So I’ve been using Kaspersky to keep my computer safe for years, having a license that is renewed every 3 years. I’ve been using it to protect my desktop, laptop, and phone for ages. I can’t think of any exact instances where it may or may not have saved me from a total virus meltdown, but it’s still handy to have. I am using WIndows 11 on both and Android on phone.
Then i heard the news that the US has fully banned the software. Now I’m from Canada so I don’t really know how this affects me, but I now kind of wonder what would happen if I went south of the border and brought my laptop and phone which both have Kaspersky on them.
As for my exact opinion on the ban, I really don’t know what to say, but generally when shocking events like this occur I find it’s best to take time to find out what’s really going on before making drastic decisions in the heat of the paranoid moment. I didn’t even know Kaspersky came from Russia until now (I’m so stoopid). But as far as them spying and such… ehh tin foil hat territory. I’ve never really felt hurt by Kaspersky to say the least.
For the time being I’ve simply cancelled auto-renewal on Kaspersky but I still have like at least 800 days of license time left on it, so I kind of wonder how much I can ride that out. I don’t really feel comfortable relying on Windows Security and UBlock Origin alone to keep me safe, I just feel the inclination to at least have something. I know it’s not the mid-2000s anymore where scammers now would rather stalk people and try to steal financial info rather than melt people’s computers for shits and giggles. Damn I remember my old Windows XP from back then got pumped full of viruses because of a trojan I couldn’t get rid of. Damn links to scam sites kept appearing in my favorite bars and desktop.
But as far as I know the Canadian government has also banned Kaspersky at least on government related computers. So I worry they may come shortly after the US’s move.
So what software would you recommend I use instead of Kaspersky now? I don’t want to use McAfee (for obvious reasons) or Norton. I have been looking around and some people are saying BitDefender is good, thinking about that. They are from Romania so I hope the US doesn’t get that far prejudiced but… Anyways, I know most of the tactics scammers use to deceive others into unknowingly giving sensitive information, but I just need to have something. It has to have at least a safe money browser and webcam protection. I don’t really like using VPNs since they don’t really seem to change anything.
TL;DR
Used Kaspersky for years, then the US bans it. I’m from Canada. What should I use instead now? I don’t want McAfee or Norton. Been hearing BitDefender is decent. Should I use it instead? How much of my remaining Kaspersky license should I ride out first?
Hello,
There is already an going discussion about this topic at https://old.reddit.com/r/antivirus/comments/1dkcig5/kaspersky_ban_coming_thursday_to_us/. Continue the discussion there.
Regards,
Aryeh Goretsky
I believe the actual ban takes effect in September. However, they will block sales and updates to the program. So definition updates will likely be affected if you travel down there. There has been no news if Canada will follow the same ban, but wouldn’t surprise me if they did eventually.
If you are looking for replacements, Bitdefender is the closest competitor to Kaspersky. Other options are ESET, F-Secure or Sophos Home. (Bitdefender can be a bit heavy on RAM usage, but if that doesn’t bother you, it offers the best behavioural protection out of the ones I mentioned)
I don’t think Canada is banning it, just the US.
What do indeed, brother. What do indeed. Malware bytes will have you sorted right quick! Remember to scan your programs through virus total if unsure!
Bit defender or Windows Defender work well.
Freeze your credit, check what important file you potentially lost to the Russian government and next time pay better attention to the news
I have 128 GB RAM on my desktop and 64 GB RAM on the my laptop. May not be the biggest problem. So BitDefender would be good? Should I still just ride on Kaspersky until my 3 year subscription expires or Canada does decide to ban it?
If they just block updates you could even just use a VPN u/1337gamer15.
No, the ban is pretty soon. They provide signature updates until September.
I know but I have gone on tons of trips to the US before so I don’t know what would happen if I used my laptop with Kaspersky on it there.
I’m not entirely in a hurry to get a new software for that reason, but I just want to know what the best backup plan is.
That’s what I would do, until Canada bans it or if it doesn’t work while travelling in the US, I would stick with Kaspersky.
I never really see the point of using a VPN. Kaspersky itself has one but it’s a separate subscription and not cheap. When using it I just found some websites were whining about me trying to use a VPN to access geo-restricted content since those streaming services are catching onto that. Plus I can’t really trust what these VPN peddlers are saying since I don’t notice any stark difference when using one, and they make it sound like it’s dangerous to not have one. Who’s to say they are taking your data through the VPN, which is what they claim it prevents.
I mean I can get not having virus protection as being unsafe, but I don’t know about the VPN. Regardless, if I were to go to the US, I wouldn’t be there longer than 2 weeks max.
Bitdefender Free is very good from what I hear, it is quite close to Kaspersky in detection.
I meant just use a vpn to update it lmao
Does the free version have a safe money browser and webcam blocking? I wouldn’t mind paying for antivirus still as long as it only needs to be done annually or every 3 years.
Not sure I tried using the free one but it does NOT install with Comodo Firewall sadly.