Kaspersky Free Antivirus

[Anupam]

Since Kaspersky free antivirus is basically a stripped down version of the commercial version, references to commercial product can be made, and is kind of inevitable... so I think it's alright to make references. However, please use discretion keeping in mind that this is a freeware site, and references should be in context of free antivirus from Kaspersky.

If anyone installed and used Kaspersky free, please post your experience here, for the benefit of other users.

I personally am quite interested in the free version, but it still hasn't been available for download for India. George.J, can you confirm please?

Kaspersky antivirus is quite a reputable, effective and respected product around the world, and it's detection is top notch and has been consistently among the top antivirus for many years. I might install it on some of the PCs of friends and family, but I would like to get an experience myself first. I might install it on my old laptop and see how it goes.

[EldonW]

Here are the latest test results from AV-Comparatives.
http://chart.av-comparatives.org/cha...&sort=1&zoom=2

[talkback10]

I recently installed Kaspersky Free and so far it is very light on Vista. (Yes...Vista!) However, since this free version does not offer all the protection features as the paid, would it be advisable to pair it with a program such as MBAE,VoodooShield or something similar? I vaguely remember reading somewhere that it does not have the best protection for zero day malware. Thanks

[MidnightCowboy]

Originally Posted by talkback10

I recently installed Kaspersky Free and so far it is very light on Vista. (Yes...Vista!) However, since this free version does not offer all the protection features as the paid, would it be advisable to pair it with a program such as MBAE,VoodooShield or something similar? I vaguely remember reading somewhere that it does not have the best protection for zero day malware. Thanks

It is unwise to rely on any software for 'protection' because ultimately it is the user's actions that will determine overall safety. However, to guard against the most common forms of exploit it is better to install a complete solution rather than a cut down version of something else. For Vista you will not find anything better than Avast!

https://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

[George.J]

Originally Posted by talkback10

I recently installed Kaspersky Free and so far it is very light on Vista. (Yes...Vista!) However, since this free version does not offer all the protection features as the paid, would it be advisable to pair it with a program such as MBAE,VoodooShield or something similar? I vaguely remember reading somewhere that it does not have the best protection for zero day malware. Thanks

KAF basically has File AV, Web Filter, Heuristics, Mail Shield, IM Shield & Cloud Protection components. Lack of a Behavioural Blocker & Application Control component of the paid version of Kaspersky is a downside. This means that it's protection against unknown malware is not so good as it's paid component.

This glaring hole can be filled by using Comodo Firewall in proactive mode. Pairing it with an Anti-exe like Voodoshield is a good idea but it will take some time getting used to and white-listing executable's is a pain for me sometimes. The easier option is to go with Windows UAC turned on. But all this becomes a little irrelevant if you don't browse through a lot of unknown websites or download from various unknown sources.

Sorry Anupam, I didnt see your message. KAF I believe, is now globally available free to download.

[talkback10]

Thanks to all who have replied. Yes Avast is a more complete solution but it ran heavy on this older laptop. Kaspersky is not noticeable-thus my reason for choosing this one. I did try VoodooShield but you are right it is very talkative.Would MBAE be a good addition to help address unknown malware? Thank you. I have learned so much from this website and continue to learn!

[MidnightCowboy]

A new warning has just been issued for this.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-42202191

[Collier]

Mm not that the CIA etc ever install anything that can spy on folk. BBC very quick to take up anti Russian rhetoric although for most users I suspect the question will be
'IS it any good?'

[Anupam]

From the article itself, it says that there is not any evidence so far, and also the officials have said this is more likely a precaution, and they aren't telling the general public to stop using Kaspersky.

Kaspersky have always had excellent results in security tests, they shouldn't be written off just based on that article.

[MidnightCowboy]

This has nothing to do with the BBC. They are merely reporting on the warning issued by The National Cyber Security Centre to all government departments. Even if you ignore the politics there is no denying the hold the Russian government has on what happens inside it's borders.