Entered CNET Catalog: 08/08/2006
SKU: KL1121AGAFS
Manufacturer: Kaspersky Lab
Manufacturer description
Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6.0 combines reactive antivirus detection with the latest proactive technologies to provide your computer with solid and dependable protection against malicious programs. Beginners in particular will be pleasantly surprised to find a product that is simple to install and set up, while more advanced users will find a highly adaptable product that can be easily tailored to suit their individual requirements.CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 10/02/2006
Setup
Kaspersky downloaded and installed without incident on our test systems in just a few minutes. You do have to reboot your computer, but that's a minor inconvenience. Once installed, Kaspersky occupies a mere 50MB of hard drive space, and it consumes very few system resources when active. Unlike McAfee and Symantec, Kaspersky will run under Windows 98, Me, 2000, and XP on older PCs with as little as 64MB of RAM.
Although Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6 lists for $10 to $20 more than Norton AntiVirus 2007 or McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007, we found several retailers, such as CompUSA and Office Depot, offering Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6 at competitive prices after various discounts and rebate offers are applied. And Kaspersky is the only major antivirus vendor to offer a free, lighter version of its antivirus product (McAfee and Norton still do not). The lighter version, known as AOL Active Virus Shield, gives you a sense of what the paid Kaspersky product can do. Given that you have supply AOL with personal information, however, you might be better off downloading the full-function free 30-day trial of Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6 from CNET Download.com instead.
Should you ever want to remove the program, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6 includes its own uninstall icon. Unlike McAfee and Norton, Kaspersky Anti-Virus left zero traces--no registry files, no folders with mysterious log files--which is how a good uninstall should act. Why McAfee and Norton can't clean up after their own messes is beyond us.
Interface
If you ever used Kaspersky in the past, you'll be pleased with the redesigned interface. Gone are the messy tabs across the top. Version 6 sports a cleaner and brighter look, with its intuitive left-hand navigation and system status alerts prominent in the lower-left corner. The much larger right-hand window pane is used for details. On the left, there's a Scan option and, unlike the one-button "fix" solutions offered by Norton and McAfee, Kaspersky gives you more options--handy, because there are times when you want to run only a quick scan, a deep scan, or a single file scan, and this way you can do so without much fuss. Also, if you don't like the native interface, Kaspersky allows you to change its theme or skin--something that Norton and McAfee do not offer.
Features
Kaspersky offers a number of specific antivirus protections for your PC. Like most antivirus products today, Kaspersky also protects your computer against spyware--scanning for both viruses and spyware, which is much more efficient than scanning for each separately. Kaspersky scans not only e-mail, but also Web-based port 80 traffic, routing out online viruses, Trojans, and other malware before any of these infect your hard drive. To reduce scan time, you can even ask Kaspersky to scan only the files that have changed or been modified recently.
Standing behind the Kaspersky Anti-Virus application is Kaspersky Labs, one of the best antivirus research labs in the world; often Kaspersky is the first to report new malware. We like that Kaspersky features hourly signature file and program updates; other vendors update your system only when necessary. And with Kaspersky, you can roll back any update (in the case of a software conflict), which is not the case with other antivirus vendors.
Kaspersky is proactive; it's vigilant against the unwanted installation of adware, dialers, rootkits, and remote access utilities. It also locks specific system registry keys, such as Startup, Internet Explorer, system security, and system services from changes made by malicious code.
The only negative we could find involved creating a rescue disc, which is optional. If you are running Windows XP SP2, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6 can create a bootable Rescue Disc in case a virus knocks out your system. Unfortunately, the process is a bit complicated. First, you must to install PE Builder, a free download available from a variety of online sources, but you must also have your Windows XP SP2 disc handy. Our Windows XP SP2 was a download upgrade, not a disc, so we were ultimately unable to take advantage of the Rescue Disc feature.
Performance
Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6 scored well in CNET Labs' performance tests and exceptionally well in third-party, independent antivirus testing using live viruses. On our iTunes test, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6 was first, with a fast 174 seconds, just 12 seconds above our test system. On our Sorensen Squeeze test, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6 was second, with 256 seconds, just 15 seconds more than our test system. For scanning a single folder with files, Kaspersky came in the middle of the pack requiring 160 seconds. And in boot speed, Kaspersky came in third, with a respectable 62 seconds. To find out how we test, see CNET Labs' How we test: software: antivirus page.
In terms of protecting your PC, we cite results from two leading independent antivirus testing organizations. In the latest test results from AV-Comparatives.org, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6 earned an Advanced + (highest) rating, catching 99 percent of all malware tested. And from CheckVir.com, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6 was one of eight products to earn its Standard (or highest) rating.
Support
The fact that Kaspersky is a Russian antivirus company doesn't mean you can't get top-quality technical support from within the United States or elsewhere. First, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6 provides context-sensitive in-program help files. For example, if you are on the Data Files page and you click Help, you're taken to the entry for Data Files within the Help file. It's a small touch, yet we don't see it often enough. Kaspersky also delivers excellent online documentation. Unlike Norton AntiVirus 2007, which offers a pithy, 32-page manual online, Kaspersky offers a robust 208-page PDF manual, including everything we want and need--except an index, although the table of contents is fairly detailed. There are active user forums and FAQs available online. Finally, you can e-mail or call a toll-free number for live technical support.
Conclusion
If you're looking for an antivirus application that's light and fast and consistently wins detection awards against the competition, Kaspersky's the one. We found this antivirus application easy enough for beginners, with customization features that will please more advanced users, as well.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104
User Rating: 
3/10
Don't use it
Pros: Nice design
Cons: Cannot uninstall the software. Not very effective.
User Rating: 
4/10
About as welcome as Russian tanks rolling into Chechnya
Pros: The interface is straightforward and not yellow. Tech support responded promptly to my email.
Cons: Bit of a processor hog. Trashed my school's IT Suite.
My advice is to be wary of this product if you are running anything other than a well-specified plain vanilla PC.
User Rating: 
10/10
Great software
Pros: quick, efficient, easy to use
Cons: can find any
User Rating: 
2/10
NO SUPPORT!!
Pros: It didn't slow my computer down like Norton. It initially worked very well and kept my machine virus free.
Cons: The call center is a farce. The "Online Chat with a Technician" is a farce. I emailed them two days ago for tech support and I still haven't heard from them. If you've had any other type of anti-virus on your computer it won't install. And no help
User Rating: 
1/10
No activation code for 12-24 hours after online payment
Pros: Don't know -- can't get product
Cons: activation service stinks -- 'chat' button goes to links after length submission.
User Rating: 2/10
BAD Company
Pros: A product is only as good as it's support
Cons: They don't care about you
User Rating: 1/10
system crashes indeed
Pros: looks good until...
Cons: after first update, system crashed
User Rating: 2/10
crashed my computer every time I logged in into my ISP
Pros: never got to use it
Cons: never got to use it
User Rating: 3/10
Not fully compatible with Vista
Pros: Frequent updates
Cons: Poor customer support
User Rating: 2/10
Too much to maintain!
Pros: Detects virus' very well
Cons: Auto updates have caused many applications to fail
Recent updates have shut down our engineering department. Now we have to stop Kaspersky so our users can do their work.
Now our servers are failing to update the definitions due to security rights.
Kaspersky's support staff is at a loss.
Their next level of support is unreachable, they are located in MOSCOW!
User Rating: 3/10
Slowest scans I have ever incountered on a virus scan
Pros: good user interface, easy to use, able to go in depth a little bit more then some other virus scanners
Cons: slowed down my computer a lot, scans were terrible, files were missed in scan, crashed a couple times.
User Rating: 
9/10
Quick, Clean, Efficient
Pros: Does not hog resources, easy to use, good virus protection, fast updates
Cons: Have yet to find any
User Rating: 2/10
Klumsy and slows my computer, frustrates with annoying pop-ups.. Not for intermediate users
Pros: Seems like it's working, but my adaware still finds hundreds of problems immediately after scan
Cons: slows my system down, blocks me from multiple areas even with permissions properly set
Very frustrated user, and I'm no beginner!!!
If you are looking for a good anti-virus and ad/spyware blocker that does not require CONSTANT input and tinkering....
Look elsewhere!
User Rating: 1/10
TOTALLY USELESS
Pros: No problems with installation
Cons: allowed spyware to completely take over
User Rating: 3/10
crashed system
Pros: taking it back for refund
Cons: none i can think of
On instalation it reduced my desk top to a crawl and refused to allow components of aol to function.Eventually locked the computer up. It drove me bonkers with pop up this that and the other were trying to access ( mainly aol software)Nothing i did would allow my computer to function as it did pre instalation.
My laptop suffered the same fate costing me 6 hours of tweaking and cursing before the best part came into play the uninstall.
everything sprang back to life. Ill try Norton 360 next and dont intend to listen to the sales patter from staff either.
User Rating: 1/10
CRAP/FRAUDS/NAZI'S
Pros: THERE ARE NONE
Cons: TOO MANY TO LIST HERE
User Rating: 9/10
Great! wish I'd never left it.
Pros: Easy; kept up with everything; I didn't have to do much
Cons: at the time, not much
Lo and Behold you are gone!! The free one, anyway.
If anyone reads this and wants to spend the money....this is a GREAT reliable program,
wish I'd never left!!
User Rating: 2/10
OMG... what year is this????
Pros: Well.. it doesn't take as long to scan as my other one did.
Cons: Bogs down the system and appears to breed trouble.
User Rating: 
8/10
Much better than Norton Anti-Virus/SystemWorks
Pros: Computer boots up and runs better with Kaspersky, Viruses are found and easily removed
Cons: Help section does not help with many complicated settings, particularly in the "proactive" area
Kaspersky's technical support helped me getting rid of the Norton Antivirus/SystemWorks files that had blocked the installation of any other antivirus program in both of my computers. It was quite an experience, being able to enjoy working with the computer again, after Kaspersky had even found one virus and one keylogger (!), that Norton Antivirus had previously not recognized.
I must, however, agree with the CNET reviewer, who noted, that complicated settings are necessary, in order to benefit from all the features, that Kaspersky has to offer. Why doesn't Kaspersky explain those features and settings in a way that a nontechnical computer user can understand? The "Help" section definitely needs an update there.
The screening of all the computer files takes a very long time, and fast progress is made only during defragmentation (with Diskeeper). Why?
I believe, that CNET's detailed review is really helpful. And I am glad that I finally switched to Kaspersky from Norton, which kept both of my computers from booting and working right.
One of the users mentioned problems with starting Microsoft's Internet Explorer, after automatically updating. I had the same difficulty on one of my computers with Windows 2000 professional ... with Norton, and even with Kaspersky Antivirus. When I loaded the computer with a previous software and did not do the latest Microsoft Updates, the Internet Explorer worked perfectly again. Strange, isn't it? After notifying Microsoft about that problem, I received no response. Obviously, they are not interested in helping anyone with Windows 2000 professional anymore ...
User Rating: 9/10
Abut Kaspersky great piece of software for your computer
Pros: Excellent product... easy to install and does very well
Cons: little pricey
I rate Kaspersky Anti-virus 7 to be an excellent product
User Rating: 9/10
Kaspersky rules
Pros: Excellent detection ratio, hourly updates, very light, fast
Cons: Updates a bit slowly, You must install it before installing a second antivirus
User Rating: 1/10
never buy this crap
Pros: may be fast
Cons: messed up my system, NO CUSTOMER SUPPORT
User Rating: 1/10
What exactly did CNET review?
Pros: Somewhat easy install
Cons: Everything.....Computer programs now have a major lag time in running and many web-sites are locked out.
Since I had it installed on my PC at home it has crashed right after the install. Once I got it to run again I noticed all my keystrokes took a long time to register and every program takes at least twice as long to open. Firefox is a disaster now with this program running....I am locked out of about half of the websites I usually visit. I do my banking online and can no longer visit the webpage due to SSL protocol issues.
This very website (Cnet) locked up while trying to submit my first review and I had to close and re-open FF to get this one.....so far so good but I am expecting it to lock up at any time.
I am looking for an Anti-Virus that won't screw up my PC and had high hopes for this but it looks like I will still be looking.
I am still puzzled as to what Cnet even reviewed to give it an 8 and an EC!!!!????
User Rating: 10/10
TOTALLY OUTSTANDING
Pros: trustworthy
Cons: complicated
User Rating: 
5/10
Support is about NIL!
Pros: Good protection
Cons: Cons no support and has blue screened system
User Rating: 2/10
System crashed
Pros: inexpensive
Cons: system crashed, erases good files
User Rating: 1/10
After Ugrade the whole thing crashed
Pros: Very disapointed
Cons: Very disapointed
Spent 10 hours with tech support tried to reinstall 6.0 still tanks out. VERY DISAPPOINTED
WOULD NOT recommend. I know have to go get another antivirus OR better yet reformat my hard drive. THIS NEVER HAPPNED USING ANY OF THE OHTHER VIRUS SOFWARE. The problem is during a scan it just Hangs stays on one file for 2 hours.
User Rating: 2/10
nasty, bruitish, and slow
Pros: none I can see
Cons: unstable, confusing, alarmist
Step 2: Reboot.
Step 3: Kaspersky yells at me that my definitions are dangerously out of date. I find this juvenile and typical of its alarmist, self-promotional surface texture. I?d prefer if it just quietly downloaded them in the background. Instead, I have to click on the tray icon, bring up their window, and click on a link to start the download.
Step 4: It crashes. I don?t mean fail. I mean crash. Pops up the ?The program has requested the runtime to terminate it in an unusual way? dialog box. In other words, C or C++ code failed to handle an exception. To me, this, all by itself, is a failing score. These people want me to trust them to put code inside the kernel of Windows, and they can?t even write clean user-mode code to download definitions.
Step 5: It complains to me that it?s nonfunctional because one of its definition files is corrupt. In other words, not only did it crash, it was so badly designed that it failed to use a transactional discipline to ensure that its critical databases were always in a consistent state.
Step 6: I try to download the definitions again to get back to a usable state. I click on the button. The log shows it starting the download. And stopping the download. And reporting a failure, with no supporting detail or explanation.
Step 7: On the 6th or 7th attempt, it succeeds. Now it?s running. And whining that it needs to do a complete scan. Which it estimates will take ? 29 hours. Oops, sorry, it just revised the time to 30 hours. Oops, now its 31. I think it?s losing ground.
Step 8: I am now being pecked to death by Kaspersky?s ducks. Every few moments, a popup shows up to ask me if it is OK to allow an outgoing connection to a Google desktop server. Apparently, (a) Google has a lot of different servers in a pool, (b) Kaspersky has no prior knowledge of Google desktop, and (c) Kaspersky?s rule construction system is too stupid to generalize this case. I wish I had left Microsoft firewall turned on, and this thing?s attempt at the same thing turned off. Except, of course, that my IT person tells me that it won?t work in that mode.
Step 9: Internal email is being marked SPAM.
User Rating: 2/10
No quicktime streaming video
Pros: Some good features
Cons: Couldn't watch quicktime streaming video
User Rating: 9/10
It's good enough for me
Pros: huge virus database
Cons: a little bit slow when scanning
User Rating: 8/10
A rough start but great now
Pros: Lightweight and fast
Cons: No problems yet
Good bye Norton!!
User Rating: 10/10
Rock-Solid Protection
Pros: Has a Firewall-like protection
Cons: unable to exit it somethimes at own will
User Rating: 3/10
Froze my system and still no support reply
Pros: Highly rated I guess
Cons: Nothing to warn of possible conflict with already installed programs
User Rating: 9/10
Just PERFECT!
Pros: Powerful, Fast, Smart, ...
Cons: haven't a software database for its Firewall (Anti-Hacker), so it makes lots of questions. Also the "Proactive Defence" gives lots of masseges.
User Rating: 8/10
best av, best service
Pros: quick load, quick update, only runs 2 processes
Cons: never have seen it catch anything (thats good)
User Rating: 10/10
Best anti virus program I've ever had
Pros: Works quietly in background with little system slow down.
Cons: None, as of yet
User Rating: 1/10
idioticly stupid
Pros: the box looks nice!
Cons: it is stupid
User Rating: 2/10
Don't do it!
Pros: None that I could see vs. any other program.
Cons: Bombed my system within 12 hours, Multiple error messages even after uninstalled
User Rating: 3/10
Very Big Letdown
Pros: Frequent Updates are a great idea
Cons: System Crashes and Slowdowns
I'm also feel a bit uneasy having a Russian-owned program on my machine that has the ability to pry inside my system each time it upgrades. While it may not be "PC" for me to say this, it's reality, especially considering the recent reports of the Russian government using private Russian companies to spy on the U.S. I'm not willing to take that risk on a sub-par program.
One more note, after upgrading to Vista, I wasn't too happy about the lack of security programs available for this new operating system. After reading report after report, I reluctantly decided to try Norton IS 2007. I said reluctantly because I haven't been a fan of recent Symantec products. I'm very happy to report that the new Norton IS 2007 is terrific. It doesn't drain the system like previous versions and there are no more annoying pop-ups. It's nice to have Norton back on top!
User Rating: 8/10
Pretty Good, But long startup
Pros: Provides top of the line security
Cons: Long startup, long initial scan
Some downsides:
It takes an additional 30-45sec for it to check start up applications on my pc, a pretty good one, every time I start up. If you have a lot of start up applications and just an OK computer this would take much longer.
The initial full system scan for my pc, about 80gb of data and 160gb total size, took about 3-4 hrs. Simple basic scans are probably much faster but this took for ever.
This Anti Virus is my favorite so far. Its has just what I want. A very plain interface, no fancy animations or sounds. Its always updating so I feel safe.
On my Desktop system, A pretty high end system with lots of ram running xp it is not even noticeable that it is running.
In my laptop on the other hand when I do run intensive applications I do notice that the applications run better when Kaspersky is closed. My laptop is a 2ghz centrino dual core with 1gb ram running xp.
I give it a 7.8 because it is very good but I think they could do something with the performance a little more.
User Rating: 2/10
Just Bad Product
Pros: Free Product
Cons: Never worked
User Rating: 9/10
Good but could be better
Pros: Updates almost daily, catches a lot of stuff that others dont.
Cons: Seems to slow up my system, has a pop up that ask if you should let this file have access. Is kinda pricey.
You would think that basic programs like IE it should let it do its thing with out asking you, if you want it to run.
I have the Internet Suite and it blocks programs from accessing the net that it should already know.
User Rating: 9/10
KAV knows better than you do
Pros: Robust, Proactive, intuitive UI
Cons: might be "too proactive" sometimes
User Rating: 5/10
no tech support
Pros: Difficult install
Cons: might work / might not - who knows?
on the box. They never responded to the "email only" tech support inquiry I made. The version (v6 MP1) that I bought at COMPUSA did not work on my XP Professional PC. I had to try the upgrade to V6 MP2 upgrade out of desperation to
get it to even run. It may be the best Internet Security since sliced bread but it's too hard to get there.
User Rating: 
6/10
Good, comprehensive package, but
Pros: comprehensive, complete and thorough
Cons: inflexible, this is an experts tool
User Rating: 2/10
The virus is the OS, apparently...
Pros: Works great against the OS virus
Cons: You may be doing a clean install
That's where my "nothin' but love for ya" stops.
My first (paid) run with v5.x seemed pretty good, until it found things - in an old archive... ok, no problem. User created files-not needed, zap, gone. Next morning - PC wigged out, icons mismatched, registry waxed. Had a ISO restore image, or I'd have been really miffed.
Did a second try with v6 a few days ago (trial version). Figured, ok maybe just some bugs to iron out... it again found a trojan downloader in an email archive (I liked that), zapped it, went about my business, rebooted, and FEAR/FEAR EP were trashed. Icons out of whack again. Same results as V5.
Will be ISO'ing again. What is a bit ironic is that the email archive file "fixed" was from 2004... so why didn't 2005 catch it, since it *was* there then.
Anyhow, being a forgiving sort, I thought I'd give it another shot, but the shots have been at me, twice.
I suppose in all fairness I should have just installed XP and office - and nothing else - ever.
Run, run far and fast.
User Rating: 6/10
Offers Great Features But...
Pros: advanced security measures
Cons: froze computer screen for over 5 minutes,
User Rating: 9/10
Excellent Product!
Pros: Scanning, detection,low on resources
Cons: there aren't any that I'd complain about
User Rating: 10/10
Best Antivirus as at 30 march 2007
Pros: Easy install, no reduction boot speed or cpu usage
Cons: Quite complex advanced security settings
User Rating: 9/10
This Is "THE BEST" Antivirus
Pros: The Good Update System
Cons: Firewall is a problem while accessing Internet
My Verdict: Awesome Antivirus Much Better Than Norton.
User Rating: 3/10
Used the trial & can't remove the thing
Pros: It did find some unwanted items
Cons: I can't get this D@#$ thing off my maching
User Rating: 5/10
LAN gone but Virus gone too
Pros: Good scanning, Noticibely fast, Small size, Avg on mem, nice updates
Cons: Driver issues, trashed Nvidia ethernet physical address 00-00
NOD32 go great.
kaspersky is good for scanning but is confliciting, they even release MP2 u can check there site for all problems.
User Rating: 9/10
A welcomed and refreshing change away from the "big guys"
Pros: detection rates, user configurability, low resource usage, quick release of updates/definitions
Cons: not as pretty as the large corporation releases
User Rating: 9/10
Best Virus Proctional
Pros: Fast, reliable, stops malware and spywares while you browse
Cons: Price, 6.0 a bit more difficult to navigate then 5.0
User Rating: 8/10
Perfect in all aspects!
Pros: Small footprint, constantly updating and scanning.
Cons: None that I have found.
Overall though, I can play FarCry and other recent games with no slowdown while Kaspersky is running because it automatically lowers its memory usage when some other program begins running.
User Rating: 6/10
Drains system resources
Pros: Good detection
Cons: Drains system resources
Overall, a six (6) at best.
User Rating: 1/10
It might work if it didnt crash my system.
Pros: I would not know.
Cons: Terrible customer service, and crashes system (B.S.D)
Like the other users, I was afflicted with the Blue Screen of Death. I attempted to resolve this problem with their ?customer service?, but to no avail. After weeks of them not responding to my multiple e-mails, and then when they finally did respond, they just kept asking me the same questions over and over again, as if they didn?t even read my e-mails.
Finally, after weeks of dealing with this, I was given a phone number, but I would have to wait up until three in the morning, and learn the Russian language just to speak with a live representative.
I couldn?t even imagine trying to obtain a refund, I gave up.
My advice, if you want to avoid catastrophic headaches and wasted money, I would strongly recommend seeking other means of virus protection.
User Rating: 4/10
Slowed down my computer to a crawl
Pros: no idea what these might be
Cons: highly irritating
User Rating: 9/10
Works great for me -- flawless
Pros: It does what it's supposed to do with little-to-no input from me.
Cons: Full-retail price is more-expensive than average, but there are some good deals out there.
Kaspersky ran so well I've recommended -- and installed it -- on the computers of 3 friends of mine, and none of them are having problems. One of them thanked me for removing the awful bloated Norton Internet Security and making their computer functional again.
User Rating: 3/10
Did not work with Internet Explorer 7
Pros: Easy install/uninstall - found adware that Norton didn't
Cons: Could no longer use my browser!
User Rating: 10/10
It still detects viruses better then the competition.
Pros: Everything
Cons: It won't allow some software to install
User Rating: 1/10
Don't waste your time or money!
Pros: None That I have found.
Cons: Conflicts with email program and Internet Explorer. Neither work correctly
Web pages wont load correctly. I have to hit reload several times to get pages to load fully.
Costumer support is virtually none existent.
I am very disappointed with this software.
User Rating: 3/10
Does NOT protect against spyware
Pros: Easy to use and install
Cons: What spyware protection?
User Rating: 4/10
Cumbersome Program
Pros: I don't know yet
Cons: Terrible, Terrible Support
User Rating: 1/10
Rubbish - waste of cash.
Pros: Good interface
Cons: To slow - uses loads of ram.
aLOT OF WORK REQUIRED!
User Rating: 2/10
A debacle - and I'm semi computer literate
Pros: A thorough (and long) disk scan
Cons: No telephone support - deleted .pst data in spam file
User Rating: 3/10
The free trial brought my computer to it's knees.
Pros: It might be a good product, but I didn't get a chance to test it.
Cons: I never got the chance to test the Kaspersky product.
Not until we finally disabled each individual function of the software were we able to delete it from the computer. Immediately the computer began to function properly again, so no lasting damage was done, except possibly to our nerves.
Because I had read the good reviews, I was very hopefull that this would finally be the anti-virus software for me, but I never got the chance to test how the product acutally performed. It might be a great anti virus software on a different computer, but mine is two years old and may not powerful enough. If minimum system requirements were required, I don't remember seeing them when I signed up for the free trial.
Granted, I am not a very technical user, but this was a scarey experience and I will be reluctant to try free downloads of software in the future.
User Rating: 2/10
Machine hung for 2 hours on reboot ! ***?!? Editor's WHAT?
Pros: Seemed thorough, another virus checker I ran later found no leftovers
Cons: Machine is totally unusable after a brief fling with Kaspersky's trial. Kaspersky's startup "avp" and "css" processes took my processor to the floor for two hours on reboot. Tough de-install process
It's not like the machine came back after a few hours of holding the processor to the floor; I had to restart in safe mode and de-install. I gave it two hours just to see.
Thank god I had read the comments of some previous victims, posted here on CNET, and jotted down "winconfig". De-install is brutal; study up on other comments posted here and TAKE NOTES before gaily installing.
CNET needs to run this stuff on a variety of machines before handing out Editor's Choice Awards to a product that crippled user after user posting here.
I wouldn't install unless you're got seven hours to waste trying to back out of a disaster.
Good learning experience: Editor's Choice does not mean safe or trouble-free.
Your mileage may differ - mine was seven hours to eliminate two viruses. Learned a lot though.
User Rating: 9/10
The Best Protection !
Pros: NO ONE DOES 1 HOURS Updates than Kaspersky!
Cons: Learning curve
This is more than worth the price. I feel secure with this product!
If you do your homework, you will see that Kaspersky is truely the best.
The other guys cant beat the protection!
User Rating: 
7/10
Works well but much too complicated
Pros: Installed flawlessly, updates everyday, can be configured to catch just about any virus.
Cons: Way too complicated for the average user
User Rating: 9/10
Problem free and fast
Pros: Easy install, doesn't bog down computer, frequent and efficient updates
Cons: None so far
Found several virus's that Norton had not detected. This program truly runs in background and lets you use the computer.
User Rating: 1/10
I was luck to be able to remove this program
Pros: it is listed pretty high by cnet
Cons: it totally blows
User Rating: 10/10
The best AV we have ever used!
Pros: Excellent! Light and compatible with the Windows XP. Don't slow up your Windows at all!
Cons: They should configure network option when installing with Zone Alarm when it is already installed before kasperky!
Thanks,
Hasnat Jamil (Robin)
www.digitalvisionbd.com
User Rating: 1/10
PC ran worst!
Pros: Didn't pay for it.
Cons: Didn't work.
User Rating: 1/10
Impersonator
Pros: Unknown as unused
Cons: Won't even install
During the installation the software found a conflict with McAfee but "insisted" on auto removal only. In the middle of the removal it announced it could not remove the program and refused to install. Requests for help did not get any replies, so now I am sitting pretty with a piece of useless expensive stuff nobody wants to claim responsibility for.
How come CNET gave it such huge review?
User Rating: 9/10
Very impressed so far...
Pros: Found threats that Norton couldn't.
Cons: None yet, but just installed it.
And finally gone are the WinFixer & Drive Cleaner BHOs. I like that it scans all email folders. Installation was straightforward and problem free. (I first uninstalled Norton and Live Update from Add/Remove Programs before inserting the KAV disc.) Although the list price of $60 seems a bit high, there was a $60 rebate at CompUSA.com, so it's end cost is just the tax and shipping charge. I've noticed that there's been other rebates available almost constantly during the last few weeks as I was researching which AV program I wanted to switch to. Cnet's review of Norton 2007 solidified my decision to try something new. I've used Norton since 2002, and McAfee before that, and was never very happy with them, and unless problems develop, my other two machines will get KAV as their current subs expire.
User Rating: 3/10
Ka Querky
Pros: It was only a trial
Cons: Uninstall nightmare
User Rating: 10/10
I love kaspersky
Pros: it did not crash my computer and catches things like little nasty trogens that norton could not find.
Cons: i have not found anything yet
User Rating: 9/10
Excellent AV Package
Pros: Detection rate is superior, reasonably fast
Cons: Support is mediocre at best
running on at least 15 systems, all with different hardware/software configurations, without trouble - that doesn't prove that no one will have trouble, just saying I have a good amount of experience with this product)
For starters, installing a security application on a system that is already infected is bound to cause problems - and even if it doesn't, you can't trust that the application will be able to magically clean out all infections when it is being installed on a compromised system. If you have an system that's already infected, you need to boot from a non-compromised OS and clean the infection. (like a boot CD with a AV app - Or even better, in these days of viruses packaged with rootkits to hide their activities, format and reinstall!) You can't blame a newly introducted AV product for problems on a compromised machine.
Furthermore, only savvy users should ever install multiple antivirus/antispyware programs that are set run in the background. (This is key! Programs like Ad-aware (free version) and Spybot that don't run in the background are OK to mix!) Mixing background-running security apps is a
recipe for disaster. This is because these applications are usually set to control access to the same resources on the system. (i.e. Registry, Hosts file, startup apps, IE security settings, etc.) Security apps are not designed to play nice with other security apps, they're designed under the
assumption that they are the primary means of security. (Exceptions include products from the same company, which are likely designed to work with the other) If you don't understand these functions well enough to configure security apps to not conflict, then make sure only one brand of security products is running in the background, or just buy one security suite to handle everything.
If you're reading this review, don't assume this is a bad product just because of a few misguided reviews. Many are blaming a quality product like Kaspersky for problems that are likely not its fault. There are multiple quality AV apps out there, including Kaspersky. Choose what you believe to be best, and don't dismiss Kaspersky solely based on the bad reviews here.
User Rating: 1/10
Not worth the effort, didn't work from day 1
Pros: None - product was down more than up
Cons: I continually got error msg I had exceeded max # of lic
User Rating: 2/10
Too much trouble
Pros: Easy interface, lots of updates
Cons: Conflicts requiring complex fixes
User Rating: 9/10
Its like its not even there!
Pros: I love the way that Kaspersky software "learns" your habits and preferences. Very easy customization.
Cons: none that I've encountered
I had adware on my PC for awhile. It was recognized by Norton, but Norton was unable to remove it. Day 1 of my life with Kaspersky and every single one of the adware files were removed! Never going back to Norton.
User Rating: 2/10
not as good as they said it would be
Pros: easy installation
Cons: no toll free number or chat support
User Rating: 1/10
pos Russian junk.
Pros: Quickly crashes
Cons: crash generator
User Rating: 2/10
Slowdown the system
Pros: Not worth buying
Cons: Crashed my Windows Xp Sp2
User Rating: 4/10
Good & Bad, unfortunately too bad to keep
Pros: Cleaned my computer of 60 unsavory files
Cons: My computer either did not work properly or way too slow to tolerate
So I'm still in the market for a good program that will let me control my computer. Too bad.
User Rating: 9/10
Best I've Tried in 20 Years
Pros: Doesn't slow down computer; thorough
Cons: Lacks 2 features that would make it darn near perfect
The two features that would make Kaspersky almost perfect are:
(1) When right clicking its icon in the system tray, a choice to halt the Internet connection like PC-Cillin has. When installing new programs, you almost always have to turn off your anti-virus protection. So this simple toggle switch makes a world of difference.
(2) Integration of spam training into ThunderBird, for those millions of us who have switched our email from the Outlook family. While you can manually designate senders from whom you will always accept or reject email, integration with Thunderbird like Kaspersky provides with Outlook would make a life a lot easier.
That said, Kaspersky is a revelation. It is well worth downloading and installing the fully-functional 30-day free trial.
P.S.: You can actually speak to a live person without charge for tech support -- unlike Symantec. And when you say you wish that the product had a certain feature, they (including sales staff) insist on you explaining what you want so they can submit the idea to the development team. Bravo!
User Rating: 9/10
Finally an antivirus product that I can count on.
Pros: Outstanding Detection
Cons: Unfortunately, I can not find any cons so far. Been using it for 2 months and it's fantastic.
User Rating: 9/10
Best I have ever used
Pros: Fast, accurate
Cons: None I can see
User Rating: 7/10
Good but drains resources at times
Pros: offers good protection
Cons: application integrity control will drain your resources
User Rating: 10/10
Best antivirus program out there!
Pros: More effective than any other antivirus. Resource friendly: KAV6 is a major improvement compared to previous versions. Very nice GUI.
Cons: A little bit pricey
User Rating: 10/10
Even better than Norton
Pros: Low resources, updates every hour, detects more threats
Cons: no one so far
User Rating: 10/10
Currently the best anti-virus on the market!
Pros: Highest detection rates ever!
Cons: Could have a little better heurustics
delivers a top-notch anti-virus
User Rating: 3/10
It wouldn't let me access pages or downloads
Pros: security I suppose
Cons: too much security
I had "page not found" every 3 pages, I had to make images show manually 50% of the time, and I couldn't download files, they froze at before reaching 10%. Same for videos, I had to start over at least 3 times to get to the end.
And no help from the forum.
User Rating: 10/10
Greatest Software available
Pros: Updates fast Scans relatively fast and efficently.
Cons: It slows down my internet alittle since I have it updating once an hour
User Rating: 9/10
I like the this product
Pros: A thorough and complete firewall/virus program with all the bells and whistles
Cons: Takes a bit of work to get some of the cleanups the way an indivudal would like it to be
User Rating: 10/10
Nothing Else Comes Close
Pros: Best detection rate in the industry. Light on system resources. Excellent detection of spyware and trojans.
Cons: What are you kidding me? Kaspersky and cons don't go together anymore. They got a divorce in version 6
User Rating: 5/10
Crashed my system also....
Pros: Good Ratings, I never was able to run it
Cons: Don't believe that it plays well with other programs
User Rating: 10/10
The Best Antivrius Money Can Buy!!
Pros: The Best dection, fast scanning times, comprehensive realtime protection, THE fastest updates.
Cons: Not best heuristics in the world (though still very good), but the engine and signature more than make up for this, though if i could have one improvement this would be it.
User Rating: 5/10
System crashed.
Pros: Didn't use is long enough to know.
Cons: Blue screen of death.
User Rating: 5/10
It is ok but you don`t get total protection... far away from it
Pros: Antivirus detection
Cons: Ugly and hard to handle with
User Rating: 9/10
Superb Product
Pros: Painless install, frequent updates, very effective protection
Cons: I find no drawbacks to this product. However in reference to CNET's one complaint, I use Win2000, not XP.
User Rating: 8/10
Wonderful software
Pros: Make you feel safe
Cons: A bit resources hug
User Rating: 9/10
very good , excellent detection rate and superb update facility
Pros: This is a very good AV,it has a very good detection rate, and its hourly updates keeps u protected all the time, even though mcafee also has high detection rate, kapsersky is very light on your system
Cons: well, i didnt find any cons, except the cost! and u have to disable the automatic updates coz it updates hourly so it actually slows ur bandwidth, better u update mannualy 2 times a day
