Buzz
The computer protection features against malware by Kaspersky are nearly perfect, and the highest-priced software package, Kaspersky Total Security 2018, meets all the requirements users need, including a password manager, backup software, File Shredder, and file encryption.
Overview
Kaspersky Total Security integrates nearly all features, sharing a secure browser and Webcam protection. Both of these features are supplemented in the premium and mid-tier versions of Kaspersky Total Security, providing privileges like Parental Control that not all customers necessarily need.
However, the entry-level product, Kaspersky Anti-Virus, does not offer as many features as Kaspersky's free antivirus package. Many users might prefer using Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, which has similar features to Kaspersky's paid options, offering effective protection against malware almost on par with Kaspersky but with less impact on system performance.
Pricing and Protection
Kaspersky's antivirus software for Windows ranges from Kaspersky Free to the full-featured Kaspersky Total Security. The free version, introduced in July 2017, includes Kaspersky's malware detection tool and filters for websites, emails containing malware, and phishing attempts.
Kaspersky Antivirus (priced at 59.99USD/year for 3 devices) doesn't come with as many features as Kaspersky Free, except for the web security monitoring and Kaspersky Antivirus's Gamer Mode which helps minimize interruptions.
Kaspersky Internet Security (priced at 79.99USD/year for 3 devices) includes licenses for Kaspersky's security software for Mac, Android, iOS, and Windows Phone. Kaspersky Internet Security adds a range of features, including anti-spam, parental control, Webcam and microphone protection, and a browser to secure online transactions with banks. Additionally, you get a two-way Firewall, the ability to block unwanted applications and web tracking, prevent changes to system settings, and block network threats.
Leading the lineup is Kaspersky Total Security (priced at 99.99USD/year for 5 devices), which adds a password manager, file encryption, File Shredder, parental control, and automatic backup software with 2GB of online storage from Dropbox.
At the current moment, Kaspersky offers all the mentioned software packages at the listed prices. While it's a good deal, we can't predict how long the advertised prices will last.
Unlike Bitdefender or McAfee, Kaspersky doesn't offer unlimited device licenses. Each program from the company comes with a 30-day free trial period.
Kaspersky 2018 for Windows supports from Windows XP (Service Pack 3 for 32-bit systems, Service Pack 2 for 64-bit systems) to Windows 10.
Kaspersky Internet Security designed for Mac requires OS X 10.11 El Capitan or higher. Other software for mobile devices requires iOS 9.0 and above, Android 4.1 and above, and Windows Phone 8 and above.
Virus Protection
Kaspersky functions by amalgamating digital signatures, scanning known malware. Subsequently, it tracks heuristic algorithms to observe potential 'danger' signs in code and the behavior of software with an unknown origin.
Suspicious code snippets will be uploaded to the Kaspersky Security Network for analysis. If new malware is detected, swift updates will be sent to the company's 400 million devices. You can choose to participate in sharing this information during the installation process.
In each evaluation conducted by AV-TEST, Kaspersky Internet Security identified and eliminated all zero-day malware as well as other prevalent malware.
System Watcher of the program monitors all system activities, blocks malicious behavior, and reverts harmful changes. The Cryptomalware Protection Subsystem creates duplicates of any file exhibiting ransomware-like behavior and automatically restores the files.
Review of Kaspersky 2018: Top-notch Antivirus Software
You can set the malware scan threshold to Low, Recommended, or High. Kaspersky's Gamer Mode helps minimize disruptions and interruptions.
Performance
All Kaspersky antivirus products for Windows PCs utilize similar scanning technology.
In each evaluation - conducted four times on Windows 10 and twice on Windows 7 in the first half of 2017 by the independent German AV-TEST lab, Kaspersky Internet Security detected and removed 'zero-day' malware (discovered through heuristic algorithm monitoring) as well as other common malware (detected through signature matching).
These results surpassed Bitdefender and other antivirus software like Microsoft Windows Defender or McAfee for Windows.
Throughout all six tests, Kaspersky Internet Security registered only 2 false positives (misidentifying non-malicious software), while Bitdefender recorded 9 false positives.
In evaluations conducted by the independent Austrian AV-Comparatives lab from February to June 2017, Kaspersky's results were not flawless, detecting an average of 99.8% of real-time online malware over 5 months. Compared to Trend Micro's perfect score of 100%, Kaspersky slightly trailed with Bitdefender at 99.9%, still much better than McAfee, scoring only 97.7%.
Throughout those 5 months, Kaspersky registered one false positive, fewer than other antivirus programs.
Security Concerns
Kaspersky Anti-Virus, Kaspersky Internet Security, and Kaspersky Total Security all have added capabilities to scan for vulnerabilities, identify outdated software, and address instability issues on users' computers. It took 9 minutes and 53 seconds for the software to discover 10 incidents and system issues.
Internet Security adds client software for the virtual private network (VPN) Secure Connection by Kaspersky. However, you only get the free version of the service, limited to 200MB of data usage per day.
If you want to check your bank account balance or make payments on Amazon, Internet Security allows you to use Kaspersky's protected Safe Money browser.
To receive unlimited data and choose from 18 countries with Secure Connection servers, you'll need to upgrade to the premium plan, priced at $5/month or $30/year.
Internet Security assesses the security of each website, demands an encrypted safe link, disallows browser extensions, and features an on-screen keyboard to prevent keylogger programs.
Additionally, Internet Security comes with a two-way Firewall, replacing the built-in Windows Firewall. The Trusted Application Mode only allows the installation of programs that pass Kaspersky's safety checks, ensuring your system remains free from any unwanted potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Internet Security also allows you to lock the Webcam and microphone on your system, notifying you when a program accesses them. The Application Manager prevents unwanted programs (PUAs) from changing browser settings, the Self-Defense feature blocks changes to system memory and the Windows Registry, and the Network Attack Blocker monitors access traffic to detect and block any suspicious activities.
Kaspersky's Parental Control feature, available in Kaspersky Internet Security and Total Security, is password-protected. It enables you to limit computer usage time, control online time for children, and restrict children's access to inappropriate websites.
Review of Kaspersky 2018: Top-notch antivirus software
Among the products, only Total Security offers a premium subscription with a separate Safe Kids service, allowing users to install software on their child's phone to monitor communication and check their actual location.
Total Security integrates comprehensive backup and recovery software. You can save everything internally or store it online, and the software comes with a 2GB Dropbox account.
Total Security can protect sensitive or family information with file encryption and File Shredder. It also features an unlimited password manager, but if you forget the master password, Kaspersky cannot recover it.
Finally, for systems overloaded with malware, unable to run antivirus software, Kaspersky provides a free downloadable Rescue Disk in case the system malfunctions. This rescue disk can be installed on a CD or USB flash drive or boot the computer into a specialized operating system, cleaning up the Windows installation.
Performance and System Impact
In the performance evaluation on an Asus X555LA laptop running Windows 10 Creators Update, equipped with an Intel Core i3-5005U processor, 6GB RAM, and a 500GB hard drive with 36GB of various data, Kaspersky Total Security 2018 showcased its efficiency.
To assess system performance under various conditions, multiple tests were conducted, and custom benchmarks scored around 20,000 names and addresses on an OpenOffice spreadsheet. The data connection task took a considerable time to complete under heavier processor loads.
Kaspersky Total Security 2018 had almost no impact on system resources. With no third-party antivirus programs installed, the OpenOffice benchmark test completed in just 6 minutes and 52 seconds.
After loading Total Security 2018 without activating the scan, the test completion time increased by 0.5%, approximately 6 minutes and 54 seconds. In contrast, Bitdefender Total Security 2018 had around a 3% system impact.
During full system scans, Kaspersky Total Security utilizes a significant amount of system resources, with OpenOffice completion times of 8:56 (30% slower than the baseline) and 8:41 (26% slower) respectively. Bitdefender Total Security is 16% slower in full system scans and 10% slower in quick scans.
Kaspersky took 28 minutes and 21 seconds for the initial full hard drive scan on the Asus laptop, significantly reducing to just 7 minutes and 23 seconds in subsequent scans. The quick scan by Kaspersky took 2 minutes and 20 seconds to complete.
User Interface
Overall, Kaspersky's interface is user-friendly.
The main app screen displays a wealth of information, featuring buttons and icons for 8, 9 different features. The 'More Tool' link provides a system screen and a summary of recent attacks.
At the bottom right of the main screen are links to reports (logs of recent scans), news and notifications, and settings. Kaspersky software is highly customizable, allowing you to adjust 15 different defense systems, including Webcam and Application Control, email and browser scanning, and Safe Money.
On the main screen, a double-click initiates a full system scan, while a single click is sufficient for a quick scan. You can schedule scans daily, weekly, or monthly, with the flexibility to customize this schedule. Options include checking or skipping items like system memory, email storage, boot sector, and network drives.
Kaspersky can be used to scan any file or folder by right-clicking on items in Windows File Explorer or setting up automatic scans for new USB drives.
Installation and Support
The installation process of Kaspersky Total Security takes around 5 minutes and 48 seconds to complete. After downloading the 156MB installation file, select the language, and you can choose to participate in Kaspersky's malware data collection program.
The software then installs itself. After the process concludes, you can choose to use Kaspersky's ad-blocking feature. Once everything is correctly installed, the program will attempt to run a comprehensive scan.
On the user interface, there is a direct link to Kaspersky's support staff. Support technicians are available from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Eastern Time) every day, responding to calls, emails, and chat messages.
Kaspersky Total Security offers one of the most effective arrays of defense programs, from password management to backup software, encryption, and data partitioning. Kaspersky Internet Security integrates about half of Total Security's features, including Firewall, Parental Control, and secure browsing.
Kaspersky Anti-Virus has only a few additional features compared to Kaspersky Free. If you want to own a comprehensive antivirus program, you can choose to use Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. However, if you want to combine the best features and protection, you can opt for Kaspersky Total Security.
Thus, Mytour has just provided you with some reviews of Kaspersky 2018: top-notch antivirus software. What is your review and evaluation of Kaspersky 2018? Share your opinions with Mytour!
