Kaspersky Internet Security

Internet security suite developed by Kaspersky Lab

Kaspersky Internet Security

Kaspersky Internet Security for Windows

Developer(s)| Kaspersky Lab
Initial release| 2006; 19 years ago (2006)
Stable release| Windows

21 (21.20.8.505) (21 January 2025; 5 months ago (2025-01-21)[1]) [±]

OS X

21 (25.0.0.332e) (15 January 2025; 5 months ago (2025-01-15)[2]) [±]
Preview release| 2019 (19.0.0.648) [±]
Operating system| Windows, OS X
Type| Antivirus, personal firewall, parental control, email filtering, anti-phishing
License| Software as a service
Website| www.kaspersky.com/internet-security

Kaspersky Internet Security (often abbreviated to KIS) is[3] an internet security suite developed by Kaspersky Lab compatible with Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. Kaspersky Internet Security offers protection from malware, as well as email spam, phishing and hacking attempts, and data leaks. Since 2023, Kaspersky has moved to a subscription model, and in the new lineup, Kaspersky Internet Security was replaced by Kaspersky Plus.[4] KIS regularly participate in and achieve high results[5][6] in independent tests by AV-Test,[7] AV-Comparatives,[8] and SE Labs.[9] These organizations are members of the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization (AMTSO),[10] which Microsoft has adopted as an “industry standard organization” for independent certification purposes.[11]

## Windows edition

[edit]

### Version 2007 (6.0)

[edit]

Version 6.0 was the first release of KIS.[12] PC World magazine noted the pros: 100% detection of common threats, 99.57% detection of adware, and 83.3 hidden malware in compressed files. Minuses - version 6.0 didn't completely remove malware, leaving registry entries and files behind, and false positives from the package (8 out of 20,000 clean files were incorrectly labeled as malware). In testing, the firewall blocked all attacks from inside and outside the computer.[13] The graphical user interface was considered awkward to navigate, parental controls and instant messaging protection, which were in competing packages, were not included in the 6.0 version, and the retail price of $79.95 was considered relatively high by CNET and PC World.

KIS 6.0 supports Windows 98 SE, ME, NT Workstation 4.0, 2000 Professional, XP Home Edition, XP Professional, XP Professional x64, and Vista.[14]

### Version 2008 (7.0)

[edit]

In version 7.0, the graphical interface was redesigned: components were renamed, reorganized, and PC World described the new interface as "intuitive" and "great-looking".[15]

Parental control was introduced with settings for different age categories, manual configuration of profiles and their restrictions. There is an option to restrict Internet access by time, manual blocking of chat rooms and sites is available.[16]

The spam filter was self-learning based on the user's actions to sort emails. But version 7.0 misidentified 30 percent of acceptable messages in PC Magazine's testing, and 30 percent of spam ended up in the inbox.[16]

Data leakage protection was included in the package.[15]

Malware protection performed mostly positively in AV-Test tests, detecting 100 percent of wildlist threats. But when using signatures from a month ago and a set of new malware, detection dropped to 14 percent. Version 7.0 successfully identified all six active rootkits, four of the six inactive rootkits, and was able to remove only two of the six rootkits.[15]

This version required Windows XP Service Pack 2, except XP Professional x64 edition, or Vista.

### Version 2009 (8.0)

[edit]

Updated user interface, application filtering module, updated antivirus engine and vulnerability scanner.[17] Added color indication of program status, reduced the number of pop-up notifications to a minimum.[18]

Kaspersky claims the core anti-virus engine was revised to increase scan speed. PC Magazine found an initial scan took over two hours, however subsequent scans took two minutes to complete. However, malware detection was relatively low in comparison to other anti-virus applications tested. Out of 650 thousand samples, version 8.0 detected 95.6 percent. The top score was around 99 percent. Using two-week-old signatures, version 8.0 detected 52 percent of viruses in a different set of samples. Kaspersky also blocked about 60 percent of malware based solely on behaviour. The top performers scored 55.3 percent and 80 percent respectively. Version 2009 detected 98.1 percent of adware. However, PC World noted to achieve that kind of performance, users will have to modify program settings. On default settings, KIS allowed Zango to install. To block the installation, users must enable KIS to scan for "other malware".[19]

The Security Analyzer looks for operating system and program patches. It also looks for vulnerable system settings, presenting users with a list of recommended actions to prevent malware from gaining access to a system. However, PC World criticized the amount of computer jargon used and lack of information about how adjust settings appropriately.[citation needed] On the other hand, PC Magazine found the feature straightforward, and often the solution involved downloading and installing an update.[20]

KIS uses a whitelist by Carbon Black to classify trusted and malicious programs. Malicious programs are not allowed to run at all. Unknown programs falling in between the two categories are restricted in the actions they can perform. Its firewall blocked all attacks in PC Magazine testing. Phishing protection was introduced in this release. Testing by PC Magazine found the feature blocked 44 percent of phishing URLs. Internet Explorer 7 blocked 67 percent of the URLs, and Mozilla Firefox blocked 81 percent.[21]

### Version 2010 (9.0)

[edit]

Version 2010 of Kaspersky Internet Security introduced an overhauled user interface and a sandbox for running applications in a virtualized environment. The 9.0.0.736 build of KIS 2010 fully supported the Windows 7 operating system.[22]

### Version 2011 (11.0)

[edit]

The beta version was released for all windows users on 8 June 2010. This version included a new interface, as well as a gadget only available for Windows Vista and Windows 7 users.[23] PC Mag rated this version "very good" (4/5 stars). Its firewall was noted to be very good, but that made up for its only adequate malware detection rates.[24] Two critical fixes have been released by Kaspersky Lab, making the current version 11.0.2.556.[25]

### Version 2012 (12.0)

[edit]

On 1 March 2011, Kaspersky released the first build of version 2012, it came out as beta version and in English, French and Russian version, with more versions due out later.[26] On 7 June 2011 Kaspersky Lab announced the commercial release of Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 in France, Germany, Switzerland. The current version is 12.0.0.374.[27]

### Version 2013 (13.0)

[edit]

The beta version was released for all windows users on 3 March 2012. This version includes an interface which looks (currently, at least) much like Internet Security 2012. There is no Safe Run option, no Proactive Defense, while instead the behavioural monitoring System Watcher seems to be taking greater responsibility for detecting malware and a Safe Banking feature has been added.

The release candidate (build 13.0.1.4088 RC) was released for all windows users on 20 July 2012.

The Final Version was released on 28 August 2012 build 13.0.1.4190

### Version 2014 (14.0)

[edit]

Beta testing started on 12 March 2013.[28] This version introduced a Windows 8 like GUI design. The final version was released on 3 August 2013 build 14.0.0.4651 in India and Russia, then on August 13 in the US and August 27 in the UK. The 2014 release was frequently characterized as inferior to user expectations, largely due to its removal of a range of granular fine-tuning options in 2013 and earlier, which were used by experienced users; a number of these were added back in the 2015 beta by the time of its technical release (build 463).

As of February 13, 2014 build 14.0.0.4651(E) was released. Build 14.0.0.4651(I) is the latest (current) version.

### Version 2015 (15.0)

[edit]

In April 2014, a beta version of the 2015 product, build 463, was released, followed by a technical release preview, of the near-complete 2015 product. The first official release of the product was in Bangladesh in June 2014.[29]

### Version 2017 (17.0)

[edit]

### Version 2018 (18.0)

[edit]

### Version 2019 (19.0)

[edit]

### Version 2020 (20.0)

[edit]

### Version 2021 (21.0)

[edit]

## Controversies regarding security

[edit]

In March 2015, Bloomberg accused Kaspersky of having close ties to Russian military and intelligence officials.[30] Kaspersky slammed the claims in his blog, calling the coverage "sensationalist" and guilty of "exploiting paranoia" to "increase readership".[31]

As a result of alleged Russian involvement in the 2016 United States presidential election and ongoing investigations, the Department of Homeland Security officially banned the use of the Kaspersky Internet Security by the United States federal government in September 2017.[32]

As of December 12, 2017, the use of Kaspersky software is banned from use by the American federal government by law.[33]

On March 25, 2022, the FCC added Kaspersky software to its list of equipment and software that provide an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of United States persons[34]

On June 20, 2024, the Bureau of Industry and Security banned the sale of the software in the US, asking citizens who use it to switch to an alternative. The Bureau states that the company poses a national threat due to being based in Russia. The ban is scheduled to take effect on July 20 with updates for existing customers allowed until September 29.[35]

## See also

[edit]

* Companies portal

* Antivirus software
* Internet Security
* Comparison of antivirus software
* Comparison of computer viruses
* Eugene Kaspersky
* Natalya Kaspersky
* Kaspersky Anti-Virus
* Kaspersky Lab

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Kaspersky Internet Security 21 release notes". Kaspersky Lab. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
2. ^ "Kaspersky Internet Security 21 for Mac release notes". Kaspersky Lab. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
3. ^ "Kaspersky new product line". www.kaspersky.com. 2022-08-04. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
4. ^ "Cybersecurity company Kaspersky launches new products to ensure digital protection". India Today. 2023-03-05. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
5. ^ "Kaspersky makes a statement with 94% lead in comparative tests". Gearburn. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
6. ^ "Kaspersky held leading position in 2021 TOP3 metric". SecurityBrief. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
7. ^ "Kaspersky Lab Honored with AV-Test 2013 Innovation Award". PC Mag. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
8. ^ "Kaspersky Internet Security named 'Product of the Year' by AV-Comparatives". ASEAN Tech&Sec. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
9. ^ "Kaspersky products ace SE Labs testing with flawless defence". SecurityBrief. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
10. ^ "AMTSO Members". AMTSO. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
11. ^ "Microsoft Virus Initiative". Microsoft. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
12. ^ Jeff Bertolucci (16 May 2006). "Kaspersky Internet Security 6". CNET. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
13. ^ Narasu Rebbapragada (16 May 2006). "First Look: Kaspersky's Best of Breed Security Suite". PC World. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
14. ^ "Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0 MP2 (builds 6.0.2.614, 6.0.2.621)". Kaspersky Lab Technical Support. Kaspersky Lab. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
15. ^ a b c Erik Larkin (30 November 2007). "Kaspersky Lab Internet Security 7.0". PC World. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
16. ^ a b Neil J. Rubenking (1 August 2007). "Parental Control One Point Oh". PC Magazine. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
17. ^ Neil J. Rubenking (4 August 2008). "Kaspersky Internet Security 2009". PC Magazine. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
18. ^ Neil J. Rubenking (4 August 2008). "Kaspersky Internet Security 2009". PC Magazine. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
19. ^ Erik Larkin (23 January 2009). "Kaspersky Lab Internet Security 2009". PC World. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
20. ^ Neil J. Rubenking (4 August 2008). "Finding and Fixing Vulnerabilities". PC Magazine. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
21. ^ Neil J. Rubenking (4 August 2008). "Protection Against Phishing". PC Magazine. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
22. ^ "Get the protection you need for Windows 7". Kaspersky.com. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
23. ^ "Kaspersky Lab releases Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 and Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2011". Kaspersky.com. 8 June 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
24. ^ Rubenking, Neil J. "Kaspersky Internet Security 2011". PC Magazine.
25. ^ "Product Updates and Documentation: Kaspersky Internet Security". Archived from the original on 2010-11-29. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
26. ^ "Kaspersky Dev Channel". Devbuilds.kaspersky-labs.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
27. ^ "Kaspersky Internet Security 2012: commercial release (build 12.0.0.374)". Support.kaspersky.com. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
28. ^ "Kaspersky Beta Testing Forum". Forum.kaspersky.com. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
29. ^ "Kaspersky Lab's latest 2015 versions launched | STOCK & CORPORATE | Financial Express :: Financial Newspaper of Bangladesh". Archived from the original on 2014-06-14. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
30. ^ Matlack, Carol (19 March 2015). "The Company Securing Your Internet Has Close Ties to Russian Spies". Bloomberg.
31. ^ "Eugene Kaspersky intensifies US vs Russia flame war, accusing Bloomberg of creating 'conspiracy theories' about his company". Computing. 20 March 2015. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
32. ^ "Trump Administration Bans Federal Agencies from Using Kaspersky Software". Fortune. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
33. ^ "Trump signs into law U.S. government ban on Kaspersky Lab software". Reuters. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
34. ^ "List of Equipment and Services Covered By Section 2 of The Secure Networks Act | Federal Communications Commission". www.fcc.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
35. ^ Franceschi-Bicchierai, Lorenzo (20 June 2024). "US bans sale of Kaspersky software citing security risk from Russia". TechCrunch. Retrieved 25 June 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

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