Packed to the max: review of the Kaspersky Premium security solution for home users

Long gone are the days when only one antivirus installed on a computer was enough to ensure information security. The widespread spread of the Internet, mobile technologies and social media has not only given people new opportunities, but also new cybersecurity risks. This prompted developers of information security solutions to respond to current challenges. Kaspersky Lab has not remained aloof from the emerging trends, having relaunched its line for home users, which is now supplied to the market in the format of a single solution – Kaspersky – on a subscription model. You can choose from Kaspersky Standard, Kaspersky Plus and Kaspersky Premium tariff plans with a different set of functions. It is noteworthy that the solution from the new line received the “Product of the Year” award from the independent testing laboratory AV-Comparatives.

In this article we will talk about Kaspersky Premium – the most advanced tariff plan, which provides effective protection against digital threats and offers the user something more.

Kaspersky Premium

⇡#System requirements and solution composition

Kaspersky Premium is a cross-platform solution. It supports Windows, macOS, Android and iOS operating systems. To manage purchased subscriptions and devices linked to them, you need an account on the My Kaspersky portal.

A Kaspersky Premium subscription is more than an antivirus. It provides access to all the features of the Kaspersky security solution for home users, including the mobile tool for identifying fraudulent and spam calls Kaspersky Who Calls and the password manager Kaspersky Password Manager with the function of synchronizing data across all user devices and the ability to store personal documents in encrypted storage. As a nice bonus, when subscribing to Kaspersky Premium, all customers are also given free access to an extended version of the Kaspersky Safe Kids application for parental control and online child protection for one year. The contents of the tariff plan are more than impressive, but what does it represent in practice? Let’s look at the example of Kaspersky Premium for Windows OS, as the most advanced security solution for home users.

⇡#User Interface and Functionality

The Kaspersky Premium working environment is implemented according to the classic scheme for multifunctional solutions: there is a main window with up-to-date information about the current state of PC protection and a navigation menu that allows you to quickly access the necessary components of the security system, their settings and information about the account used. Let’s briefly go over each element of the program’s user environment.

Main window. Displays information that you should first pay attention to when working with Kaspersky Premium. The central element of the main window is an indicator, the color design of which allows you to assess the computer’s protection status on the fly. The green color of the indicator means that the device is protected, the yellow color indicates the presence of security problems, and the red color indicates a serious threat to the security of the PC. By clicking on the “More details” button, you can get additional information and, in some cases, eliminate gaps in your computer’s protection with just one click. This is especially convenient for novice users, for whom traveling through the jungle of modern software settings is quite a challenge.

Kaspersky Premium automatically alerts you to problems

Additionally, the main window of Kaspersky Premium displays useful tips for improving the security and performance of your PC, recommendations for protecting personal data and privacy when working with global network resources, and a brief overview of the application’s actions throughout its operation. The latest information helps you better understand how Kaspersky Premium protects your device and data.

Safety. This menu tab contains controls for key protection components, including:

• File antivirus that protects the device and data from various Trojans, ransomware, stealers, spyware, hidden cryptocurrency miners, as well as other malicious and unwanted programs;
• Anti-virus database update module with a tool for viewing malicious activity in the world;
• An intrusion prevention tool that monitors the activity of software installed on a computer and helps reduce the risks associated with the use of unknown applications;
• Anti-phishing, which protects against fake phishing and scam sites, using which attackers try to lure users’ data and money;
• A firewall (firewall) that protects against hacker attacks on a PC by monitoring incoming and outgoing network requests and allowing the user to block suspicious ones;
• A network monitoring tool that allows you to view information about your computer’s network activity in real time, block network activity, and create network and batch rules for applications installed on the system;
• Module for searching and correcting unsafe operating system settings;
• Kaspersky Protection extension for web browsers Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox and Yandex Browser, which increases the security of the user’s personal data when browsing the Internet.

“Security” tab with information cards and settings of Kaspersky Premium security modules

The Security section also includes Windows troubleshooters and the Kaspersky Rescue Disk tool. With its help, you can create a bootable flash drive and subsequently use it for emergency recovery of an infected computer with a damaged operating system.

Performance. In addition to digital threat protection, Kaspersky Premium offers a solid set of features to speed up your PC and keep your Windows device in top shape. The software package allows you to disable autorun of rarely used applications so that the computer boots faster, delete unnecessary files, duplicates, unused software, invalid entries in the Windows system registry and other digital garbage that slows down the PC and takes up disk space. In addition to this, Kaspersky Premium can pick up large, outdated user files and offer them for deletion (the final decision, of course, is up to the user), and also reminds you of the need to update third-party software installed on the computer in order to optimize its operation and eliminate vulnerabilities.

Performance tab with tools to speed up your PC

Among other things, three tools worth noting in the Performance window are Backup, Current Activity, and Disk Diagnostics. The first is useful for protecting important files from loss as a result of equipment failure or theft, accidental deletion, or loss of data as a result of the actions of intruders. The second is an advanced analogue of the Windows task manager with the ability to view the reputation of applications, their digital signature and other characteristics. The third one allows you to monitor the status of hard and solid-state drives using S.M.A.R.T self-diagnosis technology. (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology). If there are problems with the “health” of the drive, the user will receive a notification in order to have time to make a backup copy of important data.

Privacy. Data leaks, collection of information about user actions on websites, selection of passwords for accounts in online services, interception of payment data and images from a webcam – this is only an incomplete list of problems that can not only cause reputational damage to the user, but also lead to more serious consequences, including blackmail and extortion by attackers, and loss of data. The modules included in Kaspersky Premium help to minimize the likelihood of such developments and protect your digital self, including:

• Analysis of user accounts from third-party services for possible leaks (if during verification it is discovered that data associated with e-mail could have ended up in the public domain or on the darknet, Kaspersky Premium will notify you about this and show a list of sites from which the leak could have occurred data, dates of possible leaks and categories of data that could be exposed on the global network);
• Protection against data collection on the Internet – allows you to stop attempts by network resources to collect information about user activity (the function can be activated both for all sites without exception, and for resources of selected categories, be it social networks, web analytics services, advertising platforms);
• Secure payments – designed to protect confidential information entered when paying online (for example, bank card data). To activate this feature, the browser runs in an isolated environment that prevents sensitive data from being intercepted by malware;
• Password manager Kaspersky Password Manager, which allows you to create hack-resistant passwords and store them in a secure storage (to access which you just need to remember a single master password). A password manager can also be used to store confidential documents, notes, bank card details and other important information;
• Functionality that excludes covert surveillance of the computer owner and listening to his conversations through the camera and microphone (only trusted applications can gain access to the mentioned devices);
• Detection of applications that can be used by attackers to steal confidential data and perform other dangerous actions;
• Violation control, which prevents attackers from using legitimate applications to download malicious content and harm the computer and user data;
• A hidden installation blocker that prevents the installation of unwanted programs that come bundled with other products (such applications can be used by attackers to send spam, change the main browser page, mine cryptocurrencies, and create other parasitic load on computer resources).

Kaspersky Premium is able to ensure privacy and data protection when working on the Internet

To combat annoying advertising, Kaspersky Premium provides two components: an adware blocker and an Anti-Banner. The first one detects on the computer and offers software for removal that displays advertising in browsers and on the desktop. The second one blocks the display of banners on websites being viewed and in the interface of some computer applications. Also in the “Privacy” window you can find tools for removing traces of user activity on your computer (for example, browser history), creating a secret encrypted folder on your PC disk to protect confidential data from unauthorized access, and a file shredder for deleting selected data without the possibility of its subsequent recovery .

Kaspersky Premium also includes tools for blocking ads and protecting files from unauthorized access

Premium options. Available exclusively to Kaspersky Premium subscribers, they offer additional digital data protection tools, as well as some home Wi-Fi-related features.

Among the premium options are tools for detecting applications for remote access to a computer, searching for leaked confidential data from third-party services by phone number and email address (in other tariff plans – only by email address). As a pleasant and useful bonus, premium technical support services are offered – with priority service and the opportunity to receive prompt assistance from Kaspersky Lab specialists.

Kaspersky Premium offers digital data protection tools and a dedicated communication channel with technical support

Home Wi-Fi. In this section you will find a set of tools that help you secure your home wireless network and, accordingly, the devices connected to it. The smart home monitoring function will notify you about the connection of new unidentified devices and highlight router settings that require attention. Thanks to the Wi-Fi scanner built into Kaspersky Premium (available only in this tariff plan), you can increase the speed of your home wireless network by choosing the best location for the router and the least congested channel.

Kaspersky Premium allows you to check the security of your home Wi-Fi network and improve its performance

User profile. Designed to view subscription information, manage your My Kaspersky profile and devices connected to it.

Kaspersky Premium user profile

⇡#Solution cost

The cost of Kaspersky Premium varies depending on the length of the purchased subscription (1 or 2 years) and the number of protected devices (maximum 10). You can get more detailed information about the product and buy it on the website kaspersky.ru/premium.

For those who are accustomed to saving money and competently approaching the purchase of software solutions for computers and mobile devices, Kaspersky Lab offers a special price subject to the purchase of two solutions at once – Kaspersky Premium and the MyOffice for Home suite of office applications with the Personal tariff “(3 devices, 1 year). In this case, the user receives not only comprehensive protection against cyber threats, but also a convenient tool for working with text documents, spreadsheets and presentations. More details about the complex offer can be found at this link.

⇡#Conclusion

The release of Kaspersky Premium, built on the all-in-one principle, became Kaspersky Lab’s response to current challenges in the field of information security. The company managed to present a comprehensive solution and make it convenient for both beginners and experienced users. Managing the impressive range of built-in functions is really easy, and this is a definite plus of Kaspersky Premium. In addition, the tariff plan has cross-platform functionality, a dedicated priority technical support line, and recognition from many expert and testing laboratories. All these advantages, coupled with its low cost, make it at least worthy of consideration.