Kaspersky Free Antivirus Review — Is It Safe to Use in 2023?

Kaspersky, a known player in the cybersecurity arena, offers various products to safeguard users from digital threats. In this Kaspersky Free Antivirus review, we will assess its efficacy and safety for potential users in 2023.

Overview

Despite being headquartered in Russia, Kaspersky has gained a global reputation for its cybersecurity services. It has even collaborated with esteemed brands like Hubspot and Wordstream. While the geopolitical climate may raise concerns about Russian-based companies, Kaspersky has proven to be a reliable and safe option for its customers.

Antivirus Scanner and Web Protections

A critical aspect of any antivirus software is its scanning capabilities. Kaspersky’s antivirus scanner is top-notch, easily detecting and neutralizing all malware samples tested. Its web protection mechanisms are equally exceptional, effectively preventing access to risky websites.

Unlocking the full potential of Kaspersky’s antivirus scanner is possible with a free Kaspersky activation code. This allows you to experience its full capabilities in detecting and neutralizing malware, as well as its exceptional web protection features, providing a secure browsing environment.

Kaspersky also provides several worthwhile features. The parental controls are particularly commendable, offering a comprehensive suite of tools to safeguard young users. Other noteworthy features include the Rescue Disk, a secure browser, a virtual keyboard, and a virtual private network (VPN).

However, not all Kaspersky’s features are outstanding. The password manager, for instance, lacks two-factor authentication and dark web monitoring — features readily available in leading password managers. The system cleanup tools are decent, but competitors, like TotalAV, offer more options.

Despite these minor shortcomings, the Kaspersky Plus and Premium security suites offer comprehensive protection at reasonable prices. With effective antivirus scanning, useful features, and a commitment to transparency, Kaspersky stands as a formidable player in the antivirus market.

Kaspersky Plans Comparison

Kaspersky offers three plans, each catering to a different user base. These plans provide coverage for 3 to 20 devices, offer significant first-year discounts, and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Kaspersky Full Review

Kaspersky’s robust antivirus scanner and extensive feature set significantly enhance user safety. It provides robust phishing protection, parental controls, and a decent VPN. The intuitive user interface and straightforward navigation make it user-friendly even for non-tech-savvy users.

Security Features

Kaspersky’s security features are impressive. Its malware scanner uses a virus database and cloud-based machine learning to detect various types of malware. The cloud-based scanner further analyzes potentially malicious files detected during scanning.

In tests, Kaspersky detected 100% of the malware samples, putting it on par with top competitors like Norton and Bitdefender. These brands also use a combination of signature databases and machine learning for optimal antivirus protection.

Kaspersky offers several types of virus scans, including Quick Scan, Background Scan, Full Scan, Selective/Instant Scan, Removable Drive Scan, and Application Vulnerability Scan. It also offers a wide range of scan-scheduling options.

Despite the Quick Scan’s speed, it does not detect all malicious samples. However, the Full Scan is comprehensive, scanning every file, folder, and partitioned sector on your system. With a scan time of around 45 minutes, it beats Bitdefender’s one-hour scan time and detects all malware samples.

The real-time protection feature also performed excellently in tests, blocking all malware samples instantaneously. This puts Kaspersky on par with top performers like Norton and Bitdefender.

Web Protection

Kaspersky provides multi-layered web protection to detect and block malicious websites. It compares the sites you visit against a database of malicious web addresses and uses heuristic analysis to check URLs for suspicious behavior.

The URL Advisor feature is also commendable, putting a green symbol next to safe websites in search results. However, this feature only worked on Firefox in tests.

Firewall

Kaspersky’s firewall shields your Wi-Fi network against intrusion and exploit attacks. It excellently blocked most of the exploit attacks tested, even those that managed to bypass Windows Defender’s default security measures.

System Cleanup Tools

Kaspersky offers several system cleanup tools, including PC Speed-Up, Quick Startup, Unused app cleaner, Hard Drive Health Monitor, Privacy Cleaner, Weak settings scanner, and a Microsoft Windows Troubleshooting tool.

While these tools are not the best in the market, they work as promised and can even speed up your computer a bit.

VPN

The VPN bundled with Kaspersky’s Plus and Premium plans includes unlimited browsing data, a kill switch, full leak protection, Smart Protection, servers in 70+ countries, and split-tunneling. The VPN performed well in speed tests, with a higher ping and slower upload speed when connected to the VPN, but the download speed remained almost the same.

Password Manager

Kaspersky’s password manager securely stores all your passwords and other sensitive data with 256-bit AES encryption and a strict zero-knowledge policy. The premium password manager doesn’t limit the number of passwords you can store, but the free version that comes with Kaspersky Standard allows you to store only 15 passwords.

Smart Home Monitor

Kaspersky’s Smart Home Monitor lets you see all of the devices connected to your Wi-Fi network. While you can see what devices are connected to your Wi-Fi network, you get very little control over them, and there’s no way to scan them for vulnerabilities.

Data Leak Checker

Kaspersky’s data leak checker monitors the dark web for leaks containing your email address. If Kaspersky detects a leak, it’ll tell you the date the leak was detected, and what information is at risk.

Parental Controls

Kaspersky’s parental controls are comprehensive and easy to use. They include content filtering for sites and apps, usage limitations, YouTube monitoring, location tracking (Android and iOS only), geofencing, and social network monitoring (VK only).

Additional Features

In addition to all the features mentioned above, Kaspersky also includes webcam and microphone protection for specific apps, intrusion prevention, an activity monitor, stalkerware detection, privacy protection, an ad blocker, Backup and Restore, a Rescue Disk, data encryption and shredder, and a gaming mode.

Kaspersky Customer Support

Kaspersky offers several customer support options, including email support, 24/7 live chat, phone support, and a knowledge base. While the customer support team is helpful and resolves issues swiftly, finding a way to contact a representative can be challenging and time-consuming.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Kaspersky Free Antivirus is a safe and effective solution for maintaining computer security. Despite minor shortcomings, its robust antivirus scanning, useful features, intuitive dashboard, transparency, and reasonable prices make it a formidable player in the antivirus market. Whether you’re a novice or tech-savvy user, Kaspersky offers comprehensive protection that can meet your needs.