About Kaspersky Free

Kaspersky Free provides comprehensive protection against various types of information security threats. Various functions and protection components are available as part of Kaspersky Free to deliver comprehensive protection.

Protection components are designed to protect the computer in real time against various types of information security threats, network attacks, and fraud. Each type of threat is handled by a dedicated protection component.

In addition to the real-time protection provided by the security components, we recommend that you regularly scan your computer for viruses and other malware. This is necessary in order to prevent any possible spreading of malicious programs that have not been discovered by protection components, for example, because a low security level was set or for other reasons.

To keep Kaspersky Free up to date, you need to update the databases and application modules used by the application.

What follows is a description of the logic of how the protection components interact when Kaspersky Free has been set to the mode that is recommended by Kaspersky specialists (in other words, with the default application settings).

File Anti-Virus

File Anti-Virus prevents infection of the computer's file system. The component starts upon startup of the operating system, continuously remains in the computer's RAM, and scans all files that are opened, saved, or launched on your computer and all connected drives. Kaspersky Free intercepts each attempt to access a file and scans the file for known viruses and other malware. Further access to the file is allowed only if the file is not infected or is successfully disinfected by the application. If a file cannot be disinfected for any reason, it is deleted. A copy of the file is moved to Quarantine when that happens. If an infected file is placed in the same location where the deleted file with the same name used to be, Quarantine saves only a copy of the last file. A copy of the previous file with the same name is not saved.

Mail Anti-Virus

Mail Anti-Virus scans incoming and outgoing email messages on your computer. An email message is available to the recipient only if it does not contain dangerous objects.

Web Anti-Virus

Web Anti-Virus intercepts and blocks the execution of scripts on websites if they pose a threat. Web Anti-Virus also monitors all web traffic and blocks access to dangerous websites.

IM Anti-Virus

IM Anti-Virus ensures the safe use of IM clients. The component protects information that comes to your computer via IM protocols. IM Anti-Virus ensures safe operation of various applications for instant messaging.

Anti-Phishing

Anti-Phishing allows checking URLs to find out if they are included in the list of phishing URLs. This component is built into Web Anti-Virus and IM Anti-Virus.

System Watcher

The System Watcher component rolls back the changes made to the operating system by malicious or other activity of applications.

The component protects against malware, including:

• Exploits
• Screen lockers
• Encryptors that encrypt data
• Ransomware that encrypts data or blocks access to files or the system and extorts ransom for restoring the files or access to them

Disabling this component is not recommended.

Network Attack Blocker

Network Attack Blocker loads at operating system startup and tracks incoming network traffic for activities characteristic of network attacks. When an attempt to attack your computer is detected, Kaspersky Free blocks all network activity from the attacking computer that is aimed at your computer.

On-Screen Keyboard

On-Screen Keyboard prevents interception of data entered on the hardware keyboard and protects personal data against interception attempts that use screen shots.

What's new

The following new features and improvements are introduced in Kaspersky Free:

• Added full support for the following Windows versions:
  • Microsoft Windows 10 1803
  • Microsoft Windows 10 1809
  • Microsoft Windows 10 1903
  • Microsoft Windows 10 1909
  • Microsoft Windows 10 2004
• It is now possible to evaluate the application and send the score to Kaspersky.
• Web Anti-Virus has been improved:
  • It is now possible to use Windows certificate store when configuring access to HTTPS resources in the Mozilla Firefox browser.
  • When the Base Filtering Engine (BFE) service is disabled, the application restarts it to ensure continuous protection.
• Application services, such as Kaspersky Security Network, licensing and updating, now operate via the secure HTTPS protocol.
• Settings for protection from remote management applications have been improved. You can now allow trusted remote management applications to change application settings.
• It is now possible to switch from Kaspersky Free to Kaspersky Security Cloud Free (not available in all regions).
• Yandex Browser support has been added.

Hardware and software requirements

General requirements:

• 1500 MB free disk space on the hard drive
• Processor that supports the SSE2 instruction set
• Internet access (for the application installation and activation, for the use of Kaspersky Security Network, and for updating databases and application modules)
• Microsoft Windows Installer 4.5 or later
• Microsoft .NET Framework 4 or later

Requirements for Microsoft Windows 7 Starter (Service Pack 0 or later), Microsoft Windows 7 Home Basic (Service Pack 0 or later), Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (Service Pack 0 or later), Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (Service Pack 0 or later), Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate (Service Pack 0 or later), Microsoft Windows 8 (Service Pack 0 or later), Microsoft Windows 8 Pro (Service Pack 0 or later), Microsoft Windows 8 Enterprise (Service Pack 0 or later), Microsoft Windows 8.1 (Service Pack 0 and Windows 8.1 Update), Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (Service Pack 0 and Windows 8.1 Update), Microsoft Windows 8.1 Enterprise (Service Pack 0 and Windows 8.1 Update), Microsoft Windows 10 Home (versions: 1507, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909, 2004), Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (versions: 1507, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909, 2004), Microsoft Windows 10 Pro (versions: 1507, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909, 2004):

• Processor with a clock speed of 1 GHz or higher
• 1 GB free RAM (for 32-bit operating systems); 2 GB free RAM (for 64-bit operating systems)

For Web Anti-Virus to work, the Base Filtering Engine service must be running in the operating system.

The following browsers fully support the application:

• Chromium-based Microsoft Edge 77.0.235.25;
• Mozilla Firefox versions 52.x – 65.x;
• Mozilla Firefox ESR 52.x, 60.5;
• Google Chrome versions 48.x – 68.x;
• Yandex Browser 18.3.1 – 19.0.3 (with limitations).

The following browsers support installing the Kaspersky Protection extension:

• Chromium-based Microsoft Edge 77.0.235.25;
• Mozilla Firefox versions 52.x – 65.x;
• Mozilla Firefox ESR 52.x, 60.x;
• Google Chrome versions 48.x – 72.x.

The following browsers support On-Screen Keyboard and scanning of encrypted connections:

• Chromium-based Microsoft Edge 77.0.235.25;
• Mozilla Firefox versions 52.x – 65.x;
• Mozilla Firefox ESR 52.x – 60.5;
• Google Chrome 48.x – 68.x.

Newer versions of browsers can be supported if the browser supports the corresponding technology.

Kaspersky Free supports Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox in 32-bit and in 64-bit operating systems.

Requirements for tablet computers:

• Microsoft Windows 8, Microsoft Windows 8.1, Microsoft Windows 10
• Intel Celeron processor with a clock speed of 1.66 GHz or faster
• 1000 MB free RAM

Requirements for netbooks:

• Intel Atom CPU 1.60 GHz or faster
• 1024 MB free RAM
• 10.1-inch display with 1024x600 screen resolution
• Intel GMA 950 graphics core or later

Compatibility with other Kaspersky applications

Kaspersky Free is compatible with the following Kaspersky applications:

• Kaspersky Safe Kids 1.4, 1.5
• Kaspersky Fraud Prevention for Endpoints 5.0, 6.0, 6.5
• Kaspersky Password Manager 9.0, 9.1, 9.2
• Kaspersky System Checker 1.2.1
• Kaspersky Software Updater 2.1
• Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool 2015
• Kaspersky Secure Connection 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0

How to install the application

Kaspersky Free will be installed to your computer in interactive mode using the Setup Wizard.

The Wizard consists of a series of pages (steps), which you can navigate through by clicking the Back and Next buttons. To close the Wizard after it finishes, click the Done button. To stop the Wizard's activity at any step of installation, close the Wizard window.

The number and sequence of steps in the Setup Wizard depend on the region where you install the application. If you install the application in the European Union, the Setup Wizard offers you to accept additional agreements about processing your personal data and to confirm that you are at least 16 years old.

To install Kaspersky Free on your computer,

run the executable file of the Setup Wizard downloaded from the Internet.

The application is then installed with the help of the Setup Wizard.

Along with the application, plug-ins for browsers will be installed to ensure safe Internet browsing.

Kaspersky Free is installed together with the Kaspersky Secure Connection application intended for establishing a secure connection via Virtual Private Network (VPN). You can remove Kaspersky Secure Connection separately from Kaspersky Free. If the use of VPN is prohibited in your country, Kaspersky Secure Connection is not installed.

Checking for a newer version of the application

Before installation, the Setup Wizard checks the update servers of Kaspersky for a newer version of Kaspersky Free.

If the Setup Wizard does not detect any newer version of the application on Kaspersky update servers, it starts installing the current version.

If the Setup Wizard detects a newer version of Kaspersky Free on Kaspersky update servers, it prompts you to download and install it on your computer. It is recommended that you install the new version of the application, because newer versions include more enhancements that allow you to ensure more reliable protection of your computer. If you refuse to install the new version, the Wizard starts installing the current version of the application. If you agree to install the new version of the application, the Setup Wizard copies the files from the installation package to your computer and starts installing the new version.

Starting installation of the application

During this step, the Setup Wizard offers to install the application.

To proceed with installation, click the Continue button.

Depending on the installation type and the localization language, during this step the Setup Wizard may prompt you to view the License Agreement concluded between you and Kaspersky, as well as ask whether you want to participate in Kaspersky Security Network.

Reviewing the End User License Agreement

This step of the Setup Wizard is displayed for some localization languages when installing Kaspersky Free from an installation package downloaded from the Internet.

During this step, the Setup Wizard asks you to review the End User License Agreement concluded between you and Kaspersky.

Read the End User License Agreement thoroughly and, if you agree with all of its terms, click the Accept button. Installation of the application to your computer then continues.

If the terms of the End User License Agreement are not accepted, the application will not be installed.

If you install the application in the European Union, you must also accept the terms of the Privacy Policy to continue installation.

Kaspersky Security Network Statement

During this step, the Setup Wizard invites you to participate in Kaspersky Security Network. Participation in the program involves sending information about threats detected on your computer, running applications, and downloaded signed applications, as well as information about your operating system, to AO Kaspersky Lab. No personal data received from you is collected, processed, or stored.

Review the Kaspersky Security Network Statement. If you accept all of its terms, in the Wizard window, click the Accept button.

If you do not want to participate in Kaspersky Security Network, click the Decline button.

After you accept or decline participation in Kaspersky Security Network, application installation continues.

If you install the application in the European Union, the Kaspersky Security Network Statement includes information about personal data processing.

Installing the application

Installation of the application can take some time. Wait for it to finish.

Upon installation completion, the Setup Wizard automatically proceeds to the next step.

Checks during application installation

Kaspersky Free performs several checks during installation. These checks may detect the following problems:

• Non-compliance of the operating system with the software requirements. During installation the Wizard checks the following conditions:
  • Whether the operating system and Service Pack meet the software requirements
  • All the required applications are available
  • The amount of free disk space is enough for installation
  • The user installing the application has administrator privileges

  If any of the above-listed requirements is not met, a corresponding notification is displayed.

• Presence of incompatible applications on the computer. If any incompatible applications are detected, they are displayed in a list on the screen, and you will be prompted to remove them. You are advised to manually remove any applications that Kaspersky Free cannot remove automatically. When removing incompatible applications, you will need to restart your operating system, after which installation of Kaspersky Free continues automatically.
• Presence of malicious programs on the computer. If any malicious programs that interfere with installation of anti-virus software are detected on the computer, the Setup Wizard prompts you to download Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool, a special tool designed to neutralize infections.

  If you agree to install the utility, the Setup Wizard downloads it from the Kaspersky servers, after which installation of the utility starts automatically. If the Wizard cannot download the utility, you are prompted to download it on your own by clicking the link provided.

Installing Kaspersky Password Manager

Before completing the installation, Kaspersky Free also prompts you to install Kaspersky Password Manager to protect your passwords. The installation of Kaspersky Password Manager may continue after finishing the installation of Kaspersky Free, there is no separate notification about completing the installation of Kaspersky Password Manager.

Recommended settings

At this step, you can view and change the Kaspersky Free settings that Kaspersky experts advise you to enable before beginning to use the application.

To change the recommended setting:

1. If you frequently install new applications, leave the Detect other software that can be used by criminals to damage your computer or personal data check box selected. This will help you detect applications that can be used to damage your computer or data.

   If you do not want to detect applications that can be used to damage your computer or data, clear the check box.

2. Click the Apply button.

Completing installation

During this step, the Wizard informs you of the completion of application installation.

If the Check the list of anti-virus software that is compatible with Kaspersky Free link is displayed in the window, clicking this link lets you go to the web page with the list of compatible anti-virus software. It is necessary to check if the detected application is included in the list of compatible software. If the detected application is missing from the list, we recommend that you remove one of the anti-virus applications: either the detected application, or Kaspersky Free.

Click the Done button.

All necessary application components will be automatically started immediately after installation is complete.

In some cases, you may need to restart your operating system to complete installation.

Activating the application

The Activation Wizard is started at the first launch of Kaspersky Free.

Activation is the process of making operational a fully functional version of the application for a specified period of time.

An Internet connection is required for activation of the application.

During application activation, you may have to register on the My Kaspersky website.

In some application versions, proxy server authentication may be required during the first launch to obtain information about the current date and time from a trusted source.

Registration on My Kaspersky

Users that are registered on My Kaspersky are able to manage activation codes conveniently and receive the latest information about new applications and special offers from Kaspersky.

If you agree to register, specify your registration data in the corresponding fields and click the Sign in button to send the data to Kaspersky.

Completing activation

The Wizard informs you that Kaspersky Free has been successfully activated.

Click the Done button to exit the Wizard.

Installing the application from the command prompt

You can install Kaspersky Free from the command prompt.

Certain commands can be executed only under the administrator account.

Command prompt syntax:

<path to the file of the installation package> [parameters]

Detailed instructions and a list of installation settings are available on the Technical Support website.

Getting started

In order for Kaspersky Free to fully support browsers, the Kaspersky Protection extension has to be installed and enabled in browsers. Kaspersky Free uses the Kaspersky Protection extension to inject a script into traffic. The application uses this script to interact with the web page. The application protects data transmitted by the script using a digital signature. Kaspersky Free can embed the script without using the Kaspersky Protection extension.

Kaspersky Free signs data transmitted by the script using the installed anti-virus databases and requests to Kaspersky Security Network. The application sends requests to Kaspersky Security Network regardless of whether or not you accepted the terms of the Kaspersky Security Network Statement.

Installing the Kaspersky Protection extension in Chromium-based Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome

The Kaspersky Protection extension is not automatically installed in Chromium-based Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. If the Kaspersky Protection extension is not installed in the browser, the application prompts you to go to the extensions download page and manually install Kaspersky Protection when the browser is started.

Yandex Browser support

When using Yandex Browser, the following application components are operating:

• URL Advisor
• Web Anti-Virus
• Anti-Phishing

How to upgrade the application

The application is updated automatically. While downloading the update, the application compares the previous and new versions of the End User License Agreement, Kaspersky Security Network Statement, and Statement regarding data processing for marketing purposes. If the agreements and/or statements differ, the application offers you to read and accept them again.

The application is automatically updated if you install a new version of the application over the previous one.

Limitations on upgrades from a previous version of the application

Upgrading from Kaspersky Free has the following limitations:

• When a previous version of Kaspersky Free is upgraded, the following application settings are replaced with default settings:
  • Kaspersky Free display settings
  • Scan schedule
  • Participation in Kaspersky Security Network
  • File Anti-Virus protection level
  • Mail Anti-Virus protection level
  • Update sources
  • List of trusted web addresses
  • URL Advisor settings
• After an upgrade from a previous version, Kaspersky Free starts automatically even if automatic startup of the application is disabled in the settings that have been saved. When the operating system restarts afterwards, Kaspersky Free does not start automatically if automatic startup of the application is disabled in the settings that have been saved.

Installing over other Kaspersky applications

Installing a new version of Kaspersky Free over a previous version of Kaspersky Internet Security

If you install a new version of Kaspersky Free on a computer on which a previous version of Kaspersky Internet Security has been already installed with a current license, the Activation Wizard prompts you to select one of the following options:

• Continue using Kaspersky Internet Security under the current license. In this case, the Migration Wizard will be started. When the Migration Wizard finishes, the new version of Kaspersky Internet Security will be installed to your computer. You can use Kaspersky Internet Security until the license for the previous version of Kaspersky Internet Security expires.
• Proceed with installation of the new version of Kaspersky Free. In this case, the application is installed and activated according to the standard scenario.

Installing Kaspersky Free over Kaspersky Security Cloud

If you install Kaspersky Free over Kaspersky Security Cloud, you cannot use Kaspersky Free under the license for Kaspersky Security Cloud. You can use Kaspersky Security Cloud under this license on another device.

Kaspersky Security Cloud application settings are not saved and cannot be applied to Kaspersky Free.

Switching from Kaspersky Free to other Kaspersky applications

Switching to Kaspersky Internet Security

Kaspersky Free allows you to switch to Kaspersky Internet Security without any additional downloads or installation of software.

Kaspersky Internet Security is an application designed to ensure comprehensive protection of your computer.

Compared to Kaspersky Free, Kaspersky Internet Security provides a range of additional advanced options as part of the following components and features:

• Application Control
• Trusted Applications mode
• Parental Control
• Firewall
• Safe Money
• Blocking access to dangerous websites
• Application Manager
• Network Monitor
• Webcam Access
• Private Browsing
• Anti-Spam
• Anti-Banner
• Secure Keyboard Input

You can temporarily switch to the trial version of Kaspersky Internet Security to try out the application's features, or purchase a license and start using Kaspersky Internet Security.

Switching to Kaspersky Total Security

In certain regions, Kaspersky Free allows switching to Kaspersky Total Security.

Kaspersky Total Security offers the same features as Kaspersky Internet Security and a range of additional features:

• Backup and Restore
• Data Encryption
• Protection of passwords

Switching to Kaspersky Total Security is performed in the same manner as switching to Kaspersky Internet Security.

When used in certain regions or by subscription, temporary switching to the trial version of Kaspersky Internet Security and Kaspersky Total Security is not available.

Switching to Kaspersky Security Cloud

Kaspersky Security Cloud is a computer security service that goes beyond ordinary protection from viruses and other computer threats. The application provides personalized recommendations and adaptive protection scenarios built around you and your family.

Kaspersky Security Cloud provides additional features, such as:

• Weak settings control in the operating system
• Device control in your Wi-Fi network
• Security news

Kaspersky Security Cloud subscription allows you to freely use Kaspersky Safe Kids to protect your children and Kaspersky Password Manager to protect your passwords.

Switching to Kaspersky Security Cloud is not available in all regions.

Temporary use of Kaspersky Internet Security

You can temporarily switch to the trial version of Kaspersky Internet Security in order to evaluate its features. After that, you can choose to purchase a license for further use of the application.

To temporarily switch to the trial version of Kaspersky Internet Security:

1. Open the main application window.
2. In the lower part of the main window, click the More Tools button.

   The Tools window opens.

3. In the left part of the Tools window, click the Upgrade protection button.

   The Upgrade window opens.

4. In the window that opens, click the Trial version button.

   The Migration Wizard starts.

5. Follow the wizard's instructions.

   You can return to using Kaspersky Free at any moment after you start using the trial version of Kaspersky Internet Security.

When switching to Kaspersky Internet Security in the European Union, the application offers you to read and accept the End User License Agreement, Kaspersky Security Network Statement, and Statement regarding data processing for marketing purposes once again.

Requesting activation of the trial version of Kaspersky Internet Security

If the request for activation of the trial version of Kaspersky Internet Security is successful, the wizard automatically proceeds to the next step.

Starting the upgrade

At this step, the wizard displays a message, informing you that all prerequisites for migration to the trial version of Kaspersky Internet Security are met.

To proceed with the wizard, click the Continue button.

Removing incompatible applications

At this step, the wizard checks if any applications incompatible with Kaspersky Internet Security are installed on your computer. If no such applications are found, the wizard automatically proceeds to the next step. If such applications are found, the wizard lists them in the window and prompts you to uninstall them.

After incompatible applications are uninstalled, you may need to restart the operating system. After a restart, the wizard starts automatically, and the migration to the trial version of Kaspersky Internet Security continues.

Switching to the trial version of Kaspersky Internet Security

At this step, the wizard prepares Kaspersky Internet Security components for use, which may take some time. As soon as the process completes, the wizard automatically proceeds to the next step.

Restarting the application

At this step of the migration to the trial version of Kaspersky Internet Security, you must quit the application and start it again.

To do this, in the wizard window, click the Done button.

Completing activation

After the application starts again, the wizard runs automatically. After successful activation of the trial version of Kaspersky Internet Security, the wizard window displays information about the length of time during which you can use the trial version.

Operating system analysis

At this step, information about Microsoft Windows applications is collected. These applications are added to the list of trusted applications. No restrictions are placed on the actions that trusted applications perform in the operating system.

Once the analysis is complete, the Wizard will automatically proceed to the next step.

Completing the migration

To close the Wizard after it completes its task, click the Done button.

After the license for the trial version of Kaspersky Internet Security expires, you cannot temporarily switch from Kaspersky Free to the trial version of Kaspersky Internet Security again.

Migration to a paid Kaspersky application

To migrate to a paid Kaspersky application, you need to purchase a license for the selected application.

If you purchased a license for Kaspersky Internet Security, Kaspersky Anti-Virus, or Kaspersky Total Security:

1. Copy the activation code from the email that you received from us.
2. Open the main application window of Kaspersky Free.
3. Click the License link in the lower-right corner of the application to open the Licensing window.
4. In the Licensing window, click the Enter activation code button.
5. Paste the activation code and click the Activate button.

You will be automatically migrated to the paid Kaspersky application.

If you purchased a subscription for Kaspersky Security Cloud:

1. Follow the instructions in the email that you received from us.
2. Download and install Kaspersky Security Cloud.
3. Sign in to your My Kaspersky account.

You will be automatically migrated to Kaspersky Security Cloud.

Migration to Kaspersky Security Cloud – Free

When using Kaspersky Free in a region where Kaspersky Security Cloud is available, the application prompts you to switch to Kaspersky Security Cloud – Free. The application can also prompt you to switch to Kaspersky Security Cloud when your Kaspersky Free license expires and you are in a region where Kaspersky Security Cloud is available.

Start switching to Kaspersky Security Cloud – Free

At this step, the Migration Wizard offers you to switch to Kaspersky Security Cloud – Free.

To switch to Kaspersky Security Cloud – Free or continue using Kaspersky Free, do one of the following:

• If you want to switch to Kaspersky Security Cloud – Free, click the Switch to new protection button in the Migration to Kaspersky Security Cloud window.

  The Migration Wizard starts running.

• If you want to continue using Kaspersky Free, click the button.

  The Migration to Kaspersky Security Cloud window closes.

  If your Kaspersky Free license has expired, you cannot continue using the application after closing the Migration to Kaspersky Security Cloud window.

Sign in to My Kaspersky

At this step, the Migration Wizard offers you to sign in to your account on the My Kaspersky website.

Enter your credentials to sign in to My Kaspersky and click the Sign In button. The Migration Wizard resumes.

If you do not have an account yet, you can create it by clicking the Create account button.

Connecting to My Kaspersky

At this step, the Migration Wizard connects to My Kaspersky, which is necessary to continue switching to Kaspersky Security Cloud. As soon as the process completes, the wizard automatically proceeds to the next step.

License check

At this step, the Migration Wizard checks the license and activates your application. As soon as the activation completes, the wizard automatically proceeds to the next step.

License agreements

At this step, the application offers you to read and accept license agreements. After you accept all license agreements, the Migration Wizard proceeds to the next step. If you do not accept the license agreements, switching to Kaspersky Security Cloud is aborted, and the Migration Wizard exits.

Start migration

At this step, the wizard displays a message, informing you that all prerequisites for migration to Kaspersky Security Cloud are met.

To proceed with the wizard, click the Continue button.

Removing incompatible applications

At this step, the wizard checks if any applications incompatible with Kaspersky Security Cloud are installed on your computer. If no such applications are found, the wizard automatically proceeds to the next step. If such applications are found, the wizard lists them in the window and prompts you to uninstall them.

After incompatible applications are uninstalled, you may need to restart the operating system. After a restart, the wizard starts automatically, and the migration to Kaspersky Security Cloud continues.

Migration to Kaspersky Security Cloud – Free

At this step, the wizard prepares Kaspersky Security Cloud components for use, which may take some time. As soon as the process completes, the wizard automatically proceeds to the next step.

Completing the migration

At this step, the Migration Wizard tells you that switching to Kaspersky Security Cloud – Free is finished.

To close the Migration Wizard and run Kaspersky Security Cloud, click the Run button.

How to uninstall the application

After removing Kaspersky Free, your computer and personal data will be unprotected.

Kaspersky Free is uninstalled with the help of the Setup Wizard.

How to uninstall the application in Windows 7

How to uninstall the application in Windows 8 or later

Entering the password to remove the application

To remove Kaspersky Free, you must enter the password for accessing the application settings. If you cannot specify the password, for any reason, application removal will be prohibited.

This step is displayed only if a password has been set for application removal.

Saving data for future use

During this step you can specify which of the data used by the application you want to keep for further use during the next installation of the application (for example, when installing a newer version of the application).

You can save the following data:

• Quarantine files are files scanned by the application and moved to Quarantine.

  After Kaspersky Free is removed from the computer, quarantined files become unavailable. To perform operations with these files, Kaspersky Free must be installed.

• Operational settings of the application are the values of the application settings selected during configuration.

  You can also export the protection settings at the command prompt, by using the following command: avp.com EXPORT <file_name>.

• iChecker data are files that contain information about objects that have already been scanned using
  iChecker technology

  iChecker is a technology that increases the speed of anti-virus scans by excluding objects that have remained unchanged since their last scan, provided that the scan parameters (the anti-virus database and settings) have not changed. The information for each file is stored in a special database. This technology is used in both real-time protection and on-demand scan modes.

  For example, you have an archive file that was scanned by a Kaspersky application and assigned not infected status. Next time, the application will skip this archive unless the archive has been altered or the scan settings have been changed. If you altered the archive content by adding a new object to it, modified the scan settings, or updated the anti-virus database, the archive is re-scanned.

  Limitations of iChecker technology:

  • This technology does not work with large files, since it is faster to scan a file than to check whether the file has been modified since it was last scanned.
  • The technology supports a limited number of formats (EXE, DLL, LNK, TTF, INF, SYS, COM, CHM, ZIP, RAR).
  .

Confirming application removal

Since removing the application threatens the security of your computer and personal data, you will be asked to confirm your intention to remove the application. To do this, click the Remove button.

Completing removal

During this step, the Wizard removes the application from your computer. Wait until removal is complete.

After you remove Kaspersky Free, you can specify the reason why you decided to remove the application by leaving a comment on the Kaspersky website. To do this, visit the Kaspersky website by clicking the Complete form button.

This functionality may be unavailable in some regions.

During removal of the application, you must restart your operating system. If you cancel an immediate restart, completion of the removal procedure is postponed until the operating system is restarted or the computer is turned off and then started up.

Application licensing

This section covers the main aspects of application licensing.

About the End User License Agreement

The End User License Agreement is a binding agreement between you and AO Kaspersky Lab, stipulating the terms on which you may use the application.

Read through the terms of the License Agreement carefully before you start using the application.

You accept the terms of the License Agreement by confirming that you agree with the License Agreement when installing the application. If you do not accept the terms of the License Agreement, you must abort application installation and must not use the application.

About the license

A license is a time-limited right to use the application, granted under the End User License Agreement.

A license entitles you to the following kinds of services:

• The right to use the application on one or several devices

  The number of devices on which you may use the application is specified in the End User License Agreement.

• Updating databases and providing new versions of the application.
• Notifications upon releases of new versions of Kaspersky applications, as well as notifications about new viruses and virus outbreaks.

To operate the application, you must have a license for application use.

We recommend renewing the license before it expires, in order to ensure maximum protection of your computer against all security threats.

If you do not wish to renew protection of your computer, you can remove Kaspersky Free.

Information provision

This section contains information on the specific data that you provide to Kaspersky. The Saving data to the application operation report subsection contains data that are stored locally on your computer and are not sent to Kaspersky.

Data provision under the End User License Agreement outside the territory of the European Union

This section contains information on the specific data that are provided to Kaspersky if you have installed the application version which is not intended for use in the European Union.

You agree to automatically submit the information specified below to AO Kaspersky Lab via the installed software (hereinafter "the Software"), the rights to which belong to AO Kaspersky Lab (hereinafter "Kaspersky" or "the Rightholder"), for the purposes of improving the quality of real-time protection and generating the most suitable informational and advertising offers, improving the performance of the software and the speed of identification and rectification of errors associated with the mechanism for installation, removal and update of the software, and accounting for the number of users:

• Information on the checksums of files being processed (MD5 and SHA256), the number of file runs and the file format, the ID of the version of software configurations, information needed to determine the reputation of a URL (the URL whose reputation is requested, the ID of the connection protocol and the number of the port used), the full version and type of utilized software, the unique software installation ID, information about the types of threats detected, the ID of the detected threat in the threats database, the name of the threat according to the Rightholder's classification, the ID of the scan task that detected the threat, information on utilized digital certificates and the information necessary to verify their authenticity, checksums (SHA256) of the certificate with which the scanned object is signed, and the public certificate key, the ID of the type of authentication when connecting to the Wi-Fi network, the checksums (SHA256) received when using the unique computer ID, the unique ID of the software installation on the computer, the name of the wireless network and the MAC address of the access point, the list of available Wi-Fi networks at the moment when the data is submitted, the domain name and checksum (SHA256) of the path from the URL of the Internet access provision service, the values of the security settings and the WPS access points (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). Data on additional technical specifications of the applied detection technologies, indicator of whether the installed software is connected to My Kaspersky, the list of devices supporting the UPnP protocol (manufacturer, name, model (if the information is available), the date of last connection, the checksums (MD5 and SHA256) of the MAC address (BSSID) of the access point, the checksums (MD5 and SHA256) of the MAC address (BSSID) of the access point with the modifier, the array of WPS parameter structures from access points with enabled technology (the checksum of the device name, model number, model designation, and manufacturer), the values of DHCP settings (the structure of checksums (SHA256) with the modifier from IPv4 addresses and mask received over DHCP after connecting to the Wi-Fi network, the checksums of the Gateway Local IP, DHCP IP, DNS1 IP, DNS2 IP, and subnet mask), the values of DHCP IPv6 settings (the structure of checksums (SHA256) with the modifier from IPv6 addresses and mask received over DHCP after connecting to the Wi-Fi network, the checksums of the Gateway Local IPv6, DHCP IPv6, DNS1 IPv6, DNS2 IPv6, and the subnet mask), the list of available Wi-Fi networks, information about the 7 networks with the best signal, and the types of authentication and encryption.
• Information on the checksums (MD5 and SHA256) of files being processed, their packers (if the files were packed), the source containers of files (if available), the size of the file containers, information needed to determine the reputation of a URL (the URL whose reputation is requested, the ID of the connection protocol, and the number of the port used), the full version, ID, and type of utilized software, digital ID of the build in the build customization system, the name of the scanned file or archive, if the file was packed, the full path to the file (or archive), not including the file name itself, the name of the threat according to the Rightholder's classification, additional technical specifications of the applied scan technologies, FNew service responses sent to the User (an array of checksums (MD5) of patterns computed for the file, the types of patterns, versions of databases and consolidator result), status of the scan tasks, indicator of whether the installed software is connected to My Kaspersky, the ID issued by the password storage service when the User is successfully authenticated, and the list of unique IDs of advertisement messages.
• Information about the computer (its ID and type), utilized software and its settings, the bit rate, type, revision, version, update package number of the operating system (hereinafter "OS") installed on the computer, information about incompatible software, if the User accepted the Kaspersky Security Network Statement, the unique ID of the User in the Rightholder's services, the type, version, localization ID of the installed software in accordance with international standards for language codes ISO 639-1 and ISO 639-2, the previous language localization, the alphabet code of the installed software's localization language in accordance with international standard ISO 15924, the country code in accordance with international standard ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2, the software customization code, the ID corresponding to the full name of the software, the software operating mode, IDs of applications that may be activated on the User's computer, a list of applications that are compatible with the current software, the integral software security status, the protection component status, information about the utilized license (the status, type of license (if the software is activated), the ID of the active license, validity period, number of days that have elapsed since the license took effect, the number of days until the license expires, the number of days that have elapsed since the license expired, an indicator of software activation using Activation Service 1.0, the key if the software was activated by an old-format key or by an activation code from Activation Service 1.0, ID of the sequence of utilized licenses, order number for which the current license was issued, the ID of the pricelist item for which the current license was issued, the type and version of the End User License Agreement, an indicator of whether the User agrees to the terms of the End User License Agreement, the time when acceptance of the End User License Agreement was canceled, the type and current status of the subscription, the cause of the current status or change in the subscription status, the subscription expiration date, the character-based ID of the element of the software's user interface in which the User decided to purchase the software, the indexed array of integers and strings used by the service provider to transmit additional information, the ID of the information scheme used by the service provider, the list of ignored problems, an indicator of changes made to information about license usage for familiarization purposes, and an array of software capabilities. There will also be information provided about the contents, checksum (SHA1) and type of certificate, the value of the Redirect Service parameter, the IDs of the User's computer (PCID, checksum from Machine ID, Windows SID, Windows crypto GUID), class (model) of the USB device, manufacturer, name (if the information is available), and the date of last connection.
• Information about hardware installed on the computer, information on the manufacturer, model, and capacity of the hard drive (HDD), the checksum of the serial number of the hard drive (HDD) or of a random number if the serial number cannot be determined, the size of the physical and virtual memory, the RAM manufacturer and RAM amount, the manufacturer and model of the motherboard, the manufacturer and name of the BIOS application, the model and quantity of cores in the installed processor, the manufacturer and model of the video card and the size of the video RAM, the manufacturer and type of network adapter, its data transfer speed, the manufacturer and name of the monitor, the manufacturer and model of the computer, the manufacturer, model and type of computer housing, and the battery indicator. Information about the devices connected to the computer: the class/model of the device, the manufacturer of the device and name, unique ID, and the date on which the device was last connected to the computer. Information about devices that support the UPnP protocol, the name of the manufacturer, model and name of the device, as well as the date of last connection. Information about the system load, the free and used memory, and the size of free disk space.
• Information about all installed applications, the name and version of the installed application, the versions of the installed updates, the name of the publisher, the date of installation and the full path to the installation folder on the computer, and the configuration (settings) of applications and browsers.
• The name of the computer on the network (local and domain name), regional OS settings (information on the time zone, the default keyboard layout, and interface language), UAC settings, OS network firewall settings and its activity indicator, OS parental control settings, and Windows Update settings.
• Name and location of any file on the computer.
• General information about the device, the network name, device type, the type of token, an indicator of the need to return a token by the notification service, the ID that is issued to software by the device identification service upon successful registration or authentication of a "user+device" link (session token), the ID of the device on the My Kaspersky website, the previous ID of the software on the My Kaspersky website, a one-time password for automatic connection of software, contents of the list of problems on the My Kaspersky website, information about a triggered entry (its ID, status, and type), and the time when the entry was added to the database, the type of area in which the event occurred, and the contents of the recommendations for the list of problems on the My Kaspersky website.
• Aggregated information about User activity on the computer, the duration of the User's interaction with the computer, the period of information aggregation, the total number of events during this period, and aggregated information about processes started by the User in the system, the name of the process, the total number of times the process was run, the total duration of its operation, the checksum (CRC64) of the account name from which the process was started, the full path to the process file, information about the software to which the process is associated (name, description, manufacturer, and version), the total number of times the software window was displayed, and the total duration of its display, statistical parameters of the window name, the name localization language and the distribution of words in the name.
• Information about visited websites, the website address, domain parts of web addresses that the User entered into the address bar of the browser or that the User opened from search systems.
• Information about use of the software's graphical user interface, the time of User interaction with the interface, the IDs of the utilized control elements, and the type of user interaction with the interface.
• Value of the update task TARGET filter, information about Device Guard mode being enabled, the name of the scanned file, its path and path template code, checksums (MD5 and SHA256) and size (in bytes) of the file and its packer (if the file has been packed), the date when the entry was added to the database, information about the triggered entry in the database if a threat was detected, the error code and category, the status of anti-virus databases and the software update procedure, the unique ID of the update task start, the status of the anti-virus database update task, the full version of the software that is being updated, IDs of third-party applications that were offered for installation as well as the applications that were selected by the User for installation and that were installed together with the software, and the ID of the message that the software sends to the My Kaspersky website.
• Information about the date of installation and activation of the software on the computer, the duration of the software installation task, the ID of the installation task, the type of software installation on the computer (first installation or upgrade), indicator of installation success or the installation error number, information about acquired activation codes, the activation code that is currently activated by the software, the previous activation code, the unique ID of the User (Kaspersky User ID), the type of User account, information about linking of the activation code to a User (the unique ID of the User on the My Kaspersky website, the activation code, type of license ownership, KPC Infra signature), update number, ticket received from the activation service, the ticket header, code of the partner for whom the customization was developed, the symbol code confirming that the software was developed for a specific partner; the sales channel, ID, full name or name and country of the partner from whom the license was purchased, the order number used by the partner, and an indicator of the User's participation in KSN.
• ID of the software installation on the computer, full version of the installed software, ID of the software type, and the unique ID of the computer on which the software is installed.
• ID of the component and ID of the scenario that requested file or URL reputation.
• ID of the user of the partner website who downloaded the software distribution package, ID of the retail item.

To improve the quality of protection of the User performing payment transactions on the Internet, you agree to automatically provide the financial website with information about the name and version of the Software and the Software customization setting, the ID of the Software plug-in in the browser used to access the financial website, and the ID showing whether a safe browser or a regular browser was used.

The information transmitted does not contain any personal data or other confidential information of the User and is needed for the operation of the Rightholder's Software, unless expressly stated otherwise.

The information received is protected by the Rightholder in the manner prescribed by the law and is required for the operation of the Software made available to use under the license.

Kaspersky may use the acquired statistical data based on the information received to monitor trends in computer security threats and publish reports on those threats.

Data provision under the End User License Agreement on the territory of the European Union

This section contains information on the specific data that are provided to Kaspersky if you have installed the application version which is intended for use in the European Union. The information mentioned in this section does not contain any personal data of the User and is needed for the operation of the Rightholder's Software, unless expressly stated otherwise.

You agree to automatically, while using the software, provide Kaspersky with the following data for improving the quality of real-time protection, improving the quality of operation of the software and the timely detection and rectification of errors associated with the mechanism for installation, removal and update of the software, accounting for the number of users:

• Software installation / uninstallation status (success or failure), installation error code.
• Software ID.
• Build ID.
• Item ID.
• Software localization.
• Rebranding code.
• License term.
• Platform type and OS manufacturer (Windows, iOS, Android), OS version, OS build number, OS update number, OS revision, extended information about the OS revision, OS type (server, workstation, domain controller), OS bit rate, additional information about the OS.
• Device type (laptop, desktop, tablet).
• Installation type (new installation or an update), time spent on software installation (in seconds), indicator of whether the installation was aborted by the user.
• Type and version of the software.
• Status of the license used by the software.
• Information about updates of databases and application modules, and the status of the application module and database update task.
• Operating mode of the software.
• Information about the device protection status, and the usage status of protection components.
• Version of the protocol used to manage software settings from the My Kaspersky website.
• List of security problems, list of ignored security problems, and recommendations for the list of security problems.
• Information about the triggered database entry.
• Scan task status.
• Time of last status change.
• Certificate of the scanned file, public certificate key of the scanned file, and the thumbprint of the certificate of the scanned file.
• Port used for the connection.
• Contents and type of certificate of the website accessed by the User, IP address of the website accessed by the User, and domain of the website accessed by the User.
• Name of the detected threat.
• Protocol used for receiving statistical data.

To improve the quality of protection of the User performing payment transactions on the Internet, you agree to automatically provide the financial website with information about the name and version of the Software and the Software customization setting, the ID of the Software plug-in in the browser used to access the financial website, and the ID showing whether a safe browser or a regular browser was used.

The information received is protected by the Rightholder in the manner prescribed by the law and is required for the operation of the Software made available to use under the license.

Kaspersky may use the acquired statistical data based on the information received to monitor trends in computer security threats and publish reports on those threats.

Data provision to Kaspersky Security Network

The scope of data transmitted to Kaspersky Security Network is described in the Kaspersky Security Network Statement.

To view the Kaspersky Security Network Statement:

1. Open the main application window.
2. Click the button in the lower part of the window.

   The Settings window opens.

3. In the Settings window, select the Additional section.
4. In the Additional section, select Additional protection and management tools.

   The Settings for additional protection tools window opens.

5. Click the Kaspersky Security Network Statement link to open the text of the Kaspersky Security Network Statement.

Saving data to the application operation report

Report files can contain personal data obtained during operation of protection components, such as File Anti-Virus component, Mail Anti-Virus, and Web Anti-Virus.

Report files can contain the following personal data:

• IP address of the user's device
• Online browsing history
• Versions of the browser and operating system
• Names of cookies and other files and paths to them
• Email address, sender, message subject

Report files are stored locally on your computer and are not transmitted to Kaspersky. Path to report files: %allusersprofile%\Kaspersky Lab\AVP20.0\Report\Database.

Reports are stored in the following files:

• reports.db
• reports.db-wal
• reports.db-shm (does not contain any personal data)

Report files are protected against unauthorized access if self-defense is enabled in Kaspersky Free. If self-defense is disabled, report files are not protected.

Saving service data on application operation

The application also processes and stores the following data, which may be needed for analyzing of operation errors:

• Data that is displayed in the application interface:
  • Email address used to connect to My Kaspersky
  • Website addresses that were added to the exclusions (displayed in the Network component and in the Reports window)
  • License data

  This data is stored locally in a non-modified form and can be viewed under any user account on the computer.

• Data on the system memory of Kaspersky Free processes at the moment when a memory dump is created.
• Data that is gathered when traces are enabled.

This data is stored locally in a modified form and can be viewed under any user account on the computer. This data is transmitted to Kaspersky only with your consent. The scope of data is described in the RDP.txt file in the following folder: %PROGRAMFILES%\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Free 19.0.0\Doc\KAV-KIS-PURE-KFA\en-US.

About using the application in the European Union

The application versions that are distributed in the European Union by Kaspersky and our partners comply with the terms of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

To install the application, you must accept the End User License Agreement and the terms of the Privacy Policy.

In addition, the Setup Wizard offers you to accept the following agreements about processing your personal data:

• Kaspersky Security Network Statement. This statement allows Kaspersky experts to promptly receive information about threats detected on your computer, about applications being run and signed applications being downloaded, as well as operating system information to improve your protection.
• Statement regarding data processing for marketing purposes. This statement allows us to create more valuable offers for you.

You can accept or decline the Kaspersky Security Network Statement and Statement regarding data processing for marketing purposes at any time from the Settings → Additional → Additional protection and management tools window.

Why My Kaspersky is needed

My Kaspersky is a Kaspersky website designed for centralized information storage and management of Kaspersky applications that you use.

On My Kaspersky, you can:

• View information about licenses and their expiration dates
• Securely store and synchronize your passwords and other personal information if you use Kaspersky Password Manager
• Download purchased applications
• Learn about new applications and special offers from Kaspersky

To access My Kaspersky features, you need an account.

Detailed information on using My Kaspersky is available in My Kaspersky help.

About My Kaspersky account

A My Kaspersky account is required to sign in to the My Kaspersky website as well as to use the website and certain Kaspersky applications.

If you do not have an account yet, you can create it on the My Kaspersky website or from the applications compatible with the website. You can also use accounts used with other Kaspersky resources to sign in to the website.

While creating an account, you have to specify a valid email address and set a password. The password must contain at least 8 characters, one numeral, one uppercase letter, and one lowercase Latin letter. Blank spaces are not allowed.

If the password is too weak or common, the account will not be created.

After the account is created, you will receive an email message containing a link for activation of your account.

Please activate your account using the email link.

Creating a My Kaspersky account

To create a My Kaspersky account:

1. Open the main application window.
2. Click the My Kaspersky link to open the Connect to My Kaspersky window.
3. Click the Create Account button.
4. Enter your email address in the Email address field.
5. Enter and confirm a password in the Password and Confirm password fields. The password must contain at least eight characters.
6. Select the I agree to provide Kaspersky with my email address to receive personalized marketing offers check box if you want to receive Kaspersky notifications in your mailbox.

   If you use the application in the European Union, this check box is named I confirm that I allow AO Kaspersky Lab to use my email address, first name, and last name to contact me by email about personalized special offers, reviews, surveys, order completion reminders, relevant news and events or I confirm that I allow AO Kaspersky Lab to use my email address to contact me by email about personalized special offers, reviews, surveys, order completion reminders, relevant news and events.

7. Enter your first name in the Your first name field (this field may be unavailable in your region).
8. Enter your last name in the Your last name field (this field may be unavailable in your region).
9. Click the Create button.

   A message will be sent to your email address, containing a link that you must click to activate your My Kaspersky account.

10. Click the link to activate your account on My Kaspersky portal.

Managing application notifications

Notifications that appear in the taskbar notification area inform you of application events that require your attention. Depending on how critical the event is, you may receive the following types of notifications:

• Critical notifications inform you of events that have critical importance for the computer's security, such as detection of a malicious object or dangerous activity in the operating system. Windows used for critical notifications and pop-up messages are red.
• Important notifications inform you of events that are potentially important for the computer's security, such as detection of a probably infected object or suspicious activity in the operating system. Windows used for important notifications and pop-up messages are yellow.
• Information notifications inform you of events that do not have critical importance for the computer's security. Windows used for information notifications and pop-up messages are green.

If a notification is displayed on the screen, you should select one of the options that are suggested in the notification. The optimal option is the one recommended as the default by Kaspersky experts.

A notification can be closed automatically when the computer is restarted, when Kaspersky Free is quit, or in Connected Standby mode in Windows 8. When a notification is closed automatically, Kaspersky Free performs the default recommended action.

Assessing computer protection status and resolving security issues

Problems with computer protection are symbolized by an indicator located in the upper part of the main application window. Green indicates that your computer is protected. Yellow indicates that there are protection problems and red indicates that your computer's security is at serious risk. You are advised to fix problems and security threats immediately.

You can open the Notification Center window by clicking the indicator in the main application window. This window provides detailed information about the protection status of the computer and suggests possible actions for rectifying problems and threats.

Problems with protection are grouped by categories. For each problem, a list is displayed of actions that you can take to solve the problem.

The Recommendations section lists actions that should be performed to optimize operation of the application and use it more effectively.

The Show N ignored notifications section displays notifications to which the Ignore action has been applied. Problems listed in this section do not affect the color of the protection indicator in the main application window.

Update databases and application modules

This section contains information about database and application module updates.

About database and application module updates

The installation package of Kaspersky Free includes databases and application modules. Using these databases:

• Kaspersky Free detects the majority of threats using Kaspersky Security Network, which requires an Internet connection.
• Kaspersky Free detects adware, auto dialers, and other legitimate software that can be used by intruders to damage your computer or personal data.

To get full protection, we recommend updating the databases and application modules as soon as the application has been installed.

Databases and program modules are updated in stages:

1. Kaspersky Free starts updating databases and application modules according to the specified settings: automatically, on schedule, or on demand. The application contacts an update source that stores a database and application module update package.
2. Kaspersky Free compares the existing databases with the databases available at the update source. If the databases are different, Kaspersky Free downloads the missing parts of the databases.

The application then uses the updated databases and application modules to scan the computer for viruses and other threats.

Update sources

You can use the following update sources:

• Kaspersky update servers
• HTTP or FTP server
• Network folder

Special considerations when updating databases and application modules

Updates of databases and application modules are subject to the following restrictions and specifics:

• Databases are considered out of date after one day and extremely out of date after seven days.
• To download an update package from Kaspersky servers, an Internet connection is required.
• Updates of databases and application modules are unavailable in the following cases:
  • The license has expired, and the grace period or limited functionality mode is not available.
  • A metered mobile Internet connection is used. This limitation applies on computers running under Microsoft Windows 8 or more recent versions of this operating system if automatic updates or scheduled updates are enabled and a traffic limit has been set for a metered mobile connection. If you want the application to update databases and application modules in this case, clear the Limit traffic on metered connections check box under Settings → Additional → Network.
  • The application is used under subscription, and you have suspended your subscription on the website of the service provider.

Installing an update package

When an update package (patch) is received, Kaspersky Free installs it automatically. To complete the installation of an update package, you must restart the computer. Until the computer is restarted, the application icon in the notification area is red, and the Kaspersky Free Notification Center window displays a prompt to restart the computer.

How to start an update of databases and application modules

To start an update of databases and application modules,

in the context menu of the application icon located in the taskbar notification area, select the Database Update item.

To run an update of databases and application modules from the main application window:

1. Open the main application window and click the Database update button.

   The Database update window opens.

2. In the Database update window, click the Run update button.

Scanning the computer

This section provides information about how to scan your computer for viruses and other threats.

Full Scan

During a full scan, Kaspersky Free scans the following objects by default:

• System memory
• Objects loaded on operating system startup
• System backup storage
• Hard drives and removable drives

We recommend running a full scan immediately after installing Kaspersky Free to your computer.

To start a full scan:

1. Open the main application window.
2. Click the Scan button.

   The Scan window opens.

3. In the Scan window, select the Full Scan section.
4. In the Full Scan section, click the Run scan button.

Kaspersky Free starts a full scan of your computer.

Selective Scan

A Selective Scan lets you scan a file, folder, or drive for viruses and other threats.

You can start a Selective Scan in the following ways:

• From the context menu of the object
• From the main application window

How to start a Selective Scan from the context menu of an object

How to start a Selective Scan from the main application window

Quick Scan

During a quick scan, Kaspersky Free scans the following objects by default:

• Objects loaded at the startup of the operating system
• System memory
• Disk boot sectors

To start a quick scan:

1. Open the main application window.
2. Click the Scan button.

   The Scan window opens.

3. In the Scan window, select the Quick Scan section.
4. In the Quick Scan section, click the Run scan button.

Kaspersky Free starts a quick scan of your computer.

Scanning files in OneDrive cloud storage

In Windows 10 RS3 or later, Kaspersky Free does not scan files in OneDrive cloud storage. If the application detects such files during a scan, it shows a notification stating that the files in cloud storage were not scanned.

The following components do not scan files in OneDrive cloud storage:

• Full Scan
• Selective Scan
• Quick Scan
• Background Scan

The report on the operation of Kaspersky Free contains a list of files in OneDrive cloud storage that were skipped during scan.

Files downloaded from OneDrive cloud storage to a local computer are scanned by real-time protection components. If a file scan was postponed and the file has been uploaded back to OneDrive cloud storage before the scan is started, this file may be skipped during a scan.

How to restore an object deleted or disinfected by the application

Kaspersky recommends that you avoid restoring deleted and disinfected objects since they may pose a threat to your computer.

To restore a deleted or disinfected object, you can use the backup copy of it that was created by the application during scanning of the object.

Kaspersky Free does not disinfect Windows Store apps. If scanning results indicate that such an app is dangerous, it is deleted from your computer.

When a Windows Store app is deleted, Kaspersky Free does not create a backup copy of it. To restore such objects, you must use the recovery tools included with the operating system (for detailed information, see the documentation for the operating system that is installed on your computer) or update apps via the Windows Store.

To restore a file that has been deleted or disinfected by the application:

1. Open the main application window.
2. In the lower part of the main window, click the More Tools button.

   The Tools window opens.

3. In the Tools window, go to the Security section.
4. In the Security section, click the Quarantine link to open the Quarantine window.
5. In the Quarantine window that opens, select the required file from the list and click the Restore button.

Scanning email messages

Kaspersky Free allows scanning email messages for dangerous objects by using Mail Anti-Virus. Mail Anti-Virus starts when the operating system is started and remains constantly in the RAM of the computer, scanning all email messages that are sent or received over the POP3, SMTP, IMAP, and NNTP protocols, as well as via encrypted connections (SSL) over the POP3, SMTP, and IMAP protocols.

By default, Mail Anti-Virus scans both incoming and outgoing messages.

If no threats are detected in an email message, or if all infected objects have been successfully disinfected, the message becomes available for further access. If the component fails to disinfect an infected object, Mail Anti-Virus renames or deletes the object from the message and adds a notification to the message subject line, stating that the message has been processed by Kaspersky Free. Before deleting an object, Kaspersky Free creates a backup copy of it and places a copy in Quarantine.

If Kaspersky Free detects the password for the archive in the message text during scanning, the password is used to scan the contents of that archive for malware. The password is not saved. The archive is unpacked before scanning. If the application crashes while unpacking the archive, you can manually delete the files that are unpacked at the following path: %systemroot%\temp. The files have the PR prefix.

Protecting personal data on the Internet

This section provides information about how to make your Internet browsing safe and protect your data against theft.

About protection of personal data on the Internet

Kaspersky Free helps you to protect your personal data against theft:

• Passwords, user names, and other registration data
• Account numbers and bank card numbers

Kaspersky Free includes components and tools that allow you to protect your personal data against theft by criminals who use methods such as

Protection against phishing is provided by Anti-Phishing, which is implemented in the Web Anti-Virus and IM Anti-Virus components. Enable these components to ensure comprehensive protection against phishing.

Protection against interception of data entered on the keyboard is provided by On-Screen Keyboard.

About On-Screen Keyboard

When using the Internet, you frequently need to enter your personal data or your user name and password. This happens, for example, during account registration on websites, online shopping, and Internet banking.

There is a risk that personal data can be intercepted by hardware keyboard interceptors or keyloggers, which are programs that record keystrokes. The On-Screen Keyboard tool prevents the interception of data entered via the keyboard.

Many programs classified as spyware can take screenshots, which then are automatically transmitted to an intruder for further analysis to steal the user's personal data. On-Screen Keyboard protects entered personal data from attempts to intercept it by means of screenshots.

On-Screen Keyboard has the following features:

• You can click the On-Screen Keyboard buttons with the mouse.
• Unlike hardware keyboards, it is impossible to press several keys simultaneously on On-Screen Keyboard. This is why key combinations (such as ALT+F4) require that you click the first key (for example, ALT), then the second key (for example, F4), and then the first key again. The second click of the key acts in the same way as releasing the key on a hardware keyboard.
• The On-Screen Keyboard language can be switched by using the same shortcut that is specified by the operating system settings for the hardware keyboard. To do so, right-click the other key (for example, if the LEFT ALT+SHIFT shortcut is configured in the operating system settings for switching the keyboard language, left-click the LEFT ALT key and then right-click the SHIFT key).

To ensure protection of data entered via On-Screen Keyboard, restart your computer after installing Kaspersky Free.

The use of On-Screen Keyboard has the following limitations:

• On-Screen Keyboard prevents interception of personal data only when used with the Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome browsers. When used with other browsers, On-Screen Keyboard does not protect entered personal data against interception.
• On-Screen Keyboard is not available in Microsoft Internet Explorer (versions 10 and 11) with the Fluent Design style. In this case, we recommend opening On-Screen Keyboard from the interface of Kaspersky Free.
• On-Screen Keyboard cannot protect your personal data if the website requiring the entry of such data is hacked, because in this case the information is obtained directly by the intruders from the website.
• On-Screen Keyboard does not prevent screenshots that are made by using the Print Screen key and other combinations of keys specified in the operating system settings.
• When running On-Screen Keyboard, the AutoComplete feature of Microsoft Internet Explorer stops functioning, since the implementation of the automatic input scheme may allow criminals to intercept data.

The preceding list describes the main restrictions in functionality for protection of data input. A full list of restrictions is given in an article on the Kaspersky Technical Support website. This article lists restrictions on Secure Keyboard Input in Kaspersky Internet Security, these restrictions apply also to On-Screen Keyboard in Kaspersky Free.

How to open On-Screen Keyboard

You can open On-Screen Keyboard in the following ways:

• From the context menu of the application icon in the taskbar notification area
• From the application window
• From the toolbar of Chromium-based Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome
• By pressing a combination of keyboard keys

Starting On-Screen Keyboard from the context menu

Starting On-Screen Keyboard from the application window

Starting On-Screen Keyboard from the browser toolbar

Starting On-Screen Keyboard by using the hardware keyboard

Checking a website for safety

Kaspersky Free allows checking the safety of a website before you click a link to open it. Websites are checked using URL Advisor.

The URL Advisor component checks links on a web page opened in Chromium-based Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox. Kaspersky Free displays one of the following icons next to the checked link:

 – if the linked web page is safe according to Kaspersky

 – if there is no information about the safety status of the linked web page

 – if a web page opened from a link could be used by criminals to harm your computer or data, according to Kaspersky

 – if the linked web page is dangerous according to Kaspersky

To view a pop-up window with more details on the link, move the mouse pointer to the corresponding icon.

By default, Kaspersky Free checks links in search results only.

How to change encrypted connections settings

Encrypted connections are established over the SSL and TLS protocols. By default, Kaspersky Free scans such connections upon request from URL Advisor.

To change encrypted connections settings:

1. Open the main application window.
2. Click the button in the lower part of the window.

   The Settings window opens.

3. Go to the Additional section.
4. Click the Network link to go to the Network settings window.
5. In the Encrypted connections scan click the websites link to open the Websites window.

   This window shows the list of websites where encrypted connections cannot be decrypted. Encrypted connections cannot be scanned on these websites. This list is updated by Kaspersky experts.

6. Select an action to perform when connecting to websites over an encrypted connection:
   • Do not scan encrypted connections. The application does not scan encrypted connections.
   • Scan encrypted connections upon request from protection components. The application only scans encrypted connections upon request from URL Advisor. This action is selected by default.
   • Always scan encrypted connections. The application always scans encrypted connections.
7. Select an action to perform if there are errors when scanning encrypted connections:
   • Ignore. If this action is selected, the application terminates the connection with the website on which the scan error occurred.
   • Ask. If there is an error when scanning encrypted connection with a website, the application shows a notification where you can select an action:
     • Ignore. The application terminates the connection with the website on which the scan error occurred.
     • Add website to exclusions. The application adds the website address to the list of exclusions. The application does not scan encrypted connections on websites from the list of exclusions. These websites are shown in the Websites with scan errors window.

     This option is selected by default.

   • Add website to exclusions. The application adds the website to the list of exclusions. The application does not scan encrypted connections on websites from the list of exclusions. These websites are shown in the Websites with scan errors window.
8. Click the Websites with scan errors link to open the Websites with scan errors window. The application does not scan encrypted connections on these websites. However, the application checks addresses of these websites against the database of malicious URLs. If a website is found in the database of malicious URLs, the application terminates the connection with the website.
9. Click the Manage exclusions to open the Exclusions window and perform the following actions:
   1. Click the Add button to add the website to the list of exclusions for encrypted connections scan.
   2. Enter the domain name of the website in the Domain name field.
   3. Click the Add button.

      The application will not scan encrypted connections with this website. Please note that adding a website to the list of exclusions may limit the functionality of scanning the website by URL Advisor.

Starting Kaspersky Password Manager

Kaspersky Password Manager is designed to safely store and synchronize passwords across your devices. Kaspersky Password Manager has to be installed independently of Kaspersky Free. For example, use the Kaspersky Passwords shortcut which is created on the Desktop of your computer during Kaspersky Free installation.

After installation, you can start Kaspersky Password Manager from the Start menu (in Microsoft Windows 7 or Microsoft Windows 10) or from the Start screen (in Microsoft Windows 8 or Microsoft Windows 8.1).

How to download and install Kaspersky Password Manager

See the Kaspersky Password Manager Help for instructions on using Kaspersky Password Manager.

How to reserve operating system resources for computer games

When Kaspersky Free runs in full-screen mode together with some other applications (particularly computer games), the following issues may occur:

• Application or game performance decreases due to lack of system resources
• Notification windows of Kaspersky Free distract the user from the gaming process

To avoid changing the settings of Kaspersky Free manually every time you switch to full-screen mode, you can use Gaming mode. If Gaming mode is being used and you are playing or working with applications in full-screen mode, Kaspersky Free does not run scan and update tasks and does not display notifications.

To enable Gaming mode:

1. Open the main application window.
2. Click the button in the lower part of the window.

   The Settings window opens.

3. In the left part of the window, select the Performance section.

   The window displays the performance settings of Kaspersky Free.

4. Select the Use Gaming mode check box.

How to password-protect access to Kaspersky Free management functions

A single computer may be shared by several users with various levels of experience and computer literacy. Unrestricted access of different users to Kaspersky Free and its settings may compromise the level of computer security.

To restrict access to the application, you can set an administrator password and specify the actions for which this password must be entered:

• Configuring application settings
• Quitting the application
• Removing the application

To password-protect access to control over Kaspersky Free:

1. Open the main application window.
2. Click the button in the lower part of the window.

   The Settings window opens.

3. In the left part of the window, select the General section and click the Set up password protection link to open the Password protection window.
4. In the window that opens, fill in the New password and Confirm password fields.

   Password requirements:

   1. The password must contain at least eight characters
   2. The password must contain at least one digit
   3. The password must contain both uppercase and lowercase letters
5. In the Password scope group of settings, specify the application actions to which you want to restrict access.

A forgotten password cannot be recovered. If you have forgotten your password, read the article on the Technical Support website that provides recommendations on how to recover access to Kaspersky Free.

How to pause and resume computer protection

Pausing protection means temporarily disabling all protection components for some time.

To pause the protection of your computer:

1. In the context menu of the application icon located in the taskbar notification area, select the Pause protection item.

   The Pause protection window opens (see the following figure).

   

   Pause protection window

2. In the Pause protection window, select the time interval after which protection will be resumed:
   • Pause for – protection is enabled after expiration of the time interval selected from the drop-down list.
   • Pause until application restart – protection is enabled after the application is started again or the operating system is restarted (if the application automatically starts on startup).
   • Pause – protection will be resumed when you decide to resume it.
3. Click the Pause protection button and confirm your choice in the window that opens.

How to resume computer protection

How to restore the default application settings

You can restore the settings recommended by Kaspersky for Kaspersky Free at any time. The settings can be restored using the Wizard.

When the Wizard completes its operation, the Recommended security level is set for all protection components.

To restore the default operational settings of the application:

1. Open the main application window.
2. Click the button in the lower part of the window.

   The Settings window opens.

3. Select the General section.

   The window displays the settings of Kaspersky Free.

4. In the lower part of the window, in the Manage Settings drop-down list, select Restore settings.
5. Click the Next button.

   The window of the Wizard shows the progress of restoring the application settings back to the default settings configured by Kaspersky experts.

6. After the default application settings restoration process is finished, click Done.

How to view the application operation report

Kaspersky Free maintains operation reports for each of the protection components. Using a report, you can obtain statistical information about the application's operation (for example, how many malicious objects have been detected and neutralized during a specified time period, how many times application databases and modules have been updated during the same period, and much more).

To view the application operation report:

1. Open the main application window.
2. In the lower part of the main window, click the More Tools button.

   The Tools window opens.

3. In the Tools window, click the Reports link to go to the Reports window.

   The Reports window displays reports on application operation for the current day (in the left part of the window) and for a particular time period (in the right part of the window).

4. If you want to view a detailed report on application operation, in the upper part of the Reports window, click the Detailed reports link. The Detailed Reports window opens.

   The Detailed Reports window displays data in the form of a table. For convenient viewing of reports, you can select various filtering options.

How to apply the application settings on another computer

After you have configured the application, you can apply its settings to a copy of Kaspersky Free that is installed on another computer. As a result, the application will be configured identically on both computers.

The application settings are saved in a configuration file that you can move from one computer to another.

The settings of Kaspersky Free are moved from one computer to another in three steps:

1. Save the application settings to configuration file.
2. Move the configuration file to the other computer (for example, by email or on a removable drive).
3. Import the settings from the configuration file to the application copy that is installed on the other computer.

How to export application settings

How to import application settings

Participating in Kaspersky Security Network

Kaspersky Free uses cloud protection to make protection of your computer more effective. Cloud protection is implemented using the Kaspersky Security Network infrastructure that uses data received from users all over the world.

Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) is the cloud-based knowledge base of Kaspersky containing information about the reputation of applications and websites. The use of data from Kaspersky Security Network ensures faster responses by Kaspersky Free to new threats, improves the performance of some protection components, and reduces the likelihood of false positives.

Users' participation in Kaspersky Security Network allows Kaspersky to promptly receive information about types and sources of new threats, develop solutions for neutralizing them, and minimize the number of false positives. Participation in Kaspersky Security Network lets you access reputation statistics for applications and websites.

If you participate in Kaspersky Security Network, you automatically send information about the configuration of your operating system and the start and completion time of processes in Kaspersky Free to Kaspersky.

How to enable or disable participation in Kaspersky Security Network

Participation in Kaspersky Security Network is voluntary. You can enable or disable the use of Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) when installing Kaspersky Free and / or at any moment after the application is installed.

To enable or disable participation in Kaspersky Security Network:

1. Open the main application window.
2. Click the button in the lower part of the window.

   The Settings window opens.

3. In the Additional section, select Additional protection and management tools.

   The Settings for additional protection tools window opens with details of Kaspersky Security Network and Kaspersky Security Network participation settings.

4. Enable or disable participation in Kaspersky Security Network:
   • If you want to participate in Kaspersky Security Network, click the Enable button.

     A window with the text of the Kaspersky Security Network Statement opens. If you accept the terms of the Statement, click the I agree button.

   • If you do not want to participate in Kaspersky Security Network, click the Disable button.

If you installed the application in the European Union, the Settings for additional protection tools window shows the Kaspersky Security Network Statement section instead of information about Kaspersky Security Network.

To accept the Kaspersky Security Network Statement:

1. Click the Accept button in the Kaspersky Security Network Statement section.

   Kaspersky Security Network Statement opens. This statement allows Kaspersky experts to promptly receive information about threats detected on your computer, about applications being run and signed applications being downloaded, as well as operating system information to improve your protection.

2. If you accept the terms of the statement, click the Accept button.

To decline the Kaspersky Security Network Statement,

click the Decline button in the Kaspersky Security Network Statement section.

How to check the connection to Kaspersky Security Network

Your connection to Kaspersky Security Network may be lost for the following reasons:

• You do not participate in Kaspersky Security Network.
• Your computer is not connected to the Internet.
• Current key status does not allow connecting to Kaspersky Security Network.

  The current status of the key is displayed in the Licensing window.

To test the connection to Kaspersky Security Network:

1. Open the main application window.
2. In the lower part of the main window, click the More Tools button.

   The Tools window opens.

3. In the Tools window, go to the Security section.

In the Security section, click the Cloud Protection link to open the Cloud Protection window. The Cloud Protection window shows the status of your connection to Kaspersky Security Network.

Protection using hardware virtualization

In this section, you will learn how you can protect your computer using hardware virtualization.

About protection using hardware virtualization

When Kaspersky Free is installed in 64-bit Microsoft Windows 8, Microsoft Windows 8.1 or Microsoft Windows 10, it uses

Protection using hardware virtualization is enabled by default. If protection has been disabled manually, you can enable it in the application settings window.

On computers running 64-bit Microsoft Windows 8, Microsoft Windows 8.1 or Microsoft Windows 10, the protection provided by Kaspersky Free hardware virtualization (hypervisor) has the following limitations:

• This feature is not available when a third-party hypervisor, such as the VMware virtualization hypervisor, is running. After you close the third-party hypervisor, protection against screenshots becomes available again.
• The feature is not available if the CPU of your computer does not support hardware virtualization technology. For more details on whether your CPU supports hardware virtualization, please refer to the documentation shipped with your computer or to the website of the CPU manufacturer.
• The feature is not available if a third-party hypervisor (such as the VMware hypervisor) is running when you start Protected Browser.
• The feature is not available if hardware virtualization is disabled on your computer. For details on how to enable hardware virtualization on your computer, please refer to your computer's technical documentation or visit the website of your processor's manufacturer.

How to enable protection using hardware virtualization

To enable protection using hardware virtualization:

1. Open the main application window.
2. Click the button in the lower part of the window.

   The Settings window opens.

3. In the left part of the window, select the Additional section.
4. In the right part of the Additional section, select the Additional protection and management tools subsection.

   The Settings for additional protection tools window opens.

5. Select the Use hardware virtualization if available check box. This check box is displayed when the application is installed on a 64-bit version of Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.
6. Select the Use advanced features of hardware virtualization check box if you want to turn hardware virtualization on when the operating system starts.

If hardware virtualization is disabled on your computer, protection using hardware virtualization will be disabled. For information about how to enable hardware virtualization, click the Learn more link in the Additional protection and management tools window.

Evaluating Kaspersky Free

You can evaluate Kaspersky Free and send your score to Kaspersky.

Some time after the installation, the application offers you to evaluate its operation.

To evaluate Kaspersky Free:

1. In the We value your opinion window, do one of the following:
   • If you are ready to evaluate Kaspersky Free, rate the application using a 10-point scale.
   • If you do not want to evaluate Kaspersky Free, click the button to close the evaluation window.
2. Click the Send button.
3. Click the Close button to close the window.

Limitations and warnings

Kaspersky Free has a number of limitations that are not critical to operation of the application.

Limitations on configuring protection components

When Kaspersky Free starts for the first time, its protection components are configured automatically according to rules created by Kaspersky specialists. You cannot configure protection components.

Limitations on the operation of certain components and automatic processing of files

Infected files are processed automatically according to rules created by Kaspersky specialists. You cannot modify these rules manually. Rules can be updated following an update of databases and application modules.

Special considerations for file processing in interactive protection mode

If an infected file is part of an app from Windows Store, in interactive protection mode the application displays a notification prompting you to delete that file. The Disinfect action is not available.

Limitations of System Watcher functionality

Protection against cryptors (malware that encrypts user files) has the following limitations:

• The Temp system folder is used to support this functionality. If the system drive with the Temp folder has insufficient disk space to create temporary files, protection against cryptors is not provided. In this case, the application does not display a notification that files are not backed up (protection is not provided).
• Temporary files are deleted automatically when you close Kaspersky Free or disable the System Watcher component.
• In case of an emergency termination of Kaspersky Free, temporary files are not deleted automatically. To delete temporary files, clear the Temp folder manually. To do so, open the Run window (Run command under Windows XP) and in the Open field type %TEMP%. Click OK.
• Protection against encryptors is provided only for files that are located on data drives that have been formatted with the NTFS file system.
• The number of files that can be restored cannot exceed 50 per one encryption process.
• The total volume of modifications to files cannot exceed 100 MB. Files with modifications that exceed this limit cannot be restored.
• File modifications initiated via network interface are not monitored.
• Files encrypted with EFS are not supported.
• You must restart the computer to enable protection against encryptors after Kaspersky Free is installed.

Website certificate check and file scan limitations

When scanning files, the application may query Kaspersky Security Network for information. If data from Kaspersky Security Network could not be retrieved, the application makes decisions on whether or not the file is infected based on local anti-virus databases.

Encrypted connections scan limitations

Due to technical limitations of the implementation of scanning algorithms, scanning of encrypted connections does not support certain extensions of the TLS 1.0 protocol and later versions (particularly NPN and ALPN). Connections via these protocols may be limited. Browsers with SPDY protocol support use the HTTP over TLS protocol instead of SPDY even if the server to which the connection is established supports SPDY. This does not affect the level of connection security. If the server supports only the SPDY protocol and it is impossible to establish the connection via the HTTPS protocol, the application does not monitor the connection established.

Kaspersky Free does not support processing of HTTPS/2 Proxy traffic. The application does not process traffic transmitted via extensions of the HTTP/2 protocol.

Kaspersky Free prevents data exchange over the QUIC protocol. Browsers use a standard transport protocol (TLS or SSL) regardless of whether or not support for the QUIC protocol is enabled in the browser.

Kaspersky Free monitors only those protected connection which it is able to decrypt. The application does not monitor connections added to the list of exclusions (Websites link in the Network settings window).

The following components perform decryption and scanning of encrypted traffic by default:

• Web Anti-Virus
• URL Advisor

Kaspersky Free does not monitor traffic if the browser loads a web page or its elements from a local cache instead of from the Internet.

Limitations on encrypted connections scan exclusions

When scanning encrypted connections with websites that have been added to exclusions, URL Advisor may continue to scan encrypted connections. Web Anti-Virus does not scan websites that have been added to exclusions.

Specifics of infected file processing by application components

By default, Kaspersky Free can delete infected files that cannot be disinfected. Removal by default can be performed during file processing by such components as Mail Anti-Virus and File Anti-Virus, and during scan tasks.

Specifics of the autorun process operation

The autorun process logs the results of its operation. Data is logged in text files named “kl-autorun-<date><time>.log”. To view data, open the Run window (Run command under Windows XP) and in the Open field type %TEMP% and click OK.

All trace files are saved at the path to setup files that were downloaded during operation of the autorun process. Data is stored for the duration of operation of the autorun process and deleted permanently when this process is terminated. Data is not sent anywhere.

Kaspersky Free limitations under Microsoft Windows 10 RS4 with the Device Guard mode enabled:

Operation of the following functionality is partly limited:

• Clipboard protection
• Browser protection from keyboard and mouse input emulators (input spoofing)
• Protection from remote management applications
• Browser protection (management through API, protection from attacks that use dangerous messages to browser windows, protection from message queue management)
• Heuristic Analysis (emulation of the startup of malicious applications)

If UMCI mode is enabled in Windows, Kaspersky Free does not detect screen lockers.

About logging of events in the Windows event log that are related to the End User License Agreement and Kaspersky Security Network

Events involving accepting and declining the terms of the End User License Agreement, and also accepting and declining the terms of participation in Kaspersky Security Network, are recorded in the Windows event log.

Limitations on local address reputation checks in Kaspersky Security Network

Links to local resources are not scanned in Kaspersky Security Network.

Warning about applications that collect information

If an application that collects information and sends it to be processed is installed on your computer, Kaspersky Free may classify this application as malware. To avoid this, you can exclude the application from scanning by configuring Kaspersky Free as described in this document.

Warning about the creation of an application installation report

An installation report file is created when the application is installed to a computer. If application installation completed with an error, an installation report file is saved and you can send it to Kaspersky Technical Support. You can view the contents of the installation report file by clicking the link in the application window. If the application is successfully installed, the installation report file is immediately deleted from your computer.

Limitations when the application is started for the first time after upgrading from Microsoft Windows 7 to Microsoft Windows 10

If you have upgraded Microsoft Windows 7 to Microsoft Windows 8 / 8.1 or Microsoft Windows 10 / RS1 / RS2 / RS3, Kaspersky Free operates with the following limitations when started for the first time:

• Only File Anti-Virus (real-time protection) is running. Other application components are not running.
• Self-Defense of files and the system registry is running. Self-Defense of processes is not running.
• The application interface is not available until you restart the computer. The application displays a notification stating that some application components are not running and that the computer must be restarted after completion of adaptation to the new operating system.
• Only the Exit option is available in the context menu of the application icon in the notification area.
• The application does not display notifications, and automatically chooses the recommended action.

Warning about error adapting application drivers when upgrading the operating system from Windows 7 to Windows 10

Upgrading Windows 7 to Windows 10 may result in an error adapting the drivers of Kaspersky Free. Drivers are adapted in the background, which means that you do not receive notifications about its progress.

If there is an error adapting the drivers, you will not be able to use the following features of the application:

• Threat detection while the operating system is loading
• Protection of application processes by using the Protected Process Light (PPL) technology of Microsoft Corporation

You can use the following methods to fix the error:

• Restart the computer and restart application adaptation from the notification in the Notification Center.
• Uninstall the application and re-install it.

Limitations on scanning traffic sent over HTTPS in the Mozilla Firefox browser

In Mozilla Firefox 58.x and later versions, the application does not scan traffic transmitted over the HTTPS protocol if browser settings modification is protected by a master password. When a master password is detected in the browser, the application shows a notification containing a link to an article in the Knowledge Base. The article contains instructions on resolving this problem.

If HTTPS traffic is not monitored, the operation of the following components is limited:

• Web Anti-Virus
• Anti-Phishing
• Secure Data Input

Limitations of the Kaspersky Protection extension in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox

The Kaspersky Protection extension does not operate in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox if there is Malwarebytes for Windows installed on your computer.

Special considerations when installing the application in Microsoft Windows 7 Service Pack 0 and Service Pack 1

When installing the application in an operating system that does not support certificates with an SHA256 digital signature, the application installs its own trusted certificate.

Other sources of information about the application

Kaspersky Free page in the Knowledge Base

Knowledge Base is a section on the Technical Support website.

On Kaspersky Free page in the Knowledge Base, you can read articles that provide useful information, recommendations, and answers to frequently asked questions on how to purchase, install, and use the application.

Articles in the Knowledge Base may provide answers to questions that relate both to Kaspersky Free as well as to other Kaspersky applications. Articles in the Knowledge Base may also contain news from Technical Support.

Discussing Kaspersky applications in our Community

If your question does not require an immediate answer, you can discuss it with Kaspersky experts and other users in our Community.

In the Community, you can view existing topics, leave your comments, and create new discussion topics.

Glossary

Activation code

A code that you receive when purchasing a license for Kaspersky Free. This code is required for activation of the application.

The activation code is a unique sequence of twenty alphanumeric characters in the format xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx.

Anti-virus databases

Databases that contain information about computer security threats known to Kaspersky as of when the anti-virus databases are released. Entries in anti-virus databases allow detecting malicious code in scanned objects. Anti-virus databases are created by Kaspersky specialists and updated hourly.

Application modules

Files included in the Kaspersky installation package that are responsible for performing the main tasks of the corresponding application. A particular application module corresponds to each type of task performed by the application (protection, scan, updates of databases and application modules).

Blocking an object

Denying access to an object from third-party applications. A blocked object cannot be read, executed, modified, or deleted.

Compressed file

A compressed executable file that contains a decompression program and instructions for the operating system to execute it.

Database of malicious web addresses

A list of web addresses whose content may be considered to be dangerous. Created by Kaspersky specialists, the list is regularly updated and is included in the Kaspersky application package.

Database of phishing web addresses

List of web addresses which have been defined as phishing web addresses by Kaspersky specialists. The databases are regularly updated and are part of the Kaspersky application package.

Disk boot sector

A boot sector is a special area on a computer's hard drive, floppy disk, or other data storage device. It contains information on the disk's file system and a boot loader program, which is responsible for starting the operating system.

There exist a number of viruses that infect boot sectors, which are thus called boot viruses. The Kaspersky application allows scanning boot sectors for viruses and disinfecting them if an infection is found.

Exploit

A software code that uses a vulnerability in the system or software. Exploits are often used to install malware on the computer without user's knowledge.

False positive

A situation when a Kaspersky application considers a non-infected object to be infected because the object's code is similar to that of a virus.

Heuristic analyzer

A technology for detecting threats about which information has not yet been added to Kaspersky databases. The heuristic analyzer detects objects whose behavior in the operating system may pose a security threat. Objects detected by the heuristic analyzer are considered to be probably infected. For example, an object may be considered probably infected if it contains sequences of commands that are typical of malicious objects (open file, write to file).

iChecker Technology

A technology that allows increasing the speed of anti-virus scanning by excluding objects that have remained unchanged since their last scan, provided that the scan parameters (the databases and the settings) have not been altered. The information for each file is stored in a special database. This technology is used in both real-time protection and on-demand scan modes.

For example, you have an archive file that was scanned by a Kaspersky application and assigned not infected status. Next time, the application will skip this archive unless the archive has been altered or the scan settings have been changed. If you have changed the archive content by adding a new object to it, modified the scan settings, or updated the application databases, the archive will be re-scanned.

Limitations of iChecker technology:

• This technology does not work with large files, since it is faster to scan a file than to check whether the file has been modified since it was last scanned.
• The technology supports a limited number of formats.

Incompatible application

An anti-virus application from a third-party developer or a Kaspersky application that does not support management through Kaspersky Free.

Infected object

An object a portion of whose code completely matches part of the code of known malware. Kaspersky does not recommend accessing such objects.

Kaspersky Security Network (KSN)

The cloud-based knowledge base of Kaspersky containing information about the reputation of applications and websites. Use of data from Kaspersky Security Network ensures faster responses by Kaspersky applications to threats, improves the performance of some protection components, and reduces the likelihood of false positives.

Kaspersky update servers

Kaspersky HTTP servers from which updates of databases and software modules are downloaded.

License term

A time period during which you have access to the application features and rights to use additional services.

Phishing

A type of Internet fraud aimed at obtaining unauthorized access to users' confidential data.

Probably infected object

An object whose code contains portions of modified code from a known threat, or an object whose behavior is similar to that of a threat.

Protection components

Integral parts of Kaspersky Free intended for protection against specific types of threats (for example, Anti-Phishing). Each of the components is relatively independent of the other ones and can be disabled or configured individually.

Protocol

A clearly defined and standardized set of rules governing the interaction between a client and a server. Well-known protocols and the services associated with them include HTTP, FTP, and NNTP.

Quarantine

A dedicated storage in which the application places backup copies of files that have been modified or deleted during disinfection. Copies of files are stored in a special format that is not dangerous for the computer.

Rootkit

A program or a set of programs for hiding traces of an intruder or malware in the operating system.

On Windows-based operating systems, a rootkit usually refers to a program that penetrates the operating system and intercepts system functions (Windows APIs). Interception and modification of low-level API functions are the main methods that allow these programs to make their presence in the operating system quite stealthy. A rootkit can usually also mask the presence of any processes, folders, and files that are stored on a disk drive, in addition to registry keys, if they are described in the configuration of the rootkit. Many rootkits install their own drivers and services on the operating system (these also are "invisible").

Script

A small computer program or an independent part of a program (function) which, as a rule, has been developed to execute a specific task. It is most often used with programs that are embedded in hypertext. Scripts are run, for example, when you open some websites.

If real-time protection is enabled, the application tracks the execution of scripts, intercepts them, and scans them for viruses. Depending on the results of scanning, you may block or allow the execution of a script.

Security level

The security level is defined as a predefined collection of settings for an application component.

Startup objects

The set of programs needed to start and correctly operate the operating system and software installed on your computer. These objects are executed every time the operating system is started. There are viruses capable of infecting autorun objects specifically, which may lead, for example, to blocking of operating system startup.

Task

The functions of the Kaspersky application are implemented in the form of tasks, such as: Full Scan task or Update task.

Task settings

Application settings that are specific for each task type.

Traces

Running the application in debugging mode; after each command is executed, the application is stopped, and the result of this step is displayed.

Traffic scanning

Real-time scanning that uses information from the current (latest) version of the databases for objects transferred over all protocols (for example, HTTP, FTP, and other protocols).

Unknown virus

A new virus about which there is no information in the databases. Generally, unknown viruses are detected by the application in objects by using the heuristic analyzer. These objects are classified as probably infected.

Update

The procedure of replacing / adding new files (databases or application modules) retrieved from the Kaspersky update servers.

Update package

A file package designed for updating databases and application modules. The Kaspersky application copies update packages from Kaspersky update servers and automatically installs and applies them.

Virus

A program that infects other programs, by adding its code to them in order to gain control when infected files are run. This simple definition allows identifying the main action performed by any virus: infection.

Vulnerability

A flaw in an operating system or an application that may be exploited by malware makers to penetrate the operating system or application and corrupt its integrity. Presence of a large number of vulnerabilities in an operating system makes it unreliable, because viruses that penetrate the operating system may cause disruptions in the operating system itself and in installed applications.

AO Kaspersky Lab

Kaspersky is a world-renowned vendor of systems protecting computers against various threats, including viruses and other malware, unsolicited email (spam), network and hacking attacks.

In 2008, Kaspersky was rated among the world’s top four vendors of information security software solutions for end users (IDC Worldwide Endpoint Security Revenue by Vendor). Kaspersky is the preferred vendor of computer protection systems for home users in Russia ("IDC Endpoint Tracker 2014").

Kaspersky was founded in Russia in 1997. It has since grown into an international group of companies with 38 offices in 33 countries. The company employs more than 3,000 skilled professionals.

Products. Kaspersky’s products provide protection for all systems, from home computers to large corporate networks.

The personal product range includes security applications for desktop, laptop, and tablet computers, smartphones and other mobile devices.

The company offers protection and control solutions and technologies for workstations and mobile devices, virtual machines, file and web servers, mail gateways, and firewalls. The company's portfolio also features specialized products providing protection against DDoS attacks, protection for industrial control systems, and prevention of financial fraud. Used in conjunction with Kaspersky’s centralized management system, these solutions ensure effective automated protection for companies and organizations of any size against computer threats. Kaspersky's products are certified by major test laboratories, compatible with software from diverse vendors, and optimized to run on many hardware platforms.

Kaspersky’s virus analysts work around the clock. Every day they uncover hundreds of thousands of new computer threats, create tools to detect and disinfect them, and include signatures of those threats in the databases used by Kaspersky applications.

Technologies. Many technologies that are now part and parcel of modern anti-virus tools were originally developed by Kaspersky. It is no coincidence that many other developers use the Kaspersky Anti-Virus kernel in their products, including: Alcatel-Lucent, Alt-N, Asus, BAE Systems, Blue Coat, Check Point, Cisco Meraki, Clearswift, D-Link, Facebook, General Dynamics, H3C, Juniper Networks, Lenovo, Microsoft, NETGEAR, Openwave Messaging, Parallels, Qualcomm, Samsung, Stormshield, Toshiba, Trustwave, Vertu, ZyXEL. Many of the company’s innovative technologies are patented.

Achievements. Over the years, Kaspersky has won hundreds of awards for its services in combating computer threats. Following tests and research conducted by the reputed Austrian test laboratory AV-Comparatives in 2014, Kaspersky ranked among the top two vendors by the number of Advanced+ certificates earned and was eventually awarded the Top Rated certificate. But Kaspersky's main achievement is the loyalty of its users worldwide. The company’s products and technologies protect more than 400 million users, and its corporate clients number more than 270,000.

Information about third-party code

Information about third-party code is contained in the file legal_notices.txt, in the application installation folder.

Trademark notices

Registered trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Google Chrome, Google Talk, Chrome, SPDY, and Android are Trademarks of Google, Inc.

ICQ is a trademark and/or service mark of ICQ LLC.

Intel, Celeron, and Atom are Trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

JABBER is a registered Trademark and its use is licensed through the XMPP Standards Foundation.

Mail.Ru is a Trademark of Mail.ru LLC.

Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista, Internet Explorer, Excel, and Outlook are registered Trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Mozilla, Thunderbird, and Firefox are Trademarks of the Mozilla Foundation.

VMware is a trademark of VMware, Inc., or trademark of VMware, Inc. registered in the USA or in other jurisdictions.

IOS is a registered trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries.

Kaspersky Free notification windows

Notifications that appear in the taskbar notification area inform you of application events that require your attention.

If a notification is displayed on the screen, you should select one of the options that are suggested in the notification. The optimal option is the one recommended as the default by Kaspersky experts.

Application activity log window

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Drop-down list for filtering records

Application activity log

Application appearance log window

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The Application appearance log window contains the results of analysis performed by System Watcher of malicious activity of the application. The following application data is available:

• Application name
• Location of the application on the computer
• Time at which application installation was completed
• Name of the process that installed the application to the computer
• Application run sequence

Application activity log

Rollback of application's actions window

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List of actions performed by System Watcher

Object

Action

Time

Network connections termination

If the computer is shut down or protection is paused when the application is monitoring active network connections, notification about termination of those connections is displayed. This is necessary for properly quitting the application. Termination occurs automatically after 10 seconds or after you click the Yes button. Most terminated connections are recovered after a short time.

If the connection is terminated when you are downloading a file without a download manager, data transmission is interrupted. To download the file, you must start the download process again.

You can cancel termination of connections. To do this, in the notification dialog box, click the No button. The application continues to run.

Enter activation code window

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Activation code

Activate trial version of the application

Buy license

Activation code corresponds to another application

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This window opens if the activation code entered is intended for another application. The application name appears in the Corresponding application line. You can start using this application now or after your license for Kaspersky Free expires.

Cancel

Continue

Registration

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Email address

Password

Sign In

Forgot your password?

Don't Have Account Yet

Confirm sign-in

When proceeding to registration on the My Kaspersky website, the window displays the following fields:

Email address

Password

Confirm password

Your first name

Your last name

Where did you buy the application?

I agree to provide Kaspersky with my email address to receive personalized marketing offers

I confirm that I allow AO Kaspersky Lab to use my email address, first name, and last name to contact me by email about personalized special offers, reviews, surveys, order completion reminders, relevant news and events

Register

The field layout during creating an account is composed by Kaspersky experts and may change.

Finishing registration on My Kaspersky window

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Done

Registration on My Kaspersky window

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Email address

Password

Confirm password

I agree to provide Kaspersky with my email address to receive personalized marketing offers

Register

Information about the current license is found window

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Yes, use <application>

No, continue the wizard and enter a new activation code

Registration window

In this window, specify the registration data required to contact Technical Support.

Internet connection is not available

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This window is displayed if you fail to activate the application due to problems with your Internet connection.

Retry

Switching to other application

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To run the Migration Wizard, click the Next button. The Migration Wizard installs the application that corresponds to the activation code entered (Kaspersky Internet Security or Kaspersky Total Security).

If your license for Kaspersky Free has not yet expired, you can apply the activation code for Kaspersky Free on another computer.

To cancel migration to Kaspersky Internet Security or Kaspersky Total Security, click the Cancel link.

Cancel

Activation error

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Application activation failed. To view information about the issue in the Knowledge Base, click the Reasons and possible solutions link.

Reasons and possible solutions

Cancel

License Information window

This window shows the following application license information:

• License key
• License status
• Number of hosts covered by the license
• Activation date
• License expiration date
• Number of days before expiration of the license
• Activation ID

Main window

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Protection status indicator

Upgrade protection

Scan

Database update

Safe Money

Privacy Protection

Parental Control

Protection for all devices

More Tools

Button

Button

Button

Other products

My Kaspersky

License

Licensing window

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License information is displayed in the section located in the upper part of the window:

• License key.
• Key status
• Number of hosts covered by the license
• Activation date
• License expiration date
• Number of days before expiration of the license

About your license/About your subscription

End User License Agreement

Depending on the presence of a license and on the properties of your version of the application, the window may display various buttons for initiating actions related to your license. Default buttons are described below.

Upgrade protection

Activate application

Update databases

Reasons and possible solutions

End User License Agreement window

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The window contains the text of the End User License Agreement. Use the scroll bar to view the End User License Agreement.

Kaspersky Online Store window

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In this window, you can view offers from the online store and purchase licenses for Kaspersky applications. If you have purchased a license earlier, you can renew it.

For some applications you can choose a license term and number of hosts on which you want to install the application, as well as enable automatic renewal of the subscription.

To access the online store through the interface of Kaspersky Free, the application must securely connect to a Kaspersky server over HTTPS.

Password checking window

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Password

Save password for current session

Notification Center

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The Licensing section shows notifications about the license and license-related problems.

Details

The Protection section displays notifications about the protection status of your computer, disabled protection components, detected objects, and any problems with database and application software module updates.

Details

Resolve

Resolve all

Run update

Stop

Enable

Unblock

Resume

Restart

Reboot

The Recommendations section lists actions that should be performed to optimize operation of the application and use it more effectively.

Enable

Enable KSN

Update version

Reboot

Install

The News section displays notifications about news from Kaspersky.

Read

The Ignored notifications section displays notifications to which the Ignore action has been applied. Notifications listed in this section do not affect the color of the protection indicator in the main application window.

Enable

Do not ignore

Detected objects

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Resolve

News window

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List of news

News window

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Links to Twitter and social networks

Buttons

Cloud Protection window

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Learn more

Participate in Kaspersky Security Network

In some cases, Kaspersky may temporarily restrict requests to Kaspersky Security Network concerning the reputation of files. When temporary restrictions are imposed on requests for information from Kaspersky Security Network, the corresponding notification is displayed in the left part of the window.

About Cloud Protection

You can learn about Kaspersky Security Network in this window.

Reports window

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List of events for the day

Period

List of events for the selected period

Detailed reports

Detailed reports window

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List of components and tasks

Period

Export

List of events

Selective Scan section

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Run

Add

Run scan

Stop

List of objects to be scanned

Remove all

Detailed report

Full Scan section

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By default, the application scans the following objects: system memory, objects loaded on operating system startup, backup storage, hard drives and removable drives.

Run

Run scan

Stop

Resume scan

Detailed report

Scan schedule

When scan is complete

Quick Scan section

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During a quick scan, the application scans the system memory, boot sectors of the disk, and objects loaded at operating system startup.

Run

Run scan

Stop

Resume scan

Detailed report

Scan schedule

External Device Scan section

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List of external devices

Run scan

Stop

Detailed report

The above-listed interface elements can be displayed if at least one external device is connected to the computer.

Pause protection window

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Pause for the specified time

Pause until application restart

Pause

Task Manager section

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This section shows a list of scan tasks that have been already completed or are currently running:

• Full Scan
• Quick Scan
• Selective Scan
• External Device Scan
• Rootkit Scan
• Idle Scan
• Advanced Disinfection

The upper part of the window displays information about the current tasks: task name, progress indicator, time left until task completion, number of scanned files, and number of detected threats.

Stop

The lower part of the window displays a list of completed tasks. Tasks are listed in order of completion: the tasks completed most recently are displayed at the top. Each list item contains a task name, completion progress if the task has been paused, information about the amount of time elapsed since task completion, as well as the number of scanned files and detected and neutralized threats.

Detailed report

<N> threats not eliminated

<N> threats eliminated

Database update window

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Run update

Last update: <time of last update>

Run mode: <run mode name>

Button

Downloaded: <total size of downloaded files>

World virus activity review

Quarantine window

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Objects in Quarantine list

File

Path

Detected

Date

Restore

Delete

Delete all files

Kaspersky Free does not disinfect Windows Store apps. If scanning results indicate that such an app is dangerous, it is deleted from your computer. When a Windows Store app is deleted, Kaspersky Free does not create a backup copy of it. To restore such objects, you must use the recovery tools included with the operating system (for detailed information, see the documentation for the operating system that is installed on your computer) or update apps via the Windows Store.

Tools window

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Upgrade

Cloud Protection

On-Screen Keyboard

Quarantine

The Unavailable section lists features that are not available in Kaspersky Free. Those features are available in Kaspersky Internet Security. You can start using Kaspersky Internet Security by clicking the Upgrade button.

Report

Upgrade window

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Buy license

Trial version

Enter activation code

Upgrade window

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Purchase activation code

Enter activation code

Trial version

Incompatible software was found

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List of incompatible applications

Remove selected

Continue

Other incompatible applications detected

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List of incompatible applications

Remove manually

Continue

Computer restart is required

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Restart the computer

General section

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Protection

In the Interactive protection section, you can configure the way in which Kaspersky Free interacts with the user.

Perform recommended actions automatically

Delete malicious tools, adware, auto-dialers and suspicious packagers

In the Autorun section, you can enable / disable automatic launch of Kaspersky Free at operating system startup.

Launch Kaspersky Free at computer startup (recommended)

Set up password protection

Change password

Manage Settings

Security level

Password entry window

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Current password

Save password for current session

Password protection window

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The Change or remove password link is available if a password has been set earlier to protect access to Kaspersky Free functions.

Change or remove password

New password

Confirm password

In the Password scope section, you can specify which parts of application administration you want to protect with a password.

Configure application settings

Quit the application

Remove the application

Protection section

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Protection components list

Upgrade protection

IM Anti-Virus settings

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Enable / disable IM Anti-Virus

Web Anti-Virus settings

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Enable / disable Web Anti-Virus

Learn more

In the Security level section, you can select one of the predefined collections of settings (security levels) for Web Anti-Virus.

High

Recommended

Low

Restore recommended security level

Action on threat detection

Advanced Settings

Exclusions window

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Button

Exclusions

Edit

Delete

Add

Advanced settings of Web Anti-Virus window

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In the Kaspersky Protection extension section, you can define the settings for installation and activation of application extension for browsers.

Automatically activate Kaspersky Protection extension in browsers

In the URL Advisor section, you can specify websites on which links must be checked, as well as websites that you want to exclude from scanning.

Check URLs

On all websites except those specified

Manage exclusions

On specified websites only

Configure checked websites

Configure URL Advisor

Configure trusted URLs

The Additional section lets you select methods of URL checking by Web Anti-Virus.

Check the URL against the database of malicious URLs

Check the URL against the database of phishing URLs

Use Heuristic Analysis

Check the URL against the database of URLs containing adware

Check the URL against the database of URLs containing legitimate applications that can be used by criminals to damage your computer or personal data

Add / Edit web address window

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Web address mask (URL)

Status

URL Advisor window

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In the Checked URLs section, you can select the links that should be scanned by Web Anti-Virus.

All URLs

Only URLs in search results

Show information on the categories of website content

Website categories

Checked websites window

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Button

List of web addresses to be checked

Edit

Delete

Add

Trusted URLs window

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Button

List of trusted URLs

Edit

Delete

Add

Mail Anti-Virus settings

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Enable / disable Mail Anti-Virus

In the Security level section, you can select one of the predefined collections of settings (security levels) for Mail Anti-Virus. The decision of which security level you should select depends on operating conditions and the current situation.

High

Recommended

Low

Restore recommended security level

Action on threat detection

Advanced Settings

Advanced settings of Mail Anti-Virus window

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In the Protection scope section you can select the type of email messages to be scanned by Mail Anti-Virus. The default settings in this section depend on the selected level of security.

Incoming and outgoing messages

Incoming messages only

In the Heuristic Analysis section, you can enable the use of heuristic analysis when scanning messages, as well as specify a level of heuristic analysis. The default settings in this section depend on the selected level of security.

Use Heuristic Analysis

Slider

In the Scan of compound files section, you can configure scan of

Skip attached archives

Do not scan archives larger than

In the Connectivity section, you can select protocols to be scanned and enable integration of Mail Anti-Virus plug-ins into Microsoft Outlook mail client.

Scan POP3, SMTP, NNTP, and IMAP traffic

Connect Microsoft Outlook plug-in

File Anti-Virus settings

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Enable / disable File Anti-Virus

In the Security Level section, you can select one of three preconfigured security levels that File Anti-Virus uses when protecting files and memory.

High

Recommended

Low

Restore recommended security level

Action on threat detection

Advanced Settings

Advanced settings of File Anti-Virus window

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In the File types section, you can select types of files that File Anti-Virus should scan. The default settings in this section depend on the selected level of security.

All files

Files scanned by format

Files scanned by extension

Edit protection scope

The Scan methods section is designed for selecting methods that File Anti-Virus should use to scan the computer. The default settings in this section depend on the selected level of security.

Signature Analysis

Heuristic analysis

Slider

The Scan optimization section is designed for selecting methods that allow reducing the scan time. The default setting value in this section depends on the selected level of security.

Scan only new and changed files

The Scan of compound files section contains the list of compound files which File Anti-Virus checks for viruses. The default setting value in this section depends on the selected level of security.

Scan archives

Scan installation packages

Scan embedded OLE objects

Advanced Settings

In the Scan mode section you can select a condition that will trigger file scanning by File Anti-Virus.

Smart mode

On access and modification

On access

On execution

In the Scan technologies section you can select a file scan technology.

iSwift Technology

iChecker Technology

In the Script scanner section, you can enable scanning of scripts and other objects using the Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) technology.

Scan scripts using Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI)

Manage exclusions

File Anti-Virus protection scope window

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List of objects to scan

Add

Button

Compound files window

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In the Background scan section, you can configure the background scan mode so that large compound files become available for use more quickly.

Extract compound files in the background

Minimum file size

In the Size limit section, you can restrict the scanning of large compound files.

Do not unpack large compound files

Maximum file size

Scan section

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In the Security level section, you can use the slider to select one of the three available sets of preconfigured scan settings (security levels) created by Kaspersky specialists.

High

Recommended

Low

Restore recommended security level

Action on threat detection

Restore default action for all types of scans

Scan external devices on connection

Scan schedule

Advanced Settings

Full Scan settings window

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In the Security level section, you can use the slider to select one of the three available sets of preconfigured Full Scan settings (security levels) created by Kaspersky specialists. This security level is applied during a Full Scan task regardless of the security level selected for scanning in general (in the Scan section of the Settings window).

High

Recommended

Low

Restore recommended security level

Action on threat detection

Edit scan scope for Full Scan

Advanced Settings

Additional settings of Full Scan window

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In the File types section, you can select types of objects that Kaspersky Free should scan. The default settings in this section depend on the selected level of security.

All files

Files scanned by format

Files scanned by extension

In the Scan optimization section, you can select the settings that allow reducing scan time.

Scan only new and changed files

Skip objects scanned longer than

The Scan of compound files section contains a list of type of compound files that Kaspersky Free scans for viruses and other threats. The values of the default settings in this section depend on the security level set and the scan type selected (full scan, selective scan, or quick scan).

Scan archives

Scan installation packages

Scan OLE objects

Parse email formats

Do not unpack compound files larger than

In the Scan methods section, you can select methods that Kaspersky Free should use when scanning the computer. The default settings in this section depend on the selected level of security.

Signature Analysis

Heuristic analysis

Slider

In the Scan technologies section you can select a file scan technology.

iSwift Technology

iChecker Technology

Quick Scan settings window

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In the Security level section, you can use the slider to select one of the three available sets of preconfigured Quick Scan settings (security levels) created by Kaspersky specialists. This security level is applied during a Quick Scan task regardless of the security level selected for scanning in general (in the Scan section of the Settings window).

High

Recommended

Low

Restore recommended security level

Action on threat detection

Edit scan scope for Quick Scan

Advanced Settings

Additional settings of Quick Scan window

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In the File types section, you can select types of objects that Kaspersky Free should scan. The default settings in this section depend on the selected level of security.

All files

Files scanned by format

Files scanned by extension

In the Scan optimization section, you can select the settings that allow reducing scan time.

Scan only new and changed files

Skip objects scanned longer than

The Scan of compound files section contains a list of type of compound files that Kaspersky Free scans for viruses and other threats. The values of the default settings in this section depend on the security level set and the scan type selected (full scan, selective scan, or quick scan).

Scan archives

Scan installation packages

Scan OLE objects

Parse email formats

Do not unpack compound files larger than

In the Scan methods section, you can select methods that Kaspersky Free should use when scanning the computer. The default settings in this section depend on the selected level of security.

Signature Analysis

Heuristic analysis

Slider

In the Scan technologies section you can select a file scan technology.

iSwift Technology

iChecker Technology

Selective Scan settings window

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In the Security level section, you can use the slider to select one of the three available sets of preconfigured Selective Scan settings (security levels) created by Kaspersky specialists. This security level is applied during a Selective Scan task regardless of the security level selected for scanning in general (in the Scan section of the Settings window).

High

Recommended

Low

Restore recommended security level

Action on threat detection

Advanced Settings

Additional settings of Selective Scan window

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In the File types section, you can select types of objects that Kaspersky Free should scan. The default settings in this section depend on the selected level of security.

All files

Files scanned by format

Files scanned by extension

In the Scan optimization section, you can select the settings that allow reducing scan time.

Scan only new and changed files

Skip objects scanned longer than

The Scan of compound files section contains a list of type of compound files that Kaspersky Free scans for viruses and other threats. The values of the default settings in this section depend on the security level set and the scan type selected (full scan, selective scan, or quick scan).

Scan archives

Scan installation packages

Scan OLE objects

Parse email formats

Do not unpack compound files larger than

In the Scan methods section, you can select methods that Kaspersky Free should use when scanning the computer. The default settings in this section depend on the selected level of security.

Signature Analysis

Heuristic analysis

Slider

In the Scan technologies section you can select a file scan technology.

iSwift Technology

iChecker Technology

User Account Settings

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Run scan tasks as

Anti-virus scan and vulnerability scan schedule

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Start scan

Run scheduled scan on the next day if computer is turned off

Run scheduled scan only when screensaver is active or computer is locked

Scan window

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List of objects

Add

Button

Select file or folder to scan window

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Object

Additional section

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In the Update section, you can modify settings for downloading and installing Kaspersky Free databases and application software modules.

In the Threats and Exclusions section, you can create a list of the objects that Kaspersky Free will ignore.

In the Self-Defense section, you can enable or disable protection of Kaspersky Free files as well as memory processes and system registry records.

In the Network section, you can enable or disable network port control and scanning of encrypted connections, as well as configure proxy server settings.

In the Notifications section, you can enable or disable notifications about application events.

In the Reports and Quarantine section, you can change storage settings for files moved to Quarantine and settings for information on detected threats that is recorded in reports.

The Additional protection and management tools lets you manage the connection to Kaspersky Security Network and My Kaspersky website.

In the Appearance section, you can configure notification settings and the appearance of the application icon.

Update settings window

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Update sources window

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List of update sources

When using an update source other than Kaspersky update servers, make sure that the database and application module updates are compatible with your version of Kaspersky Free.

Source

Status

Delete

Button

Button

Add

Select update source window

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In this window, you can specify the folder from which Kaspersky Free obtains database and application module updates.

Update source

Run mode for database updates

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Run update

Day of the week

Time

Run skipped update tasks

User Account Settings window

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Run database updates as

Threats and Exclusions settings

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In the Types of detected objects section, you can the specify types of objects to be detected by Kaspersky Free.

Detect other software that can be used by criminals to damage your computer or personal data

In the Exclusions section, you can create a list of the objects that Kaspersky Free will ignore.

Manage exclusions

Specify trusted applications

In the Advanced Disinfection section, you can enable or disable use of Advanced Disinfection technology.

Enable Advanced Disinfection technology

Network ports

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List

Description

Port

Status

Edit

Delete

Add

Monitor all network ports for applications that are vulnerable to network attacks

Exclusions window

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List of exclusions

File or folder

Object

Protection components

Status

Edit

Delete

Add

Add / Edit exclusion window

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File or folder

Object

In the Protection components section you can specify protection components (for example, File Anti-Virus or Web Anti-Virus) to that will apply the exclusion.

By default, all protection components apply a new exclusion.

Comment

Status

Trusted applications

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List of trusted applications

Application

File path

Status

Edit

Delete

Add

Exclusions for application

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Do not scan files before opening

Do not monitor application activity

Do not inherit restrictions from the (application’s) parent process

Do not monitor the activity of child applications

Allow interaction with the Kaspersky Free interface

Do not scan all / encrypted traffic

Only for specified IP addresses

Only for specified ports

Status

Self-Defense settings

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Enable Self-Defense

Allow managing Kaspersky Free settings via remote control applications

Network settings

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In the Cost-Aware Networking section, you can specify whether or not the application must limit traffic based on calculations of Internet connection costs. This section is displayed when using Microsoft Windows 8 or a later operating system.

Limit traffic on metered connections

In the Traffic processing section, you can specify whether or not the application should inject a web page interaction script into traffic.

Inject script into web traffic to interact with web pages

In the Monitored ports section, you can select the port monitoring mode that Mail Anti-Virus and Web Anti-Virus use to scan data streams.

Monitor all network ports

Monitor selected ports only

Select

In the Encrypted connections scanning section, you can enable / disable scanning for encrypted connections that use the SSL protocol.

Websites

Do not scan encrypted connections

Scan encrypted connections upon request from protection components

Always scan encrypted connections

On errors during encrypted connections scan:

Websites with scan errors

Manage exclusions

Advanced Settings

In the Proxy server section, you can configure the connection to a proxy server that you use to access the Internet.

The application defines the default proxy server settings during the installation process.

Proxy server settings

In the Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird section, you can select a certificate store for Mozilla applications.

Scan secure traffic in Mozilla applications

Use Windows certificate store (recommended)

Use Mozilla certificate store

Adding / editing a network port

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Description

Port

Status

Encrypted connections

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Block connections over SSL 2.0 protocol (recommended)

Do not decrypt encrypted connections with an EV certificate

Proxy server settings

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Do not use proxy server

Automatically detect proxy server settings

Use specified proxy server settings

Address

Port

Use proxy server authentication

User name

Password

Bypass proxy server for local addresses

Notification settings

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Notify about events

Restore all hidden notifications

Enable notification sounds

Reports and Quarantine settings

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In the Reports section, you can configure the settings for report creation and storage.

Store reports no longer than

Limit the size of report file to

Log non-critical events

Clear

In the Quarantine section, you can modify Quarantine settings.

Store objects no longer than

Limit the size of Quarantine to

Settings for additional protection tools

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In the Kaspersky Security Network section, you can accept or cancel participation in Kaspersky Security Network.

Kaspersky Security Network is a cloud-based knowledge base of Kaspersky containing information about the reputation of applications and websites. Use of data from Kaspersky Security Network ensures faster responses by Kaspersky applications to new threats, improves the performance of some protection components, and reduces the likelihood of false positives.

If you installed the application in the European Union, this window displays the Kaspersky Security Network Statement section instead of the Kaspersky Security Network section. Please read this statement carefully. The statement contains information on the personal data that you provide to Kaspersky.

Enable

Disable

In the You are connected to My Kaspersky section, you can review information about the website, go to the website, or disconnect the computer from the website. This section is displayed if the computer is connected to the website.

If you installed the application in the European Union, this window also displays the Statement regarding data processing for marketing purposes section. This statement allows us to create more valuable offers for you. Please read this statement carefully. The statement contains information on the personal data that you provide to Kaspersky.

Go to My Kaspersky

Disconnect from My Kaspersky

Use hardware virtualization if available

Use advanced features of hardware virtualization

Kaspersky Free display settings

In the Application icon section, you can select the appearance of the application icon: the standard icon or green bear Midori Kuma (Kaspersky mascot).

If you want to return to the traditional K-letter application icon, type IDDQD in the About window. To apply changes, you need to restart the computer.

In the Application icon in the taskbar notification area section, you can turn on application icon animation in the notification area of the Windows taskbar.

If the animation is turned on, the icon changes its appearance depending on the operation performed by Kaspersky Free. For example, if Kaspersky Free is downloading updates, the icon displays a revolving miniature globe.

If the animation if turned off, the Kaspersky Free icon displays only the protection status of your computer: if protection is enabled, the icon is colored; if it is paused or disabled, the icon is gray.

In the Smooth transition between windows section, you can configure smooth transition settings. The smooth transition between windows is done by sliding the new window over the previous one.

In the Design theme section, you can select a Kaspersky Free theme that is different from the default theme. To select a theme, you must select the Use a custom design theme check box and indicate the ZIP file or folder containing the theme in the window that opens by clicking the Select link.

Custom design themes are not available in all regions.

Exclusions window

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Button

List of exclusions

Edit

Delete

Add

Add / Edit domain name window

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Domain name

Status

Performance section

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Disable scheduled tasks while running on battery power

Use Gaming mode

Release resources to the operating system when the computer starts

Prevent infection during operating system restart

Postpone computer scan tasks when the CPU and disk systems are at high load

Perform Idle Scan

Search for software that is intended to conceal traces of a malicious program in the system (rootkits)

Pause File Anti-Virus

Pausing File Anti-Virus

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Pause

Pause at startup of specified applications

Add

Delete

Support window

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The Kaspersky Technical Support section contains information required for contacting Kaspersky Technical Support: version number of Kaspersky Free, release date and time of the application databases, operating system version, and key.

Key

Answers to frequently asked questions

Application configuration tips

Community

Support Tools window

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Traces

Drop-down list

Enable traces

Button

How to create an operating system state report

Send report to Technical Support

Delete all service data and reports

Data received for analysis window

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List of data files

File

Size

Send report

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Operating system information

Data received for analysis

Save report on your computer

Enter request number

Send report

Run script

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Text of script to run

Run

Running AVZ scripts

This window displays the process of execution of the AVZ script. Script execution may take some time.

Script execution result

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Error

Done

Script execution result

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Close

Edit

You were automatically switched to Kaspersky Free

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Done

Getting Started

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Show certificate information

Next

Certificate Installation

This window displays the progress of automatic installation of the certificate. Task completion may take some time.

Kaspersky Free searches for web browsers installed on the user's computer and then automatically installs certificates to the Microsoft Windows certificate storage.

While installing the certificate, a Microsoft Windows security notification may appear on the screen, prompting you to confirm installation of the certificate.

Wizard completion

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Done

Recommended setting window

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Turn on protection against ads to install only desired software and block additional installations

Done

System Watcher settings

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Enable / disable

In the Automatic Exploit Prevention section, you can configure the actions that the application performs when executable files are run by vulnerable applications.

Monitor attempts to perform unauthorized operations

On threat detection

Action on detection of malicious or other activity

Action to perform if malicious or other activity can be rolled back

In the Protection against screen lockers section, you can configure the actions that Kaspersky Free performs if screen locker activity is detected. Screen lockers are malicious programs that limit the user's operations on a computer, by locking the screen and the keyboard, or by blocking access to the taskbar and shortcuts. Screen lockers may attempt to extort ransom for recovery of access to the operating system. By using protection against screen lockers, you can close any screen locker by pressing a specified combination of keys.

Detect and close screen lockers

Use the following key combination to close a screen locker manually

Network Attack Blocker settings

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Enable / disable Network Attack Blocker

Add an attacking computer to the list of blocked computers for <time>

Select a ZIP file or folder

Custom design themes are not available in all regions.

When choosing a theme, consider the following limitations:

• Kaspersky Free will not be able to use the selected theme in the following cases:
  • The files within the archive have a name or path within the folder structure that is different than in the default theme.
  • The archived files responsible for the texts in the application windows are corrupted.
• Themes are designed for a specific version of Kaspersky Free and are not applicable to other versions or other applications. When upgrading the application to a new version or installing another application over it, the theme is changed to the default theme.

If you encounter problems when selecting an alternative theme and you cannot install the default theme using the prescribed method (for example, you cannot clear the Use a custom design theme check box in the Kaspersky Free display settings window because the font merges with the background and the necessary management elements are indistinguishable), you are advised to reinstall Kaspersky Free.