Kaspersky Lab, the Russian company that specializes in cybersecurity solutions for businesses, consumers and governments, has launched a free antivirus solution. On a somewhat related note, the company also continues to bolster its No More Ransomware campaign with partners and customers.
On the antivirus front, Kaspersky Free is not designed to replace the company's full-blown cybersecurity products, which thousands of VARs and MSPs promote worldwide. Instead, Free delivers "the bare essentials," according to the company, and its features include:
- Automatic updates.
- File, email and web antivirus support.
- Self-defense capabilities.
In addition, Free is based on the same technologies as other Kaspersky solutions, the company stated, and enables end users to detect cyber threats from all sources.
Free is now available in several countries and is expected to be released globally by the end of November, Kaspersky indicated.
The free offering comes as Kaspersky pushes back against U.S. government claims that the company may have ties to Russia's government. A free offering could help the company to further solidify its installed base, especially outside of U.S. federal government agencies. The company already has 400 million end users and 270,000 corporate clients.
No More Ransomware
Meanwhile, Tuesday marked the one-year anniversary of Kaspersky's No More Ransom program, a global initiative to stop ransomware attacks.
No More Ransom's one-year milestones include:
- 35 law enforcement agency and 74 private and public sector company partners.
- More than 28,000 devices successfully decrypted, resulting in more than $8.5 million in savings for ransomware victims.
- Release of five tools from Kaspersky and two tools from McAfee.
Kaspersky provides both endpoint and non-endpoint security solutions for enterprises and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
Kaspersky and Managed Security Services
The company also continues to make strides in the managed services space, which is reflected in some of the business' recent moves.
Among the highlights:
- Kaspersky recently updated the Kaspersky Endpoint Security Cloud multi-tenant console to provide corporate Macs with cloud-based, multi-layered protection. The update enables MSPs to manage multiple MacOS and Windows workstations, mobile devices and file servers remotely via a cloud-based console, the business said in a prepared statement.
- The company in May completed the integration and certification of its Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business suite of cloud and on-premises cybersecurity solutions with ConnectWise Manage for remote monitoring and management (RMM) and ConnectWise Automate for professional services automation (PSA). With the integrations, partners can manage and monitor Endpoint Security for Business via the ConnectWise console, streamline administration of customer accounts and automate billing and reporting, the company stated.
- Kaspersky launched its MSP Partner Program in April. The program enables MSPs to deliver cybersecurity solutions to customers' physical and virtual infrastructure, on-premises or from the cloud, according to the company.
