Kaspersky Internet Security Review 2020

Not using virus protection is just a problem. It can track down a malicious virus, have a Trojan horse hack into your bank accounts, or find your important documents locked by ransomware. Having virus protection in place is essential, but you don't have to stop there. A comprehensive security package offers protection on many other levels. Kaspersky Internet Security uses an award-winning antivirus and adds firewall, spam filters, parental controls, VPN, etc. Plus, all of these safety components do their job well.

The large main window of Kaspersky has a large status banner at the top. If there is a configuration problem, please provide a link to fix it correctly. Otherwise, you might still have recommendations. There are six large buttons labeled "Scan", "Database Update", "Safe Money", "Privacy", "Family Safety" and "My Kaspersky". Below that is a button to open a menu with additional tools and a gear symbol at the bottom left to open settings.

This suite overlaps most of the security features of Kaspersky Security Cloud Free, although the free product is modeled on Kaspersky Security Cloud, not on this suite or commercial Kaspersky Anti-Virus software.

System Watcher's behavior detection component aims to intercept malware, including ransomware, which bypasses other layers of protection. For testing purposes, I disabled the usual virus protection and called the test system with a dozen actual examples of ransomware. System Watcher only missed one, a simple lock screen ransomware, and this example fell victim to Kaspersky's special blockbreaker attack.

In my last review, it was discovered that Kaspersky's Web Anti-Virus component can detect phishing scams. In my practical antiphishing test, it got a 100% detection and the macOS product equaled that score. This time, the score was significantly lower, with different detections by Windows and MacOS products. It was an anomaly enough to run the test again and I got a better score for Windows, 96% detection. Trend Micro scored 100% in its latest phishing test, and half a dozen others did better than Kaspersky.

All Kaspersky security products come with a limited bandwidth free edition of Kaspersky Secure Connection VPN. You can use 200 MB of bandwidth per day on each device, or 300 MB of bandwidth if you are logged into My Kaspersky. On the free tier, you cannot choose the server location; the VPN will make those decisions for you.

Bitdefender products offer a limited VPN that is very similar. Not surprising, as both are managed by Hotspot Shield, our current fastest VPN winner. If you want to exceed the bandwidth limit and take control of the VPN server you are using, you have to pay Kaspersky an additional $4.99 per month.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus also overlays the functions of the free edition. The big advantage of paying is that you get full technical support by phone or live chat. Users of the free edition should trust the FAQs and forums. If you ever have a problem, this live chat support can save your life.