Kaspersky Total Security offers nearly everything you could want in a security suite. Award-winning antivirus protection, a strong firewall, comprehensive parental control, local and online backup, file encryption, and more.
The Kaspersky 2020 antivirus software lineup for Windows offers an enviable mix of fast scans and complete protection, with no shortage of add-on apps, although the extras are a bit sparse on the cheapest paid program.
The top product, Kaspersky Total Security, has an unlimited password manager, robust parental controls and backup software. The midrange Kaspersky Internet Security offers fewer extras but includes webcam protection, a hardened web browser and limited parental controls.
Why Choose Kaspersky Total Security?
The Kaspersky 2020 Windows antivirus programs share the same excellent malware scanner. The lineup starts with Kaspersky Security Cloud Free for those who just want the basics. Those basics, however, now include Kaspersky’s password manager and client software for Kaspersky’s Secure Connection VPN service.
The password manager is limited to 15 login credentials unless you either pay $15 per year or buy a Kaspersky Total Security license.
However, the free VPN service is limited to 200MB per day, or 300MB per day. With a My Kaspersky online account, unlimited data costs $30 per year even for Total Security subscribers.
Kaspersky Anti-Virus, starting at $60 per year, can protect three to 10 PCs and adds phishing and spyware protection.The software can also examine email attachments and scan for vulnerabilities. The program is minimalist, however, compared to Bitdefender’s Antivirus Plus, which offers many more features at the same price.
Starting at $80 to protect three to 10 computers, Kaspersky Internet Security includes software for Macs, Android devices, and iPhones and iPads. It protects against unwanted apps and webcam hijacking and includes Kaspersky’s Safe Money hardened browser and limited parental controls.
Kaspersky Total Security is at the top of the pyramid and starts at $90 per year for three computers; it’s $100 for five machines and $150 for 10. Total Security can back up, encrypt and “shred” files, and it can protect against a ransomware attack. Web-based parental controls are also part of the mix.
An Internet-based security package, Kaspersky Security Cloud costs $90 per year for three devices, or $100 for five, and comes with unlimited password-manager use, up to 500MB a day of VPN data and some identity-protection features. A family package costs $150 for up to 20 devices and adds better parental controls.
Kaspersky prices are often massively discounted, so shop around. Be aware that some prices are introductory and go up when you renew the subscription.
Kaspersky security software works with Windows 7 through 10, macOS 10.12 through 10.14, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and later, and iOS 11 or later. There’s no Kaspersky Linux antivirus software for home computers, however, and the iOS protection software only filters out malicious websites and helps find lost devices.
For a few years, there have been allegations that Moscow-based Kaspersky works with the Russian intelligence services to spy on clients. U.S. federal government departments and contractors are forbidden to use the company’s software.
To counter the accusations, Kaspersky has moved its data farms to Switzerland and other neutral locales. We have seen no indication that any of Kaspersky’s products are unsafe or contain deliberate security holes or backdoors.
Kaspersky’s products mix scans for known malware, “heuristic” monitoring to quickly spot suspicious behavior and code, and artificial-intelligence analysis in the Kaspersky Security Network labs. The company sends malware-definition updates to its 400 million users several times a day.
Kaspersky 2020 has lots of dedicated defenses against specific threats, including fileless malware and attacks on the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) startup system.
Kaspersky’s Application Control can set restrictions so that only trusted programs run. Meanwhile, just about every element has three levels of scan intensity. The Gaming mode works with games, movies and even large Excel spreadsheets. The System Watcher keeps an eye out for the first signs of a ransomware attack.
If all else fails, Kaspersky’s Rescue Disk can restart the system from a USB flash drive and remove any residual infections, but you’ll need to download the software to build it separately.
Pros
Fast Scanning Speed
Improved Parental Control
High Detection
Powerful Malware Protection
Two Factor Authentication
User Friendly Interface
Cons
Unlimited VPN
Key Features
Cyber Security
Hundreds of thousands of new malware items are being unleashed by cybercriminals every day. That’s why Kaspersky’s cloud-assisted security continually adds to your defenses against malware and Internet dangers. Kaspersky Total Security also blocks banner adverts and lets you filter out annoying spam messages.
PC, MAC and Mobile Protection
Whichever device you use to go online, our innovative security technologies deliver multi-layered protection. Furthermore, because it’s easy to lose mobile devices, Kaspersky includes anti-theft features that lets you lock, wipe and locate lost or stolen Android devices.
Privacy Protection
Phishing attacks that can try to steal your identity or your money are automatically blocked. In addition, Kaspersky Total Security’s Web Protection technology stops criminals from using your own webcam to spy on you. Kaspersky Total Security also prevents the tracking of your Web browsing habits and the capture of your personal information.
Banking Security
Whenever you use your PC or Mac to visit a banking, shopping or payment website, Kaspersky Total Security’s unique Safe Money technology checks that the site is secure, and ensures you’re not being tricked by a fake site and then opens the website in a protected mode.
Parental Control
Award-winning Parental Control features running on your PC or Mac make it easy for you to manage your kids’ app downloads, prevent access to inappropriate web content & games, manage messaging on social networks and prevent disclosure of personal information.
Password Manager
We all have a lot of passwords. Creating the passwords, safely storing and permanently restoring them is an unpleasant waste of time and an additional risk. Leave behind these unnecessary worries, let a special application on each of your devices manage the creation, storage, lookup and synchronization of your passwords.
Document Protection
Local and online backup let you store duplicate copies of your photos, music and more. If your PC develops a fault, you’ll be able to access all the precious files stored in your online backup via any compatible device. You can also encrypt your files so unauthorized users can’t read them and, when you want to delete a file from your PC, you can totally ‘shred’ it.
Performance Optimization
Kaspersky Total Security technologies combine protection & efficiency so they work behind the scenes, without slowing down your digital life.
Multi Platform Security
A free My Kaspersky account lets you manage your security across all your computers, tablets & phones from anywhere that you can access the Web. You can check each device’s security & license status and adjust key security settings plus download free Kaspersky Lab products. My Kaspersky also gives you easy access to technical support.
Other Features
Anti-Virus
Anti-Phishing
Anti- Malware
Multiple Device Protection
Network Threat Prevention
Safe Files
Real Site Checker
Privacy Protection
Web Security
Wifi Inspector
Operating System Compatibility
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home/Pro/Enterprise/Education | 32Bit or 64Bit; Windows 8.1/Pro/Enterprise | 32Bit or 64Bit; Windows 8/Pro/Enterprise | 32Bit or 64Bit; Windows 7 Home Basic/Home Premium/Professional/Enterprise/Ultimate – Service Pack 1 | 32Bit or 64Bit | ||
| Hard Disk Space | 2.5GB | ||
| RAM | 2GB | ||
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz) | ||
| Support Browser | Internet Explorer 10 or Later; Google Chrome 34 or Later; Microsoft Edge 40 or Later; Mozilla Firefox 51 or Later |
How To Use
Think Kaspersky Total Security will be a good fit for your home or business?
Learn more about its features and current price here.
To activate Kaspersky Total Security, you can use one of the following methods:
- Activate a commercial version by entering a 20-digit activation code. An Internet connection is required for activating the product. The activation wizard will automatically download and install the key file.
- Activate trial version . The activation wizard will download and install a 30-day key file. An Internet connection is required for activating the product. The trial version is fully functional. Database update will become unavailable after the trial license key expires. The option Activate trial version of the application may be unavailable if the trial license has been installed on this computer or if it is currently activated.
To activate a commercial version of the application, do the following:
- Make sure the system date is set correctly on your computer
- Run the installation of Kaspersky Total Security
- In the Activation window, enter the activation code you received during your purchase. Note that the code contains Latin letters only
- Click the Activate button
- The activation wizard will connect to Kaspersky Lab server and download the license key. Click the Finish button
About Kaspersky
Kaspersky Lab is a multinational cybersecurity and anti-virus provider headquartered in Moscow, Russia and operated by a holding company in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1997 by Eugene Kaspersky, Natalya Kaspersky, and Alexey De-Monderik; Eugene Kaspersky is currently the CEO. Kaspersky Lab develops and sells antivirus, Internet security, password management, endpoint security, and other cybersecurity products and services.
Kaspersky Lab develops and markets antivirus, Internet security, password management, endpoint security, and other cybersecurity products and services.It is the fourth or fifth largest endpoint security vendor, and the third largest consumer IT security software company. It is the sixth largest overall IT security company. Its revenues are about 15 percent from Russian companies domestically, one-third from European organizations and one-fourth from U.S. organizations. The software has about 400 million users in all.
Final Thoughts
Kaspersky Total Security remains the top-tier security suite to beat, with protection and fast scans no other program can deliver. The password manager, improved parental controls and two-factor authentication add up to the closest thing to airtight protection.All in all, Kaspersky Total Security is a top tier System Security. Features such as solid parental control, multi platform security and online banking protection, makes Kaspersky Total Security a ten out of ten antivirus software.
After reading the article, did it make you want to try Kaspersky Total Security? Or would you rather still keep your options open? Never fear, we are here to guide you every step of the way. If you’d like to know more about the other types of antivirus software available in the market, you are more than welcome to check out other product reviews.
