Kaspersky Security Scan: Get a second opinion on your PC's Security State
Even if you are running security software that gets regularly updated by its development company, you run the risk of falling prey to dangers that lurk behind every corner on the Internet. That's why I use third party software to scan systems that I own or administrate to make sure that nothing slipped by the first line of defense.
One of the programs that I really like to use for that job is Dr.Web CureIt!, a free security program that is highly efficient in this regard. Other programs include Kaspersky's TDSS Killer, and a bunch of other programs that you find listed here.
Kaspersky Security Scan is a free program that is making use of Kaspersky's commercial antivirus engine to scan a system for threats that other security software on the system may have missed. You can run a quick scan which will only check the most important locations and files, or a full scan which is more thorough but will also take longer to complete.
The program displays some fancy graphics and a progress bar once you have made the selection. It does not provide you with a time estimate on how long the scan will take to complete. If it finds problems it will indicate those in red in the interface and on the summary page once the scan has completed.
When you click on the results for more information they are displayed on a local web page in the default system browser. Here you find all issues listed sorted in the following four categories:
- System protection
- Malware
- Vulnerabilities
- Other issues
What you may not like is that Kaspersky's Security Scan does not ship with the tools to resolve the issues found. This is similar to how Norton's Security Scan works, which is also only highlighting that there are issues.
Still, if you know that problems exist, you can use free third party software to resolve them on the PC. The six issues found on the test system were relatively harmless, and mostly dealt with issues in Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Security Scan for instance complained that the cache was not cleaned on browser exit, and that the sending of error reports was not disabled.
The second issue that some of you may have with Kaspersky's Security Scan is that it will download a 42 Megabyte file when you first start it on the system.
Closing Words
The program has its uses, even though it is only good for getting a second opinion on a system's state of security. Companies like Kaspersky or Symantec use these kind of tools as advertisement to sell their core security products to users who identify issues or threats on their PC systems.
I personally would suggest to run those, but use free software instead to resolve the issues that were found.
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Although I have KIS 2012 permanently installed on my system(s), as well as SuperAntiSpyware for a back up and 2nd opinion, it’s a good idea ro have Kaspersky Security Scan for a 3rd opinion and to make absolutely certain that nothing gets by-passed to infect your PC.
As the saying goes, two heads are better than one and in this case, three heads, so play it safe and Download this freeware and run it on occasion.
Thanks for yet another great post, Martin! :)
I downloaded it and attempted to run it, but I was told I already have Kaspersky Pure installed (which I do) and the installer terminated. I’m guessing that it has some of the same components?
Jonathan, I would say the scanning engine is likely the same. It is therefor only usable if you are not already making use of a Kaspersky product.
Correct! If you have KAV or KIS, then there’s no need to run Security Scan as the engines are identical!
Kaspersky Security Scan won’t fix, modify or delete any threats or security problems
but Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool…. is better :-)
http://www.kaspersky.com/antivirus-removal-tool-register
I have a subscription to Vipre Internet Security. I like to run these free apps from time to time for a second or third opinion. I can state though that they have only confirmed that Vipre has never let me down yet.
Hm, seems I don’t have much luck with the Ghacks tools lately. I did these tries:
1- “fatal error”
2a- “need to restart”, I pressed OK, “KSS interupted”, … (nothing happens)
2b- “need to restart”, I pressed OK, “KSS interupted”, … (nothing happens) –> I rebooted my laptop manually (nothing happens)
3- “fatal error” (this time after a quit prolonged installation procedure, which was reverted…)
Windows 7, Ult, 64, MS Security Essentials
(sorry, extra post to receive the notifications)
Thanks i will use it today and tell you how ends.
With some cross referencing on the web most of the Kaspersky scan list of issues can be resolved. It would be faster and easier if they linked to the fix but it’s an efficient scan nonetheless and worth having on-board.