Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool for Business
Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool for Business is a free security product by Kaspersky to block ransomware on Windows machines.
Designed for businesses who don't run other Kaspersky software, it is available for anyone as a free download on the official site.
Please note that you need to fill out a form on the site that asks for a phone number, email address, name and company name, country, and number of workstations.
The program is compatible with other security software on the system -- provided that it is not Kaspersky's own.
The program homepage is scarce in terms of information; it lacks information about how the program works or which threats it protects against. The press release is not of much help either.
Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool for Business
The help file of the program, accessible after installation, is of more help. While it does not mention any ransomware types by name, it reveals what the program does to protect the system.
It runs in the background at all times, and monitors program activity. Upon detection of malware, it will automatically add it to the block list. The security program uses various methods to detect threats according to Kaspersky. It uses its own signature database, and Kaspersky's Security Network which is a cloud-based service that aggregates information from Kaspersky users.
Kaspersky's tool will perform rollback operations for actions of the malicious application. This includes restoring changed files or changes to the Windows Registry.
For that, Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware for Business keeps a history of program activity.
The Anti-Ransomware Tool provides little in terms of preferences or options. The start page lists information about detected threats and actions. There you find a link to the settings.
You may change the trace level there, disable the program's self-defense mechanism, and add proxy server information on top of that.
The only other menu provided by the program is the "manage applications screen. There you find listed applications that were blocked by the program in the past.
You may use the screen to unblock programs or add programs to the list of trusted applications which protects them from being identified as problematic by Kaspersky's tool.
Kaspersky's Anti-Ransomware Tool for Business is free, but by using it you agree to provide information to Kaspersky in return (to increase the protection level according to Kaspersky).
Among the many bits of information is the hardware and software of the computer, information about downloaded and started applications, unique application installation IDs and unique computer IDs, information about checked files, and information about digital certificates that are in use.
You find the full list under "about data provision" in the help file.
Closing Words
It is near-impossible to judge the program without running lengthy tests to see how effective it is in protecting Windows PCs against malware threats. It is probably a good idea to wait until this has been tested in the wild, or if you have the capabilities, tested by yourself before deciding on whether to install it as a protective program on Windows.
Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool for Home is free now and no need to give email. They don’t ask for email.
I used Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool for Business before but then tried some others.
Now use Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool for Home, which looks the same and free.
I think Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware offers the most for free.
I also use 360 Total Security (free) and no conflicts with Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware.
I have using Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool for Business years now with good for stop threats. It now with nag screen so-so every 10 days. Not so good nag screen, looks like warning. I happy for free product working.
UPDATE:
This software is still free, and has been tested to work well for a few years now, at least from the trusted reviews I have checked, such as from “Computer Solutions” on YouTube, who gave it a top rating in 2018, as it detected 10 out of 10 ransomware variants.
Other than that, I just started using it, so I will see.
So far so good, and it has not conflicted with my main anti-virus software.. Likely a good idea to set your anti-virus to always allow Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool, but I haven’t found a need to do that yet.
Note that the settings have different options now, with perhaps less, which may be better?.. It still has “manage applications”, proxy settings, and email alerts settings.
Also note, I was able to get this software with a fake phone # and an email I use for just spam.
Other reviews say the software has no pop-up ads (nags), and so far, I have found that to be the case. There’s just a small button in the software that says “Get Premium”.
As I installed it, it said to read their terms, so I did. It all looked clear and okay to me, but IDK as I’m no lawyer.
As for Kaspersky being a Russian based company, that may be a huge concern for some, but that’s of little concern to me.
Beyond all that, if you want this software, I think it’s included in Kaspersky Free Antivirus 2019, which is also getting good reviews.
I guess after Kaspersky got hit with all that bad news, they are trying to make up for that, which I guess is a good thing now, for those looking for free solutions.
Echoing everything that’s already been said. In addition the software appears to be free only for companies with 10 or more employees.
@Nat – Anyone can download and install this immediately after providing the requested contact coordinates (genuine or otherwise). If you do provide accurate info, expect an inoffensive, professional, follow-up email from their Endpoint Security folks.
@Martin – Since you actually installed the software, would you be kind enough to post its Help File?
@Martin – Got it. Thanks!
You’ve got mail ;)
Before installing this software –even though from esteemed Kaspersky, I strongly recommend that one *carefully* read its END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT. The data and information collected about you and whatever computer the software is installed on is breathtaking! Even Windows 10 looks conservative by comparison. Upfront, Kaspersky tells you they will collect EVERYthing AND transmit it to Google Analytics for processing. I trust a Russia-based company to respect my privacy and information *almost* as much as I trust the NSA to do the same.
Have a beef with them about anything? Be prepared to travel to Russia –ONLY– and, get this:
“This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation without reference to conflicts of law rules and principles. This Agreement shall not be governed by the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, the application of which is expressly excluded.”
I never enter into a sucker’s deal and won’t do so here. In addition to my backups, I’ll let EMET and Malwarebytes protect me from ransomware for now. At least, I can have a fair fight should we fall out of love. :)
I aborted the install process after reading the EULA. If anyone can share the Help File, I would appreciate it. Thanks.
I had that problem yesterday, too. A complete black page with zero code.
Off topic – yr webpage https://www.ghacks.net/ is not showing anything.
having to use https://www.ghacks.net/feed/ to read all yr goodies, and that’s a major ordeal.not
cheers
Thanks for letting me know, can you please try again and let me know if it is fixed?
chur, you sorted it- looking good again now. don’t know what you did or didn’t do.
Using Pale Moon v26.3.3, also (on rare occasions and only with certain articles) it showed me the mobile version instead. Seems to be fixed however…
Hi Martin,
A couple of days ago your blog has been down, for me, for more then a day.
This is a caching issue, and it seems to only affect the frontpage, and only some users. I’m investigating.
Same for me, this happened twice this week, blank page instead. But fixed now… wait and see :)
Private information is required for registration, private information is required throughout the use of an application of which practically no information is provided. Kaspersky may be a name of confidence and talent I don’t initially subscribe to such unbalanced agreements.
Wait and see.
Most enterprise and non-enterprise PCs can be secured with blacklists. I’m thinking about emerging threats lists. Is Kaspersky using some other way to block C&C connections?