Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac — Decent macOS Malware Protection

Kaspersky’s antivirus scanner and anti-malware protection is very powerful. It detected all the malware samples during my testing.

There’s a lot more.

Kasperskys features are not all bad. Dropbox only offers 2GB storage per user, so it isn’t worth it.

Kaspersky Total Security has been a reliable internet security solution. Kaspersky was accused of conspiring with Russian intelligence to steal US-based data in 2017. In response, it moved its data processing centers from the US to Switzerland. Transparency Centers have been opened all over the world. Kaspersky has also passed a SOC 2 audit and is now recertified.

Kaspersky offers three pricing options that can cover 3-10 devices. The plan includes a 30 day refund policy and a great discount for the first year (14 days for UK customers span>).

Kaspersky Full Review

Kaspersky comes with a powerful and reliable antivirus scanner. It also offers tons of additional features to increase your online safety.

Kaspersky has a simple interface that is ideal for those without technical skills.

Kaspersky can be a less expensive choice for antiviruses. But they also offer attractive payment plans that are well priced and include a 30 day money back guarantee.

Kaspersky Security Features

Antivirus Engine

Kaspersky has a cloud-based scanner that detects malware.

Top antivirus companies like McAfee or Bitdefender use a range of signature databases and machine learning to detect malware. Kaspersky, meanwhile, is a leading competitor in malware detection. It found 100% of the malware samples tested.

Kaspersky offers 5 kinds of virus scans

• Quick scan. Quick scan for system startup and system memories. Also, check for bootsectors.
• Full scan. The complete scan will inspect every file, folder, partition, and area in your system.
• Selective Scanning. Allows to scan any drive.
• Scan your removable drive. USB sticks, portable hard drives).
• Vulnerability scanning. Examines your system for vulnerabilities. This covers outdated software as well software that could be vulnerable to malware.

Kaspersky also offers many scan-scheduling alternatives. You can choose when to scan, after application startup or every update.

To test Kaspersky I used nearly 1000 different types and versions of malware. I ran several types of trojans, rootkits, and ransomware on my computer to test Kaspersky. This is 5x slower than the original scan!

Kaspersky Quick Scan could not locate every malicious code on my system. The scan only scans critical areas like the ones loaded when your OS begins. However, this is to be expected.

Kaspersky suggested that a “Full Scan” be run to assess my entire system.

Bitdefender was quick to scan my computer for malware in just one hour. It took 45 minutes to complete the “Full Scan”. Kaspersky did a great job — it detected all of it and I was able continue using it as normal.

The scan was successful and I could see all malware files in “Quarantine”.

Kaspersky has the ability to recover files from viruses even after they’ve been deleted.

Kaspersky cannot remove malware found in a scan that is not cancelled within the time limit. Kaspersky will notify you again if the scan isn’t cancelled before the deadline.

Next Kaspersky’s instant Protection was tested. It quietly scans all apps on your phone 24/7 to check for viruses against Kaspersky.

I was able to test the effectiveness of real-time security. It stopped all the malware that I tried downloading onto my computer.

A ransomware simulator was run by me. It failed to lock any files, until Kaspersky’s instant protection stopped it.

Finally I used the vulnerability check to find unsecure software on my computer that could have been exploited by hackers.

Although it found two instances only of obsolete software, the vulnerability scan was thorough and detailed. The vulnerability report provided information about how hackers exploited it.

Overall, Kaspersky antivirus engine is very strong. It offers a 100% detection rate, multiple scan options, and excellent real-time protection. Additionally, it doesn’t slow down during a full scan.

Protection of the Internet

Kaspersky’s web-protection features combine with Kaspersky protection to identify and block malicious or fraudulent URLs.

Web Anti-Virus compares malicious websites against a database. It also uses Heuristic Analysis (to identify suspicious behavior).

Kaspersky Protection browser Extension – which is included with software – also detects malware. It blocks tracking and marks websites safe/unsafe. It also blocks ads.

I tried the Anti-phishing Extension by installing it on Microsoft Edge. Mozilla Firefox. Google Chrome. I visited known malware websites and Kaspersky blocked them all.

Kaspersky’s results weren’t bad, but Bitdefender or Norton were better at detecting every test link.

Kaspersky Protection’s tracking blocker stops tracking from social media and web analytics. Anti-tracking also allows for the tracking of advertising agencies. But users have the option to restrict data collection to specific sites. Kaspersky needs to question users about whether they are satisfied with the extension’s installations.

A virtual keyboard can also be opened via the browser extension. Panda Dome isn’t one of them, but it works very well. Kaspersky also offers extra protection against keyloggers.

Kaspersky can use Kaspersky keyboard in conjunction with Safe Money. It loads much faster than Kaspersky’s Safe Money.

Kaspersky Web Protection features were excellent. In my testing, Kaspersky found almost all of the phishing website sites. Kaspersky’s antitracking and ads blocker features are great. However, Kaspersky and its 80+ affiliated sites don’t have antitracking.

System Cleanup tools

Kaspersky offers a variety of PC cleaning tools such as Unused data cleaner, privacy cleaner, and computer cleaner.

Kaspersky’s PC cleaner searches your system for browser extensions and other programs that you don’t use as often.

I tested the PC Cleaner with Windows 10 Laptop. It took 2 minutes to scan the entire system. The results were really impressive.

The cleaner found all prepackaged malware and gave me options to delete, ignore or use Google to search for more information.

Kaspersky’s cleaner for PC allows you to select the apps that you wish it to clean. This includes any apps that you do not want to consent to. It can also slow down startup time and display banners.

Kaspersky’s unused data cleaner scans files inside the Recycle Bin and logs them.

Finally the Privacy Cleaner cleans your browser history & cookies.

Kaspersky’s system cleanup tools are good, but I’d like to see Kaspersky add more system optimization tools. Sophos and other antiviruses don’t even offer system cleanup.

Kaspersky’s system cleaners allow you to quickly get rid or unutilized data as well as trace your online activity.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

Kaspersky’s free VPN is included in all Kaspersky’s plans. There is a daily limit to 200MB. The VPN limits your browsing data to 200MB daily.

Kaspersky is offering a premium VPN Service:

• Unlimited browsing data. No data limits daily.
• Kill Switch. Any VPN lost or damaged will cause data transfer to be stopped
• Smart Protect. Automatically starts the VPN every time you are connected with a network.
• Servers are available in 25+ areas. Customers may connect to any server, including the fastest.

I wanted an overview of how each premium VPN performed in speed testing. Initially, I disabled the VPN and then enabled it.

Here’s

As you can see, the free VPN allowed me to download at a normal speed. The speed actually increased slightly, but it was still quite fast.

Next are results for premium VPN version. Connected to Kaspersky’s fastest server:

Premium VPN had a slower upload speed. However, my upload speed was slower even with the premium VPN.

Kaspersky premiumVPN offers another advantage: the ability to use streaming services like Netflix.

While free VPN speeds may not be great, premium VPNs have decent speeds and offer a wide range of servers around the globe.

Password Manager

Kaspersky securing passwords and other sensitive data using 256-bit AES encryption.

Kaspersky’s password manger free edition lets users store 15 passwords. Kaspersky’s password manager free edition lets you store 15 passwords.

Kaspersky’s Password Management Software must be downloaded separately to antivirus. Kaspersky’s master password management software must be installed separately from antivirus. Kaspersky provides account recovery and emergency access options. LastPass also offers these features.

After you have imported your credentials, you need to install the browser extension. It is available for Safari Chrome Firefox Yandex Edge Safari. Kaspersky’s autosave/autofill function works well to automatically save passwords and fill them in. Mobile cannot be used.

Kaspersky’s password repository makes it easy for users to find what they need. Kaspersky allows users the flexibility to arrange their passwords into as many folders and as many locations as they wish.

Kaspersky gives you a password generation tool that you can use via browser extensions or apps. LastPass or other password managers can create passwords that can be ‘easy enough’ to remember.

Kaspersky isn’t equipped with many of the same features found in other standalone password manager such as two factor authorization (2FA), an automated password changer (APC) and encrypted cloud storage.

Kaspersky’s password manager software is very basic.

Parental Controls

Kaspersky offers parental controls (Safe Kids) that can help you protect your kids online.

The parental controls, like the password manager can be downloaded as a separate program. It takes only a few minutes to set up. The tutorial also shows how to talk to your children about internet safety.

What’s included with Kaspersky’s Safe Kids.

• Limitations in
• Content filtering on sites and apps.
• Social networking monitoring (Facebook & VK).
• GPS position tracking (Android only & iOS only)

During my testing I was able create weekly computer scheduling and block the test machines when the time limit has passed.

Kaspersky’s Content Filters also worked well. Safe Search also allowed me to restrict websites by categories. However, I could also set exclusions. This option is available for all major browsers (Google, Yahoo, Bing, and YouTube).

Block apps by categories (not possible for iOS), and entertainment apps like games.

I tested the location tracking and geofencing functions on my Android smartphone. They were capable of tracking my exact location and sending alerts if I left the designated safe areas.

Kaspersky Safe Kids allows you to monitor your social networks. I find this very useful. Other antiviruses may offer parental controls, but Kaspersky Safe Kids isn’t.

Kaspersky parental guidelines are amongst the most thorough available. Kaspersky offers guidance for how to talk to children about parental restrictions.

Additional Features

Kaspersky also makes use of several other tools like

• Webcam protection.
• Backup, Restore.
• Rescue Disc.
• Data encryption & shredder.
• Gaming mode.

The webcam protection function alerted my every time I accessed an App using my laptop’s webcam. Bitdefender offers both microphone and webcam protection.

Backup and Restore is a feature that allows users to save files to a removable disk or to an online cloud storage provider. You have two options. One is to use Dropbox (default) or connect Kaspersky, but this feature doesn’t offer much. Dropbox gives all users 2GB storage at no cost. Kaspersky has a backup feature, but you’d need to upgrade to access additional storage. Norton is more reliable and provides greater storage without paying an additional fee.

Kaspersky Rescue Disc’s feature can be very helpful. It allows you wipe out infected computer immediately after it starts. You can then disinfect your computer using the Rescue Disc. Panda and ESET also have this feature.

Data encryption can be used to protect sensitive files. The data shredder is designed for permanent deletion.

Gaming mode can pause notifications, scans and other notifications while you’re gaming or when an app has been in full-screen. This game booster actually improves the gameplay performance.

Kaspersky provides a variety of other tools that are extremely useful. Kaspersky provides a variety of other tools that I find very useful.

Kaspersky’s extras are a nice add-on, considering that many antiviruses offer only basic protection against virus infections. The Rescue Disc functionality is useful to save infected computers.

Pricing and Kaspersky Plan Details

Kaspersky provides 3 packages. They are affordable given the amount of features they contain.

Kaspersky Internet Security gives you the option of protecting 3, 5, or 10 Windows computers.

Kaspersky Easy to Use and Setup

Kaspersky’s setup and configuration is very easy.

Kaspersky looks professional. Kaspersky makes it very simple to use for those who need only the basics of antivirus.

Kaspersky only shows the features that you have. Kaspersky shows only the features you have.

Kaspersky’s tools may be hard to find. To access the PC Cleaner click on the “More Tools”, Clean-and-Optimize, and then on the “PC Cleaner”. I wish to see a sidebar such as that used in TotalAV.

The Notification Center can be accessed via the main Kaspersky Window. This section gives you important information, and allows for decisions.

You can easily toggle the functions that you need on or off with the Notification Center. Kaspersky’s Notification Center allows you to quickly and efficiently resolve security issues.

Kaspersky can be difficult to understand. But once you become familiar with it, it’s very simple to navigate.

Kaspersky Mobile App

Kaspersky is an Android internet security app. However iOS users only have access to the most essential security features: parental controls. Password manager.

Security Cloud iOS

• Adaptive Privacy Changes settings based on user behavior.
• Security active. iOS security fix. One example of this vulnerability? Jailbreaking.
• Account check. Checks your email for data breaches.

It also has a QR reader.

Android is packed with many additional features.

Kaspersky offers an Android mobile application that has:

• Antivirus scanner.
• Call stopper.
• Anti-theft.
• Real-time protection.
• App lock.
• Anti-smishing (SMS phishing).
• Protection from browsing.

Start the antivirus scanner right from the program. Here’s a list of scans you can perform:

• Quick scan. Scan downloaded apps for malware.
• Perform an entire scan. Search the entire device for malicious software.
• Folder scan. Scanning and scanning of a particular file.

I found 80 Malware on my phone, and ran an extensive scan.

Kaspersky detected each malware file within five minutes. It quarantined them automatically.

The app’s excellent real-time protection works great. Norton Mobile Security App Advisor, however, is what I prefer. They can alert you to potential threats before downloading them.

Kaspersky detected dangers from app downloads, but quarantined them quickly to keep my device safe.

Kaspersky offers an anti-theft mobile app.

Logging onto My Kaspersky Online Hub grants you four anti theft features. These include the ability to lock or wipe the device, sound an alarm, take a photo, and take a photo of the person who took the device.