Limited free version of Kaspersky
Kaspersky Free is a limited free version of Kaspersky. Using the free version of the application gives you high-quality protection supplemented by advanced features and a user interface fully reworked for ease of use.
You can activate the application by logging into your My Kaspersky account from the device on which you are installing the application. Kaspersky Free does not work if your device is not connected to your account. You can create an account in the account connection window during application activation or on My Kaspersky website. You can also use credentials from other Kaspersky resources to sign in to your account.
The Kaspersky Free subscription is renewed without your intervention.
Moreover, you can always switch to a paid Kaspersky subscription without downloading and installing any additional software.
Switching from Kaspersky Free to Kaspersky Standard or Kaspersky Plus
Kaspersky Free allows you to switch to a paid subscription plan without downloading or installing any additional software.
You can temporarily switch to a trial Kaspersky Standard or Kaspersky Plus subscription to learn about the benefits of the paid subscription, or purchase a subscription and begin using the application with the paid subscription on a permanent basis.
Switching to Kaspersky Standard
Kaspersky Standard is a subscription plan designed to ensure comprehensive protection of your computer.
Compared to Kaspersky Free, Kaspersky Standard provides a range of additional advanced functionality as part of the following components and features:
- Intrusion Prevention
- Firewall
- Safe Money
- Application Manager
- Network Monitor
- Webcam Protection
- Private Browsing
- Anti-Spam
- Anti-Banner
Switching to Kaspersky Plus
Kaspersky Plus helps you improve your privacy protection and optimize the performance of your computer. This subscription plan offers the same functionality as Kaspersky Standard and a range of additional features:
- Data Leak Checker (checking an unlimited number of accounts).
- Wi-Fi network security. Devices on my network in marketing materials.
- Backup and Restore.
- Secret Vault.
- How to switch to trial subscription
You can temporarily switch to the free trial subscription for Kaspersky Standard or Kaspersky Plus to evaluate the functionality.
The trial period is not available if you have already used a trial subscription on your device.
To set up a trial subscription:
- Open the main application window.
- Go to the Profile section.
- In subscription information, click Upgrade.
- On the Upgrade page, click Try for free.
If the application is not connected to a My Kaspersky account, you must sign in to the account. If you do not have an account, you can create one in the connection window. On the territory of the European Union, you must accept the Statement regarding data processing for purpose of using Web-Portal or the Statement regarding data processing for purpose of using Web-Portal and regulating license limitations.
- The Migration Wizard starts.
When switching to Kaspersky Standard or Kaspersky Plus in the European Union, the application offers you to read and accept the End User License Agreement, Kaspersky Security Network Statement, and Statement regarding data processing for marketing purposes. You may also need to accept the Statement regarding data processing for purpose of using Web-Portal or the Statement regarding data processing for purpose of using Web-Portal and regulating license limitations.
The application may take some time to set up and start. After the completion of the process, the application is automatically activated using the trial subscription.
During the activation process, you may be prompted to install extra applications that are offered as part of the subscription.
- Click Close to finish with the Wizard, then click Start to begin using the application with the trial subscription.
- How to switch to paid subscription
You can purchase a Kaspersky Standard or Kaspersky Plus subscription in the user interface of the application.
To buy a subscription:
- Open the main application window.
- Go to the Profile section.
- In subscription information, click Upgrade.
- On the Upgrade page, click Buy now.
The website of Kaspersky or one of our partners opens in the default browser. Follow the instructions on the website.
After the successful purchase, the subscription is added to your My Kaspersky account.
If the application is not connected to a My Kaspersky account, you must sign in to the account. On the territory of the European Union, you must also accept the Statement regarding data processing for purpose of using Web-Portal or the Statement regarding data processing for purpose of using Web-Portal and regulating license limitations.
- The Migration Wizard starts. To proceed with the wizard, click the Continue button.
When switching to Kaspersky Standard or Kaspersky Plus in the European Union, the application offers you to read and accept the End User License Agreement, Kaspersky Security Network Statement, and Statement regarding data processing for marketing purposes. You may also need to accept the Statement regarding data processing for purpose of using Web-Portal or the Statement regarding data processing for purpose of using Web-Portal and regulating license limitations.
The application may take some time to set up and start. After the completion of the process, the application is automatically activated using the new subscription.
During the activation process, you may be prompted to install extra applications that are offered as part of the subscription.
- Click Close to finish with the Wizard, then click Start to begin using the application with the new subscription.
What is included in Kaspersky Free?
File Anti-Virus
File Anti-Virus prevents infection of the computer's file system. The component starts upon startup of the operating system, continuously remains in the computer's RAM, and scans all files that are opened, saved, or launched on your computer and all connected drives. Kaspersky Free intercepts each attempt to access a file and scans the file for known viruses and other malware. Further access to the file is allowed only if the file is not infected or is successfully disinfected. If a file cannot be disinfected for any reason, it is deleted. A copy of the file is moved to Quarantine when that happens. If an infected file is placed in the same location where the deleted file with the same name used to be, Quarantine saves only a copy of the last file. A copy of the previous file with the same name is not saved.
Mail Anti-Virus
Mail Anti-Virus scans incoming and outgoing email messages on your computer. An email message is available to the recipient only if it does not contain dangerous objects.
Safe Browsing
Safe Browsing intercepts and blocks the execution of scripts on websites if they pose a threat. Safe Browsing also monitors all web traffic and blocks access to dangerous websites.
Anti-Phishing
Anti-Phishing allows checking URLs to find out if they are included in the list of phishing URLs. This component is built into Safe Browsing.
System Watcher
The System Watcher component rolls back the changes made to the operating system by malicious or other activity of applications.
The component protects against malware, including:
- Exploits
- Screen lockers
- Encryptors that encrypt data
- Ransomware that encrypts data or blocks access to files or the system and extorts ransom for restoring the files or access to them
Disabling this component is not recommended.
Network Attack Blocker
Network Attack Blocker loads at operating system startup and tracks incoming network traffic for activities characteristic of network attacks. When an attempt to attack your computer is detected, Kaspersky Free blocks all network activity from the attacking computer that is aimed at your computer.
On-Screen Keyboard
On-Screen Keyboard prevents interception of data entered on the hardware keyboard and protects personal data against interception attempts that use screen shots.
Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI)
Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) allows a third-party application that supports AMSI to send objects (for example, PowerShell scripts) to Kaspersky for additional scanning and to receive scan results for these objects.
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