I’ve been using Kaspersky Internet Security (paid version) on both of my Win 7 machines for several years. It’s great software and I’ve never once seen any semblance of malware.
However, now with the recent “Kaspersky will no longer receive updates to US IP addresses” thing, it looks like I’ll have to switch it for something else. I know there are some users here saying they don’t use AV, but I prefer to have one anyway for better peace of mind, and the subscription cost is not an issue so there’s simply no reason not to have one.
Seems like most of the antivirus subreddit recommends BitDefender as the best Kaspersky alternative, but most of them are also on Win 10. BitDefender website also says they plan to stop monitoring Win 7 threats in 2025.
So I’d like to ask Win 7 users specifically. For those of you that use a paid AV, which one do you recommend? And which one(s) do you not recommend?
Use Microsoft Security Essentials. It’s free, lightweight, and the precursor to Windows Defender/Security from Windows 10.
Just use microsoft security essential like i do it’s free and it uses the same definition update as windows 10’s defender so it will still gets definition updates and still doing it’s job protecting and detecting malwares
Kaspersky will no longer receive updates to US IP addresses
You can always use VPN to masks your current location to other location(s), thus enabling the program to update its database.
For example: Free version of Windscribe VPN or SoftEther VPN (with VPN Gate Client Plugin) should do the trick.
If you don’t download random exes or go to random sketchy web pages, then there is no need for antivirus. But if you still want to use antivirus, just use Microsoft security Essentials
I believe AVAST and AVG will work on Windows 7. They are the same program now both purchased by Norton. No matter what you use you should also use uBlock Origin in my opinion.
Is it still being updated?
Kaspersky do have a free version (Kaspersky Free 2018). You can install it on Windows as low as Windows XP SP3 (32-bit)/SP2 (64-bit) and still get database updates. Most importantly, it is able to protect you from ransomware, something MSE not doing very well.
Yeah, if there is no other AV that’s as good as Kaspersky then that’s probably what I’ll do. But first I’ve been trying to find out if there is one that’s as good as it, so constantly remembering to use the VPN would not become necessary.
At this time no one knows for sure if going the VPN route will work. You will have to wait until the end of September to try that. Also using a VPN won’t work *IF* Kaspersky bans all of the US keys at the end of September. It would be easy for them to comply with the US ban by blacklisting all US purchased keys. If that happens then nothing will work. And even if a VPN would work what happens when your subscription expires and you need to purchase a new key? VPN to another country (Canada for example) provided the VPN route would work and purchase Kaspersky that way? What if they see your address (CC info for example) is in the US will they not allow the sale to take place? Also there’s a good chance that several other countries in due time will also ban it’s citizens from using it. UK, Canada etc?
Things to consider…
Regional Restrictions… https://support.kaspersky.com/KPC/1.0/en-US/99562.htm
Kaspersky out. Italy and Germany ally against the Russian firm… https://decode39.com/3041/kaspersky-italy-germany-against-russia-firm/
How the Kaspersky ban affects you and how to protect your data… https://proton.me/blog/kaspersky-ban
In addition to the US, the following countries have banned or restricted the use of Kaspersky products due to stated privacy and security concerns:
Canada (October 2023) banned(new window) Kaspersky from government mobile devices.
Romania (December 2022) banned(new window) Kaspersky and other Russian security solutions from public institutions and private IT institutions with classified information.
Italy (March 2022) restricted(new window) the use of Russian antivirus software in the public sector.
Germany (March 2022) issued(new window) a warning against using Kaspersky software and advised users to switch to alternative cybersecurity solutions.
Netherlands (May 2018) announced(new window) plans to phase out Kaspersky software from government systems.
UK (December 2017) banned(new window) Kaspersky from national security departments.
Lithuania (December 2017) banned(new window) Kaspersky on sensitive computers in public and private companies.
Yup. Obviously it’s not as safe as a supported OS, but it’s the best you can do on Windows 7.
This will not work for US users at the end of September due to it being banned.