Kaspersky has been in the Internet security business for a very long time. A veteran company that usually scores very well in comparative tests.
Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 fills the space between Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012, a security application concentrating solely on virus and malware protection, and Kaspersky Pure, Kaspersky’s flagship product that adds security related modules like backups on top of the all-in-one system protection offered by Internet Security.
The program comes with an official price tag of $59.95, but discounts at retailers drop that price to about $20 for a three user version.
The program installation went through without complications, only the forced restart at the end was unexpected. The first system start after installation took longer than usual, probably due to behind-the-scenes configurations of the program and system. Firefox, Internet Explorer and Chrome users will receive notifications on first run that browser add-ons were installed by Kaspersky. Firefox users for instance will see Kaspersky’s URL Advisor, Virtual Keyboard and Anti-Banner pop up in their browser (depending on the version used either activated automatically or on user request). And while it is possible to disable the add-ons, it is more complicated to remove the add-ons completely. This is done by first disabling Kaspersky’s Self Defense protection under Settings > Advanced Settings > Self-Defense, then pausing the program’s protection, before deleting the extension files in the Kaspersky program folder).
The main application interface, which you see on the screenshot above, highlights the current protection status. It is recommended to run an update of the program’s database right away, as this is not initiated automatically on first start. Please note that the first update may download more than one hundred Megabytes.
You should then run a full system scan after that initial update has been made. Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 offers four types of scans.
- Full Scan – This scans the entire computer, it is the recommended scan after installation and updating the database with the latest program files and virus definitions.
- Critical Areas Scan – A fast scan that looks at folders and files that are often targeted by attackers and malware.
- Vulnerability Scan – Scans the system for known vulnerabilities. This includes program versions that are out of date (e.g. Thunderbird, XNView, Internet Explorer or Firefox), known vulnerabilities in programs and system vulnerabilities. System vulnerabilities are either system settings that make the PC vulnerable or unpatched vulnerabilities (with patches available).
Details and fixes are provided for every system vulnerability.
- Custom Scan – Drag or drop, or browser for, folders or files that you want scanned on the system.
All malware scanners make use of virus definition databases, heuristics and Kaspersky’s cloud protection technology. Everything’s easy to handle, system vulnerabilities can for instance be fixed with two clicks of the mouse.
But virus protection is just one of the features of Kaspersky Internet Security 2012. The two-way firewall protects the system from Internet and network attacks. Controls are available with a click on Settings and the selection of Firewall from the Protection Center list. The firewall, unlike the virtual keyboard for instance, is not linked directly from the main application interface. This can be a issue for inexperienced users who notice that some of their system programs are not working properly after installing the Kaspersky software.
Network rules and adapters are managed under firewall settings. Here it is possible to disconnect a network adapter or click on the settings button to configure network traffic rules. Access rules for running applications can be defined here in detail. An option to add programs to the list that are not running seems to be missing. Kaspersky divides applications into untrusted, high restricted, low restricted and trusted groups. Rule sets for each group can be configured individually in the settings.
All security modules can be disabled in the settings with just two clicks.
The settings are divided into four tabs, with the first displaying settings for all program modules. The remaining tabs offer settings to configure scans, updates and advanced program features and settings. Especially the advanced settings are worth taking a look at.
Advanced settings can be used to configure gaming profiles, threat logging, network monitoring or parental controls. It pays to look at those settings in detail to customize the protection further.
Parental controls can be configured selectively for all Windows accounts. Accounts cannot be created from the Kaspersky software though.
Controls allow parents to restrict computer, application and Internet based activities.
Available options include limiting computer and Internet usage to specific days and times of the day, blocking application access and website categories and which contacts can be interacted with on social networking sites and instant messengers. Reports are available that detail account activity.
The applications activity monitor displays a list of all processes currently running on the system. This is comparable to the Windows Task Manager, with the difference that application trust levels and popularity are displayed here as well. The trust level can be changed with a click here. Other options include terminating the process or configuring the process’ access rules in detail
The network monitor highlights all processes with network activity. Data is presented in realtime and as a history under the network traffic tab. Kaspersky highlights open system ports and blocked computers in the network monitor window.
The Safe Run feature is a virtualization or sandboxing option that the program ships with. All applications on the system can be started in a safe environment (via right-click and selection of Safe Run in Windows Explorer). There does not seem to be a way though to always run select applications in the sandboxed environment.
Other options include creating a rescue disk to detect and eliminate threats if the operating system fails to start up properly, a privacy cleaner to remove temporary data from the PC’s history and detailed reports for every security module.
Verdict
Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 is an all-in-one security solution for Windows operating systems. The software has minor usability issues. Options to uninstall browser add-ons are for instance missing. An option to add modules to the main application window would have been nice as well.
It would also have been nice if the program would have initiated the program update check automatically on first run before suggesting a full system scan to the user.
The sheer amount of settings and protection modules add to the complexity of the program. Though once configured properly everything will run along smoothly.
Giveaway
We have ten Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 licenses. Leave a comment below to take part in the drawing. A 30-day trial version of Internet Security 2012 can be downloaded from the Kaspersky website.
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Nice review, thanks.
want a license. please.
Trial period almost finished.
One of these licenses would be GREAT to start the year.
Thanks.
Never tried it. looks promising. Thanks
want to try it
Want to try it. please give me a license……..
I suggested an internet security package in the initial giveaway thread as my own security license was about to expire. I’ve since updated the license so won’t be needing this giveaway but I have been following the daily giveaways and wanted to say thanks for your time and effort in making these applications available. I know that the recipients of these programs will benefit greatly from using them.
In the meantime, ghacks daily articles continue to educate and improve the pc experience of this user. Many thanks!
Thanks for this Giveaway Dear Martin. I really need this Software Dude.
Kaspersky Owns the World!
http://twitter.com/#!/asrielrusdyawan/status/146181357624754176
https://www.facebook.com/asrielrusdyawan/posts/202559089828444
Hope to win this Giveaway!
THX, LJBU!
I use to prefer Mcafee as my antivirus program but since the 2010 version started strangely draining my computers resources, I decided to switch to Kaspersky.
Been using the 2011 version and it works great. Not had a virus since, doesn’t really affect performance and has some cool little features with it.
Need to upgrade to 2012 soon though ;) (hint hint) hehe
For a long time Kaspersky is one of most trusted AVs for me and among IT people I know.
Yep, I want to try it too!
Kaspersky, with its cloud technologies integrated can be an interesting proposition. So, the license giveaway is a good thing, thanks and please include me!
Great review! Hope I’ll win one license, thanks.
Excellent Review!!!!
I want to change my Avast, please provide me
Thanks
So far Kaspersky is my second favorite AV when it comes with full protection. The only thing i hate is spending time waiting for the update to complete after installing and getting my torrent works.
if i am not mistaken, when the internet detected, it also runs in cloud feature in internet security.
Wonderful giveaway!
Please count me in, thanks!
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=331933400165392&id=100002303738852
https://twitter.com/#!/Pivomen/status/146186272652804097
nice AV review..good job
since long time ago kaspersky is one of my favorites antivirus, the only thing is that is a “heacy” software that makes your pc slow, i dont know if they get better perfonce, because today pcs are not the same 3 years ago, now every one has at leats 2Gb on RAM
Cool review and it will be awesome to have one.
nice review. good luck!
Kaspersky is a very good package I would like to win it
I’ve used Kaspersky for a while, but my subscription just ran out last week and yet picked up another one xD… I’ll gladly accept the chance to get it for free :D
Oh well.
to jest najleprzy antyvirus na rynku prosze mnie liczyc .dziekuje
Sounds good! please can I be entered in the drawer for a licence?
Thanks!
Wow, what a great giveaway! I am currently using ESET Smart Security, which is running out 12/31, so this piece of software can really come in handy!
Hi,
I have nerver used Kaspersky products; i therefore hop in this GiveAway Wagon. Let it be rock & roll on board.
Thanks for the offer.
Count me in please!
Sempre usei Norton,se eu ganhar uma licença com certeza iria mudar e utilizar este.
Hi,
Thanks for conducting the Giveaway. Kaspersky is one of the best IS, for its light resource usage and good deduction. Would be glad to have one.
Regards
Thanks for the review.I surely need this.