Kaspersky Antivirus Review (2023 Update): The Pros & Cons

Kaspersky Review: Summary

Kaspersky is ranked #5 out of 20 antivirus software.

Kaspersky is one of the best antivirus of 2023. It has perfect anti-malware protection, no impact on the speed of your PC, all important security features, and an excellent price.

However, the war in Ukraine has caused many to worry about Kaspersky’s safety. As a result of the war, political leaders in the US and Europe have called on companies and consumers to remove the software.

So far, ties to the Russian government have not been proven. And Kaspersky has moved its data processing to Switzerland. But if are you concerned, other excellent options exist, such as Norton and Bitdefender.

• Malware protection: 100%. Kaspersky averaged 6 out of 6 in the last 10 protection tests. It is excellent at detecting and removing malware.
• Speed impact: 100%. Kasperksy averaged 6 out of 6 in the last 10 performance tests. So it does not slow down your PC.
• Features: 100%. Kaspersky offers anti-malware, anti-phishing, firewall, unlimited VPN, password manager, parental controls, and more.
• Price: 100%. Kaspersky Plus is the most affordable way to protect a Windows PC with all essential features, including an unlimited VPN.

Try it risk-free, thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Specification comparison

Below, we have compared Kaspersky Plus to Norton 360 Standard. These are the most affordable products at each brand, which allow you to protect at least 1 PC with the core features:

• Anti-malware
• Anti-phishing (web protection)
• Firewall
• Password manager
• Unlimited VPN (no data limit)

Norton 360 is the best antivirus for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

Test score comparison

We’ve compared the 10 most recent test scores of all antivirus brands. The tests were performed by AV-Test, the German anti-malware test lab. They use three factors:

• Protection (1-6): Antivirus protection against malware attacks.
• Performance (1-6): System slowdown caused by the antivirus.
• Usability (1-6): Frequency of false alarms and disruptions.

We used their results, and this formula, to calculate the final score:

Final Score = 60% Protection + 20% Performance + 20% Usability.

Brands not listed in the table haven’t participated in the analysis by AV-Test. This is usually not a good sign. Because most reputable brands, except Panda, ESET, and Sophos, partake in the test.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

Price comparison

We’ve compared the prices of the top antivirus products for Windows. To make it a fair comparison, we looked at what it would cost us, to protect a Windows PC with the following essential features:

• Anti-malware
• Anti-phishing (web protection)
• Firewall
• Password manager
• Unlimited VPN (no data limit)

A few notes:

• Some brands are missing features, lowering their value for money.
• Prices are second-year prices in the USA, without first-year discounts.
• Prices are rounded up for readability (e.g., $99.99 becomes $100).

Brands have different prices outside the USA. See those on their website.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

User reviews

We’ve compared the user reviews of all antivirus brands. We’ve used the scores and review count of TrustPilot, a leading user review platform. However, take these results with a grain of salt, as some brands actively attempt to increase their ratings.

Personally, we are wary of exceptionally high scores. Especially those by brands such as TotalAV, known for aggressive marketing and sales tactics.

We consider scores between 4.0 and 4.5 good and realistic. Higher scores are dubious, and lower scores indicate that the brand might have a poor product or customer service. McAfee’s scores, for instance, are worrying.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

Product analysis

In the table below are the core products with their features and prices. 

The prices shown are from the USA. However, most brands have different prices (and currencies) in other regions. So visit the brand’s website to see the price in our country.

Note: Kaspersky has rebranded its products. Kaspersky Anti-Virus, Kaspersky Internet Security, and Kaspersky Total Security are now Standard, Plus, and Premium. The Kaspersky Security Cloud is also no longer available.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

Kaspersky antivirus review

Anti-malware

Kaspersky’s antivirus software employs a virus database and cloud-based machine learning to identify malware. Comparable to top competitors Norton and Bitdefender, it detected all malware samples during testing.

The company’s database is continuously updated with global cyber threat data thanks to the Kaspersky Security Network (KSN), in which users voluntarily contribute threat-related data to Kaspersky’s AI. However, you can opt out of the data sharing if you want.

It offers six virus scan types, including Quick Scan, Background Scan, Full Scan, Selective/Instant Scan, Removable Drive Scan, and Application Vulnerability Scan. Users can also schedule scans to occur at specific times, after app startup, or following updates.

While the Quick Scan was fast, taking only two minutes, it did not detect all hidden malware samples, as it checks only critical areas. However, the Full Scan, which took about 45 minutes, discovered every malware sample without causing system slowdown. Kaspersky allows users to restore quarantined or deleted files, although it produced no false positives during testing.

Kaspersky’s real-time protection performed well, blocking all attempted malware downloads and stopping a ransomware simulator. However, the Application Vulnerability Scanner was disappointing, taking over two hours and failing to detect vulnerabilities or outdated software, which was found by Kaspersky’s separate app updater.

Nevertheless, Kaspersky’s antivirus engine is highly effective, with a 100% detection rate, various scan options, and excellent real-time protection without causing system slowdowns.

Web protection

Kaspersky delivers multi-layered web protection, detecting and blocking harmful websites. Its Safe Browsing function compares visited sites to a database of malicious addresses and uses heuristic analysis for suspicious URL behavior. While Kaspersky performed well, Norton and Bitdefender slightly outperformed it in my tests.

Kaspersky marks safe websites with a green symbol in search results, but this only worked on Firefox, not Chrome. Private browsing blocks tracking, though the default settings let Kaspersky and 82 partner sites collect user data. Users can block this data collection, but I’d prefer Kaspersky to seek consent during extension installation.

Kaspersky’s Privacy menu provides an on-screen keyboard, which is relatively unique among competitors. This keyboard works well with Safe Money, a secure browser for online finances. Kaspersky prompts users to add banking or shopping sites to Safe Money, but its secure browser takes longer to load than Bitdefender’s Safepay.

In conclusion, Kaspersky’s web protection is strong, with effective anti-phishing, ad-blocking, and anti-tracking features. However, the anti-tracking default settings are a concern. Its secure browser and on-screen keyboard for banking sites are valuable additions.

Firewall

Kaspersky’s firewall effectively defends your Wi-Fi network from intrusions and exploits, surpassing Windows Defender’s default security. It provides comprehensive information on apps connected to the internet, allowing users to adjust individual rules for them.

Advanced users will appreciate features such as port access detection, customizable packet rules, and permission modifications for connections like DNS over TCP or UDP.

Although Kaspersky’s network monitor effectively displays active internet connections and enables quick network activity blocking, its interface is clunky, with features scattered across different menus.

The Mac version lacks a feature-rich firewall, unlike Intego for Mac. Nonetheless, Kaspersky’s firewall remains proficient at preventing network intrusions on Windows PCs without extra configuration.

System cleanup

Kaspersky offers various system cleanup tools, such as:

• PC Speed-Up
• Quick Startup
• Unused app cleaner
• Hard drive health monitor
• Privacy Cleaner
• Weak settings scanner
• Windows Troubleshooting tool

Kaspersky’s PC speed-up finds temporary files, registry problems, and recycle bin items for removal or repair. Additionally, you can run duplicate or large file checks for freeing up disk space. Both work effectively, but it’s odd they aren’t part of the PC Speed-Up tool.

The quick startup tool displays applications launching with your computer, but it underwhelmed, as it often only showed a “Please wait” message. That said, it was faster to use Windows’ built-in startup tool.

However, the hard drive health monitor was appreciated. It examines each connected drive and notifies of any issues. But Kaspersky only notifies—no guidance on fixes is provided. The unused app cleaner scans for unused apps over 3 months. Despite a 5-minute scan, it disappointingly claimed all apps were in use, even though some had been untouched for months.

The weak settings (vulnerability) scanner was also underwhelming, always reporting no weak settings, despite Windows’ built-in security detecting vulnerabilities. On the other hand, the Windows Problem-solving tool was effective, discovering issues the built-in troubleshooter missed.

Lastly, the privacy cleaner removes browser history, cookies, and other online traces compromising privacy.

Kaspersky’s maintenance tools are satisfactory, but running all at once would be ideal. Competitors like Avira provide one-click optimization checks. Overall, Kaspersky’s tools enable quick removal of undesired files and

VPN

Included in Plus and Premium plans, Kaspersky’s VPN offers:

• Unlimited data usage (the free version has a limit of 300 MB / day)
• Kill switch: halts data transfer if the VPN connection fails
• IP leak protection: shields personal data from leaks
• Smart Protection: activates the VPN automatically on unsecure networks
• 70+ country servers

In speed tests, the VPN slightly increased ping and reduced upload speed, but didn’t affect download speed or browsing. Kaspersky’s VPN also works with streaming services like Netflix, outperforming Avira’s VPN. It’s a good antivirus-bundled VPN with many servers, fast speeds, and streaming access.

Should you want the absolute best VPN, then have a look at standalone providers like CyberGhost or NordVPN.

Password manager

Kaspersky’s password manager is fairly simple but might be too basic for some. It safeguards passwords and sensitive information using 256-bit AES encryption and a zero-knowledge policy. The premium version allows unlimited password storage, while the free version, part of Kaspersky Standard, only stores 15 passwords. Norton’s free alternative offers unlimited storage.

Setting up Kaspersky’s password manager is straightforward. Users create a master password, but if lost, Kaspersky cannot provide access to the password vault. Other options like account recovery or emergency access, found in Dashlane and LastPass, would be useful. Users must install a browser extension for auto-saving and auto-filling passwords.

The password manager is easy to navigate and allows organization into folders. It has a password generator with customizable character lengths, but lacks options for easy-to-read or easy-to-say passwords. It misses features like two-factor authentication and encrypted cloud storage, which other password managers offer. Windows Hello login is available, but support for authenticator apps is absent.

In summary, Kaspersky’s password manager is adequate for those seeking a basic, secure solution for storing passwords and sensitive data. However, it falls short compared to dedicated password managers with more advanced features.

Smart Home Monitor

Kaspersky’s Smart Home Monitor shows devices connected to your Wi-Fi network, but it’s quite basic. While it displays connected devices, many are listed as unknown, and there’s no way to scan them for vulnerabilities or create specialized security profiles for different networks.

Despite these limitations, Kaspersky’s Smart Home Monitor offers in-depth guides for denying network access to untrusted devices.

Data Leak Checker

Kaspersky’s checker scans the dark web for leaked email addresses. It alerts users to breaches and compromised data. A test email address revealed 13 breaches with Kaspersky, while the free online monitor Have I been PWNED found 18. Kaspersky Standard checks one email, while Plus and Premium support unlimited addresses and auto-checks after installation.

However, the checker only monitors email addresses, unlike Norton, which covers bank accounts, addresses, and credit cards. Kaspersky’s data leak checker is a decent addition but falls short compared to free online alternatives and Norton’s more comprehensive monitoring.

Parental controls

Kaspersky’s Safe Kids are user-friendly parental controls that provide extensive online protection for your children. The separate app is easy to set up and offers guidance on discussing internet safety with kids. Safe Kids features include content filtering, usage restrictions, YouTube monitoring, location tracking (Android and iOS), geofencing, and VK social network monitoring.

In tests, Kaspersky’s content filtering proved effective in blocking websites and enabling Safe Search for popular search engines and YouTube. However, Qustodio offers more detailed YouTube monitoring. App blocking is also available, but iOS users may experience limitations.

Weekly computer schedules and time limits can be easily implemented. Location tracking and geofencing functions are accurate, but historical location data is not provided, unlike Norton Family. While Safe Kids monitors VK, monitoring other social networks requires alternative parental control programs, like Bark.

Kaspersky’s parental controls are comprehensive and easy to use, despite limited iOS support and social media monitoring. The company also offers advice on discussing parental controls with children.

Additional Features

Kaspersky offers extra tools such as:

• Activity monitor
• Privacy protection
• Ad blocker
• Backup and Restore
• Rescue Disk
• Data encryption & shredder
• Gaming mode.
• Intrusion prevention.
• Webcam/microphone protection (limited apps).

Webcam protection alerts when apps access the laptop’s webcam but has limited compatibility. Intrusion prevention displays running processes and their popularity among Kaspersky users, allowing for permission customization and process blocking.

The activity monitor resembles a detailed Windows Task Manager, showing digital signatures of apps and allowing termination. Privacy protection effectively prevents websites from tracking personal data. However, the ad blocker underperforms compared to Norton’s ad blocker.

Backup and Restore enables file backup to removable drives or cloud services, but better alternatives exist, such as Norton. Rescue Disk helps clean malware-infected computers upon startup. Gaming mode pauses scans and notifications during gameplay, but Norton’s game booster outperforms it.

Kaspersky’s additional tools are satisfactory, but advanced features like identity theft protection could enhance premium plans. Competitors like McAfee and Norton provide identity theft protection to US and international users. Despite some shortcomings, Kaspersky’s extras, like Rescue Disk, add value to its offerings.

Installation and user experience

Installing and configuring Kaspersky is a breeze, with a tidy interface. Core features, like antivirus scanning, system cleaning, and VPN, are easily accessible from the “Home” screen. Four categories organize the remaining features: Security, Performance, Privacy, and Identity.

Each category has a scroll bar for quick access to all features. Although the interface isn’t resizable, a small question mark next to every feature provides a brief explanation. Some tools can be hard to locate, such as the File Shredder and Backup and Restore options, leading to occasional confusion.

However, Kaspersky’s interface becomes user-friendly once you’re familiar with it. Customization options enhance the experience, with setting icons allowing control over various options. The Timeline, found at the bottom of the “Home” screen, shows Kaspersky’s activity on your system in order. The Notification Center simplifies managing essential functions without leaving the center.

Although Kaspersky’s layout has a learning curve, it’s soon effortless to navigate. The customization options offer flexibility, resulting in a comprehensive interface regardless of your chosen plan.

Mobile app

Kaspersky internet security for Android provides comprehensive protection, while iOS users receive basic security, parental controls, a password manager, and a VPN. The Android app features an antivirus scanner, call blocker, anti-theft, real-time protection, app lock, anti-smishing, browsing protection, Wi-Fi network scanner, and privacy protection. With the app, users can perform quick, full, or selective scans. Kaspersky effectively detected and quarantined malware in tests.

The real-time protection feature is useful, although Norton Mobile Security’s App Advisor is preferred for warning about dangerous apps. Kaspersky’s app includes free anti-theft protection, requiring a Kaspersky account to access features such as locking the device, capturing images, sounding an alarm, and wiping data. The anti-theft tool blocks the device if a new SIM is inserted and prevents the app from being uninstalled.

Kaspersky offers a free mobile VPN with reasonable speeds, though the premium version maintains better download and upload rates. The iOS Security Cloud has adaptive security, Security Live for fixing weak settings, an account check for data breaches, and a QR scanner. While not as comprehensive as competitors like Avira, Kaspersky’s mobile app has excellent detection rates and anti-theft tools.

Customer support

Kaspersky offers four customer support options: email, 24/7 live chat, phone, and a knowledge base. Navigating their support can be challenging, as it seems they prefer users to rely on their knowledge base and community answers rather than contact representatives directly. For instance, their desktop app’s support button only opens a pop-up window, without access to a representative or the knowledge base.

Reaching customer support can be cumbersome, as one has to fill out several forms before receiving a phone number. However, once connected, they promptly resolved the issue. Live chat support is more efficient, with an agent available within 2 minutes to address concerns. Email support takes around a day for a response, but feels impersonal as they refer to users as “customer.”

Though Kaspersky’s support process requires more effort than other antiviruses, the detailed forms ensure agents have the necessary information to provide quick solutions.

Conclusion

As Kaspersky Software is a Russian company, its image has suffered under the invasion of Ukraine. But, to rebuild trust it has launched its Global Transparency initiative and moved its customer data processing to a company registered in Switzerland.

With malware detection rates rivaling industry leaders like Norton and Bitdefender, Kaspersky offers solid web protection features, such as anti-phishing, secure browsing, and anti-tracking tools.

Additional features include system cleanup, VPN, password management, parental controls, file encryption and shredding, file backup, and a Rescue Disk for infected computers. Kaspersky’s parental controls enable usage schedules, content filters, location tracking, social media monitoring, and geo-fencing to ensure child safety.

Despite lacking some premium features like dark web monitoring and identity theft protection, Kaspersky boasts excellent malware detection, a user-friendly dashboard, transparent practices, and competitive pricing. You can test their plans risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee (terms may vary by location).

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

How do we test antivirus software?

The best antivirus software offer virus protection, identity theft protection, and privacy protection for Windows, macOS, and Android. Some also offer security features for iOS and Linus.

To evaluate which providers are worth your money, we run 11 tests:

> Test 1: Anti-malware protection test

We analyze antivirus software’s capability to detect and eliminate known and unknown malware, using heuristic analysis for behavior monitoring.

We conduct in-house tests and analyze those from labs like AV-Test, SE Labs, and AV-Comparatives to determine the best malware protection.

Malware includes adware, keyloggers, ransomware, rootkits, spyware, trojans, viruses, worms, and more. Other cyber threats, usually not classified as malware, are (zero-day) exploits, hacks, identity theft, phishing attacks, scams, and social engineering.

> Test 2: False positives test

False positives occur when antivirus software misidentifies legitimate software, files, or websites as malicious. We rely on AV-Test’s large-scale analysis of false positives in its usability test to guide our evaluations.

> Test 3: System performance test

We measure the CPU load during antivirus software system scans and consider AV-Test’s performance results on the slowdown caused by antivirus software when opening websites and handling software.

> Test 4: Firewall test

We evaluate two-way firewalls that filter incoming and outgoing data and allow users to set rules to regulate data streams. We use the ShieldsUP! test to determine if the antivirus software blocks all ports.

> Test 5: Password manager test

We assess password managers’ ability to create, store, and autofill secure passwords, as well as additional features like two-factor authentication and biometric login.

> Test 6: Virtual Private Network (VPN) test

We evaluate built-in VPNs on their security, privacy, speed, compatibility with streaming services, unlimited data access, and support for peer-to-peer networks and torrent clients.

> Test 7: Parental control test

We examine parental control features, such as screen time rules, website/app blocking, and real-world location tracking. We test these features on a device and attempt to circumvent them, checking if the activity is accurately reported in the parental control admin.

> Test 8: Anti-phishing protection test

We evaluate antivirus browser extensions that block phishing sites by installing them and attempting to visit dangerous URLs.

> Test 9: Ransomware protection test

We assess security suites’ ability to prevent data encryption through exploit prevention and behavioral detection during ransomware attacks.

> Test 10: Bonus features test

We test any additional cybersecurity tools such as:

• Ad Blocker
• Anti-theft
• Dark web monitoring (identity protection)
• Email protection
• File encryption
• File shredder
• Gaming mode
• Microphone protection
• PC maintenance features
• Secure browser (hardened browser to protect your online banking)
• Secure cloud storage (cloud backup)
• Spam filter
• Startup optimizer
• Tune up tools
• Virtual keyboard
• Webcam protection

> Test 11: Operating system and multiple devices test

Operating system and multiple devices: We test antivirus software on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices and award bonus points for unlimited device protection.

> Test 12: Ownership and reputation test

We analyze the trustworthiness of antivirus companies, especially concerning customer data. We read press releases, news articles, and privacy policies to determine their reputation.

Sources and tools

Below are the sources and tools we’ve used to test the antivirus software:

• Apple Platform Security
• AV-Comparatives Consumer
• AV-Test Android
• AV-Test macOS
• AV-Test Windows
• GRC Firewall Test
• Microsoft Defender
• SpeedTest VPN
• Trustpilot Security Software

 

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the most frequently asked questions.