[FREEBIE] Kaspersky AntiVirus is Now Free

As an electronics engineer (for many decades), I have [NOT] been using Kaspersky.
As an experienced PC user (circa IBM PC XT), I have [NEVER] solely relied on a paid (or free) Anti-Virus (AV) program.
I have been to the seediest/darkest corners of the web (and back); I can honestly say that I have never lost one single bit of my data and never been irrecoverably exposed to any type of virus or a hack.
As the American Psychologist Abraham Maslow once stated "If you only have a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail." Yet a bigger hammer is not necessarily always the best (or the only other) tool, in the shop!
Ever since the first release of the Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) about 9 years ago; I think I spent more time writing this reply than I spend babysitting any AV program. Yes, we can spend hours upon hours discussing the subtle nuances of alternative A/V programs. Yet, it does not mean that the built-in Microsoft “Defender” AV (especially in Windows 10) should be ignored in any AV program discussions, recommendations, comparisons or endorsements.

Dang Right! I am totally paranoid about my digital security protection; as all of us should be! Alas, the installation of an AV program alone should never be construed as having the proper/complete defenses for security protection.

Pretty sad to see so many comments here proving that propaganda works. So even the 'smart' ones... the DP types - fall for it. Have you seen ANY EVIDENCE of Russia meddling? No, you haven't. Have you seen all the documentation of US meddling in everyone else's country and elections?? Yes. You have. Over and over. But you fall for the cia-rooted propaganda to start another war.
What a sad country.

@Carol Shin Get your head out of the sand. There is plenty evidence of Russian meddling; it's been going on for years. Yes, the U.S. is just about as guilty, same as for dozens of other countries. No matter where I lived, while I would prefer no government snooping at all, snooping from my own government would be preferable to snooping from a government that is hostile to mine.

@CarolShin, I am venturing to guess that most readers here are American citizens.
I take it personal when you start bad mouthing my country in this way. There is absolutely no need for it, especially when your post is as myopic and shallow as yourself!

I urge the site operator to delete her flaming post, at once!

Butch: I passed along your best regards to Harvey and he's deeply touched that you remembered him.

RandiO: Good calls on Maslow's Hammer and "more is better." I've caught myself in both. And I, too, like Defender, especially since it gets along with so many other programs.

As to paranoia, you're not paranoid if they're really out to get you, and they are.

And I have to mention behavioral exploits because some of the worst malware depends on us inviting it in. Lots of trouble starts with hurrying, excitement, distraction, impatience, anxiety, assumptions, and misplaced trust.

Bob, I will be curious as to any responses you give in a future posting about this being a Russian based company.

I was always been very happy with Kaspersky AV and regard it as the best of the paid ones that I have used. I follow Bob's advice and currently use Avast free. I will try Kaspersky Free on one of my computers and see what impact it has on performance.
In response to those comments regarding the Russian Govt. inserting malicious code into Kasperky AV. This is about as likely as the USA Govt. inserting malicious code into Symantic's AV. ie. not going to happen. No single AV program has a large enough market share to make it a worthwhile endeavour, and what would be the point anyway? Ordinary malware/viruses cause enough disruption without State aid.

OpenSource (a real "FREEBIE"] password-manager program called KeePass had the following at their masthead (2006/10/16): "Is it really free? >> Yes, KeePass is really free, and more than that: it is open-source (OSI certified). You can have a look at its full source and for example check if the encryption algorithms are implemented correctly."
"Perhaps you wonder why I decided to make it open-source. The answer is relatively simple: in my opinion all software that has something to do with security should be open-source. Here's a quote of Bruce Schneier that sums it up pretty good: “As a cryptography and computer security expert, I have never understood the current fuss about the open source software movement. In the cryptography world, we consider open source necessary for good security; we have for decades. Public security is always more secure than proprietary security. It's true for cryptographic algorithms, security protocols, and security source code. For us, open source isn't just a business model; it's smart engineering practice.”
Bruce Schneier, Crypto-Gram 1999/09/15 (http://www.schneier.com/crypto-gram-9909.html)
Words to live by

I'm not sure ANY Anti-Virus software today will . protect anybody against aggressive virii. AV software best protects us against virus attacks from the past, and most will do a good job in that regard. The problem with most AV software is that they take up computer resources and slow down the computer. While some AV software is better than others, in practice, there are no major differences. So I have selected to use the free software that has been built into the Windows Operating System, Windows Defender, because it takes fewer resources than any other AV, freeware, ad-supported, or subscription

Thanks for another interesting article & food for thought.

But, my rant is not so much about that Kaspersky AV is Russian, or possibly in bed with the Russian government, or whatever.

It is that in June 2015, Kaspersky AV was hacked big time. That instantly soured me with Kaspersky AV. My reason might seem un-fair, but there are other AVs out there that not have been hacked. If they cannot protect themselves, can they protect me.

Also, and there has been much proof that most of the major attacks on USA computers seem to originate from the Eastern European nations & some other 3rd world as well as from some rogue nations.

So, all of my AV software is Symantec Norton 360. It has worked well for me, it is costly, but so is Porterhouse steaks. Untill I am proved wrong, my money is with them.

PS; there seems to be some reader feedbacks that are political, or bring politics that are off-topic.

Windows10 pundits aside; here are some of the BRAND NEW security features built-into Win10 (OTOMH):
*Secure Boot [allows ONLY trusted executable to run]
*Device Guard [Zero-Day defense]
*CPU Virtualization [Virtual Secure Mode (VSM)]
*Virtualization-Based Security (VBS)
*BitLocker [Win10Pro on-the-fly encryption w/better TPM support]
*Azure Rights Management [industrial grade data protection over BitLocker]
*Credential Guard
*Windows Hello [Microsoft's own Password Killer]
*Windows Passport [Password Killer V2.0]
*Patch Management [A new approach to auto software patches/updates]
*Windows Store [Trusted apps]
*Microsoft Edge [a looooong overdue protected browser with *SmartScreen]
*Did I already say EMET [integrated w/Defender for ExploitGuard]?
As can be seen, these are above and beyond the Win8's improved carry-over security features such as antivirus, firewall, MaliciousSoftwareRemovalTool, DataExecutionPrevention, KernelPatchProtection (et al)

Throwing-in the proverbial kitchen sink at Win10's security provisions will not necessarily make it more secure or more hacker-proof but may create unnecessary performance hits, along with heavy doses of placebo euphoria. I am not certain if an ICBM needs to be substituted for a fly swatter when dealing with a few flies around the house. Heck, just putting screens on the doors and the 'windows' is a better solution than even dead bolting the door. And that way, you can have some spare cash to splurge on some filet mignon rather than just porterhouse!

Just because it's free doesn't mean we should download it. It's Russian built, and I think it would be best to look elsewhere for anti-virus software. Why chance it?

And then there's this:---http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/russian-kaspersky-labs-faces-new-scrutiny-suspicion-1012640835507

Free Kaspersky... you mean from the one thats
headquartered in Moscow ??? Hmmm no wonder its free :)
F

I used Kaspersky once years ago, I had some problems with it (can't remember what) and decided to remove it,,, well,, it did NOT want to let go of my system. I finally got rid of it and vowed NEVER to touch it again. I have no doubt that Putin's Russia is untrustworthy, too bad because Russians are nice people, Putin isn't and I have no doubt that he can, and probably does, get anyone in Russia, including Kaspersky, to do his bidding. With the recent Russian hacking situation they couldn't PAY ME enough to put that "stuff" on my real computers!! Sandbox systems maybe, if they pay for my time, and I don't work cheap! My opinion only,, and that's it. :)

Hi Bob!
Thanks for the head's up!
I just got rid of Avast and downloaded the Android free version of Kaspersky.

It looks to my untrained eye that you have to manually run it. It costs to upgrade to a real time version.

Did I read that wrong, or is there another way?

Also, would you need Threat Scan AND Internet Security?

Thanks!!!

Pati

I watched the interview of Eugene Kaspersky and was not 'sold' on his claims innocence. I was leaning toward his innocence because of Rankin's previous article. But, Kaspersky's education and past connection with the KGB is disconcerting. He is a billionaire and doing very well financially, definitely not hungry. Is that possible in Russia without being 'connected'? Time will tell.

Thanks for the news about Kaspersky Free, Bob. I've used AVG Free for years and always found it good. The only snag is that you need to schedule scans manually and the option to do that is quite well hidden and changes with each release.

I duly downloaded it via your link (works in the UK) and got the EN/ES/FR version. It seemed to install OK but then had a problem authenticating itself with the Kaspersky server as it was down (for maintenance?) on Sunday.

Finally authenticated itself on Monday and the licence is for one PC for one year. What happens then? Will it be extended as a free licence or will I be asked for money?

Thanks to Elwood P. Dowd - I'm going to try out the free version of Sophos at https://home.sophos.com/ - they give you a licence for up to 10 home devices.

I'll be putting Sophos Home on a spare PC to try it out.

WOW - After reading all of the comments, I am still going to trial test Kaspersky Free.

I take the premise that using security software from countries that have loads of security issues and also have loads of hackers - It is the best of both worlds. Who better knows what to look for and what to build software to protect?! Of course, we have hackers and crackers in the USA - But it is the Eastern Block of Europe, Russia, and China that have the most and worst of the hackers and crackers! Again, these countries and the software companies know what to look for and then some!

As for all of the folderol or falderal about Russia interfering with the USA's election and so on - I see it as nothing more than fake news and propaganda to undermine the USA. China's trying to mess with the Global Banks and the Stock Market is a serious threat to not only the USA but to the Western countries.

One of the most important aspects of securing your computer(s) is to be alert and vigilant when you surf the Internet and when you download any software. All who are aware of malware being incorporated into software - Know not to download from CNET. There are other websites for downloading software that will also have malware in the downloads. What you need to know - Which download websites are the SAFE ones!!!

For me - Filepuma.com is a very safe download website. It is part of Glarysoft.com which has their own products that are just as safe. Hippo.com, softnic.com and several other very popular websites in the past or not trustworthy these days. MajorGeeks.com is also very safe and you can find out a lot about what is going on in the computer world, security included - On MajorGeeks website and their Forum is full of wonderful solutions to computer issues.

Anywho - I am still going to trial test Kaspersky Free to see if it works well and how much resources it takes to accomplish the scans and etc..

This is my assessment of Kaspersky Free.

Well, I did try Kaspersky Free and I did not like it. The first time I tried to use it - I had set up what I thought would be protective of me and my computer. Bottom line - Kaspersky was so protective - That I could do nothing on the Internet or even get my email properly!!! I will admit that is truly real protection - But I could get nothing done!!!

I reread the article and thought I would try again. This time I didn't try to "tweak" any of the settings - I left Kaspersky at Default Settings. I was able to get to the Internet finally and I was receiving my email. However, I found that I had to do some extra steps to get things done. This was very annoying. I was doing this for about 3 days when I said, "Enough is enough!"

I uninstalled Kaspersky Free again and went back to my Avast Free. I now feel comfortable with all that I want or need to do on my computer.

I did notice that Kaspersky's Scan did take longer, even the Quick Scan. It was running in the background a lot and that is not what I want in an Anti-Virus-Malware program. I don't mind scanning in the background for things that I am working on - Either with my email or on the Internet. However, Kaspersky Free just seemed to be always running in the background, thereby taking up too many resources.

Again. I am glad that I did trial Kaspersky Free because it gave me good insight as what to expect if I were to use this program permanently. Bottom line - I guess I am just an Avast kind of computer user. }:O)