The Biden administration announced this week that all Kaspersky products are banned from use in the US, over fears that the company is a willing participant in Russia’s attempts to use the data to subvert US interests.
“Russia has shown time and again they have the capability and intent to exploit Russian companies, like Kaspersky Lab, to collect and weaponize sensitive U.S. information, and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to safeguard U.S. national security and the American people,” stated Gina Raimondo, US Secretary of Commerce.
The ban doesn’t go into effect immediately, though. Users of Kaspersky products have 100 days to find an alternative, at which point these services will be entirely unavailable in the US.
Best Kaspersky Alternatives
While 100 days may seem like a long time, you’ll definitely want to lock down a Kaspersky alternative sooner rather than later. After all, the last thing you want is to have a lapse in your antivirus software that could lead to lost data before you find a viable alternative.
Luckily, we’ve done the research to help you find the best Kaspersky alternative to protect your data online.
- Norton
- Price: $39.99 per year
- In our research, we found Norton to be one of the best antivirus software options on the market, thanks to its flexibility for usage. You can customize just about everything, including what gets flagged in scans and how you actually monitor your device. There’s also a top-tier mobile app available, so you can scan phones, tablets, and any other device you may want to keep secure.
- Another benefit of Norton is that it offers a lot of different pricing plans, so you can find exactly what you need for the right number of devices. You can protect either one, three, five, or 10 devices, as well as adding additional features like VPN functionality and dark web monitoring if you pay more.
- McAfee Antivirus
- Price: $29.99 per year
- Considered one of the most well-known cybersecurity platforms in the world, McAfee Antivirus offers an intuitive interface as well as 24/7 live chat and phone support to help you solve any problems that might arise. This makes it perfect for those less familiar with antivirus software as a whole and maybe need a bit of guidance.
- When it comes to key features, McAfee provides excellent identity theft protection with regular monitoring and helpful notifications to keep you in the know. You’ll also get protection and scam scores, which help you understand your vulnerability to different types of cyber threats.
- Surfshark One
- Price: $2.19 per month for a two-year contract
- Surfshark is one of our favorite cybersecurity providers, offering a comprehensive platform that can help you shore up your entire security setup, rather than just a single option. Admittedly, you can’t get Surfshark Antivirus by itself, but the Surfshark One platform provides you with a VPN, an ad-blocker, and 24/7 antivirus protection.
- As for what the antivirus software can do, you’ll be able to schedule regular scans, customize which files get scanned for efficient security, and opt for short scans for faster results. You’ll also get cool features like webcam locking, which lets you know when apps try to access your camera, and data breach alerts, so you know exactly when your data is compromised.
- Avast One
- Price: Free
- Yes, you read that right, Avast One is a free option that offers robust antivirus software capabilities. It provides real-time protection against viruses and malware, as well as additional features like a VPN for secure browsing and a password manager for enhanced security.
- While it may not have all the bells and whistles of paid options like Norton or McAfee, Avast One is an excellent choice for those looking for reliable antivirus software without breaking the bank.
With these alternatives at your disposal, transitioning away from Kaspersky should be a smooth process. Ensuring your cybersecurity remains intact during this period is crucial for protecting sensitive data and maintaining peace of mind.
