Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2009 Reviews

• First time user of KAV, overall a good product.

  
  By A1G352FAXZQOL8 on 2008-09-09
  Just a reviewer background: I am a new user to the Kaspersky AV series with the 2009 version, so I cannot compare it with previous versions or any license renewal issues. Like many others, I wanted something different than what Norton offered - I felt the last several versions of NAV were too resource heavy and intrusive, even on a 2.0GHz Core Duo (Centrino) XP laptop with 2GB RAM which this program was installed on.
  
  I tried Trend Micro last year, but wasn't overly impressed with the AV performance and had been using a combination of AVG 8.0 freeware and Lavasoft's Adaware freeware since reformatting with a clean XP install. So it came down to either Kaspersky or ESET NOD 32 after review reading, and Kaspersky won over because a brick & mortar store with the initials BB had it on sale.
  
  INSTALLATION:
  
  This was less than desirable. I knew that AVG had to be removed prior to installation, and just used the Windows XP removal utility. Once the CD was popped in I was off and running, or so I thought. Immediately it asked a stupid question: "Do you want Windows firewall to block this program?" Well duh, how can I access it otherwise? So after it checked the CD, I was prompted to download the latest updated files from the internet and reboot.
  
  About ten minutes later I was ready to roll and proceed with the install after plugging in my access code, and used the "most users" vs. the "advanced users" installation option. Ooops, another prompt suddenly. KAV detected leftover remnants of AVG 8.0 and pointed me to their webpage for a removal utility called KLeaner.exe. Absolutely nothing happened when I clicked the executable, and after several minutes of frustration trying to run it, I decided to go to Grisoft's website and hunt around for their removal utility (and hunt around you have to do). For some reason, the .exe file worked from their website. KAV did not prompt me to remove Lavasoft's Adaware, so I did not (and I haven't tried to use it).
  
  After running the Grisoft removal utility, I had to reboot again and essentially start all over with the KAV installation process including downloading the latest updates again! Another 10 minutes or so of that and I plugged in the access code and was rolling. I do not know who is in charge of the installation processes with this software, but it is perhaps the worst experience and hassle I had ever had. Heaven help those less tech saavy than me with this program with other AV programs that were loaded at one time.
  
  INTERFACE, EASE OF USE, AND PERFORMANCE:
  
  Overall, the interface is easy to use and information is at your fingertips for running the program. The first time a full system scan was run, it took about 40 minutes on a 120GB 5200RPM laptop hard drive loaded with pictures, home movies, and various MS office files. A faster hard drive would have shaved that down some. Right away there were twelve infections discovered, all tied to MS office applications that AVG did not pick up.
  
  One thing that is ambiguous is that there are no instructions to remove, quarantine, delete, or anything else with these infections found. The interface is not clear here and you have to hunt around with the buttons to find information. However, I feel about as safe as can be with this program, and it does earn high marks from respectable places like ZDNET for AV protection.
  
  There is a very informative 95 page .pdf user manual that comes on the CD. Nearly half of it is used for explaining the different viruses, Trojans, worms, and other threats and vulnerabilities. It also digs deeper into the different settings and more advanced controls, but still does not offer the user more detailed information on how to use said options and what exactly is happening with the program.
  
  Resource wise, KAV is hardly noticeable on the CPU and memory. There is a slight delay when accessing web pages (Firefox - or bookmarks in the drop down menu) while running it in the background, and I assume this is the phishing checker. There is no noticeable difference in boot time either, something that NAV was absolutely horrible with. Kudos to KAV here.
  
  CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION:
  
  From start to finish including going through all the rigmarole mentioned above, it was about an hour and a half job to get the laptop up to speed and current. Overall, I would score this program a 7 out of 10. I would have given it higher marks had the KAV team made installation more straight forward and clear, especially with the removal information of previous AV programs. You will need to go to the respective manufacturer website for removal utilities. KAV's links as of this writing are outdated or something, at least for AVG. In all fairness however, everyone should know that completely removing an AV program can be a hassle without completely wiping out the HDD and re-installing the OS (Norton especially).
  
  Finally, the interface and information tool bars could use some rework. That said, the limited resources this AV program uses makes up for any of the nuances mentioned. Even though it wasn't used by me, reviews say that Kaspersky's tech support is pretty good. I will be buying ESOT next for another PC and will report on that as well. In the meantime, those who are tired of NAV's programs the past few years will not be disappointed with this Kaspersky product.
  
  UPDATE 9/16/2008:
  
  After having KAV for one week, it has performed (mostly) flawlessly and stopped one Trojan from getting through. However, it is apparent it is a little deficient in spyware/adware detection. As mentioned above, I never removed Lavasoft's Ad-Aware 2008 because there was no prompt to during installation. I decided to download the latest update and run it (after temporarily disabling KAV) due to receiving several Spam emails recently - specifically after I stopped using it - hmmmm. Sure enough there were 9 detections Ad-Aware found that KAV did not pick up on.
  
  The good news here is that you can run Ad-Aware and not conflict with KAV, so long as both are not running simultaneously. It's a little disappointing to not have a "one stop does all" AV, but considering the price of KAV and the fact that Ad-Aware is free and just as resource friendly, I'll take having to deal with these two over a single NAV program any day. I found a review site that mentions this deficiency with KAV's spyware detection:
  
  http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/kaspersky-review.html
  
  I'm surprised CNET/ZDNET didn't mention it their KAV 2009 reviews.
  
  
  

• Customer Service IS TERRIBLE!

  
  By A29LIQ7M3HYDCJ on 2008-09-18
  Kaspersky is a very good antivirus product but you need to know what you are doing because it is NOT user friendly. There are constantly making changes so you need to uninstall the old version and install the new one whenever your renewal is up. (It's not automatic).
  
  To avoid this, I upped for 3 years-and ended up short by 4 months. Instead of expiring in Sept of 2011, it expires in May. It took three days to get a reply to my email. It contained all kinds of files to uninstall my old and install the newest version (which I already did which is how I learned I was short by 4 months). 2 and a half hours on the phone. Unfortunately, it closed before someone could actually answer the phone so that time was wasted. And now I sit here waiting for someone to come "live chat" with me. Their 12 mins approx time is going on 1 hour and 9 minutes.
  
  If I had to do it all over, I'd check out something that has a half way decent Customer Service.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Watch out

  
  By A2NAQWRDOOH3E7 on 2008-10-01
  Watch out when you get a message asking if you want to delete something. Because of this "feature" I deleted a Windows system file. This program is not as user friendly as it could be.
  
  

• Install No Problem

  
  By A25HLOP85C8V6Y on 2008-10-23
  10-22-2008
  I have used Kaspersky Anti-Virus for the past 4 years with great success.
  I was leary of buying the 2009 version reading the 4 previous customer comments. But, I did.
  
  I uninstalled the old version 7.0 and rebooted the PC. I then downloaded and ran the AVG removal utility, and rebooted. Then turned off the Firewall.
  
  I then installed Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2009. No problems. Installation, updating, and configuration took only 20 minutes.
  
  It was cheaper buying the software thru amazon.com than renewing the 2007 version thru Kaspersky, which would had to be uninstalled anyway, and install the 2009 download. Plus this gives you a C D should you have to reinstall it at a future date.
  
  Richard in Irving, TEXAS
  
  

• I am very satisfied so far

  
  By A2GEI3PB5Z2YFY on 2008-10-13
  A little over a month ago, as careful as I usually am, I misclicked somewhere and a trojan keylogger was able to find it's way into my computer. I had just downloaded the newest Norton internet security and after the keylogger had begun it's damage I ran several scans, but Norton couldn't find it. My options were: reformat, pay Norton $100.00 to scan my system remotely from their tech. support, or try another anti-virus. I picked up Kaspersky and followed the install directions (had a bit of a hangup with uninstalling AVG, just need to check with the troubleshooting feature Kaspersky provides). Kaspersky found the trojan in 4 minutes and deleted all versions of it from my computer. I have not had any trouble, and my computer loads faster since installing Kaspersky.
  
  
• A very good product, but not easy to use -- at least at first
  By A2O6AXHT4LC8UI on 2008-10-27
  The Kaspersky is a very good antivirus. I bought it because a friend recommended it as the best antivirus at present. I have only had it about a week, but I can say this much: It can be hard to install. For example, I had previously had the Panda and the AVG. I had uninstalled the Panda but the AVG was so hard to uninstall I had to have it done. Then the Kaspersky is a bit old-fashioned; you have to do a lot of rebooting. Luckily I had read other reviews and did NOT uninstall the Ad-Aware, because it erases all the spyware the Kaspersky does not eliminate.
  
  
• Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2009
  By A2HL4ORT3LJ5F3 on 2008-10-24
  This is by far the best anti-virus,anti-spyware,anti-fishing and firewall product I have ever used and I have used the best known, such as Norton and McAfee. Virus scan is extremely fast and efficient. It has a great firewall that keeps unwanted intrusion off your computer.
  I recommend this product over anything on the market, hands-down!
  
  
• Best Anti-virus program
  By A3GHZMBJJ348Z3 on 2008-10-23
  Program runs very quiet and detects viruses, malware, cookies, and more. Every few days I do a full scan and program detects over 1000 problems that it corrects.
  
  
• Great Anti-Virus Program
  By A8FB0W3YNUROJ on 2008-10-31
  Kaspersky offers the very best anti-virus engine. They have a small footprint and an exceptional product. They offer classes for free on their internet site on internet security and program usage. While some may claim that others offer a superior product at a lesser price, no knowledgeable person will dispute their effectiveness. After a scan, they will offer suggestions on other manufacturer program upgrades for maximum security. I have never encountered this feature with other anti-virus programs.
  But what I really like most about Kaspersky is that you buy a license and not a program. So long as you have a current license, you are entitled to their lastest and greatest program. They provide a very simple means of upgrading their program at no expense on their web site.
  To those that have had a bad experience, I suggest that you e-mail your concerns to Kaspersky. I have gotten a response within 24 hours and the response answered my question.
  For me, Kaspersky is a no brainer. I have their products on all of my PC's. I have Comcast and can get McAfee for free, but I have Kaspersky. I have had Norton and will pass. Enough said.
  
  
  
• A Very Good Product.
  By A1X5LSDPO3HDKI on 2008-11-01
  When I saw the ad in the magazine about how Kaspersky Anti-Virus won't slow your computer down, I was ready to try. I have been running Norton's for years, and always have had a very slow boot-up time, and some of my programs were affected as well. Since I have installed this product, I have not noticed any conflict with my programs, especially "Studio 9". I also have cut my boot-up time in half. I highly recommend it!
  
  

• Kaspersky Internet Security 2009
• Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007
• Kaspersky Anti-Virus 7.0 [OLD VERSION]
• Western Digital My Passport Essential 320 GB USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive WDME3200TN (Midnight Black)
• Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0 3-user [OLD VERSION]