Global cybersecurity titan Kaspersky believes its new consumer product portfolio entitled ‘beyond AV’ gives users the robust security offering that they need to counteract the complex and nuanced nature of cyberattacks in the new digital economy. 
Kaspersky’s new, simplified consumer solutions portfolio, which was launched last year and is available on a subscription basis.
The reinvented product line brings an enhanced user interface and experience across multiple platforms. It also introduces a variety of features covering each category of contemporary consumer protection: security, privacy, performance and identity.
Kaspersky detection systems discovered an average of 380,000 new malicious files per day in 2021, reflecting a growth of 20,000 files per day compared to 2020.
There are also new types of threat continuing to emerge: from advanced stealers targeting the accounts of popular online gaming platforms or cryptowallets, to stalkerware that enables a perpetrator to secretly spy on another person’s private life via a mobile device.
It is therefore important for users to have the answers to all possible scenarios, so they can carry on living their digital lives with confidence – whether it’s ‘farming gold’ in their favorite MMORPG, introducing kids to their first tablet, arranging a video call for senior members of the family or simply looking to explore and try the next big thing like building a smart home or taking a tour of the ‘metaverse’.
In order to respond to these developing challenges and needs, Kaspersky has reimagined its consumer protection “beyond AV” and laid out its new approach and evolutionary vision for the upcoming years.
Introducing new Kaspersky offerings: from standard to premium
The new simplified product line has been divided into several plans – Kaspersky Standard, Kaspersky Plus and Kaspersky Premium. The updated range of plans is now platform agnostic, and every one provides protection for different types of devices on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. These are all designed to reflect the level of functionality available to users across the entire ecosystem of the company’s consumer services.
Kaspersky Standard
Consumers who choose Kaspersky Standard will receive security functionality, including real-time protection against the latest digital threats and Safe Browsing & Anti-Phishing to provide defense from dangerous websites, downloads and extensions.
The Standard plan also offers users a Pre-Kaspersky virus removal tool that can find and remove viruses that may have found their way into users’ PCs before they installed Kaspersky. On top of this, the plan includes a Firewall and Network Monitor which shows which apps are connected to the internet.
There is also a whole set of performance tools, including Quick Startup, PC Speed-up and Disk Space Cleanup tools. Game and Do Not Disturb modes, which switch on automatically during gaming, working or while streaming movies on a PC, ensure undisrupted experiences and minimize the usage of system resources, allowing reallocation to priority tasks. Stalkerware detection plus webcam and mic protection are some of the privacy features available to subscribers of this plan.
Kaspersky Plus
Privacy capabilities are more prominent in Kaspersky Plus. Users subscribed to this plan get access to everything available in Kaspersky Standard plus unlimited VPN and Premium Password Manager.
They also get Data Leak Checker, which monitors the internet and dark web, warning users if their private data has been compromised and providing recommendations on what to do next.
In addition, the plan includes Password Safety Status, which can enhance password protection by checking the safety status of passwords and their susceptibility to leaks. Under the Kaspersky Plus plan, users can also see which devices are connected to the home network, a particularly helpful feature for the owners of smart home tech.
Kaspersky Premium
The most feature-rich subscription plan, Kaspersky Premium, adds to all the previous capabilities by including digital identity protection and premium technical support – with priority access to phone calls or chat services, remote expert installation help and personal PC health checks. In order to provide comprehensive identity defense, users have access to Identity Protection Wallet, which stores copies of sensitive data (such as your passport or driver’s license) in an encrypted format to prevent identity theft and lets you securely access your data across all of your devices.
In addition, all customers of Kaspersky Premium will get a free one-year subscription of Kaspersky Safe Kids as a bonus, bringing additional value for parents.
In the future, Kaspersky is planning on further developing its ecosystem and expanding its list of partnerships and integrations, thus, delivering more value and services to its users.
Private and uninterrupted browsing
- Kaspersky Premium anti-virus uses a tool Stalkerware to prevent unauthorized ads, tracking and usage of peripherals.
- The software also prevents social media platforms and websites from extracting your private data, showing you irrelevant ads or spying on you.
- Kaspersky Premium sends you alerts when it detects a new WiFi device on your network.
- Kaspersky antivirus prevents unauthorized access to your webcam.
Uninterrupted entertainment
- Kaspersky Premium offers “zero distractions” during gaming, working or entertainment hours.
- The antivirus detects “data-hungry apps and software“, enabling you to close them to ensure high functionality of your system.
- Kaspersky Premium helps conserve power by not running virus scans or database updates when your system is running low on battery.
Personal and Payment information protection:
- Kaspersky Premium re-routes you to a “bank-grade protected browser” when you make a payment to prevent your financial data from being hacked online.
- The software has a password manager which stores your credit card details, passwords and important documents across all your devices to prevent a data breach.
- Kaspersky Premium offers an added layer of protection by preventing keyloggers from recording your keystrokes on the PC in a bid to protect your confidential information.
- Kaspersky has an app lock for Android devices, which can only be unlocked via your fingerprint, your secret pattern or a private PIN code.
24/7 IT support:
- Kaspersky Premium offers round-the-clock remote IT support for premium customers.
- They detect and remove malware in your device, perform thorough inspections and provide on-call or online admin support for premium requests.
UX improvements and subscriptions
A clearer, more user-friendly interface and experience enhance the new portfolio. Kaspersky has completely redesigned its solutions with the aim of improving customer interaction within the app and making it simpler and easier across the key areas – prevention (all dangerous threats are blocked automatically and users are notified), monitoring (users are notified about potential threats or actions that may lead to damage and have the opportunity to choose settings or actions in order to not interrupt their digital experience) and education (users can read about the functions and threats in special blocks if they want to learn more).
The new portfolio is designed to provide a clearer demonstration of the plan’s key capabilities, with guidance from the first moments of using the service thanks to an engaging onboarding process that simulates a trusted and friendly conversation.
Quick action buttons provide immediate access to the most popular features. Security news and notifications can be found under the “Home” tab, while all the main information about the user’s subscription (status, renewal date, number of devices, etc.) is available in the “Profile” section.
