Kaspersky Launches Its Free Antivirus Software Worldwide (engadget.com)

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Kaspersky Launches Its Free Antivirus Software Worldwide (engadget.com)

Posted by msmash on Wednesday July 26, 2017 @04:00AM from the change-of-heart dept.

Kaspersky has finally launched its free antivirus software after a year-and-a-half of testing it in select regions. From a report: While the software was only available in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, China and in Nordic countries during its trial run, Kaspersky is releasing it worldwide. The free antivirus doesn't have VPN, Parental Controls and Online Payment Protection its paid counterpart offers, but it has all the essential features you need to protect your PC. It can scan files and emails, protect your PC while you use the web and quarantine malware that infects your system. The company says the software isn't riddled with advertisements like other free antivirus offerings. Instead of trying to make ad money off your patronage, Kaspersky will use the data you contribute to improve machine learning across its products. The free antivirus will be available in the US, Canada and most Asia-Pacific countries over the next couple of days, if it isn't yet. After this initial release, the company will roll it out in other regions from September to November.

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"Free" by Chaymus · 2017-07-26 04:03 · Score: 3, Insightful

Who better to write antivirus software than an entity accused of cyberespionage?
1. Re: "Free" by Zero__Kelvin · 2017-07-26 04:04 · Score: 2
  
  Sure, but it is FREE cyberespionage!
  
  --
  Guns don't kill people; Physics kills people! - John Lithgow as Dick Solomon on Third Rock From The Sun
2. Re: "Free" by Oswald+McWeany · 2017-07-26 05:27 · Score: 1
  
  Sure, but it is FREE cyberespionage!
  It's free because you are the product. Or at least that's usually the applied logic of free software.
  If you are the product, what kind of product are you to a Russian security firm?
  I don't know I want to know the answer... although your FREE Cyber Espionage probably tells the story.
  
  --
  "That's the way to do it" - Punch
3. Re:"Free" by CodeArtisan · 2017-07-26 05:45 · Score: 1
  
  Since the operating system is written by a company that colludes with the United States, who is actively engaged in cyberwarfare, it stands to reason that a foreign adversary would have the most interest in securing it.
  Either way, Windows users are pawns. If you don't trust anybody with your computing, may I suggest learning how to program and using only open source software? That's what I did.
  I'll bet you haven't reviewed the source code of all the open source software you are using.
  
  Also, have you confirmed your hardware hasn't been compromised?
4. Re: "Free" by TheDarkener · 2017-07-26 06:39 · Score: 1
  
  Maybe I haven't reviewed all the open source code that euns on my systems, but I think the point is that there's a better chance that *someone* / *more people* have, than with closed source software.
  
  --
  It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
5. Re:"Free" by JohnFen · 2017-07-26 06:43 · Score: 1
  
  That's why everyone should be running external firewalls that block all outgoing traffic unless you specifically allow it.
  You can't stop all the spyware, but you can stop it from phoning home.
6. Re: "Free" by Zero__Kelvin · 2017-07-26 08:01 · Score: 1
  
  My logic is WHOOOSH :^)
  
  --
  Guns don't kill people; Physics kills people! - John Lithgow as Dick Solomon on Third Rock From The Sun
7. Re: "Free" by KGIII · 2017-07-26 21:15 · Score: 1
  
  Pretty much all the software I use is free software. I don't feel like the product. I feel empowered to learn, create, and change. Sheesh... ;-)
  
  --
  "So long and thanks for all the fish."
8. Re:"Free" by JohnFen · 2017-07-27 03:56 · Score: 1
  
  That's why it needs to be an external firewall. The systems behind the firewall don't have privileged access, and they are no more (or less) capable of subverting it than systems outside the firewall.
If I use this... by ScentCone · 2017-07-26 04:03 · Score: 1, Troll

If I use this free product, does it mean I will have "ties to Russia?" I'm sure that if I actually pay for their more advanced product, I will then have "links to Kremlin-associated Russian bankers." I don't want to get in trouble with the New York Times.

--
Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
1. Re:If I use this... by fustakrakich · 2017-07-26 04:19 · Score: 1
  
  I will then have "links to Kremlin-associated Russian bankers."
  Hey man, can I borrow a dime? I gotta make a phone call
  
  --
  “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
2. Re:If I use this... by Oswald+McWeany · 2017-07-26 05:34 · Score: 1
  
  If I use this free product, does it mean I will have "ties to Russia?" I'm sure that if I actually pay for their more advanced product, I will then have "links to Kremlin-associated Russian bankers." I don't want to get in trouble with the New York Times.
  As long as you're not committing treason by conspiring with a foreign power to influence an election at home then you're not doing anything wrong. Or if you're not making foreign policy decisions whilst not the elected leader.
  
  --
  "That's the way to do it" - Punch
3. Re: If I use this... by Anonymous Coward · 2017-07-26 06:08 · Score: 1
  
  EVERY x president does speaking engagements for money. It is not unique to obama. Jesus Christ. This is how they get rich.
4. Re: If I use this... by ScentCone · 2017-07-26 11:10 · Score: 1
  
  I see. So what you're saying is that the appearance of a huge cash quid pro quo from the Russians directly into the Clintons' personal bank account while she's serving as Secretary of State and in charge of things like the granting of giant give-aways to the Russian government ... the appearance of that happening literally hours apart, it nothing to worry about. But the appearance of something utterly meaningless and without any follow up or cash payment if it's someone you disapprove of politically, well, that's HORRIBLE! CNN must spend every waking hour pretending they're not hypocrites and ranting about it and simply fabricating things because appearances are crimes. Unless you're the candidate they preferred, in which case no appearance or act is ever bad.
  
  --
  Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
5. Re:If I use this... by AHuxley · 2017-07-26 13:39 · Score: 1
  
  If you use the product you are helping discover the next Stuxnet, Flame, Duqu, Equation Group.
  That new information is then shared with security experts and OS makers around the world.
  To detect changes to normal OS by governments/mil what is normal and what is been altered has to be understood.
  A larger global pool of users helps track in real time what a normal OS looks like and what slight changes could be the first detection of new gov/mil malware activity.
  
  --
  Domestic spying is now "Benign Information Gathering"
6. Re:If I use this... by fustakrakich · 2017-07-26 16:24 · Score: 1
  
  you TOO will have Russian ties
  Well, as long as they don't clash with my Italian suit...
  
  --
  “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
7. Re: If I use this... by KGIII · 2017-07-26 21:24 · Score: 1
  
  Obama isn't married to Hillary Clinton.
  
  --
  "So long and thanks for all the fish."
How good is it compared to... by butzwonker · 2017-07-26 04:04 · Score: 4, Interesting

[ ] Bitdefender Free
[ ] AVAST Free
[ ] AVG Free
[ ] Sophos Home (free)
In other words, is there a reason for me to install Kaspersky instead of Sophos or Bitdefender, which I both used in the past? (If you reply, please do NOT mention anything about US politics or Russia - thank you!)
1. Re:How good is it compared to... by hyperar · 2017-07-26 04:11 · Score: 1
  
  [ ] Bitdefender Free
  [ ] AVAST Free
  [ ] AVG Free
  [ ] Sophos Home (free)
  In other words, is there a reason for me to install Kaspersky instead of Sophos or Bitdefender, which I both used in the past? (If you reply, please do NOT mention anything about US politics or Russia - thank you!)
  I'm currently using BitDefender Free, quite happy with it, lightweight, silent, no ads, no popups, works quite well, and i'm also interested how it compares to this new Kaspersky Free AV
2. Re:How good is it compared to... by PolygamousRanchKid+ · 2017-07-26 04:20 · Score: 1
  
  In other words, is there a reason for me to install Kaspersky instead of Sophos or Bitdefender, which I both used in the past?
  
  Right there in the summary:
  
  Instead of trying to make ad money off your patronage, Kaspersky will use the data you contribute to improve machine learning across its products.
  Whatever that means . . .
  Do they maybe me "computation time", that you contribute . . . ? Turning your AV software into a compute node . . . ? Or maybe "data about other users", that you may contribute . . . ? *Real Espionageware*!
  
  --
  Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
3. Re:How good is it compared to... by elrous0 · 2017-07-26 04:25 · Score: 1
  
  Does Avast have Vladamir Putin on a horse backing them up?
  Yeah, I didn't THINK so!
  
  --
  SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
4. Re:How good is it compared to... by Anonymous Coward · 2017-07-26 04:37 · Score: 1
  
  Kaspersky demanded money to whitelist our software (generic false positive--thought it was a trojan dropper). Booo.
5. Re:How good is it compared to... by Major_Disorder · 2017-07-26 05:02 · Score: 2
  
  Does Avast have Vladamir Putin on a horse backing them up?
  Yeah, I didn't THINK so!
  I hear Donald Trump loves it, and is going to get it installed on all Whitehouse computers by the end of the week.
  
  --
  First law of people: People are generally stupid.
6. Re:How good is it compared to... by phayes · 2017-07-26 05:05 · Score: 1
  
  Forticlient is also free and comes with web filtering
  
  --
  Democracy is a sheep and two wolves deciding what to have for lunch. Freedom is a well armed sheep contesting the issue
7. Re:How good is it compared to... by hyperar · 2017-07-26 05:20 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  I'm currently using BitDefender Free, quite happy with it, lightweight, silent, (...)
  So I gather you're a Windows prod...erm, user. Why the fuck a Windows user has to do with Slashdot?
  Oh, i understand your confusion, i'm just in Slashdot waiting for the "Year of Linux desktop" article to pop up.
8. Re:How good is it compared to... by chispito · 2017-07-26 05:25 · Score: 2
  
  My experience, based on encountering and uploading malware to VT and similar sites, is that Kaspersky is one of the first antivirus providers to get definitions for new malware. We used to have Symantec and they were hours behind. That said, I couldn't tell you what the real world difference is now because we switched to a different AV company from Symantec (not Kaspersky) and our edge protection got much better.
  
  --
  The Daddy casts sleep on the Baby. The Baby resists!
9. Re:How good is it compared to... by grumpy-cowboy · 2017-07-26 05:44 · Score: 1
  
  [ ] Windows Defender (part of Windows)
  
  --
  Will $CURRENT_YEAR be the year of the Linux Desktop?
10. Re:How good is it compared to... by gnick · 2017-07-26 05:45 · Score: 1
  
  I'm currently using BitDefender Free, quite happy with it, lightweight, silent, no ads, no popups, works quite well...
  I'm using Windows Defender and have similar experience.
  
  --
  He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
11. Re:How good is it compared to... by DigiShaman · 2017-07-26 05:52 · Score: 2
  
  Bitdefender = The best tied with Fortinet
  Fortinet = The best tied with Bitdefender (can download the Forticlient)
  AVAST = It's ok
  AVG = Turned junkware, absolute shit!
  Sophos = Meh, not sure how well it ranks with Trend Micro which otherwise is regarded as "ok".
  McAfree = I'm listing it because it total shit; as in the baseline for what shit could possibly be!!!
  
  --
  Life is not for the lazy.
12. Re:How good is it compared to... by desdinova+216 · 2017-07-26 06:16 · Score: 1
  
  that's because Kapersky is probably getting them from inside the house.
13. Re:How good is it compared to... by butzwonker · 2017-07-26 07:32 · Score: 1
  
  Okay, that's interesting info and perhaps reason for me as a software developer to avoid their products. Thanks!
14. Re:How good is it compared to... by Anonymous Coward · 2017-07-26 07:37 · Score: 1
  
  I don't think trying to ignore political shills and idiots on /. makes me a moron. I'm also not a US citizen, so you can shove your politics and your stupid president up your ass!
15. Re:How good is it compared to... by hyperar · 2017-07-26 09:20 · Score: 1
  
  I'm currently using BitDefender Free, quite happy with it, lightweight, silent, no ads, no popups, works quite well...
  I'm using Windows Defender and have similar experience.
  I can't remember why i choose BD over WD, i know there's something
16. Re:How good is it compared to... by igny · 2017-07-26 15:15 · Score: 1
  
  All I can say with this free Kaspersky anti-virus you get what you pay for. I was rather happy with no anti-virus at all for years. Now when I installed Kaspersky antivirus and to my surprise it came with 3 viruses no less. I was not pleased, so I uninstalled this piece of cra%@#%#$%@!NO CARRIER
  
  --
  In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. - Yogi Berra
17. Re:How good is it compared to... by hyperar · 2017-07-26 16:03 · Score: 1
  
  Because for quiet sometime time Microsoft was failing miserably with Windows Defender. It was coming in at the bottom of AV-Test's testing for many years, it has only be recently that it has picked itself up out of last place. The results have been similar with av-comparatives results with Microsoft being one of the bottom results only recently moving upwards towards the middle of the pack.
  In both companies tests BitDefender (which is what I use) and Kaspersky came out towards the top of the pack.
  No it wasn't that, i remember it failing over and over the AV test, but recently it got better, but still for some reason i decided to use BD.
Competes against built-in by fred6666 · 2017-07-26 04:06 · Score: 3, Interesting

There is already an antivirus builtin to Windows. Honest question here, why should I install this one instead?
1. Re:Competes against built-in by arth1 · 2017-07-26 04:14 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  There is already an antivirus builtin to Windows. Honest question here, why should I install this one instead?
  The question is whether you want to open your machine to NSA/CIA/FBI/CBP or to FSB/FSO/SVR/GRU. Who is more likely to break down your door in the middle of the night? Pick the other.
2. Re:Competes against built-in by TWX · 2017-07-26 04:28 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Antivirus built-in to Windows, brought to you by the people that make the highly-infectable Windows!
  In all seriousness, the biggest logical fault I have with using Microsoft's antivirus tool is that being both the source of the problem and the solution to the problem doesn't make a lot of sense. Without knowing Microsoft's priorities it's difficult to really say how independent their antivirus team is relative to their mainstream products teams, so for all we know they're subject to the same pressures to produce code regardless of quality that the main products teams face. Even if they are independent to an extent, we don't know how corporate culture impacts them such that their mentality might be similar.
  Using a third-party product as essentially an audit is probably the right approach, if that third-party product can be trusted. Unfortunately over the years we've seen both paid products and free products devolve to where they should lose our trust. You can't permanently rely on a solution and have to always be ready to change if your previous choice becomes unsuitable.
  With that in mind, Kaspersky may have some stuff going for it, but it has some stuff going against it too. Yevgeny Kaspersky seems to be at the top of the game when it comes to security, but since he continues to reside in his home country where there's a history of questionable actions and takeovers by the government that has also been suggested as a state-sponsor of cyberespionage, it's difficult to trust that there won't be government meddling in Kaspersky products or an outright takeover of the the company by the State should the State feel that it's in its best interests to do so. This isn't some random application, this is software that must establish deep integration into the OS to function and also must regularly communicate with company servers to retrieve new information and to update itself. We should be skeptical as to how much we trust any application that requires these kinds of privileges, and the source of the application is important.
  
  --
  Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
3. Re:Competes against built-in by itamihn · 2017-07-26 04:29 · Score: 1
  
  The question is whether you want to open your machine to NSA/CIA/FBI/CBP or to NSA/CIA/FBI/CBP/FSB/FSO/SVR/GRU.
4. Re:Competes against built-in by PolygamousRanchKid+ · 2017-07-26 04:36 · Score: 1
  
  The question is whether you want to open your machine to NSA/CIA/FBI/CBP or to FSB/FSO/SVR/GRU. Who is more likely to break down your door in the middle of the night?
  Stop! It's an entangled quantum mechanics trick question, like Schrödinger's Secret Squirrel! It's both the NSA/CIA/FBI/CBP *AND* the FSB/FSO/SVR/GRU at the same time!
  Einstein: "So, when you open the box, is the left-handed glove or the right-handed glove in the box . . . ?"
  
  Pick the other.
  Yes, it is, in fact the third option.
  
  --
  Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
5. Re:Competes against built-in by green1 · 2017-07-26 04:44 · Score: 1
  
  "pick either"
  You probably fail to realize that you've already picked both...
6. Re:Competes against built-in by fred6666 · 2017-07-26 04:55 · Score: 1
  
  No antivirus is enough to protect yourself.
  Should I trust Kaspersky more than Microsoft? In both cases it's about trust.
7. Re:Competes against built-in by chispito · 2017-07-26 05:19 · Score: 2
  
  There is already an antivirus builtin to Windows. Honest question here, why should I install this one instead?
  In my experience, back when we had poor edge protection at work (2-3 years ago) and malware made it into the company, I would upload it to sites like VT, Malwr, and Anubis. Kaspersky was nearly always one of the first AV companies to detect it. We had Symantec and they were always hours behind.
  
  So, I'd say that the reason is because if you're going to traditional AV route, instead of no AV or a next gen AV, Kaspersky is probably one of the best bets.
  
  --
  The Daddy casts sleep on the Baby. The Baby resists!
8. Re:Competes against built-in by DigiShaman · 2017-07-26 05:55 · Score: 1
  
  Why would the break down the door when they've got a master key to enter at their leisure?
  
  --
  Life is not for the lazy.
9. Re:Competes against built-in by arth1 · 2017-07-26 07:10 · Score: 1
  
  Why would the break down the door when they've got a master key to enter at their leisure?
  Because they can.
10. Re:Competes against built-in by DigiShaman · 2017-07-26 08:50 · Score: 1
  
  True. Sometimes it's just for the sport of it.
  
  --
  Life is not for the lazy.
11. Re:Competes against built-in by AHuxley · 2017-07-26 13:33 · Score: 1
  
  To help find the next Stuxnet, Equation Group, Flame. Some really good work was done around the world and interesting malware discovered.
  Kaspersky Lab, Malware discovery https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
  
  --
  Domestic spying is now "Benign Information Gathering"
Didn't their Source code make it to the web? by Zurkeyon3733 · 2017-07-26 04:11 · Score: 1

In 2009? I don't think a full rewrite has taken place since then. They are a security compromise waiting to happen...
1. Re:Didn't their Source code make it to the web? by Zurkeyon3733 · 2017-07-26 04:12 · Score: 1
  
  Sorry, 2011...
2. Re:Didn't their Source code make it to the web? by KiloByte · 2017-07-26 05:42 · Score: 2
  
  Well, I'm using an OS whose entire source has been leaked in 1991, and hasn't seen a full rewrite since. Now that one must be compromised to hell and back...
  
  --
  The creatures outside looked from Alt-Right to Antifa; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
your data will be sold to the KBG! by Joe_Dragon · 2017-07-26 04:12 · Score: 1

your data will be sold to the KBG!
1. Re:your data will be sold to the KBG! by Anonymous Coward · 2017-07-26 04:39 · Score: 1
  
  I don't mind my data being sold to the Kenya Business Guide, just as long as it doesn't wind up with the Russians.
2. Re:your data will be sold to the KBG! by PolygamousRanchKid+ · 2017-07-26 04:47 · Score: 1
  
  your data will be sold to the KBG!
  . . . along with the your data sold by Google, Facebook, Amazon, etc . . .
  Actually, a foreign intelligence service might want to think about setting up a dummy marketing corporation to buy information from Google, Facebook, Amazon, etc . . .
  "Comrade, you must have excellent spies in the USA! Where did you get this information . . . ?"
  "Google, Facebook, Amazon, etc . . ."
  
  --
  Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
Comes with bonus anti-moose-and-squirrel tech by elrous0 · 2017-07-26 04:23 · Score: 1

Is KGB approved. You trust!

--
SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
Reviews Are In! by Thelasko · 2017-07-26 04:36 · Score: 3, Funny

The reviews are already in for this new product from Kaspersky.

It's a trap!
-Admiral Ackbar

It's a trick! Get an axe.
-Ash Williams

--
One of our competitors trademarked the term "hypothesis". From now on, we will call them "boneheaded ideas".
Correction: by neo-mkrey · 2017-07-26 05:04 · Score: 1

After this intermediary release, the company will roll it out in still more regions from September to November.
If you aren't the [paying] customer ... by davidwr · 2017-07-26 05:26 · Score: 1

... you are the product.
"Kaspersky will use the data you contribute to improve machine learning across its products."
Well, at least they are being up-front about it.

--
Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
Re:This post is Trump Approved! (tm) by Oswald+McWeany · 2017-07-26 05:37 · Score: 1

Can you make that into a haiku instead?
I'll give it a go. Wouldn't it make more sense for Japan though?
Putin is all good.
The media is evil,
Fake news- bad, Comrade!

--
"That's the way to do it" - Punch
What a deal! by JohnFen · 2017-07-26 06:40 · Score: 1

The company says the software isn't riddled with advertisements like other free antivirus offerings. Instead of trying to make ad money off your patronage, Kaspersky will use the data you contribute to improve machine learning across its products.
Instead of letting other companies spy on you through this software, they're just going to spy on you through this software themselves.
What a deal!
Probably safe by bestweasel · 2017-07-26 07:26 · Score: 1

Barclays Bank, one of the biggest in the UK, provides Kaspersky antivirus free to its online banking customers, so it's probably safe. Regardless of the facts, their sales will suffer anyway amongst people uneasy about their closeness to the Kremlin, an inevitable reaction to the Russian state's cyber-pranks.
Only the paranoid would think that a widely installed piece of free software which is automatically updated, just waiting for the day when the special update is sent, would provide a useful cyber weapon.
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Re:At least I can avoid it if I want to! by Lord+Kano · 2017-07-26 08:06 · Score: 2

I prefer Kaspersky to systemd.
If Kaspersky is screwing me over, it at least has the decency to do it without ruining stuff.
LK

--
"Hi. This is my friend, Jack Shit, and you don't know him." - Lord Kano
Hey look, a distraction! by ilsaloving · 2017-07-26 08:33 · Score: 2

We've been implicated with working closely with Russian Intelligence. I know! FREE SOFTWARE FOR EVERYONE!
meh by Anonymous Coward · 2017-07-26 09:38 · Score: 1

That seems better firing all the transgender people... ;P
Welcome to the age of distraction
Intrusive AV, stopped using it by thirty2bit · 2017-07-26 12:05 · Score: 1

I bought KAV 2016 3-license pack and used it on Win 7 desktops. After many odd issues, I did some digging and found it secretly injected Javascript into web pages. Ah, this is what interfered with some of the sites I hit. Its other features raised heck with a couple on-line games on the SO's computer. It prompted me to log in to the Kaspersky site all the time on one computer, complained about licensing on another for a few minutes after booting. All of the tiny issues added up, having me uninstalling the last license/instance after four months into the experience in favor of another product. I would like to find just an antivirus package that works unobtrusively, isn't cloud connected, doesn't try to nanny me, or try to be a jack-of-all trades (firewall, home security, credit monitor, privacy guard, password manager, IM monitor, toaster, ophthalmologist, druid, sock-presser -- oh, and plays Netflix and Youtube videos)
Nice try, KGB... by LordHighExecutioner · 2017-07-26 20:14 · Score: 1

...now I wait for the free antivirus from North Korea to appear!
Ummmm, by MerlTurkin · 2017-07-28 13:46 · Score: 1

No thanks!