Why I’m NOT Installing Kaspersky Free Antivirus on My Computer
Yesterday, I shared the news about the release of Kaspersky Free Antivirus for you to win back your heart. I think it is a good move by one of the best antivirus company but it is also very late because of other free antiviruses have already captured the market. Avira and Avast are my favorite free antiviruses programs but these are not the reason I am not installing Kaspersky Free Antivirus. For me, there are two reasons to avoid Kaspersky, which I will explain in coming text.
Kaspersky has almost 400 million users worldwide. It can be bought via internet as well as in local stores across the globe. Such a big user base is a lot of data for the Russian government just from one source. Why shouldn’t they get that? In the start of this month, you have read, on different news sites, about the relations between Kaspersky and Russian spy agency FSB. In case if you do not know, Kaspersky originates from Russia. So, it should not be a surprised if they are working with FSB. Most probably, they are compelled to do so by law.
I also do not use any antivirus on my computer from United States and United Kingdom for the same reason I do not use Kaspersky. Why should I be sharing my data again and again with these mostly un-welcomed governments. Google has my data, that’s enough.
The other reason I am not going to use Kaspersky Free Antivirus is incompatibility issue with other best security software like free Comodo Firewall. Comodo Firewall is the best firewall for Windows computers. I know by facts that, if only Windows Defender along with Comodo Firewall is running, you do not need any other security software at all. To strengthen the protection against intruders and malwares, a third party antivirus can be used, but that’s optional. For example, I have Malwarebytes AntiMalware Premium installed. So, my combo is free Comodo Firewall, Windows Defender and Malwarebytes AntiMalware Premium. I do not need anymore security.
Kaspersky Free Antivirus is a simple antivirus and it provides no features of a firewall. So, it should be compatible with other firewalls. Haven’t we used other free antiviruses and have we seen any compatibility issues of such nature? I do not think so. If Kaspersky cannot run beside my Comodo firewall, I do not need Kaspersky at all. Making Kaspersky Free Antivirus compatible with Comodo Firewall is a big plus for it. Enough said.
You may be saying Comodo is also a USA company. Well, sometime exception has to made.
You are a self-proclaimed expert on firewalls, and anoint Comodo as the best firewall in the Windows world. Your credentials are superior to the folks at PCMag.com, who give the Editor’s Choice to Zone Alarm?
I have never claimed to be firewall’s expert. I am just a learner and try to learn something new everyday by testing things. BTW, there is hell of difference between ZoneAlarm Firewall Free and Comodo Firewall Free. Comodo firewall is more features rich and configurable than ZoneAlarm Firewall. It would be nice if you share… Read more »
Hi,
Not sure I will either, the paid version used to slow down a lot every PC I tested it with.
Hello Merle, I do have experience of sluggish Kaspersky but that was many years ago. I haven’t tested it since a few years for my personal computer. I believe your experience with Kaspersky is very valuable for us.
BR.
Hi Perti,
Every year PCMag.com does it’s “Best Free Software” issue. Here is the link to the 2017 page for firewalls: https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2487049,00.asp#firewalls. Comodo is certainly one of the top recommendations, but not THE top.
That honour goes to ZoneAlarm. Here is their review of it: https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2455972,00.asp.
Hello Bruce, Thanks for the links. The author is very experienced person and he does his job as profession. Unfortunately, there was nothing new for me. When someone rate some product, there is always a list to follow. They have rated the products but I do not see any list to be followed? What was… Read more »
Your main reason for not using Kaspersky is truly terrible when you admit to using other US based security products by Comodo and Malwarebytes. Do you know how much data they are collecting compared to Kaspersky or any other products you refuse to use?
Hello Jezz, I said already, one country have my data and that’s enough for me. I wish I could control that but I cannot. Collection of data by Malwarebytes is not harmful for user as it does not identify the person but the region only. Comodo said here,”Personal information is collected from customers only after… Read more »
@Perti, although I understand your point, it is hypocritical to ignore other antivirus or security software if you do not know exactly what it is or isn’t collecting. As you’ve just said you do not know what Comodo or Malwarebytes are collecting in full either. Nobody truly knows what Kaspersky is collecting apart from rumors… Read more »
Hi Jezz, I agree but I have to believe Comodo and Malwarebytes. The reason is we haven’t heard anything suspicious about these two companies, or maybe it is not leaked yet. Yes, I agree, no one knows what data been collected by Kaspersky. May be it is just a rival-paid story. May be the article… Read more »