Review: Kaspersky Internet Security 2011

Simon · Jul 19, 2010, 23:53:08

It's only July, but our forward-thinking comrades at Kaspersky Lab have already delivered their 2011 internet security suite.

Expectations are high, as Kaspersky was once a regular PC Pro recommendation, but in the past 18 months it's struggled to compete with stellar detection rates from Avira and Norton.

At first glance, that hasn't changed: from a selection of more than 300 current malware samples, Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 (KIS 2011) positively identified an impressive 96%, but A-List champ Norton 2010 hit 99%, with Avira just a whisker behind on 98%. Yet Kaspersky's 2011 suite has a new ace up its sleeve.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/software/359533/kaspersky-internet-security-2011

Gary · Jul 20, 2010, 00:46:14

Quote from: Simon on Jul 19, 2010, 23:53:08
It's only July, but our forward-thinking comrades at Kaspersky Lab have already delivered their 2011 internet security suite.

Expectations are high, as Kaspersky was once a regular PC Pro recommendation, but in the past 18 months it's struggled to compete with stellar detection rates from Avira and Norton.

At first glance, that hasn't changed: from a selection of more than 300 current malware samples, Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 (KIS 2011) positively identified an impressive 96%, but A-List champ Norton 2010 hit 99%, with Avira just a whisker behind on 98%. Yet Kaspersky's 2011 suite has a new ace up its sleeve.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/software/359533/kaspersky-internet-security-2011

Whats that, it stuffs up your PC so you cant boot so it does not matter you may have a virus or two missed

DorsetBoy · Jul 20, 2010, 06:10:45

I had the KAV suite a while back, it is far too complex and caused endless connection issues. The 2010 version was even worse, it is so complicated with all the dozens of settings I gave it up within an hour.

If you have a decent router there is absolutely no reason for using anything like this on your system. Even more so with Vista and Win7 with the vastly improved Windows Firewall.

I have always used ESET on my live machines , the Smart Security system is good BUT with each new version, more and more errors/bugs have been introduced and that has meant a lot of network/connection issues,firerwall failures etc. and applications failing to start/run, I have now removed it totally and run all free applications .

I have been testing the new Avast 5 free edition antivirus and have to say it is superb. Being behind a Draytek router with its hardened firewall I now use free antivirus,Windows Enhanced firewall , have UAC,DEP and SOHEP enabled along with the built in Windows Defender.

Having removed the software firewalls from my machines the difference in performance is quite remarkable, I will not be running suites or firewalls like that again.

Gary · Jul 20, 2010, 08:47:15

Quote from: DorsetBoy on Jul 20, 2010, 06:10:45
I had the KAV suite a while back, it is far too complex and caused endless connection issues. The 2010 version was even worse, it is so complicated with all the dozens of settings I gave it up within an hour.

If you have a decent router there is absolutely no reason for using anything like this on your system. Even more so with Vista and Win7 with the vastly improved Windows Firewall.

I have always used ESET on my live machines , the Smart Security system is good BUT with each new version, more and more errors/bugs have been introduced and that has meant a lot of network/connection issues,firerwall failures etc. and applications failing to start/run, I have now removed it totally and run all free applications .

I have been testing the new Avast 5 free edition antivirus and have to say it is superb. Being behind a Draytek router with its hardened firewall I now use free antivirus,Windows Enhanced firewall , have UAC,DEP and SOHEP enabled along with the built in Windows Defender.

Having removed the software firewalls from my machines the difference in performance is quite remarkable, I will not be running suites or firewalls like that again.

Will agree with you Dorset, the 2010 version stuffed my old Vista system up, I use Eset and win firewall on my Wifes Win 7 laptop along with Prevx. Kaspersky became an untamed buggy slow beast which was a real shame, but so many issues went away when I removed it, alas it permanently leaves tags in your NTFS stream so the only way to truly get rid of it properly when the time comes is a format. Horrible suite, horrible AV. I used to love it but after 2009 version which was from 2008 it went down hill fast.

DorsetBoy · Jul 20, 2010, 08:59:52

Take a look at the new Avast 5 Gary, it is every bit as good as ESET AV, it now has scheduling available for updates and all the wide range of scans it offers and it is free.

Rik · Jul 20, 2010, 10:12:53

I suppose we could say Kaspersky have done a Norton. I wonder if they, too, will learn.

DorsetBoy · Jul 20, 2010, 10:17:18

Quote from: Rik on Jul 20, 2010, 10:12:53
I suppose we could say Kaspersky have done a Norton. I wonder if they, too, will learn.

Norton prior to the buyout was great, it was about security, things change when big business comes along. Kaspersky suite is a forest of controls that need a manual the size of War and Peace to understand, that and the fact that the layout means you spend hours hopping from one place to another to do simple tasks, I want to use my PC not spend 90% of my day messing with settings.

Rik · Jul 20, 2010, 10:19:06

Amen to that, Dorset.

Ray · Jul 20, 2010, 10:21:02

I must admit the latest version of Norton is very good, I've been using it for just over 3 months now with no issues whatsoever, it's a totally different product compared to 3 or 4 years ago.

Gary · Jul 20, 2010, 10:22:44

Quote from: Ray on Jul 20, 2010, 10:21:02
I must admit the latest version of Norton is very good, I've been using it for just over 3 months now with no issues whatsoever, it's a totally different product compared to 3 or 4 years ago.

people well most I know just want set and forget not have an AV thats a hobby, and Norton fits that bill, I just dont like the toolbars installed without my permission

Gary · Jul 20, 2010, 10:25:26

Quote from: DorsetBoy on Jul 20, 2010, 10:17:18
Norton prior to the buyout was great, it was about security, things change when big business comes along. Kaspersky suite is a forest of controls that need a manual the size of War and Peace to understand, that and the fact that the layout means you spend hours hopping from one place to another to do simple tasks, I want to use my PC not spend 90% of my day messing with settings.

And then it cripples something or flags legit processes as all sorts of malware because of bugs, not whats needed at all.

sparky · Sep 27, 2010, 10:15:52

Just thought that I would add something to this original post as it now seems appropriate.

Yes I know there are some of you who absolutely loathe Kaspersky, but this might be of interest to anyone else who might have an older version.

I have always used KIS 2009 on my Vista 32 bit Home Premium system and I have found it great. No problems whatsoever. I never upgraded to 2010 due to the bad reports about bloatware etc. Then on Friday last, there was a problem with all Kaspersky updates. They fixed it in about an hour, so that was OK, but it was pointed out that 2009 is no longer supported.

I did some digging and interestingly found that to go from 2010 to 2011 requires an uninstall of 2010 and a new install of 2011. To go from 2009 to 2011, can simply be done over the top. Does this suggest that they have gone back to the 2009 engine? As I have only about 60 days left on my license I decided to give it a go. It took about 45 mins to do it all, what with a couple of reboots, (in between a couple of glassses of wine ! ) but all now seems tickity boo. The suprise being how much quicker my web pages seem to load now (IE8). All previous settings and history are also retained and the license simply continues on with the new version.

Not too sure about the big blob (Kaspersky control) that appears in the side bar though !

Gary · Sep 27, 2010, 11:00:53

Quote from: sparky on Sep 27, 2010, 10:15:52
Just thought that I would add something to this original post as it now seems appropriate.

Yes I know there are some of you who absolutely loathe Kaspersky, but this might be of interest to anyone else who might have an older version.

I have always used KIS 2009 on my Vista 32 bit Home Premium system and I have found it great. No problems whatsoever. I never upgraded to 2010 due to the bad reports about bloatware etc. Then on Friday last, there was a problem with all Kaspersky updates. They fixed it in about an hour, so that was OK, but it was pointed out that 2009 is no longer supported.

I did some digging and interestingly found that to go from 2010 to 2011 requires an uninstall of 2010 and a new install of 2011. To go from 2009 to 2011, can simply be done over the top. Does this suggest that they have gone back to the 2009 engine? As I have only about 60 days left on my license I decided to give it a go. It took about 45 mins to do it all, what with a couple of reboots, (in between a couple of glassses of wine ! ) but all now seems tickity boo. The suprise being how much quicker my web pages seem to load now (IE8). All previous settings and history are also retained and the license simply continues on with the new version.

Not too sure about the big blob (Kaspersky control) that appears in the side bar though !

I used 2009 with no issues ish, its the fact they mark your hard drive with tags that can never be removed that I disliked, I found odd glitches in Windows that vanished when Kaspersky was removed, but you have to wipe your drive with zeros to get rid of all traces of Kaspersky. iSwift and iChecker in my view are like a Root Kit, I would rather use another form of security personally. Also Kaspersky does not play nice with other forms of protection I found, and one AV can never do a complete job so a on demand scanner is useful, but Kaspersky started to remove Superantispyware and such like on installation. I liked to have more control over my own PC than Kaspersky would allow in the end.