How many Internet accounts does an average user have? The numbers vary, but can range from 20 to even more than 100 depending on the study. It should be clear to everyone that you are can't remember 20 passwordsall of which should also have a high security standard, such as long alpha-numeric character strings. As a result, many users make the mistake of simply using one password for the majority of their accounts. Hopefully this does not have to be mentioned here that this represents a major security risk.
The high average number of user accounts makes one thing clear: nowadays the use of one good password manager become almost inevitable.
When it comes to internet security, the name should Kaspersky be known to everyone. In addition to the famous antivirus program, Kaspersky also offers other security programs - including a freemium password manager. In this article we take a close look at the password manager and provide information on whether it is worth purchasing.
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What is Kaspersky?
The Kaspersky Lab is a leading international security company based in Moscow, which enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide. The company is managed by an umbrella company in the UK. The company specializes in a range of online security products for businesses and consumers, with the Concentrate antivirus program is probably the best known and is the company's flagship product.
In addition, the provider offers a number of other security products, including:
- VPN service,
- a secure cloud and
- a password manager.
Before we go into more detail and put the password manager through its paces, we will provide a little bit of information below about what a password manager actually is.
What exactly is a password manager?
A Password manager not only helps users to create strong passwords for all user accounts and saves them in a database, but it also makes life a little easier by saving the passwords automatically inserted in the password field when logging in can. This means that users do not have to memorize highly complex character strings.
- This has the advantage that access to the password database from all devices and possible from anywhere at a hunt.
- At the same time, it has the disadvantage that the data are on the provider's servers and that this data can be accessed from the Internet.
Kaspersky allows users the free choice, to either connect the program to the cloud or simply to use it locally. Kaspersky has also set up high security standards for the SaaS variant, which we will go into in more detail later.
What is Kaspersky Password Manager?
Packages
Kaspersky offers one optional local or web-based freemium password manager on. Freemium means that users can either use a free version with limited password storage or a paid version with unlimited storage.
Device support
Since it is a SaaS model, the password manager works across devices:
- The password manager is for both Windows and Mac, as well as for mobile use via Android and iOS suitable - which is very advantageous for users who use several operating systems at the same time and want one solution for all devices.
- In addition to the main programs for all operating systems, Kaspersky can also be downloaded as a Browser extension downloaded. The most common browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari or Microsoft Edge are available here. Since Kaspersky is a Russian company, there is also an extension for the Yandex browser. To our regret, there is no extension for Opera.
- Anyone who wants to can use the online vault, i.e. the password database, easily without a program via the Web version that offers a functionality similar to that of the applications.
Safety
As already mentioned, a SaaS model always harbors the risk that in the worst case, sensitive data could end up in the hands of third parties. To prevent such attacks, Kaspersky has high safety standards that make data theft by hackers more than unlikely.
- First of all, Kaspersky uses the AES-256 encryption standardwhich is used by both governments and the military and is considered to be unhackable.
- Furthermore, the provider relies on a so-called Zero knowledge security - This means that data stored on the server cannot be viewed even by company employees.
- In addition to the positive aspects, we unfortunately also have to mention some security risks that the program brings with it. Unfortunately, Kaspersky offers no 2-factor authentication for the master password on. The master password is the only password that users need to remember, as this allows access to the password database. This is where the highest possible level of security should be guaranteed.
How does Kaspersky work?
ease
The desktop version's user interface is intuitive and clear divided into three main areas. Passwords can be managed here and all relevant settings made. While you can click through all menu items on the left bar, there is an overview of all individual data records, such as the Facebook or Amazon user account, in the middle column. The last column contains more detailed information about the user account.
There is one in the app itself Variety of configuration options - In this way, websites, applications and other data records can be added directly to the program. Bank cards, images and addresses can also be saved and password security checked. The browser extension is also designed to be relatively simple, so that users do not have to struggle with a complicated interface for an unnecessarily long time.
Features
- Easy storage of new passwords: New passwords are automatically saved by the system. A small key appears in the password input field, which indicates whether an account for the website already exists. A new password can be created automatically with one click, which corresponds to high security standards. The data is then saved and added to the database.
- Password check: If you still have old passwords and want to make sure that they really guarantee the necessary protection, Kaspersky can provide information about this. The program can even provide information on how many accounts have already been hacked with the current password. In general, it can be said that passwords should be changed regularly.
- Autofill function: An autofill function for websites is standard among all password managers and certainly not worth mentioning. But what sets Kaspersky apart is the fact that the program also allows an autofill function for applications. So every password is practically at the highest level of security.
Kaspersky Password Manager - Premium or Free Version?
The difference between the free and premium versions can be summarized in a nutshell.
First the good news: The free version has the same features as the paid version.
The problem: Only 15 passwords and 15 files can be saved. Anyone who has read the introduction carefully will know that 15 entries for the majority of all users is far too little to be able to secure all accounts sufficiently.
For most users, only the paid premium version makes sense over the long term. The price is also kept really low, so you don't have to take any great risks. A one-year subscription only costs $ 14.99 - very good value for moneythat has the bulk of the competition, e.g. LastPass, is way ahead.
Who is Kaspersky for?
In general it can be said that really every user can benefit from a secure password manager, as this not only ensures data security when surfing, but surfing is made more pleasant, especially thanks to the autofill function. Furthermore, it can be said that the more user accounts there are, the more necessary a reliable and, above all, trustworthy password manager becomes.
- A password manager is indispensable, however, especially for those users who sensitive data on websites deposited to have. These can be bank accounts, broker accounts, but also platforms that are used for business.
It is of course true that a strong password can be created without a password manager. However, this is far more time-consuming and not user-friendly if all passwords have to be entered manually each time using the copy / paste process. On mobile devices, the input is of course a little more complicated. It is also advisable to regularly renew the passwords of all accounts, which would simply take too much time and effort manually, but with Kaspersky automatically within a few minutes can be performed.
How to set up Kaspersky - a guide
Downloading and setting up Kaspersky is not that different from regular programs - the whole process can in a few minutes be carried out.
Step 1: the download
First of all, you have to focus on the Website of the provider to download the program for Windows. You can of course also use Google Play, the App Store or the Mac App Store to download the program for the other available operating systems. In any case, we recommend checking the free version first before deciding on a one-year subscription.
Step 2: the installation
After the download it goes to the installation: After a series of consents asked, such as a marketing statement that would allow Kaspersky to use the usage data for marketing purposes. We recommend rejecting this, as this has no effect on the subsequent installation. A user account must then be created for the Kaspersky programs.
You can also choose which browser you want to connect the software to. You will then be redirected to the Browser extension download - very convenient as the installation of the main program is directly linked to the browser extension.
Step 3: the master password
The last step is to select the master password. As mentioned earlier, this should be one very strong password and write it down as well, as it cannot be reset with the e-mail address, as one is normally used to with regular programs. In plain language this means: If the password is lost, all passwords in the database are also lost.
The minimum requirement for the password is uppercase and lowercase letters and a number. We recommend keeping the password as long as possible and also using special characters.
Advantages and disadvantages of Kaspersky
Kaspersky offers definitely more advantages than disadvantages: In contrast to most other password managers, users can decide freely whether they prefer a cloud service with cross-device synchronization or whether they simply want to use the program locally on their PC instead. In addition, the user-friendliness is simply unbeatable: Autofill is also available for applications and a German-language and intuitive user interface as well as a very fair price more than iron out the negative aspects.
Negative it can only be stated that Kaspersky did not recognize the input fields when changing the password in some cases during our tests. It took us some time to realize that reducing the size of the browser window often helps. Furthermore, the lack of 2-factor authentication is a major shortcoming that will hopefully be corrected soon. As a last point, it is understandable on the one hand why the master password cannot be restored, but on the other hand it is a big minus from the user's perspective. If the master password should really be lost, the effort required to manually restore the passwords for all user accounts is enormous.
Advantages
- Free choice between cloud server or local use
- High security standard with AES-256
- Kaspersky Free is a great way to test the premium version
- Very good price-performance ratio in contrast to the competition
- Automatic password entry even for applications
- App is available in German
The disadvantages
- Occasionally the program does not recognize the password input fields
- Master password cannot be recovered
- No 2-factor authentication of the master password
Our experience with Kaspersky
In conclusion, it can be said that the Kaspersky password manager compact and safe service package delivers that is unrivaled in terms of user-friendliness and price-performance ratio. Above all, we liked the autofill function for applications, as this is a very important feature that is rarely found in other programs. The user-friendly interface of the program and the browser extensions also make you want more and can even be used by beginners without technical knowledge without problems.
- The only negative point in terms of usability can be in the Change of passwords being found. From time to time the small key symbol did not appear in the password field, but this can be changed by reducing the size of the browser window. There is definitely some catching up to do on the part of the provider, since regular password changes are a point that many users do not make for convenience and a password manager should create the necessary incentive for this.
- In Security standards are with AES-256 also very high, but unfortunately there must be deductions here, as 2-factor authentication is not possible. We hope that Kaspersky will add this feature in the near future.
All in all, we can therefore use the program Recommend with a clear conscience.
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