Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X: first look. Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac: is it needed? Main features of Kaspersky Security for Mac

05.11.2021 external HDs

Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac provides protection against online threats targeting computers and laptops running macOS. Comprehensive antivirus includes web antivirus, parental controls, privacy protection, secure payments and VPN

New in Kaspersky Internet Security 2020 for Mac

What's new

  • Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac now offers verification external drives immediately after connecting them. If on external drive there is a malicious file, this will allow you to detect it faster.
  • We've added support dark theme, which reduces eye strain. Appearance The program adapts to your macOS settings.
  • New security reports are now available in the program.
  • We have improved the program's performance. Now it has even less impact on the operation of your operating system.
  • Now instead of the component Parental control the program includes Kaspersky Safe Kids - a multi-platform parental control program that will help protect your child from adult content, find out the child’s location and the battery charge on his device.
  • We have updated the program interface to make it more convenient to work with.

Known Limitations

  • The dark theme may not work correctly with extensions for Chrome browsers and Firefox due to lack of browser support.
  • The recommendation to install Kaspersky Password Manager may appear even if a password manager from another manufacturer is installed on your computer.
  • The timing of license-related events (for example, the end of a subscription) may differ in the Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac interface and in My Kaspersky due to differences in time zones. We recommend following the time indicated in the program.

At Makradar, we quite actively cover Mac OS X security issues (you can follow the publications using the tag). They wrote about Trojans that need to be installed “independently,” and about vulnerabilities in third-party applications, and about the first botnet. Antivirus developers are preparing Mac versions of their products, convincing that although there are no viruses for Mac OS X now, “in the future, as Apple’s share grows, everything may change.” In summer, for example, Dr. Web released an antivirus for Mac OS X, and recently Kaspersky Lab competed with it.

The Kaspersky Anti-Virus distribution weighs just over 50 MB and can be downloaded from the developer’s official website. After installation (which, by the way, does not require a system reboot), the user needs to receive a trial key, valid for 30 days. This should be enough to assess the need for an antivirus (or lack thereof). At the next stage, you will need to update the signatures (anti-virus database).

The interface evokes, frankly speaking, mixed feelings. It feels like it was created by two teams of UI designers independently of each other. One of them had Windows XP as her work machine with classic style enabled, while the other was given a Mac. As a result, the main window looks like a Winamp skin from seven years ago, and the application settings window is well done:

In LC, by the way, the interface is considered a great advantage: “Knowing that a convenient and attractive interface is very important for Mac applications, Kaspersky Lab has provided new product with a fundamentally new animated interface. It is very easy to use, both for novice users and professionals” (emphasis added).

Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X uses a global anti-virus database. With its help, protection is provided against “20 million. malware"(LC data). We are talking about a predominantly Windows infection. The antivirus works quickly. The developers themselves claim that the application requires only 1% of processor power. In reality, the figure is often lower - according to the Activity Monitor, about 0.9%. So the antivirus does not have a noticeable effect.

The process of completely scanning a 60 GB disk took just over an hour. Naturally, no viruses were detected. I had to go to the Eicar website to download a test (fake) virus and evaluate Kaspersky’s reaction:

Whether you need an antivirus for your Mac or not is up to you to decide. The LC emphasizes that the application will not so much protect Mac OS X, which does not have any special problems, but will ensure the security of mixed networks and shared folders virtual machines. Those. it all comes down to Windows holes again ;-)

With representatives of Kaspersky Lab, timed to coincide with the launch of a new product for OS X - Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac. Of course, we couldn’t get by with the speeches of officials, so we decided to personally test the product in practice.

Let's start from afar. There are a lot of different infections on Windows: viruses, Trojans and other “malware”. Last but not least, the situation remains and will definitely remain this way for some time due to the popularity of the platform. In this regard, Windows is far ahead of Apple's operating system, although the latter is gradually increasing its market share, which in turn will sooner or later attract the attention of people with unclean thoughts and a thirst for profit over the harmless Mac user.

However, today we can only remember the FlashBack Trojan epidemic, which still seems imaginary to many, and with good reason. The Java plugin, which is used on many platforms, including OS X, is also not particularly “armour-piercing” and suffers from the fact that attackers find holes in it from time to time. In any case, there is reason to think. But for now, just think about it, since we have not yet seen viral epidemics.

Why do we need Kaspersky Internet Security on Mac? Based on the name, you can understand that the product is not positioned as a purebred antivirus; rather, it is a product that can provide different levels of user security while on the Internet. Naturally, the program also has an anti-virus module. In general, the program can be divided into three components: file antivirus, web antivirus and parental control. The screenshot below shows that they are all enabled.

The program can scan HDD to check for threats not only for Mac, but also for Windows, which can be installed on your computer using Bootcamp. Moreover, I will give an example from my personal experience.

Viewing new comments left by group subscribers AndroidInsider.ru on the social network VKontakte, I became interested in one specific comment containing a link to installation file programs for the OS. As it turned out, after two clicks of the trackpad, the interest was very useful - the apk file contained an Android Trojan that sends paid SMS. Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac helped identify and kill the scoundrel. True, this was the only case when the program did something; all the other days of surfing the Internet passed in “quiet and quiet” mode, except perhaps antivirus program updated the database from time to time.

Monitoring Internet traffic and timely repelling a few threats to Mac and more malware for other platforms is not the only thing that can Kaspersky Security for Mac. One of the most interesting features of the program is the “Parental Control” function, which speaks for itself.

It has quite a lot of settings - the user can choose which sites to restrict the rights of an individual Mac user to (read: account your child). There is plenty to choose from: you can limit the type of content on the Internet if you do not want your child to be interested in weapons, drugs and pornography, in which case, when trying to access a potentially dangerous site, Kaspersky Internet Security will simply stop all attempts to go to the wrong place, where you can go. As you know, some social networks are repositories of a wide variety of content, sometimes such that not only children do not need to be shown, but also especially impressionable adults, so access to social networks can be flexibly configured. So does the time spent on the Internet.

In an interview, representatives of Kaspersky Lab claimed that the program is undemanding of computer resources and has a minimal impact on system performance - the figure was 0.5% of processor time. In general, this statement is very close to reality if the program does not check your media for viruses and other evil spirits. Indeed, the average consumption of processor resources in my case fluctuated around this mark. Naturally, when checking, KIS will be much less modest with the computer’s resources, but no negative impact on the computer’s operation was noticed.

Why is Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac needed or not needed at all? Of course, virus analysts will predict the imminent collapse of all systems under the onslaught of viruses, but we, ordinary users, who first need to prove the need for purchase and installation extra program, most likely we will wait for the moment when the number of epidemics of Trojans and other viruses exceeds the number 1 (at least). While OS X remains one of the most secure systems, where the user is protected from external threats without third-party solutions. On the other hand, especially sensitive individuals will like to feel even more protected, and attentive parents will be sure that the child does not go where he doesn’t need to go on the Internet.

At Makradar, we quite actively cover Mac OS X security issues (you can follow the publications using the tag). They wrote about Trojans that need to be installed “independently,” and about vulnerabilities in third-party applications, and about the first botnet. Antivirus developers are preparing Mac versions of their products, convincing that although there are no viruses for Mac OS X now, “in the future, as Apple’s share grows, everything may change.” In summer, for example, Dr. Web released an antivirus for Mac OS X, and recently Kaspersky Lab competed with it.

The Kaspersky Anti-Virus distribution weighs just over 50 MB and can be downloaded from the developer’s official website. After installation (which, by the way, does not require a system reboot), the user needs to receive a trial key, valid for 30 days. This should be enough to assess the need for an antivirus (or lack thereof). At the next stage, you will need to update the signatures (anti-virus database).

The interface evokes, frankly speaking, mixed feelings. It feels like it was created by two teams of UI designers independently of each other. One of them had Windows XP as her work machine with classic style enabled, while the other was given a Mac. As a result, the main window looks like a Winamp skin from seven years ago, and the application settings window is well done:

In LC, by the way, the interface is considered a great advantage: “Knowing that a convenient and attractive interface is very important for Mac applications, Kaspersky Lab has provided new product with a fundamentally new animated interface. It is very easy to use, both for novice users and professionals” (emphasis added).

Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X uses a global anti-virus database. With its help, protection is provided against “20 million malware” (LK data). We are talking about a predominantly Windows infection. The antivirus works quickly. The developers themselves claim that the application requires only 1% of processor power. In reality, the figure is often lower - according to the Activity Monitor, about 0.9%. So the antivirus does not have a noticeable effect.

The process of completely scanning a 60 GB disk took just over an hour. Naturally, no viruses were detected. I had to go to the Eicar website to download a test (fake) virus and evaluate Kaspersky’s reaction:

Whether you need an antivirus for your Mac or not is up to you to decide. LC emphasizes that the application will not so much protect Mac OS X, which does not have any special problems, but will ensure the security of mixed networks and shared folders of virtual machines. Those. it all comes down to Windows holes again ;-)

Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac- will make your Macintosh computer truly invulnerable. Protect not only yourself, but also your family, friends and colleagues by sharing only verified, safe files and links. Nowadays, malware is not only created for Windows. The number of Mac users is currently large enough to attract the attention of virus writers. Their interest in this platform will only grow over time. But it is up to you to remain completely safe by providing your Mac with reliable protection. Free trial version lasts 30 days. To extend its validity, it can be purchased for 1200 rubles/year, it’s up to you.

As the Mac manufacturer assures us, OS X uses powerful, cutting-edge technologies to continuously scan, encrypt and update your Mac and make it more secure. For example, the system protects against hackers using a technique called sandboxing, which limits what malicious apps can do on your Mac, access your files, and launch other apps. Sandboxing is one of the many ways OS X protects your data. Among the others automatic functions safety - random movement system libraries, which prevents malicious commands from reaching their target, and the Execution Disable feature, which protects your Mac's memory from attacks.
But additional protection should not be neglected, since “Kaspersky Security for Mac” has many protection functions that are not available in the Mac system, thanks to which you can be protected as much as possible.

So what do we get by downloading and installing Kaspersky Security for Mac?

  • Innovative hybrid protection
  • File antivirus
  • Web Antivirus
  • Parental control

Main features of Kaspersky Security for Mac:

Innovative hybrid protection

File antivirus
Kaspersky Security for Mac checks all launched and saved files for malicious code. When scanning, both local anti-virus databases and information from the cloud are used, so you can be confident in the reliable protection of your computer. In order to maximum performance Only new and changed files are scanned.
Web Antivirus
Before you visit a particular web page, Kaspersky Security for Mac checks its address against a database of phishing and malicious sites, and also analyzes the web page itself for the presence of malicious code. In addition, the Link Checker module informs you about the reputation of each link by adding a specific color indicator to it.
Parental control
Using the Parental Control module, you can limit the time your children spend
on the Internet, block their access to adult sites and prevent transmission confidential information. You can also monitor your child’s communication in social networks- view correspondence and limit communication with certain contacts.
Virtual keyboard
Mac users can now securely enter personal and financial information using virtual keyboard. In this case, to enter characters you need to click the mouse cursor on the buttons located on the screen. These actions cannot be captured by keyboard loggers or screenshot malware.

Advantages Kaspersky antivirus Security for Mac:

For Kaspersky antivirus for Mac there is a complete free competitor, This .
Improved! Real-time malware protection for Mac OS, Windows and Linux
Thanks to the combination of traditional and cloud technologies protection you are not afraid of known and new threats: viruses, Trojans, spyware, etc.
New! Personal data protection
Kaspersky Security for Mac blocks fraudulent websites and malicious objects that threaten your valuable data, and also protects against spyware and identity theft.
New! Parental control
Monitor your children's online activity. Block access to unwanted sites and prevent the spread of confidential information such as addresses, phone numbers, numbers bank cards etc.
Enhanced! Familiar Mac-style interface
The intuitive Mac-style interface makes using Kaspersky Security for Mac easy and convenient. Key Features and information about your Mac's protection status are available in the main program window. Kaspersky Security for Mac supports the latest Mac versions OS.
Minimal use of your Mac's resources
Kaspersky Security for Mac makes optimal use of your computer's resources and has minimal impact on its performance. To improve performance, the scanning speed varies depending on user activity.

Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac - free download 2018 and 2015

What's new in the latest version 18.0.1.35

  • Safe Money notifications are temporarily disabled
  • We fixed an issue where Kaspersky Internet Security 2018 for Mac OS required a constant restart of the computer after installing patch A.
  • Patch B is installed with database updates for Kaspersky Internet Security 2018 for Mac OS.

Useful links and other information:

Supported OS MacOS:

Minimum system requirements:

  • About 350 MB of free hard disk space (depending on the size of the anti-virus databases).
  • Internet connection to activate the product and receive regular updates.