About Kaspersky Free

Kaspersky Free is an upgrade of the free version of protection. Switching to this upgrade gives you high-quality protection supplemented by advanced features and a user interface fully reworked for ease of use.

Moreover, you can always switch to a paid Kaspersky subscription without downloading and installing any additional software.

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. 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.

Safe Browsing

Safe Browsing intercepts and blocks the execution of scripts on websites if they pose a threat. Safe Browsing also monitors all web traffic and blocks access to dangerous websites.

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 Safe Browsing.

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.

Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI)

Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) allows a third-party application that supports AMSI to send objects (for example, PowerShell scripts) to Kaspersky Free for additional scanning and to receive scan results for these objects.

Hardware and software requirements

General requirements

• 1500 MB free disk space on the hard drive
• Processor that supports the SSE2 instruction set (except ARM).
• 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
• Microsoft .NET Desktop Runtime 6.x (6.0.10 or higher).

Operating system requirements

For Safe Browsing to work, the Base Filtering Engine service must be running in the operating system.

Browser support

The following browsers fully support the application:

• Chromium-based Microsoft Edge 77.x – 111.x;
• Mozilla Firefox versions 52.x – 112.x;
• Mozilla Firefox ESR 52.x, 60.x, 68.x, 78.x, 91.x, 102.x;
• Google Chrome versions 48.x – 111.x;
• Yandex Browser 18.3.1 – 23.x (with limitations).

The following browsers support installing the Kaspersky Protection extension:

• Chromium-based Microsoft Edge 77.x – 111.x;
• Mozilla Firefox versions 52.x – 112.x;
• Mozilla Firefox ESR 52.x, 60.x, 68.x, 78.x, 91.x, 102.x;
• Google Chrome versions 48.x – 111.x.

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

• Chromium-based Microsoft Edge 77.x – 111.x;
• Mozilla Firefox versions 52.x – 112.x;
• Mozilla Firefox ESR 52.x, 60.x, 68.x, 78.x, 91.x; 102.x;
• Google Chrome 48.x – 111.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 7, Microsoft Windows 8, Microsoft Windows 8.1, Microsoft Windows 10, Microsoft Windows 11;
• 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 1024x768 screen resolution;
• Intel GMA 950 graphics core or later.

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About your subscription

The subscription determines your application usage settings (subscription expiration date and the number of protected devices). Your subscription is provided in accordance with the End User License Agreement.

Subscription 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.

The Kaspersky Free subscription is renewed without your intervention.

Compatibility with other Kaspersky applications

Kaspersky VPN functionality is not available in some regions.

Kaspersky Free is compatible with the following Kaspersky applications:

• Kaspersky Safe Kids 1.5 and SafeKids 2023
• Kaspersky Password Manager 10
• Kaspersky Software Updater 2.1
• Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool 2015, 2020
• Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection 4.0, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.13

What's new in the latest version of the application

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

• Perform recommended actions automatically, Enable Advanced Disinfection technology, and Enable Self-Defense settings moved from the Performance settings section to the Security settings section.
• Improved GUI. Now you have the option of turning on the high contrast mode.

Improved Selected for you window.

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