Kaspersky Total Security vs Internet Security vs Antivirus: Which should I buy?

Kaspersky has iii not bad computer protection programs, each with the same high level of protection, but with a different number of security tools. Kaspersky Total Security is best for securing PCs because information technology has the critical protection tools I look for in a good antivirus program, including a firewall, password manager, and vulnerability scanner.

Premium protection: Kaspersky Total Security ($50 at Kaspersky)
Advanced security: Kaspersky Internet Security ($40 at Kaspersky)
Basic antivirus: Kaspersky Anti-Virus ($thirty at Kaspersky)

Let's hash out the large question first: Is Kaspersky condom?

Kaspersky got a lot of heat in 2022 when anonymous sources revealed Kaspersky was using its estimator protection programs to gather classified information from government agencies and workers' computers. This data was allegedly then sent on to the Russian regime. However, Kaspersky adamantly denies the allegations and the U.Due south. regime, despite removing Kaspersky programs from all its computers, never confirmed the rumors, nor placed whatsoever sanctions on Kaspersky.

Over the last couple of years, Kaspersky has worked to rebuild its trust and epitome with the U.S., including moving all its critical operations, such equally its development and legal teams, and its servers, out of Russia and into other countries, including several Northward American locations. This move places Kaspersky under required 3rd-party regulations and inspections.

boxshot Source: Kaspersky

Despite the dark cloud of 2022, Kaspersky Labs, the enquiry arm of the visitor, has connected to work to expose dangerous viruses and other malware programs. Recently Kaspersky Labs discovered a version of FinSpy designed to expose and collect all chat messages, including private ones, from mobile devices.

During my many years of testing and evaluating the best antivirus software, I accept seen how well Kaspersky works to stop malicious files from infecting computers and mobile devices. And while I back up the U.Southward. authorities's stance on requiring only U.S.-designed security solutions to be used to protect government systems, there hasn't been whatever evidence to propose Kaspersky tin't exist used for personal, consumer use.

The stats of Kaspersky's programs

	Anti-Virus	Net Security	Full Security
Toll	$thirty	$40	$50
Protection score	98%	98%	98%
User licenses	3	3	five
Virtual keyboard	Y	Y	Y
Firewall	N	Y	Y
Banking tools	Northward	Y	Y
Vulnerability scanner	N	Due north	Y
Password director	Due north	N	Y
Parental controls	Northward	Northward	Y
Uniform with Mac and mobile	North	Y	Y

What do all Kaspersky security programs have in common?

Kaspersky Browser Extension Block Site Edited Source: Nicole Johnston/ Windows Central

In my testing of Kaspersky security programs, I've seen how each stops malicious files before they have a take a chance to download fully. Trojans, rootkits, ransomware, and viruses are usually scrubbed clean without the threat ever making it to Kaspersky'southward quarantine folder because Kaspersky has a large database of known threats and taps into other databases to ensure it knows what to end.

In all, 98% of threats used in my testing were stopped by Kaspersky, including several phishing scheme sites designed to wait like PayPal and Facebook login pages. This boosted my confidence in Kaspersky since several security, and IT professionals I've chatted with have said phishing schemes are the top threat for most people. There were a few websites that Kaspersky immune me to access without tagging or warning about the malicious content on the pages, though the malicious downloads linked on these pages were stopped by Kaspersky. I saw the same results for all iii Kaspersky programs: Anti-Virus, Internet Security, and Total Security.

The prophylactic browsing tools, included with all three Kaspersky programs, mark search results and links in manufactures shared on social media pages with a green icon that indicated the link was safe to follow. Some links were tagged red for dangerous and some with a gray marker to bear witness Kaspersky wasn't sure either way if the link was safe or not. Some other fantabulous browser tool is the virtual keyboard. When open, you tin can type in web addresses or log into online accounts while Kaspersky shields your information from keyloggers, internet trackers, and other online snoops. This is also a dandy tool to use while cyberbanking and shopping to more safely guard your identity.

Kaspersky Online Keyboard Edited Source: Nicole Johnston/ Windows Central

After your browser is secured from letting malware sneak in, the next vital tool to have is a personal firewall. This monitors your internet connection for whatever hackers, ransomware or other snoops trying to sneak in, or remove sensitive information this fashion. Information technology too stops piggybacking, a practice where users like to tap into your Wi-Fi rather than pay for their ain internet connection. Booting them off your network helps go on your connect running fast and without interruption. While Kaspersky Anti-Virus doesn't have a firewall, both Net Security and Total Security do.

Overall, each Kaspersky plan is a decent value, besides. Both Anti-Virus and Internet Security come with a minimum of three user licenses for nether $50 for first-fourth dimension buyers. Full Security comes with five. This means you tin can secure multiple computers or mobile devices with a single subscription. And y'all tin can command and manage settings for each device from a single user dashboard through your online portal.

Why Full Security is Kaspersky's undefeated champion and our elevation pick

Kaspersky Control Panel on Windows 10 Source: Windows Central

Kaspersky Anti-Virus is express to stopping malicious downloads and tagging dangerous links in search results. It's a adept solution for bones protection and volition stop several kinds of files, including ransomware, viruses, Trojans, and rootkits. But for protection against other snoops, trackers, and hackers, you volition demand to purchase a higher-tiered program with a few boosted tools.

Net Security has a few more protection features than Anti-Virus. It has safe banking and privacy tools to assist protect your identity while cyberbanking and shopping online. It also has a few parental controls that permit you manage when and how long your kids can have access online. Kaspersky Internet Security is uniform with Mac and mobile devices, with near tools available beyond all platforms.

Kaspersky Total Security is a comprehensive net security solution that has all the security tools I like to see in a computer protection program. It has a firewall to monitor your internet connectedness like Internet Security. Still, different the other 2 programs, it has a password managing director that helps y'all create and remember complicated passwords to online accounts and safeguard them from keyloggers and trackers. Full Security as well has a system scanner that looks for weak spots in your organization, typically outdated drivers and software programs, and gives you suggestions on how to close them. Firewalls and vulnerability scanners are both corking tools for stopping hackers and ransomware that can sneak in through other means than file downloads.

Kaspersky Safe Kids Content Filters Edited Source: Nicole Johnston/ Windows Key

One of the best features of Kaspersky Total Security is its parental controls. On top of time controls, Full Security has several filter categories, like violence, drugs, and pornography. When enabled, Kaspersky will automatically block websites with this content on them. Information technology also has a listing of keywords and phrases that you tin keep your kid from both seeing and typing out. These include "don't tell,""'what's your accost," and "home alone." You lot can add your ain words and phrases to the list. This is an excellent way to cutting down on cyberbullies and stalkers interacting with your child.

Premium protection

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Kaspersky Full Security

Top of the line computer protection

This software stops malware, including phishing schemes, and comes with a firewall, password managing director, system scanner and fantabulous parental controls.

Advanced security

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Kaspersky Internet Security

Not likewise large, not too small-scale

Building on the cracking protection offered by Anti-Virus, this program secures your online banking and shopping transactions with safe banking tools.

Basic antivirus

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Kaspersky Anti-Virus

All-time on a upkeep

This basic programs comes with 3 user licenses and stops 98% of online threats. Information technology includes a virtual keyboard to hide what you type from keyloggers.

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