Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 and Anti-Virus 2010 protect home users from IT threats

(09/06/2009)

Kaspersky Lab announces the release of Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 and Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010, a new generation of solutions to protect home users from IT threats.

The new version 2010 products incorporate the advantages of advanced Host-based Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS) technology in the Application Control module that assigns a security rating to previously unknown malware; unique sandbox technology using virtualization technologies to provide a dedicated secure runtime environment; and the innovative Kaspersky Security Network that uses information from millions of users to dramatically reduce response times to new threats and replenish reputation databases with the most up-to-date information about clean and infected files.

Version 2009 products released last summer for personal use are now succeeded by the new Kaspersky Lab products Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 and Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010, based on the very latest developments in IT security.

“Tens of thousands of new malicious programs appear worldwide every day. Cybercrime has become a multimillion pound industry, demonstrating exponential growth. The routine hazards posed each day by viruses, worms and Trojans are surpassed by new threats like distributed zombie networks made up of millions of computers. The sheer scale of the problem means it is no longer possible to ensure complete security using only conventional signature-based and heuristic protection methods; the new malware landscape calls for new comprehensive protection methods. That is why Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 has implemented a revolutionary approach to protection whereby global monitoring of malicious activities is performed by the protected system itself with the aim of preventing crimeware from ever affecting the user’s computer,” Kaspersky Lab CEO Eugene Kaspersky said.

All unknown applications are subject to multiple factor analysis to ensure safety. An even more secure environment is provided in Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 as the product integrates the ‘Safe Run’ functionality based on the new sandbox technology – unique to the Kaspersky Internet Security product range. ‘Safe Run’ enables the user to run new software in an isolated environment that protects the operating system from all malicious changes. Statistically, it has been demonstrated that vulnerabilities in operating systems and trusted applications are often exploited by hackers to attack applications that make use of the Internet.

The ‘Safe Run’ function makes surfing the Internet, using various web browsers, much safer and easier, as well as allowing any number of other applications to be run simultaneously. A green border around the application window also makes it easy for the user to see that it is being protected.

The interface in Kaspersky Lab’s new personal products has undergone a major overhaul making it significantly more user-friendly for novices. An automated application mode has been implemented in Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010 and Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 that chooses the best options without bothering the user with unnecessary and annoying requests for action. A separate option has also been included for fans of online games. Gamers can turn off some of the functions in Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010 and Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 that affect Internet traffic and subsequent server response times.

The Kaspersky Security Network online reputation service, which started providing input for the HIPS module in the previous version of Kaspersky Internet Security, has also undergone significant improvements. KSN is designed to reduce the amount of time required to detect and block new types of threats. When a program is run by users of the service, it checks the program against a white list and the Urgent Detection System list on Kaspersky Lab’s servers. As in the previous product version, a program is then assigned a security rating. Furthermore, KSN now allows the HIPS module to move an application from the KSN white list to a trusted group.

Thanks to Kaspersky Security Network technology, it can take less than 40 seconds from the appearance of a previously unknown malicious program for complete protection against it to become available for all users of Kaspersky Lab products. This is largely due to the millions of Kaspersky Lab personal product users all over the world who have decided to participate in Kaspersky Security Network. The approach used in Kaspersky Security Network embodies the increasingly popular concept of in-the-cloud security, which in this case means that potentially malicious files or websites are scanned online rather than using signatures that are stored locally.

The set of tools to protect confidential data has been extended and improved significantly. For example, the new generation products automatically block an unwary user’s access to known phishing sites and block spyware intended to steal user’s passwords and access codes. Kaspersky Internet Security implements a virtual keyboard that enables the user to enter usernames and passwords securely. This unique feature protects confidential data from being stolen by spyware and prevents screenshots from being taken from the virtual keyboard window, so the user can bank online or use any other confidential information in complete security.

Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 works to prevent the system from getting infected, which is a much more effective approach than treating an infected computer.

All the components implemented in earlier product versions have been improved and upgraded, including the firewall, heuristic analyzer, parental control module, and the anti-spam module.

The antivirus module now includes a script emulator that allows real-time scanning of JavaScript and VBScript that run when visiting various sites. This is a particularly important innovation given that over 70% of malware on users’ computers comes from infected sites, according to Kaspersky Lab’s specialists.

The version 2010 products are based on Kaspersky Lab’s improved antivirus engine which is even more effective at detecting malicious programs. Even though the functionality has increased in the new product versions, performance remains as high as ever and the 2010 products actually perform a range of tasks 40 percent faster than their predecessors on the Windows Vista operating system.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010 and Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 were developed with Windows Vista in mind, making them fully compatible with that operating system.

“It’s not only the very latest innovative technologies such as the ‘sandbox’ and the Safe Run option that set the new versions of our personal products apart but also the highly intuitive and user-friendly interface. Now, configuring a computer security system poses no problems for novice users, while professionals have a lot more functions at their disposal that are more clearly and logically structured. Our aim is that all types of computer users enjoy a safer place on the Internet,” Eugene Kaspersky added.

Supported operating systems: Windows XP Home Edition (Service Pack 2 or higher), Windows XP Professional Edition (Service Pack 2 or higher), Windows Vista Home Basic (32/64 bit), Windows Vista Home Premium (32/64 bit), Windows Vista Business (32/64 bit), Windows Vista Enterprise (32/64 bit), Windows Vista Ultimate (32/64 bit).

Kaspersky® Internet Security 2010 UK Edition. 1-Desktop 1 Year: RRP £39.99
Kaspersky® Anti-Virus 2010 UK Edition. 1-Desktop 1 Year: RRP £29.99

Related topics:  Hacking and intrusion prevention   Internet and Web security   Virus, Worm, Email security, spyware and malware 

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