorize your usernames and passwords as soon as you log into a website.
What I like most about the Kaspersky Password Manager is that it warns you if your password strength is weak. It also warns you of using the same password for multiple accounts. The only downside is that it doesn’t include two-factor authentication.
Password Manager allows you to add, organize, and secure passwords, but unfortunately, it lacks two-factor authentication.
Webcam Protection
Webcam Protection is a standard feature found in most antivirus programs. This feature automatically blocks attempts to hijack your camera and alerts you if an attempt is made.
Webcam Protection is a nice feature, but it can’t be configured.
Private Browsing
Most websites collect user data to serve you with targeted ads. If you’re concerned about your privacy, you can use the Private Browsing feature to stop trackers from collecting data regarding your browsing history.
Although it’s not the most comprehensive set of anti-tracking features I’ve come across, it does its job well. From the settings, you can block trackers but allow data collection from Kaspersky’s partners. This is a good move on Kaspersky’s part as it eliminates transparency issues.
Private Browsing stops websites from tracking your online behavior but offers only a few settings.
Backup and Restore
The Backup and Restore feature protects your data should it become stolen, corrupted, or destroyed. Keep in mind that Kaspersky doesn’t offer cloud services, but it does allow you to back up Dropbox, local drives, and networks.
To use this feature, I first selected the files that I wanted to backup:
There are a few backup storage options. I selected my local drive as the primary storage for the backup.
You have a few backup scheduling options, too.
After I set it up, Kaspersky backed up the selected files in seconds (there weren’t many files).
I was also able to restore the files after I deleted them during testing. Plus, I had the option to choose specific files to be restored.
Backup and Restore successfully restored the files I backed up and deleted.
Safe Kids
Kaspersky’s Safe Kids feature is a program that includes Total Security and allows you to create and manage kid profiles and user accounts. It has a simple user interface that will enable you to create profiles and accounts and switch between them.
As I was using a Windows laptop, the program created Windows user accounts for me. If your child wishes to use your computer, simply switch to the user account you’ve created for them. That’s how Safe Kids works.
I created a profile for a child and assigned it to a Windows user; however, I couldn't create a Windows account for two other profiles. The error had to do with Kaspersky’s server. Eventually, I was able to make it work.
Although you can install it as a program, controlling the content your kids can access can only be done through the web app.
There are tons of parental control settings available on the dashboard, but I would prefer to have the ability to manage them from the desktop app, too. I am used to local parental control apps (that don’t require separate Windows user accounts), so this one took a while to learn. I didn’t like it at first, but I started to appreciate its benefits after I became familiar with it.
Safe Kids is a powerful tool if you have the patience to learn how it works.
VPN
Kaspersky includes a VPN app that can be installed separately from the main antivirus software. The main window features a large button that makes connecting to servers easy.
The most expensive version of Kaspersky, Total Security, includes a limited version of the VPN (300 MB per day). Such a small amount of data only allows you to perform a few Google searches. For this reason, purchasing Kaspersky’s unlimited VPN service separately is a good option if privacy is a top priority for you.
But is it worth it?
Kaspersky’s VPN doesn’t come close to leading VPN services such as CyberGhost and Private Internet Access in terms of servers available. Kaspersky has 300 servers; other VPNs have thousands. And, of course, you have to upgrade to connect to servers from specific countries.
As for speed, I could only test the free VPN server. The results surprised me. Compared to my non-VPN connection, the download speed was similar (63 MB/s vs. 62 MB/s without a VNP), the latency was a bit higher (28 ms compared to 17 without a VPN), but the upload speed was a lot faster with a VPN (360 MB/s vs. 75). I ran tests from ipleak.net and perfect-privacy.co to test the VPN's privacy. I was satisfied with the results both tests produced. In other words, my actual IP address and location remained hidden.
The VPN is only a demo version, but the free server was surprisingly fast.
On-Screen Keyboard
The on-screen keyboard is an excellent addition to Kaspersky’s security arsenal. It allows you to type sensitive data, such as banking account credentials, without using your keyboard, which is susceptible to keyloggers.
Kaspersky’s keyboard is similar to Window’s default on-screen keyboard. The main difference is that you can launch the Kaspersky keyboard from a button that appears in login forms. You can configure these options in the settings.
The on-screen keyboard works well and is more secure than its Windows counterpart.
Network Monitor
Network Monitor is a tool for checking network activity in real time. It displays all of the applications that use your network and highlights all data sent and received. It also shows any open ports in your network, which allows you to spot vulnerabilities.
Kaspersky’s Network Monitor tool is similar to the Windows Resource Monitor. That said, it’s nice to have this tool bundled with other security tools.
Network Monitor is an excellent tool, but it doesn’t beat the Windows network monitor.
Software Updater
The software updater works in the background and lets you know if software updates become available. This is useful because outdated programs are vulnerable to hacking.
The utility detected an urgent update for Evernote during my tests, which I installed successfully.
However, the downside is that the utility only checks for patches for applications rather than for drivers or the operating system. Here’s what you can configure in the settings:
Although the software updater detects software updates, it doesn’t search for driver updates or OS updates.
Application Control
Application Control is another layer of security from Kaspersky. It keeps an eye on your applications' activities to ensure they don’t behave suspiciously. It also categorizes applications based on trust.
By default, the security program trusts digitally signed applications, but you can change this in the settings if you wish:
If you want to manage application restrictions, click on the applications link in the main window.
The application rules can be changed, too:
Application Control provides users with more control over installed programs.
Data Encryption
The files you store on your computer can be vulnerable to cyber attacks, especially ransomware. That’s why most antivirus programs come with a data encryption feature. In Kaspersky’s case, the data encryption tool lets you create data vaults — encrypted folders for your sensitive files.
To test this, I created a vault where I placed tax documents.
Then, I set a password for the data vault. I like that the program warns you if your password is too weak and gives you suggestions to improve its strength.
Finally, you can access the vault from Kaspersky's UI, or your desktop if you create a shortcut.
Data encryption creates a data vault to keep sensitive files secure.
File Shredder
A robust security suite wouldn’t be complete without a file shredder. This utility eliminates files for good using specialized algorithms that prevent snoopers from trying to dig up files on your hard drive.
I successfully deleted several files and couldn’t salvage them using a file recovery tool. I selected the default “Quick Delete” option, but other options are available.
File Shredder works as advertised and offers multiple shredding algorithms.
Clean and Optimize
Kaspersky didn’t forget about computer maintenance. The clean and optimize package consists of the following tools:
Besides offering a junk data cleaner (Unused Data Cleaner), it also features a utility for locating programs installed without your knowledge (PC Cleaner). These programs are susceptible to malicious code that can lead to damage or theft.
The privacy cleaner deletes traces of your browsing activity. You can also configure browsing settings for optimal privacy protection. When I tested this feature, it analyzed my browser configuration but didn’t find any optimizations available.
The Microsoft Windows Troubleshooting tool searches for suspicious OS settings which may have been caused by malware. This includes a great feature that allows you to roll back the settings.
The ‘clean and optimize’ features are mainly concerned with security rather than junk, but that’s ok.
Independent Testing Results
Regarding protection, performance, and usability, Kaspersky scored a perfect 6 out of 6 from AV-Test (a famous antivirus testing firm).
The AV-Comparatives antivirus testing company awarded Kaspersky their highest rating, Advanced+, for malware protection and performance. The detection rates were among the highest.
Lastly, SE-Labs, a British IT security company, also assessed Kaspersky’s antivirus engine and awarded its best distinction, AAA, for accurate malware detection.
Kaspersky received very favorable reviews from reputable digital security testing companies.
Choosing the Right Kaspersky Product
Kaspersky offers three plans for home usage:
Antivirus
Internet Security
Total Security
“Antivirus” is the most basic plan and includes real-time protection, anti-phishing, and optimization features. Unfortunately, it lacks “Internet Security” bonuses, such as payment protection, private browsing, etc. “Total Security” is the most advanced suite, featuring a password manager and parental controls. Again, it doesn’t include a full VPN service, though.
So, which plan should you go with?
I strongly recommend Internet Security for home use as it includes essential features like payment protection and leaves out the programs you may not require, like parental controls.
Kaspersky Internet Security, the mid-tier suite, is my recommendation for home use.
Customer Support
Customer support says a lot about a company. Kaspersky aims to provide its users with as many resources as possible, especially paying customers. You can access links to multiple resources from the Support window, including a FAQ page, a forum, and support tools.
While conducting my tests, I had a couple of questions regarding the antivirus app. So, I decided to contact customer support for answers. You can contact them via email or live chat. I chose the live chat option as it’s faster.
Someone answered my request quickly — in about two minutes. The support person was friendly and immediately began to answer my questions. I was satisfied with the answers, which eliminated some of my confusion. The support person’s English wasn’t perfect, but their solutions were efficient.
Kaspersky includes plenty of documentation and resources, and the technical support person was able to answer all of my questions.
Kaspersky Review — Conclusion
Kaspersky did a great job protecting my computer from threats. The antivirus engine is fast and efficient, and the additional features are above average.
Now, about Kaspersky’s privacy scandal from 2017 — the security company denied the accusation that it worked with the Russian government to spy on users.
To recover its reputation, Kaspersky launched the Global Transparency Initiative, which helped mend the company’s transparency. Since they made these efforts, their reputation has improved drastically. Additionally, I didn’t see anything suspicious regarding privacy from my extensive testing.
If you’re looking for antivirus alternatives, I strongly recommend Bitdefender or Norton. These solutions have always had a solid reputation.
Kaspersky did a great job protecting my devices from threats and ensured my data remained private.
FAQs
Here are the top questions and answers about the Kaspersky antivirus solution.
Is Kaspersky antivirus reliable?
Yes, Kaspersky is a good antivirus suite with a robust malware detection engine and plenty of security features to keep your personal information safe from cyber-attacks.
Visit Kaspersky today for more information, or choose a reputable antivirus alternative.
Is Kaspersky Safe in 2024?
Kaspersky has drastically improved its reputation since the 2017 privacy scandal. The antivirus software company created the Global Transparency initiative to regain the trust of its users.
In my Kaspersky tests, I didn’t encounter any privacy issues. I strongly endorse it for home use, but I recommend our list of top antivirus software if you’re looking for something a little more trustworthy.
Is Kaspersky antivirus free?
Kaspersky features a free version of its antivirus software. Naturally, this doesn’t include complete protection against malware, theft, and other threats.
Download the world’s best free antivirus software today for your peace of mind. An antivirus product will make your personal data safer and more private.
Does Kaspersky remove malware?
Yes, Kaspersky can be used to remove malware from your computer. It features a strong and reliable malware detection engine. It uses cloud technology to achieve excellent detection and removal rates.
Get Kaspersky today, or choose an industry-leading alternative.
Octav Fedor (Cybersecurity Editor)
Octav is a cybersecurity researcher and writer at AntivirusGuide. When he’s not publishing his honest opinions about security software online, he likes to learn about programming, watch astronomy documentaries, and participate in general knowledge competitions.