Contents
- Basic functionality of the application
- Assessing computer protection status and resolving security issues
- How to fix security issues on your PC
- Security news
- Application activity log and detailed report
- How to configure the application interface
- How to restore the default settings of the application
- How to apply the application settings on another computer
- How to pause and resume computer protection
- Evaluating the Kaspersky application
Basic functionality of the application
In this section you will learn about basic setup of the application, including configuring notifications and user interface, and how to fix security issues that may arise.
Assessing computer protection status and resolving security issues
Problems with computer protection are symbolized by an indicator located in the upper part of the main application window. Green indicates that your computer is protected. Yellow indicates that there are protection problems and red indicates that your computer's security is at serious risk. You are advised to fix problems and security threats immediately.
You can open the Notification Center window by clicking the Details button in the main application window. This window provides detailed information about the protection status of the computer and suggests possible actions for rectifying problems and threats.
Problems with protection are grouped by categories. For each problem, a list is displayed of actions that you can take to solve the problem.
The Status section displays information about the computer protection status and subscription status. If problems are detected that must be fixed, a Fix button is displayed next to the notification; you can fix security problems by clicking this button.
The Recommendations section lists actions that should be performed to optimize operation of the application and use it more effectively.
The News section displays cybersecurity news.
Clicking the Show N ignored notifications button displays notifications to which the Ignore action has been applied. Ignored notifications do not affect the color of the protection indicator in the main application window.
How to fix security issues on your PC
To fix security issues on your PC:
- Open the main application window.
- Click on the Details link in the upper part of the main application window to go to the Notification Center window.
- Go to the Status section. This section displays security issues on your PC.
- Select an issue from the list and click an action button, e.g. Fix.
- Select Ignore from the drop-down list if you do not want to fix this issue now. You can view the list of ignored notifications later by clicking the Show N ignored notifications button.
- Go to the Recommendations section. This section displays recommendations that are not mandatory but will help you optimize your usage of the application and better protect your PC.
- Select a suggestion from the list.
- Click the button next to a suggested action; for example, click the Enable button next to the Want to get rid of noisy pop-up ads? suggestion.
- Go to the News section. In this section, you will find cybersecurity news. Use the navigation buttons to read the next news item or to go back to the previous news.
About security news
Every day, the world is seeing more and more mass theft of passwords, hacking of databases, and online banking fraud. Kaspersky security news provides fresh information about such crimes and helps you prevent situations in which you could become a victim of hackers. To make sure that the security news you receive is specifically relevant for you, the application analyzes information about the resources you visit and the apps that you run. This information is used only for the purpose of selecting news that may be important or interesting to you.
Security news is displayed in the Notification Center together with other news from Kaspersky. Security news notifications appear in the taskbar notification area. Notification windows contain the news header and a brief recommendation on resolving the problem described in the news.
Depending on the severity level, news can be of the following types:
- Important news – news about events that pose a potential threat to your security (for example, news about mass theft of Facebook passwords). Windows containing important news are yellow.
- General news – news that is for information purposes (for example, news about more and more frequent cases of data breaches in online banking caused by Trojan malware). Windows containing general news are green.
If a notification about security news appears on the screen, you can proceed to the full text of the news by clicking the Details button in the pop-up window, or you can close the pop-up window. You can view the full text of news at any time by selecting the relevant news in the Notification Center news list.
If you do not want to receive security news on a specific device, you can disable the display of news. If you do not want to receive news on any of your devices, you can disable the receipt of news on My Kaspersky.
Security news is not displayed during the first hour of operation of the application after it is installed.
Page topHow to enable or disable security news
To enable or disable security news:
- Open the main application window.
- Click
in the lower part of the main window.This opens the Settings window.
- Select the Interface settings section.
This opens the Interface settings window.
- In the Promotional materials section, perform one of the following:
- If you want to receive security news, select the Receive informational messages and advertisements from Kaspersky check box.
- If you do not want to receive security news, clear the Receive informational messages and advertisements from Kaspersky check box.
How to enable or disable the receipt of security news on My Kaspersky
To enable or disable the receipt of security news on My Kaspersky:
- Open the main page of My Kaspersky.
- Click the Sign in button and enter your email address that you specified when creating the account and your password.
- Click the button
.This opens the window for viewing notifications.
- Click the Settings link to go to the Notification settings window.
- Do one of the following:
- If you want to enable the receipt of security news, select the Security news check box.
- If you want to disable the receipt of security news, clear the Security news check box.
Application activity log and detailed report
In the main window, you can view a brief overview of all actions performed by the application in the course of operation. This information helps you understand exactly how the application protects your device and your data.
To view the timeline:
- Open the main application window.
In the Home section, look under Timeline to see a brief activity history of the application.
- To view the activity history of the application, click View all.
This opens a window with a detailed description of actions taken by the application and the time when events occurred.
- To view a detailed report of the application, click View reports.
This takes you to the Reports window.
You can also view the detailed report by clicking Reports in the Security section. The Reports window displays data in the form of a table. For convenient viewing of reports, you can select various filtering options.
How to configure the application interface
This section contains information on how to configure the interface of the application.
How to configure application notifications
Notifications that appear in the taskbar notification area inform you of application events that require your attention. Depending on how critical the event is, you may receive the following types of notifications:
- Critical notifications inform you of events that have critical importance for the computer's security, such as detection of a malicious object or dangerous activity in the operating system. Windows used for critical notifications and pop-up messages are red.
- Important notifications inform you of events that are potentially important for the computer's security, such as detection of a probably infected object or suspicious activity in the operating system. Windows used for important notifications and pop-up messages are yellow.
- Information notifications inform you of events that do not have critical importance for the computer's security. Windows used for information notifications and pop-up messages are green.
If a notification is displayed on the screen, you should select one of the options that are suggested in the notification. The optimal option is the one recommended as the default by Kaspersky experts.
A notification can be closed automatically when the computer is restarted, when the Kaspersky application is quit, or in Connected Standby mode in Windows 8. Intrusion Prevention notifications are closed automatically after 500 seconds. Notifications about the startup of the application are closed after 1 hour. When a notification is closed automatically, the Kaspersky application performs the default recommended action.
Click the links below to learn how to configure the application notifications.
How to configure delivery of notifications
To create notification rules:
- Open the main application window.
- Click in the lower part of the main window.
This opens the Settings window.
- Select the Interface settings section.
- In the Notifications block, click the Notification settings link to proceed to the notification settings window.
- Select the component in the list on the left.
The right part of the window displays a list of events that may occur during operation of this component.
- Choose an event from the list and select the following check boxes:
- Save in local report. When the event occurs, information about this event will be written to a report, which is stored on the local computer.
- Notify on screen. When the event occurs, a pop-up notification is shown above the application icon in the taskbar notification area.
You can use the drop-down list in the lower-left corner to indicate which notifications you want to save to the local report:
- Default. When this option is selected, the generated report will save the events chosen by Kaspersky experts.
- Manually. This option is selected automatically if you configure the capability to manually save events to a report.
- Critical. When this option is selected, the generated report will save Critical events (including Application malfunction events for the System audit and Intrusion Prevention component).
- Important. When this option is selected, the generated report will save Critical events (including Application malfunction events for the System audit and Intrusion Prevention component) and Warnings.
- Informational. When this option is selected, the generated report will save all events.
Notifications about all changes related to event The application works and processes data under relevant laws and uses the appropriate infrastructure, are always displayed on the screen in the taskbar area. Clearing the checkbox does not change the setting.
How to configure delivery of notifications containing news and special offers from Kaspersky
If you want to stay informed about the latest cybersecurity news and receive special offers from Kaspersky:
- Open the main application window.
- Click in the lower part of the main window.
This opens the Settings window.
- Go to the Interface settings section.
- In the News notifications block, select the Receive informational messages and advertisements from Kaspersky check box if you want to receive notifications about computer security news.
- In the Promotional materials section, perform one of the following:
- Select the Receive informational messages and advertisements from Kaspersky check box if you want to receive notifications about computer security news.
- Select the Show information about special offers on websites check box if you want to receive the best offers when visiting Kaspersky websites.
- Select the Receive informational messages and advertisements after the current subscription expires check box if you want to receive notifications about security news from Kaspersky after your subscription expires.
How to enable notification sounds
- Open the main application window.
- Click in the lower part of the main window.
This opens the Settings window.
- Select the Interface settings section.
- In the Notifications block, select the Enable notification sounds check box.
To change the default audio signal to the "pig squeal", type IDKFA in the About window.
Notification sounds are not played in Microsoft Windows 10.
How to configure notifications when a child is using the application
If Kaspersky Safe Kids is installed on your computer, you can enable or disable Kaspersky notifications when a child is using the computer.
To configure notifications when a child is using the application:
- Open the main application window.
- Click in the lower part of the main window.
This opens the Settings window.
- Go to the Interface settings section.
- Select an option:
- Clear the Show notifications in children's accounts check box to turn off Kaspersky notifications when a child is using the application.
- Select the Show notifications in children's accounts check box to turn on Kaspersky notifications when a child is using the application.
Details about configuring the Kaspersky application when a child is using a computer.
How to change the application design theme
The capability to change the application design theme is not available in some regions.
To change the application design theme:
- Open the main application window.
- Click in the lower part of the main window.
This opens the Settings window.
- Select the Interface settings section.
- In the Design theme block, choose one of the following options:
- Same as the operating system. The current operating system design theme is used.
- Light. The light application design theme is used.
- Dark. The dark application design theme is used.
- Use a custom design theme, if you want to use a custom design theme. Click Select and enter the path to the ZIP archive or folder containing the files with the custom design theme.
The design theme is applied after application restart.
How to configure the application icon
In this section, you will learn about configuring the application icon on your desktop and in the notification area.
How to change the application icon
To change the application icon:
- Open the main application window.
- Click in the lower part of the main window.
This opens the Settings window.
- Select the Interface settings section.
- In the Application icon block, choose one of the following options:
- Standard icon. When this option is selected, the desktop and the notification area will display the standard application icon.
- Midori Kuma. When this option is selected, the desktop and the notification area will display the icon containing an image of the bear mascot known as Midori Kuma.
If you want to return to the traditional K-letter application icon, type IDDQD in the About window. To apply changes, you need to restart the computer.
How to change the icon in the notification area depending on the protection status
To change the Kaspersky application icon in the notification area depending on the application status:
- Open the main application window.
- Click in the lower part of the main window.
This opens the Settings window.
- Select the Interface section.
- In the Show application's status in notifications area block, choose a status and select a check box.
When the application switches to a state corresponding to the selected status, the application icon in the notification area will change.
How to password-protect access to the application management functions
A single computer may be shared by several users with various levels of experience and computer literacy. Unrestricted access of different users to the application and its settings may compromise the level of computer security.
To restrict access to the application, you can define an administrator password for the KLAdmin account. This user has unlimited rights to manage and modify the settings of the application, and to assign application access permissions to other users. After you create a password for KLAdmin, you can assign application access permissions to various users or groups of users.
To create a KLAdmin administrator password:
- Open the main application window.
- Click in the lower part of the main window.
This opens the Settings window.
- Select the Interface settings section.
- Switch the Password protection toggle to On.
- In the opened window, fill in the User name (KLAdmin is recommended), Enter password and Confirm password fields.
Tips on creating a strong password:
- The password must contain at least eight and no more than 128 characters.
- The password contains at least one number.
- The password contains both lowercase and uppercase letters.
- The password must contain at least one special character (for example: ! @ # $ % ^ & *).
- Click Save.
A forgotten password cannot be recovered. If you have forgotten your password, contact Customer Service to recover access to the application settings.
The user KLAdmin can assign permissions to the following users and user groups:
Everyoneuser group. This group includes all users of the operating system. If you grant this group permission to perform a particular action, then group users will always be allowed to perform this action, even if a specific user or a user group belonging to theEveryoneuser group does not have individual permission to perform the action. By default, members of theEveryonegroup are not allowed to perform any actions.<system user>. By default, the selected user is not allowed to perform any actions. This means that when you try to perform a prohibited action, you will be prompted to enter yourKLAdminaccount password.
How to add a user or user group
How to edit permissions for a user or user group
How to allow an action for an individual user or user group
How to forbid an action for an individual user or user group
When you try to perform any action from the list in the Add permissions for a user or a group window, the application will ask you to enter a password. In the password window, enter the username and password for the current user account. The action will be executed if the specified account has permission to perform this action. In the password window, you can specify the time interval during which the user will not have to reenter the password.
In the password window, you can switch the input language only by pressing ALT+SHIFT. Any other shortcuts will not switch the input language, even if that shortcut is configured in the operating system.
How to restore the default settings of the application
You can restore the application settings recommended by Kaspersky experts at any time. When the settings are restored, the Optimal security level is set for all protection components.
To restore the default settings of the application:
- Open the main application window.
- Click in the lower part of the main window.
This opens the Settings window.
- Select the Manage settings section.
- Click the Restore link to run the Settings Restore Wizard.
- Click Next.
The window of the Wizard shows the progress of restoring the application settings back to the default settings configured by Kaspersky experts.
- After the default application settings restoration process is finished, click Done.
How to apply the application settings on another computer
Having configured Kaspersky in a particular way, you can then apply the settings on another computer. As a result, Kaspersky will be configured identically on both computers.
The Kaspersky application settings are saved in a configuration file that you can move from one computer to another.
The settings of the Kaspersky application are moved from one computer to another in three steps:
- Save the Kaspersky application settings to configuration file.
- Move the configuration file to the other computer (for example, by email or on a removable drive).
- Import the settings from the configuration file to the Kaspersky application that is installed on the other computer.
To export Kaspersky settings:
- Open the main application window.
- Click in the lower part of the main window.
This opens the Settings window.
- In the Settings window select the Manage settings section.
- Select Export.
- The Save window opens.
- Specify a name for the configuration file and click the Save button.
The application settings are now saved in the configuration file.
You can also export the Kaspersky application settings at the command prompt, by using the following command: avp.com EXPORT <file_name>.
During export of the Kaspersky application settings, website addresses that you added to Safe Money are saved only for the current user. During import of settings on another computer, website addresses are not saved.
To import settings to the Kaspersky application that is installed on another computer:
- On the other computer, open the main window of Kaspersky application.
- Click in the lower part of the window.
This opens the Settings window.
- In the Settings window select the Manage settings section.
- Select Import.
The Open window opens.
- Specify a configuration file and click the Open button.
The settings are imported to the Kaspersky application that is installed on the other computer.
How to pause and resume computer protection
Pausing protection means temporarily disabling all protection components for some time.
When protection is paused or the Kaspersky application is not running, the activity of the applications running on your computer is monitored. Information about the results of monitoring of application activity is saved in the operating system. When the Kaspersky application is started again or protection is resumed, the application uses this information to protect your computer from malicious actions that may have been performed when protection was paused or when the Kaspersky application was not running. Information about the results of monitoring of application activity is stored indefinitely. This information is deleted if the Kaspersky application is removed from your computer.
To pause computer protection:
- In the context menu of Kaspersky icon located in the taskbar notification area, select the Pause protection item.
The Pause protection window opens.
- In the Pause protection window, select the time interval after which protection will be resumed:
- Pause for – protection is enabled after expiration of the time interval selected from the drop-down list.
- Pause until application restart – protection is enabled after the application is started again or the operating system is restarted (if the application automatically starts on startup).
- Pause – protection will be resumed when you decide to resume it.
- Click the Pause protection button and confirm your choice in the window that opens.
Evaluating the Kaspersky application
You can evaluate our application and send your score to Kaspersky.
Some time after the installation, the application offers you to evaluate its operation.
To evaluate the application:
- In the We value your opinion window, do one of the following:
- If you are ready to evaluate Kaspersky, rate the application using a 10-point scale.
- If you do not want to evaluate the application, click the
button to close the evaluation window.
- Click the Send button.
- Click the Close button to close the window.
What data is transferred when rating the application
In addition to the rating, Kaspersky processes the following information that is necessary for analyzing the survey:
- Name and version of the Kaspersky application
- Version of the operating system
- Activation region and user interface language of the Kaspersky application
- Usage period of the Kaspersky application