Thoughts

Hello Schulte A splendid explanation! As a bit of feedback for Kaspersky, it could be helpful re-writing the opening part of their Getting Started section. Something to the effect - Malicious sites are blocked and scripts are analyzed by the central AV. Installation of the browser extension is recommended to ensure complete functionality of Kaspersky Free's URL advisor. Thank you once again for your time.

Hello Schulte Thank you for your reply. As Safe Money and Anti Banner are not features within Kaspersky Free, is the browser extension still required if the URL advisor is also not being used (using unsupported search engines)? You seem to be implying that malicious websites could evade Kaspersky's detection, simply by the extension not being installed, is that correct? Kaspersky Free, or least the explanation of it, seems to be different from Security Cloud Free which was the extension adds the on-screen keyboard but provides no protective function. Is Kaspersky Free now different in this regard? Thanks again.

In the Getting started section for the new Kaspersky Free 21.5, it states - In order for Kaspersky Free to fully support browsers, the Kaspersky Protection extension has to be installed and enabled in browsers. Kaspersky Free uses the Kaspersky Protection extension to inject a script into traffic. The final sentence in this same paragraph states - Kaspersky Free can embed the script without using the Kaspersky Protection extension. This last sentence seems to conflict with the first sentence. In regard to browser protection, does Kaspersky Free now require the installation of the browser extension? Or is it the same as Security Cloud Free where the extension was NOT required? The on-screen keyboard still appears without the extension, so my question is. What function(s) does the browser extension perform when used exclusively with Kaspersky Free? Thank you in advance for any help

Hello DSB - I wasn’t offering the trial as a solution, simply that if your version of Security Cloud was currently operating in Trial Mode, its firewall ‘would’ be operational and could be what is causing your issue. If the Security Cloud app clearly states Free (app and account page) and the Firewall features in the Kaspersky app are all greyed out and disabled then you’re definitely using the Free version, which doesn’t have a firewall. As an aside was there a particular reason you’re using Windows 7?

DSB - Just because I couldn’t find it in any of the posts, are you definitely running Security Cloud Free? Security Cloud can be run for 30 days in trial mode during which, every module including its own in-built firewall will be fully operational. It might not be a factor but I thought it worth asking. You can check its current status at the top of the main app and on your account screen.

I’ve used Malwarebytes scanner but not its real-time protection. It certainly is highly regarded but I’ve yet to be convinced that Malwarebytes’ talk of using it with other AVs is little more than a sales line. Malwarebytes can control how its software behaves, but they have no control over how the other AV might respond. I’ve not used Malwarebytes Browser Guard but was aware of it and that it would likely follow the URL detection of Malwarebytes premium, also see *. Two things have impressed me with Kaspersky, firstly its behavioral detection, ransomware, etc and its malware database are second to none. But the fact we’re having this chat in a forum where Kaspersky answers questions without fear or favor isn’t as common as one might imagine. If you’re using KSC Free, the browser extension purely gives you an on-screen keyboard. All browser protection comes from the central AV. The extension provides more features in the premium versions, but again malware, phishing protection, etc comes solely from the central AV. *For the highest level of protection from Kaspersky, both malware and browser protection, in exchange for providing greater usage data (anonymous), keep or enable KSN. KSN allows Kaspersky to instantly analyze websites and files in the cloud ahead of local signature updates. You really shouldn’t need a separate browser extension on top of KSC, especially with KSN, but at worst you’d lose nothing by using Malwarebytes Browser Guard. uBlock Origin, is an excellent addition (enable AdGuard annoyances and AdGuard base filters and leave all other filter settings at their defaults). HTTPS Everywhere upgrades non-secure HTTP sites to HTTPS or warns you if that’s not possible. If not done already, back up all your files and pictures to two cloud accounts and one external hard drive and then if the worst happens you can restore everything from one of those backups. If you treat a backup routine as your first line of defense not your last, it’ll be far easier to start afresh.

Beyond increasing CPU and memory usage, I’d say the worst case scenario could be a malware attack where the response of one (KSC or Malwarebytes) was seen as suspicious behaviour by the other and so tries to block it. In other words, two AVs seeing each other as a threat. Don’t forget an AV doesn’t know the ‘other’ software is an AV, it just sees what the other was trying to do, which it could determine was itself an attack by malware. As an aside, Malwarebytes offers a separate browser extension, used independently of their AV software, so you could use that, in conjunction with KSC and Malwarebytes (scanner only mode). Real-time malware protection would come KSC, with Malwarebytes Browser Guard giving you a further URL check beyond that of Kaspersky.

I don’t work for Kaspersky so can’t unfortunately answer your question regarding in which regions Kaspersky can be used, hopefully they will be able to help. In answer to you second question Kaspersky’s Security Cloud and Kaspersky’s VPN are two separate apps so need to be uninstalled separately, but once done they will fully remove all files from your computer. Make sure you reboot once the process has completed.

Furthering Berny’s comment. In Malwarebytes settings make sure it is ‘not’ registered in Windows Security and disable Malwarebytes from starting with Windows. If you simply wanted to remove Malwarebytes, but can’t, I would suggest you first disable Kaspersky from starting with Windows (Settings Cog icon) then restart your computer. Next reinstall Malwarebytes and once installed, uninstall it using Malwarebytes’ own uninstaller which should ensure all files are gone. Once it’s removed open Kaspersky and re-enable start with Windows. If you want a second opinion scanner to use alongside Kaspersky, I’d recommend Emsisoft Emergency Kit. It’s very thorough and importantly is portable so won’t alter your Windows installation and to remove it just delete the folder.

Correct. The browser extension adds features (Protected Browser, On-screen keyboard, etc.), but has no function in malware or phishing site detection. If you’re using Security Cloud Free, the extension purely adds an on-screen keyboard, nothing else.

Click Windows Security in the taskbar, click on Virus & threat protection and check whether Kaspersky Security Cloud is correctly registered. It should say Kaspersky Security Cloud is turned on If it does, then directly below Security Cloud you should only see Microsoft Defender Antivirus Options in blue text. If you see Current Threats, Virus & threat protection settings, Ransomware Protection etc., then Periodic Scanning has been enabled and that is why Defender is active and visible in Task Manager. To disable Defender completely, scroll down to Microsoft Defender Antivirus options and switch Periodic scanning to off.

Kaspersky’s detection of keyloggers is independent of using the on-screen keyboard. The on-screen keyboard can help protect you if an undetected keylogger is already on your system. So the detection of keyloggers will be unaffected if not using the browser extension.

What’s displayed is how it should be. Click on Virus & threat protection and it should say Kaspersky Security Cloud is turned on. Below this you will either see Windows Defender Antivirus options (to enable or disable periodic scanning) or, if enabled, it will also display a selection of scanning options. Defender’s real-time malware protection is completely switched off in either case. Windows Firewall remains fully active as Security Cloud Free does not include its own firewall. The other options (Account protection, App & browser control etc.) are all independent. If you have Windows Defender Periodic scanning enabled I’d switch it off. It’s overkill and forces Windows to download signature updates as often as it would if Defender was your primary AV.

FredV - If you wished to keep the cloud backup process within Kaspersky, mount your Google account as a local hard drive using either Air Live Drive or RaiDrive. When mounted, the drive should appear within Kaspersky as a local drive option. This would remove the need to install Google Backup & Sync. There are other clouds that can also be integrated in this manner.

You can go straight to the My Kaspersky site here: My Kaspersky | Welcome If it’s able to communicate with your software it will do so the moment you log in. If you still can’t connect, reply back and hopefully someone from Kaspersky can chip in with a further suggestion. As mentioned your protection is unaffected, so don’t worry about that. In case it’s asked, which version of Windows 10? E.g. Windows 10 Pro 20H2 etc.

Security Cloud Free works with My Kaspersky. Are you using a VPN? I’ve seen issues if trying to connect through a VPN. It’s also possible there may be an issue with the servers in your location. I use the free version and have just checked and was able to connect, although it was a bit slow. Your protection is still fully functional. If you click Active in the lower right hand corner of the app you can confirm your subscription is active. You can also click on Database Update to confirm if your software is connecting to Kaspersky’s database. To save others asking later can you say which version of Security Cloud you’re using and which operating system? To see your Kaspersky version hover your mouse over the Kaspersky icon in the taskbar and note the full number shown (21. etc.) including the letter in brackets at the (end).

If you have Kaspersky Total Security installed with an active license, Security Cloud is not required and will not install alongside. They are different variations of AV protection designed to be used on their own. Bing Dutch Translation Of Above Text - Als u Kaspersky Total Security hebt geïnstalleerd met een actieve licentie is Security Cloud niet vereist en zal deze niet naast elkaar worden geïnstalleerd. Ze zijn verschillende varianten van AV-bescherming ontworpen om te worden gebruikt op hun eigen.

The browser extension isn’t involved in login detection/e-mail breach at all. That and all other aspects of browser protection are handled solely by the Security Cloud app. The extension (in Security Cloud Free) just adds the keyboard. If not installed everything else is the same. Also as mentioned and maybe Kaspersky can clarify directly, but it’s possible that certain elements can’t be fully disabled in the free version; similar to the Promotional material tick boxes in the notification section that while you can untick them they only disable popups in the Personal and Family licensed versions.

I had and still have the account check enabled, but after I had asked Security Cloud to ignore the specific website breach warning I have not received any further prompts. If I did they would be in relation only to a newly discovered breach. I think within the free version there are limits as to what can be deactivated (a bit like the occasional popups). So you’re aware all Kaspersky browsing protection including login detection is handled centrally by the main Security Cloud app. When using Security Cloud Free the browser extension functions purely as access to the on-screen keyboard. If the extension is not installed Security Cloud is still monitoring all web activity including log in entries.

smipx I understand your concern, but I think you’ll find its not a false or erroneous message. If you enter the e-mail in question into https://haveibeenpwned.com/ which is the data breach website used by Kaspersky, you’ll see further information related to breach(es) in question. There are recent related posts here. https://community.kaspersky.com/kaspersky-security-cloud-11/data-related-to-your-account-may-have-been-leaked-from-2-websites-12705?sort=dateline.desc#comments I use Security Cloud Free 20 and it initially warned me of two e-mail addresses involved in website breaches. I was already aware of them and once I had asked Security Cloud to ignore them (in the Privacy Protection section I think) I no longer saw any further warnings. I have e-mail addresses registered with haveIbeenpwned to notify me directly of potential future data breaches. Website breaches are increasingly becoming a way for criminals to obtain valuable login information and while Kaspersky provides excellent phishing protection, to limit malicious websites from stealing login details, if the official website is itself hacked and that information stolen it can cause real problems. If not already you may wish to recommend the use of a password manager to your relative. They greatly simplify website logins and the generation of more secure passwords. They also provide an additional layer of phishing protection. After the initial familiarization most tend to find them very straightforward. Also if your relative was concerned it would be fairly straightforward for you to maintain their password database.

Kupo If you enter the e-mail address, in question, into https://haveibeenpwned.com/ it will show you the approximate discovery date of the data breach and should be the same information that’s ‘blacked’ in Security Cloud Free. This is where a password manager (Kaspersky’s or others) comes in to its own as you can more quickly generate and change existing passwords if required. As previously mentioned, regardless of the breach date, I’d change the login password and if possible also change the e-mail address used on that account. If you changed both you would then know any login information obtained in the earlier breach would be of no use to hackers now.

Kupo Furthering Flood and Flood’s wife’s comment, you can also register specific e-mail addresses with HaveIbeenpwned so if any are involved in future website breaches they will notify you directly. If you are notified of a website breach I would personally change the log in password of ‘every’ account using that e-mail address. Going forward I’d also recommend using a disposable e-mail service such as 33mail or ManyMe. Either enable you to create unique e-mail addresses for each online account (delivered to a single e-mail address). That way if a website is breached, you know the compromised e-mail and password are specific to that site and none other.

I use Security Cloud 20 Free and CCleaner and never had any issues. Don’t use Defraggler but I can’t envisage it being a problem using a defragmentation tool. Windows has its own as well.

Hello Wibie Furthering Berny’s comment. Defender would automatically be switched off when Security Cloud Free is running. Your real-time protection (including ransomware protection) would solely come from Security Cloud. You can if you wish let Defender run its own periodic scans. In Security Cloud I would suggest setting up a daily Quick Scan and a weekly or monthly full scan. FYI ransomware protection is an area where Kaspersky Security Cloud is highly respected and unlike Windows Defender does not require you to set up ‘Protected’ folders. No adjustments are required as ransomware protection, is active by default and why the separate RP tool is not required and shouldn’t be installed.

Hello Igor Thank you for the clarification. I will switch Cloud-delivered protection off. Regards. Thoughts