Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X: First Look. Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac: is it needed? Do i need Kaspersky for mac os

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 could not get by with the speeches of officials, so it was decided to personally test the product in practice.

Let's start from afar. There are many different infections on Windows: viruses, trojans and other "malware". Last but not least, the situation remains and will definitely remain so 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 impure thoughts and a thirst for profit over the harmless Mac user.

However, today we can only recall the FlashBack Trojan epidemic, which still seems to many to be imaginary and not unreasonable. The Java plug-in, which is used on many platforms, including OS X, is also not particularly "armor-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, it can be understood that the product is not positioned as a purebred antivirus, rather it is a product capable of providing different levels of user security while surfing the Web. Naturally, the program also has an anti-virus module. In general, the program can be conditionally divided into three components: file antivirus, web antivirus, and parental control. The screenshot below shows that they are all enabled.

The program can scan your hard drive 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 VKontakte social network, I was interested in one specific comment containing a link to the installation file of the program for the OS. As it turned out, after two clicks of the trackpad, interest was very useful - an Android Trojan was stored in the apk file, sending paid SMS. Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac helped to find and kill the villain. True, this was the only case when the program did something, all the other days of surfing the Web were in the “quiet and smooth” mode, except that the antivirus program updated its databases from time to time.

Tracking Internet traffic and timely repelling fewer threats for Mac and more malware for other platforms is not the only thing that Kaspersky Security for Mac can do. One of the most interesting features of the program is the Parental Control function, which speaks for itself.

It has a lot of settings - the user can choose which content sites to restrict the rights of an individual Mac user (read: your child's account). There is plenty to choose from: you can limit the type of content on the Web, if you don't want your child to be interested in weapons, drugs and pornography, in this case, when you try to visit 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 does not need to be shown to children, but also to especially impressionable adults, so access to social networks can be flexibly configured. As well as the time spent on the web.

In an interview, representatives of Kaspersky Lab argued that the program is undemanding to computer resources and has a minimal effect on system performance - the figure was 0.5% of processor time. In general, this statement is very close to reality in the event that the program does not scan 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, it will be much less modest in terms of computer resources, however, no negative impact on the operation of the computer 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 to purchase and install an unnecessary program, will most likely wait for the moment when the number of epidemics of Trojans and other viruses will exceed the number 1 (at least). So far, OS X for us remains one of the most secure systems where the user is protected from outside threats without third-party solutions. On the other hand, especially worrying individuals will like to feel even more protected, and attentive parents will be sure that the child does not go to the Internet where it is not necessary.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2011 for Mac OS X Provides leading edge protection for your Macintosh computer. It is implemented on the basis of an improved antivirus engine, which is highly effective in detecting malware. Files are scanned automatically in real time or at the user's request. This antivirus has high performance and minimal impact on user experience.

It is important to note right away that there are very few malicious programs in the world that are specially designed to infect the operating system. Mac OS X, especially if all the latest updates are installed on it.

Therefore, at the current time, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2011 for Mac OS X should be viewed as protection against the transmission of malicious programs intended for other types of computers (running on Windows) to your friends and colleagues when exchanging information with them.

New technologies in this version of Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2011 for Mac OS X include:

• cloud technologies - UDS (Urgent Detection System), site reputation;
• heuristic analysis;
• Kaspersky URL Advisor (Kaspersky Toolbar)

Traditionally, all personal products of Kaspersky Lab have implemented reliable self-defense in Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X.

Let's take a closer look at this product.

System requirements

• Mac computer with an Intel processor;
• Operating system Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.6;
• 512 MB of RAM;
• 270 MB of free hard disk space;
• Internet connection for activating and updating anti-virus databases.

Installing Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

We will start our review by tradition with the product installer. We will not describe the installation procedure in detail. So, let's start the installation.

Figure 1: Installer start screen

The second installation step provides important product information.

Figure 2: Product Information

We accept the license agreement and the agreement on participation in KSN.

Figure 3: License agreement in Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

Figure 4: Agreement on participation in KasperskySecurityNetwork

We select the type of installation, and after that the installation of the product starts.

Figure 5: Selecting the type of installation for Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

Figure 6: Installation process of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

The installation of the product does not take long. After its successful completion, the product will offer to activate itself.

Figure 7: Status of the completion of installation of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

Figure 8: Activating Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

It should be noted that at this stage Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X can be activated with an activation code, a key file, or a trial version. So, the installation and activation completed successfully, as you can see, everything turned out to be more than simple. Now let's move on to an overview of the capabilities of this antivirus.

Key features of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

Figure 9: Main window of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X (Fullversion)

Figure 10: Main window of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

As we can see, the interface of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X is simple and intuitive and is made in the style of Mac OS using the principles and conventions adopted on this platform. Thanks to this, the use of Kaspersky Anti-Virus has become more convenient for users of Apple Macintosh computers.

The product implements Safety assistant, thanks to which the user in one window can solve all the security problems that occur on the computer that were detected by Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

Let's go through the tabs in the main window. When you click on Safety assistant we get to the tab with the protection status. This tab displays the current protection status.

Figure 11: Protection status of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

By clicking on the "Check" tab, we can select the type of check and run it.

Figure 12: The "Scan" window in Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

And by clicking on the "License" tab, we will see the status of the product license.

Figure 13: The "License" window in Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

Let's go to the reports of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for MacOSX. The product provides the ability to obtain a detailed report on the results of its work as a whole with a listing of all events that occurred in the program. In addition, a detailed report is generated separately for each component of the application: File Anti-Virus, malware scan tasks and database updates.

Figure 14: The "Reports" window in Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

Let's proceed to setting up the product. Here you can configure the operation of File Anti-Virus, change the Virus Scan and KSN settings, select the categories of malware detection, configure the database update mode and make other changes in the settings of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for MacOSX.

Figure 15: Configuring protection settings in Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

Figure 16: Configuring virus scanning in Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

Figure 17: Configuring KSN in Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

Figure 18: Configuring threat settings in Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

Figure 19: Configuring updates in Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

Figure 20: Configuring network settings in Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

Figure 21: Configuring reports in Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

Figure 22: The "Tools" window in the settings of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

Figure 23: The "View" window in the settings of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

So our review has come to an end. Kaspersky Anti-Virus for MacOSX... In this review, we forgot to tell a little more about the module KasperskyURLAdvisor (KasperskyToolbar)

Figure 24: KasperskyURLAdvisor

KasperskyURLAdvisor informs users about links to suspicious and dangerous sites based on the reputation of the websites obtained from KSN. KasperskyToolbar adds a special indicator next to each link. When you click on this indicator, you can get more detailed information about the reputation of this resource and decide whether to visit it.

KasperskyURLAdvisor Compatible with Safari, Mozilla Firefox and GoogleChrome browsers.

Figure 25: Example of KasperskyURLAdvisor operation

conclusions

In conclusion, I would like to say that the new version Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X, became the next steps in development By Kaspersky Lab security products for Macintosh computers. New technologies are gradually being introduced that work successfully in Windows products, which positively affects the overall level of protection.

The interface of the product is extremely simple and looks more like some kind of informer or gadget for the desktop, but not a security program in the usual Windows sense of this phrase.

However, in its current form, the functionality of the product resembles that of Windows 5-6 years ago. Of course, now there are many orders of magnitude fewer threats for MacOS, but progress should not stand still and we will expect a significant improvement in functionality. For example, by introducing modules such as firewall, vulnerability analysis or encryption.

Attention! Sales of the new version will begin in the fourth quarter of 2010.

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

New in Kaspersky Internet Security 2020 for Mac

What's new

• Now Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac offers to scan external drives immediately after they are connected. If there is a malicious file on the external drive, it can be detected faster.
• We've added support for a dark theme to reduce eye strain. The appearance of the program adapts to the settings of your macOS.
• New safety reports are now available in the program.
• We have improved the performance of the program. Now it affects the performance of your operating system even less.
• Now, instead of the Parental Control component, the program includes Kaspersky Safe Kids, a multi-platform parental control program that will help protect a 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 and Firefox browsers 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 time of occurrence of events related to the license (for example, the end of the subscription) may differ in the interface of Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac and in My Kaspersky due to the difference in time zones. We recommend focusing on the time indicated in the program.

In Macradar, we are quite active in covering the security issues of Mac OS X (you can follow the publications by the tag). They wrote about Trojans that must be installed "on their own", 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 the summer, for example, Dr. Web has released an antivirus for Mac OS X, and the other day it was competing with Kaspersky Lab.

The Kaspersky Anti-Virus distribution kit weighs just over 50 MB, you can download it from the developer's official website. After installation (which, by the way, does not require a system reboot), the user needs to get a trial key valid for 30 days. This should be enough to assess the need for antivirus (or lack thereof). The next step is to update the signatures (anti-virus database).

The interface evokes, frankly, ambiguous feelings. It seems that two teams of UI designers were engaged in its creation at once independently of each other. One of them had Windows XP with the classic style turned on as a working machine, and the other was given a poppy. As a result, the main window looks like a seven-year-old Winamp skin, and the window with application parameters 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 for professionals ”(my emphasis).

Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac OS X uses a global anti-virus database. It provides protection against “20 million malicious programs” (data from the personal account). We are talking about mainly Windows infection. The antivirus works smartly. The developers themselves claim that the application requires only 1% of the processor's power. In reality, the figure is often lower - according to the Activity Monitor, about 0.9%. So the antivirus has no tangible effect.

The full scan of a 60 GB disk took just over an hour. Naturally, no viruses were found. I had to go to the Eicar website to download a test (fake) virus and evaluate the reaction of Kaspersky:

Whether or not you need an antivirus for your Mac is up to you. In LC, they emphasize that the application will not so much protect Mac OS X, which has no special problems, as it will ensure the security of mixed networks and shared folders of virtual machines. Those. it all comes down to Windows holes again ;-)

Antivirus for Mac OS X - the question is as interesting as viruses for Mac OS X. It is a well-known fact that the number of viruses for Macs is approximately ten to fifteen. In addition, all these viruses are completely safe until an unsuspecting user launches them and enters the password for the account.

But antivirus companies are keen to expand their spheres of presence and influence. If on Windows working without an antivirus looks like, to put it mildly, an unreasonable act, then on Mac OS X it is quite possible to do without an antivirus program. But those who try to sell antivirus software to Mac users use two brilliant arguments.

The first reason is the growing popularity of the Mac as a platformwhich inevitably causes growing interest in Mac OS X from virus writers... The growing popularity of Macs has been talked about for about 5-6 years (if not more), but there is no exponential growth in the number of viruses for Mac OS X. In general, the argument is difficult to recognize as valid, because it is more of a threat in the long term, rather than a fait accompli.

The second reason is even more interesting - viruses from Mac can get to PC and shit there in full... It is more difficult to argue against this argument, because viruses may well roam on an infected flash drive or in an email message on any number of Macs, but they can only start in their native Windows. Moreover, the presence of Boot Camp on a Mac makes this threat more real. Therefore, it is possible to offer Mac OS X-owners tools to kill Windows viruses from under Mac OS X.

Today we will talk about one of these tools: Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Macreleased late last year, “This is the leading protection for your Macintosh with a familiar user interface and award-winning technology from Kaspersky Lab.

We had plans to write about the Mac version of Kaspersky immediately after the release, but we decided to wait and see how the program develops. It turned out that it is not developing very actively. However, we didn't really hope for otherwise :)

After installation and activation (everything is exactly the same as in Windows), you will see the "Mac OS style" design:

The beautiful orange spotlight symbolizes the potential danger that needs to be addressed by upgrading the bases. After that, it will change to a peaceful green light:

The most visible button in Kaspersky's interface is the magnifier, which manages three types of scanning:

Quick checkcovers only potentially dangerous places, full check wool the whole computer, and "Virus scan" allows you to select objects to check. Note: Virus Scan is the only way to scan any particular object. The Mac version of Kaspersky touches the complete absence of an item for scanning for viruses in the context menu of files and folders.

The antivirus interface is complemented by four small buttons in the upper left corner. The first one opens a report window, in which the results of all checks are collected:

The second button opens the antivirus settings, the third - help, the fourth allows you to contact technical support. Let's talk a little more about the settings. If you have used Kaspersky on Windows, then you will not experience any cognitive dissonance. Everything is organized in the same way, except that the settings tabs are not here on the left, but on top:

You can configure a variety of detailed options for three security levels (maximum speed, maximum protection and default recommended medium) - what to check and what to look for. Please note: the settings on the first tab concern continuous protection, which is always performed while the antivirus is running. But on the second tab, the same three security levels can be applied to the three types of checks that we talked about above.

We would recommend that you edit the list of objects for "quick scan" (of course, if you decide to use Kaspersky :). If every time you comb through everything that is listed there, the check will hardly seem quick to you:

Tab "Threats" in the settings allows you to choose how meticulous Kaspersky will be. If you include "potentially dangerous software" there, then it will find fault with many decent files. Tab "Update"manages the schedule for downloading updates for databases and modules. "Net" you will only need it if you have a proxy. Tab "Reports" manages the storage time of the scan results. Tab "Service" useful in that it allows you to disable autostart of Kaspersky. Finally, the tab "View"manages the integration with Growl (I am glad that this feature is provided) and the change of program skins.

By default, Kaspersky Anti-Virus settles in the menu bar, never showing an icon in the Dock. The behavior can be changed in the settings, but it makes little sense. Managing the antivirus from the menu bar is already quite convenient: the menu contains almost all the necessary commands.

That's all there is to tell and show. Now about what we were expecting from Kaspersky Lab. Obviously, treating Windows viruses on a Mac so that unfortunate PC users do not suffer is clearly unnecessary altruism. Virus protection should be taken care of by those who are threatened by these viruses. Two points are not clear:

• why the Mac version of Kaspersky Anti-Virus costs exactly the same as the Windows version (1200 rubles), although its benefits are several times less. Years go by, but the situation does not change for the better, however, activating Kaspersky 2013 is a task that can be solved in different and completely legal ways;
• why the product Kaspersky Internet Security has not been released for Mac OS X. The threat to Mac is primarily represented by malicious sites that can steal passwords and credit card details. Banners cause a lot of trouble, and KIS in Windows successfully cuts them out.

In general, if Kaspersky Internet Security was released for Mac OS instead of Kaspersky Anti-Virus, then it would still be possible to think about buying. But in its current form, KAV will suit either blondes who do not know about the resistance of Macs to PC viruses, or paranoid people who do not believe in this resistance. The only thing that is alarming is the possible appearance of viruses for Mac, written by the antivirus manufacturers themselves (which is also the talk of the town).

You can try Kaspersky for Mac without much damage to your wallet due to a 30-day trial.