Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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92 of 94 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the very best, 29 Jul 2008
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Programme (What's this?)
Kaspersky Labs have gained an enviable reputation as one of the top PC security firms around - not only is their anti-virus software habitually one of the top rated AV applications, but its engine is used by several other anti-virus providers simply because it is very good. Kaspersky Internet security 2009 combines this anti-virus engine with anti-spyware, a firewall and a HIPS into a single package, aiming to give protection against not only the more common nasties out there, but also against direct attacks, phishing, spam and attacks through instant messaging.
Setting up is fairly straightforward, taking around 10 minutes to install and update, provided you have a broadband connection. The suite comes pre-configured, which is handy as virtually every part of it is configurable in some way, giving you far more in the way of options than you could think possible. Once set up, it analyses your system to work out what's running and advising you if it thinks anything is less than benign. For me the HIPS has been pretty quiet, only asking about running processes when it's been absolutely necessary; KIS has a large in-built program database so, unless you have something unusual running, I doubt that it would give you much trouble.
The on-demand combined malware scanner takes around 45 minutes to do a full scan and provides not only a full malware scan but also an analysis of your PC to highlight vulnerabilities in your system and to advise you as to what software needs updating. This feature is extremely useful, warning you of weaknesses in programs that hackers could exploit. Similarly, the real-time protection is very well featured, allowing you to customise virtually every aspect of the scanner to suit your tastes.
The spam filter aims to learn who your friends are, which email addresses you've blacklisted, and to allow you to set up personal filters. In reality, though, spammers rarely use the same email account more than once so any spam filter would be hard-pressed to stop the deluge of unsolicited emails that most of us get. You're also provided with a 'virtual keyboard' to prevent keyloggers from stealing your passwords when you log on to (for example) your banking site. Keyloggers have become more advanced in recent times with many having the ability to capture screen shots as you type, and it isn't clear whether or not KIS can do anything to prevent this.
It is generally accepted that the three most important programs to have running on your PC are anti-virus, anti-spyware and a firewall, all of which are included here, wrapped up in a fairly easy to use package. In reality KIS probably gives you far more than the average user would ever need but it is nice to know that, should you ever want to start mucking about with your security settings, it also gives you leeway to do this. As with any fully-featured security suite, this one can be a bit troublesome if something happens on your system that it doesn't like, but if you don't mind getting your technical fingers dirty, KIS 2009 is one of the best around.
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101 of 104 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Kaspersky 2009 - A backward step, 12 Sep 2008
I have been a loyal Kaspersky user since Kaspersky AV Version:5.0, back then Kaspersky was THE Anti Virus system of choice for professionals as it was, quite simply; the best anti virus software on the market. Over the years new versions have been released, this (2009) being the latest. Has it improved? Yes...& No. In the past Kaspersky was hailed for its extremely powerful AV engine, and its very efficient and effective active file scanner, the other thing that us techs liked about it was that it did not contain much else, it did what it said on the box, and we liked that. It was fast (still the fastest big name system scanner on the market) and it did not drain computer resources like Norton and Macafee.
However nowadays threats have changed, firewalls are now essential, as is anti spyware software, people now tend to go for internet security suites, that incorporate all the features in one package, and quite right too! This is where Kaspersky has let it's self down.
In Internet Security 2009 the AV engine is still strong, and it still scans your system super fast. However its firewall is annoying as hell and extremely complex, proactive defence is just not needed, and if installed (all components are optional if you chose the advanced install option) can cause glitches with playback in windows media center. The parental control facility is quite rudimentary - needs improvement. Program control (in conjunction with firewall) will constantly add your programs (even games) to the "low restricted folder" which allows them to execute, but prevents "other" functions. I dont want it to do that! and there is no way of telling it that, it just does it anyway...
The biggest flaw though is the anti spam module, which in all honesty is more of an anti email module! it will reliably junk all your incoming email unless you adjust the spam rating really low, in which case it will let most of the spam through too. If you access email through outlook then the Kasperky add in will slow outlook down when it comes to viewing messages in the reading pane, also (just like firewall) the anti spam advanced settings are numerous and complicated.
It pains me to give Kaspersky a bashing, because I have used it for so long and loved it. I have used enterprise versions at work as well. Internet security 7 was a step in the right direction, but needed refining, in 2009 they have improved it visually, but lost most of the things that made kaspersky great.
In summary,
PROS: Good AV engine, Very fast scanning, Better GUI than previous versions
CONS: Over the top protection, fiddly complex firewall, utterly useless anti spam module, Basic parental control, Conflicts with Windows not uncommon. Slow start up (its starting to become a resore hog), Badly designed advanced settings menus.
Combine this with it's (now) sketchy record of VB100 certification on some OS's and I've decided to switch to ESET'S Smart Security (see that product, for my review)
NOTE: This review was based on Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 (full version)running on a clean, mid range desktop PC (dual core CPU, 2GB Ram, 7200 rpm SATA-2 HDD) Running Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1).
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100 of 104 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kaspersky IS- simply the best!, 4 Jul 2008
I own Kaspersky. I install it on every PC that I repair and it protects all of my home computers.
Why?
Because it is the best internet security suite on the market. Novice users can install it without fear, as the program defaults into an "auto mode" that will decide all the tricky questions itself, whereas power users can easily take full control of the suite and it's advanced detection techniques.
Version 2009 has a HIPS system (not the type that you shake at a party), but this HIPS system controls the applications on your computer and can intelligently decide what "safe" programs are (like microsoft word and others) and what "dangerous" programs are, and make sure that they do not have a chance to damage your computer. Virtual keyboard is useful for typing in passwords and usernames into bank logins to minimise the risk of keyloggers and antispam is accurate and has regular updates, like the virus signatures.
The scans are fast, the support is good, the detection rates are the best in it's class.
Top class product, wouldn't use anything else.
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