High-percentage detection malware protection engine A low number of false positives Includes a password manager and VPN access Low startup impact Savvy UI design
Cons
Limited features for iOS Prohibited from US-based government agencies Additional features require paying a subscription
Kaspersky Security Cloud Free
Price: $
Antivirus protection comes at a premium cost, especially considering the amount of malware that circulates in the online world. You don't want to be at the mercy of Windows Defender, but paying for an annual subscription sometimes just isn't an option. Well, we have got just the thing you were seeking!
We've all heard of Kaspersky. They are the pioneers of antivirus software, famous for their unbeatable malware-detection engine. It used to come at a hefty price, but now with Kaspersky Security Cloud Free, you can get it without paying a single penny. Kaspersky Security Cloud Free is available for PC, Android, and in a limited form for iOS.
In its basal package, it includes a virus shield, password manager, and a VPN. The free version allows up to 15 password entries, coupled with 200 MB per day of VPN browsing. A handy tool we'd like to single out is System Watcher. System Watcher pre-empts ransomware attacks and can reverse file changes.
Scanning is simplified to the point that when you right-click an object in Windows Explorer, you have the option to scan it instantly. A standard Full Scan and Quick Scan of the system is available from Kaspersky's main page.
While browsing online, Kaspersky's browser add-ons keep you safe. They are available for Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Kaspersky has by far the lowest startup impact compared to the competition, even boosting the benchmark by 0.9%.
This happens because Windows Defender gets disabled when you install Kaspersky Security Cloud Free. Lastly, we'd like to praise the elegant UI design. The combination of emerald green and white is quite vibrant, and all features are just a couple of clicks away.
Reviewed by Adnan Mahinic (editor rating 5 out of 5 stars) Sooftware editor's pick