Kaspersky Antivirus Review — Is It Safe to Use in 2022?

Kaspersky offers a great antivirus scanner and real-time anti-malware protection — it caught all of the malware samples I tested during testing.

There are many other great protections included. Its antiphishing protection was quite good at detecting suspicious sites. Kaspersky has some of the most effective parental controls I’ve seen. I also love the Rescue Disc feature to disinfect infected computers with malware, the secure web browser and virtual keyboard that secure online payments, and the premium version the virtual private network.

Although I like some of Kasperskys features, it is not the best. Kaspersky doesn’t offer essential features like two factor authentication (2FA) and dark web monitoring which are offered by all the top password management software in 2022. The system cleanup tools can be useful, but Avira and other competitors offer more options for optimizing computers. All plans include a free VPN, but it only offers 200MB/day and allows users to connect only to one server (which can be slow). Backup and Restore is basically free Dropbox account. Dropbox gives all users 2GB storage, so it’s not worth anything.

Kaspersky Total Security is still an excellent internet security solution. You get a good-quality antivirus scanner, a lot of useful features, and an affordable price. Kaspersky also seems to be one of the most transparent antivirus firms out there. Following the 2017 allegations that Kaspersky was working with Russian intelligence to steal US data, Kaspersky relocated its data processing centres to Switzerland, opened Transparency Centers throughout the world, passed a SOC 2 inspection, and has since been recertified.

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

Kaspersky Full Review

Kaspersky has a powerful antivirus scanner, as well as tons of extra features that can greatly increase your online safety.

Kaspersky’s interface is very simple, making it an ideal choice for those who don’t have the technical skills.

Kaspersky is a more affordable choice for antiviruses, but they also offer competitive payment plans that are priced well and include a 30-day money back guarantee.

Kaspersky Security Features

Antivirus Engine

Kaspersky uses a cloud-based virus scanner as well as a virus library to detect malware. After the scan has finished, the file is uploaded for further analysis to Kaspersky’s scanner cloud. The cloud scanner uses machine-learning to determine whether the file is malware.

A variety of signature databases combined with machine learning is used by top antivirus brands like McAfee (Novaty), Bitdefender and McAfee. Kaspersky is also a top competitor in malware detection — it detected 100% of the malware samples that I tested.

Kaspersky offers 5 different types virus scans

• Quick Scan. Quick scan of system startup and system memory files. Also, checks for boot sectors.
• Full Scan. The full scan will examine every file, folder and partitioned area in your system.
• Selective Scanning. Allows you scan any drive or file.
• Scan your removable drive. This program allows you scan removable hard drives (e.g. USB sticks, portable hard drives).
• Vulnerability scanning. Scans your system to identify vulnerabilities. This includes out-of date software and software susceptible to malware.

Kaspersky also offers several scan-scheduling options. You can choose to scan at a particular time after application startup or after every update.

I put nearly 1000 different types of test malware on my computer to test Kaspersky. They included trojans, rootkits and ransomware. I then ran a Quick Scan, which took less than 2 minutes. This was quite quick. To put this in perspective, a Quick Scan was performed on VIPRE and took only 10 minutes. This is 5 times slower than it took!

Kaspersky’s Quick Scan failed to find every malicious code I had hid on my system. However this was expected since it only scans critical areas, such as the ones loaded when your OS starts.

Kaspersky suggested that I run a “Full Scan” in order to examine my entire system.

Bitdefender’s 1-hour scan time took just 45 minutes to complete the “Full Scan”. Kaspersky had excellent scan results — it found every malware on my system. Kaspersky wasn’t slowing down my computer during scanning — I was able use it as normal.

After the scan was finished, I could see all the detected malware files in “Quarantine”.

Kaspersky offers the option to recover files from infections even after they have been deleted and quarantined. Even though many users don’t wish to do so, you can restore legitimate files which shouldn’t be deleted. Kaspersky was a good choice.

Kaspersky will not remove any malware found if the scan is cancelled before the deadline. This will result in Kaspersky repeatedly warning you. However, the “Notification Center”, which offers more options for dealing the malware discovered during the interrupted scan, can be accessed.

Next, Kaspersky’s instant protection was tested. It quietly runs in the background 24/7 scanning all the apps on your device and checking for viruses against Kaspersky.

Real-time protection performed flawlessly in my tests. It instantly blocked all the malware samples I tried to download onto my computer. Kaspersky alerted when it detected malware. I could choose to see more information or to remove the malware immediately.

I ran a ransomware simulator, and it failed to lock any files until Kaspersky’s real-time protection stopped the program.

Finally, I used the “Vulnerability Check” to identify unsecure software on my system which could be exploited by hackers or other malware.

Although the “Vulnerability Scanning” found only two instances of obsolete software on my computer I was still impressed by how thorough the vulnerability report was. The scanner found an old version of Photoshop and provided a detailed report on my vulnerabilities. This included information about when and how hackers exploited the vulnerability. Kaspersky does not allow you to update apps within its antivirus. Avira, a competitor, offers an auto-update function that will quickly fix all vulnerabilities in your system.

Overall,Kaspersky’s antivirus engine is very good. It has a 100% accurate detection rate with multiple scans to choose, excellent real-time security, and doesn’t slow down the system when it runs a full scan.

Web Protection

Kaspersky’s web protection features combine with Kaspersky Protection to identify and block malicious and fraudulent urls.

Web Anti-Virus compares websites visited against a database that contains malicious web addresses. It also uses Heuristic Analysis to identify suspicious behavior.

Kaspersky Protection browser Extension — which is included with the software — also detects malware links. It also blocks tracking, marks websites as safe/unsafe, blocks ads and allows users access to a virtual keyboard.

I tried the anti-phishing extension by installing it on Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Google Chrome. I visited known harmful websites, and Kaspersky blocked a large number of them.

Kaspersky’s results were good, but competitors Bitdefender and Norton did a better job of detecting all of my test link.

Kaspersky Protection’s tracking blocker blocks tracking from social networks and web analytics. Ad agencies can also be tracked by the anti-tracking feature. However, users can choose to allow data collection for specific sites. While I enjoy this feature, I am not pleased that Kaspersky Protection and its partners (a total number of 82 websites) can use the default settings. User data. It is quite easy to block Kaspersky’s partners from collecting data. However, I’d like to see Kaspersky question users about their adequacy with the extension’s installation.

A virtual keyboard can be opened from the browser extension. There aren’t many other competitors that offer a virtual keyboard — Panda Dome doesn’t have one but it works well. So I find it really cool that Kaspersky provides extra protection against keyloggers.

Kaspersky’s keyboard can be used in conjunction with Safe Money. Kaspersky asked for my permission to test this feature on several banks sites. Unfortunately, the secure browser took over 10 second to load each time. Bitdefender also offers Safepay as a secure browser. It loads much quicker than Kaspersky’s Safe Money.

Overall, Kaspersky’s Web Protection features are very good. Kaspersky’s antiphishing protection found most of the phishing site sites in my testing. I also like Kaspersky’s ad blocker and anti-tracking features — although I don’t like that antitracking is turned off on Kaspersky and its 80+ affiliate sites. Kaspersky’s secure browser and virtual keyboard are really helpful for banking sites.

System Cleanup Tools

Kaspersky provides several PC cleaning tools including Unused Data Cleaner, Privacy Cleaner, and PC Cleaner.

Kaspersky’s computer cleaner searches your system to find browser extensions and programs that you don’t use often. Also, bloatware (software you have preinstalled on your machine) is also included.

I tried the PC Cleaner with my Windows 10 laptop. The cleaner took only 2 minutes to scan the system. The results were truly impressive.

The PC cleaner found all prepackaged bloatware and offered me options to either remove, ignore or perform a Google search to get more information about each program.

Kaspersky’s PC cleaner allows you to choose which apps you want it to clean. This includes apps that you have not consented to, slowing down your startup time, and apps that display banners.

Kaspersky’s Unused data Cleaner scans files in the Recycle Bin and log files. This scan took only a few seconds and revealed many files. You have several options when it comes to handling these files.

Finally, the Privacy cleaner cleans your browser history and cookies.

Kaspersky has good system cleanup tools, but I’d love to see Kaspersky offer more system optimization tools. Although you can put off system scans when your battery runs low or your CPU is under heavy load, it’s not very useful. Avira is also a rival antivirus that offers advanced PC optimization tools such as startup optimizer and system speedup tools. Some antiviruses such as Sophos do not even provide system cleanup tools.

Kaspersky’s system cleanup tools allow you to quickly and efficiently get rid of unwanted or unutilized files as well as traces of your online activity. These tools aren’t the most advanced on the market but they work well and can even speed your computer up a little.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Kaspersky’s complimentary VPN is available with all Kaspersky’s plans. It has a 200MB daily limit. Unfortunately the VPN doesn’t offer unlimited browsing data. However, if Kaspersky’s VPN is something you like, you can add the premium version to your subscription.

Kaspersky offers a premium VPN service:

• Unlimited browsing data. No data limits daily.
• Kill switch. If VPN is lost or damaged, data transfer will be stopped
• Smart Protection. Smart Protection automatically starts the VPN whenever you are connected to a network.
• Servers are available in 25+ locations. Customers can connect to any server including the fastest.

I wanted to know how each premium and free VPN performed in speed testing. I set up speed tests for each VPN. First, I ran a speed testing with the VPN disabled, then the VPN enabled.

Here are the results

As you can clearly see, I was able to download at a normal speed with the free VPN. In fact, it actually increased a bit. However, I noticed a significant decrease in upload and download speeds. This was especially evident when I tried uploading files to P2P networks.

Next are the results for the premium VPN version, connected to Kaspersky’s fastest Server:

My upload speed was even slower with premium VPN. But my ping was considerably lower, which was obvious in my browsing speed. I was able browse the internet at normal speed even though the VPN was disabled (and my download speed increased due to ISP throttling).

Another benefit of Kaspersky’s premiumVPN is its ability to work with streaming services like Netflix. While you may not have access to the US Netflix library while abroad, Kaspersky’s VPN allows you to still use it.

The free VPN may not be very good, but the premium VPN has decent speeds and a decent amount of servers across the globe. It is an individual purchase and not part of Kaspersky’s main anti-virus package.

Password Manager

Kaspersky’s password manager securities all passwords and other sensitive information — such as bank card numbers, addresses, or notes — using 256-bit AES encryption.

Kaspersky’s password manager free edition lets you store 15 passwords. That is certainly not enough for most users. The premium password manager does not have a limit on how many passwords you can store. While Kaspersky Premium Password Manager is good, I was disappointed to see it only available with the most costly plan.

Kaspersky’s password management software must be downloaded separately from antivirus. To create a master password, you will need to set it up when you first start Kaspersky. Kaspersky can’t help you gain access to your password vault if the master password is ever lost. Kaspersky is an excellent zero-knowledge password management tool. I do like the fact that Kaspersky has account recovery and emergency access options. LastPass also has these features.

After you have imported your passwords you will need to install a browser Extension (available for Chrome Firefox Yandex Edge Safari and Safari). To auto-save passwords and autofill them, Kaspersky’s autosave/autofill functions worked flawlessly in my tests. Kaspersky only supports auto-filling bank cards and addresses on computers and Macs. It cannot do so on mobile.

Kaspersky’s password vault makes it easy to navigate. Each feature and option is clearly labeled and made easily accessible. Not only can you add passwords to websites, but also documents, addresses and notes. Kaspersky allows users to organize their passwords into as few folders as they want.

Kaspersky provides a password generator that you can access via the browser extension or the app. The generator can create passwords that are between 4-99 characters and include uppercase and lowcase letters, numbers, symbols, and numbers. The generator cannot create passwords that’re ‘easy enough to say’ or readable — password managers such as LastPass can do this.

Kaspersky doesn’t have many features that are available in other standalone password managers such as two-factor authorization (2FA), an auto password changer, and encrypted cloud storage.

Kaspersky’s password management software is very basic. This is fine if you are looking for an easy-to–use and secure way to keep your passwords, and other sensitive information, then Kaspersky’s password management software is perfect.

Parental Controls

Kaspersky’s parental controls (Safe Kids), offer a great way to protect your children online.

As with the password manager, parental controls can be downloaded as a separate application. It only takes a few seconds to set it up. There is also a tutorial on how to talk about internet safety with your children.

Here’s what comes with Kaspersky’s Safe Kids.

• Limitations in
• Content filtering of sites and applications.
• Social networking monitoring (Facebook & VK).
• GPS location tracking (Android & iOS only).

During my testing, I was able set up weekly computer scheduling and I could choose to block the test machine when the time limit had passed.

Kaspersky’s content filters also worked very well. I could limit sites based in categories, but also I could set up exclusions. Safe Search can be used to stop inappropriate content being displayed in search results. This is available on all major browsers including Google, Yahoo and Bing as well as YouTube.

You can also block apps by categories (not accessible for iOS), or entertainment apps like games.

I tested the geofencing and place tracking features on my Android phone. They were able to track my location accurately and send alerts if my phone leaves the designated safe areas.

Kaspersky Safe Kids offers social network monitoring which I find very refreshing. Many other antiviruses offer parental controls but this feature is not available in Kaspersky Safe Kids.

Kaspersky parental controls are among the most comprehensive available. Kaspersky offers guidance on how to talk to a child about parental restrictions.

Additional Features

Kaspersky also has several other tools like:

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

The webcam protection feature alerted me every time I accessed an App that used my laptop’s webcam, such as Zoom and Skype. Kaspersky does offer this extra layer of protection against spyware, but I would like to see microphone protector as well. Bitdefender offers both webcam and microphone protection.

Backup and Restore allows users the ability to backup files to a removable hard drive or an online cloud storage service. You have two options: you can use Dropbox (default) or connect Kaspersky and a different service. However, this feature doesn’t add much value. Dropbox provides 2GB storage for free to all users. You’d have to upgrade to get additional storage. Kaspersky does offer a backup option. But, Norton is better and offers more storage space without the need to pay for an additional service.

Kaspersky Rescue Disc’s feature is quite useful. It allows you to wipe out a computer infected immediately after it starts. To activate this feature, download Kaspersky rescue disc and upload it onto a USB or CD/DVD. Then, disinfect your PC with the Rescue Disc. ESET, Panda and Panda also offer this feature.

Data encryption is a way to make sure sensitive files are kept safe and protected. Data shredder allows permanent deletion of files.

Gaming mode can pause notifications and scans while you are playing, or when an app is in full-screen mode. BullGuard offers a better gaming mode than Kaspersky’s. This game booster actually improves gameplay performance.

Kaspersky offers a range of additional tools that are very good. However, I would love to see Kaspersky add advanced tools such identity theft protection and dark web monitoring to its premium plans. Norton and McAfee have top-of-the-line antiviruses, such as BullGuard or TotalAV, that offer identity theft protection and dark web monitoring for US users.

Kaspersky’s extras are a nice addition, considering that many antiviruses only provide basic protection against viruses and the internet. Kaspersky’s Backup and Restore isn’t too useful for me, but I like the Rescue Disc functionality to save severely infected computers.

Kaspersky Plans and Pricing

Kaspersky offers 3 packages. They are very reasonable considering the amount of features in each one.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus gives you the option to protect 3, 5, or 10, Windows computers. Kaspersky Internet Security can protect 3, 5, 10, and 10 Windows, Macs, and Android devices. Kaspersky Absolute Security offers protection for 5, 10, or 20 Windows, Mac or Android devices.

Kaspersky’s main antivirus line doesn’t offer any free products. Kaspersky Security Cloud Free now offers a discontinued product called Kaspersky Anti-Virus Free. It does not offer all of the features that were mentioned in this review but does provide basic antivirus protection, and a limited VPN.

Kaspersky Ease of Use and Setup

Kaspersky’s installation and configuration are simple.

Kaspersky’s user interface looks very professional. The main features, such the antivirus scanner, secure browsing, and password manager can all be accessed through large, clearly-marked buttons. Kaspersky is extremely easy to use for those who only need the basics of antivirus.

Kaspersky only displays the features that you have access to. That is what’s so interesting. There are no greyed out features or upgrade prompts for plans below the bottom-tier plan. This is great because Kaspersky makes all packages feel complete.

Some of Kaspersky’s tools are not easy to find. To use the PC Cleaner you need to click on “More Tools”, Clean and Optimize, and then on “PC Cleaner”. This means that if you don’t have the right tool, you might never find it. I would love to see a sidebar like that used by TotalAV, which makes everything easily accessible.

Kaspersky’s UI interface is easy to learn once you are comfortable with it. There are many ways to personalize your experience. There are small icons at the bottom of most features that let you control different options. Kaspersky’s Quick Scan features include such icons.

The Notification Center, which can also be accessed through the main Kaspersky Window, is an area I enjoy. It gives you important information and allows to make decisions.

The Notification Center makes it simple to toggle the necessary functions on or off. A notification center is a feature that alerts you when an antivirus program is down and takes you to the correct tool. Kaspersky allows you to quickly resolve security issues by not leaving the Notification Center.

Kaspersky’s layout can take some getting used to. However, once you get used it, it is very easy to navigate.

Kaspersky Mobile App

Kaspersky has a complete Android internet security app. iOS users however have only access to the most basic security features: parental controls, password manager, VPN, and password manager.

Security Cloud iOS

• Adaptive Security Modifies settings based upon user behavior. A public network connection will activate the VPN automatically.
• Security live. iOS security fixes. An example of this vulnerability is jailbreaking.
• Account check. Checks your email for data breaches.

It also comes equipped with a QR reader.

Android offers many more features. The Android app worked well on my Huawei Mate 30 Lite.

Kaspersky’s Android mobile application has:

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

It is easy to start the antivirus scanner from within the program. Here are the scans you can do:

• Quick scan. Scan downloaded apps for malware.
• Run a complete scan. Scanning the entire device to find malware.
• Folder scan. Scanning of a particular folder.

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

Kaspersky detected each malware file in under 5 minutes. It automatically quarantined them.

The app’s real time protection worked great. It detected all of my malware traces and prevented me download dangerous apps from Google Play Store. This is a nice feature. However, I have to admit that I prefer Norton Mobile Security App Advisor. They can warn you about potential threats before you even download them.

Kaspersky detected the dangers of app downloads but quarantined them right away, keeping my device safe.

Kaspersky offers anti-theft protection through its mobile app. To make it work, you will need to create a Kaspersky profile.

Logging in to My Kaspersky Online Hub will grant you four anti-theft features, including the ability to lock or wiping the device, sounding an alarm, and taking a photo of the person using your lost/stolen device.