Kaspersky
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About Kaspersky
Kaspersky is a Russian multinational cybersecurity company founded in 1997 by Eugene Kaspersky, headquartered in Moscow, Russia, with global operations offices in the UK, Netherlands, and elsewhere. It is one of the largest private cybersecurity companies in the world, protecting over 400 million users. Kaspersky Lab's products consistently earn top scores in independent testing by AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives for malware detection and have won numerous industry awards. Kaspersky's product lineup includes Kaspersky Standard (antivirus + performance tools), Kaspersky Plus (adds VPN), and Kaspersky Premium (adds identity monitoring). Pricing starts at $28.99/year for Standard (3 devices). Technically, Kaspersky is excellent — its threat intelligence network, heuristic analysis, and detection of zero-day threats are industry-leading. However, the company has faced significant regulatory scrutiny: in 2024, the US government banned Kaspersky software from sale in the United States, and multiple EU government bodies have advised against its use on sensitive systems, citing concerns about potential Russian government access under Russian law. For users in countries without such restrictions, Kaspersky remains a technically superior product at competitive pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kaspersky safe to use in 2026?
Kaspersky is technically excellent but legally restricted in the US — the US Commerce Department banned new Kaspersky software sales in the United States in June 2024 (existing installations were given a wind-down period). In the EU, Germany's BSI and other national agencies have advised against using Kaspersky on sensitive systems. For users in countries without such restrictions, the technical product remains strong. For US users, alternatives like Bitdefender or Norton offer equivalent protection without the regulatory complications.
How much does Kaspersky cost?
Kaspersky Standard starts at $28.99/year (3 devices), rising to $35.99 for 5 devices. Kaspersky Plus (adds VPN) is $35.99/year for 3 devices. Kaspersky Premium (identity monitoring + tech support) is $44.99/year for 5 devices. These are promotional first-year rates; renewals are higher. Note: In the US, Kaspersky is no longer legally available for purchase following the 2024 government ban.
Why did the US ban Kaspersky?
The US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security banned Kaspersky in June 2024 under authority granted by Executive Order 13873, citing the risk that the Russian government could compel Kaspersky to collect data from US systems or deliver malicious code via software updates. This followed years of concerns — the US government banned Kaspersky from federal systems in 2017. The ban prohibits new sales and software updates to US customers. Existing users were advised to switch to alternatives.
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Bitdefender vs Kaspersky
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