Kaspersky Internet Security: Better safe than sorry online!

Mumbai: Let's face it! All of us who  access the Internet on a daily basis   are living dangerously,  risking our privacy   and   exposing  the contents of our desktop or portable PCs  for every microsecond that we are online.  Sorry folks, it's the price we have  to  pay for the convenience of  a connected lifestyle  -- and   installing a comprehensive  Net  security software  has become an essential annual expense to -- hopefully -- avert serious disaster.

The 2015 edition of Kaspersky Internet Security  which is now available for Rs 899 (1 PC, 1 year),  goes beyond the annual  incremental   features   which   take note of  new and recently  detected  malware signatures.   We  liked a  trio of new features  which  respond to some of the  emerging challenges  that  lay users of Internet face:

With so many of us  using web  cameras for  Skype video calls and the like,  Net Baddies have  in recent months, made this their latest target.  Kaspersky scientists have  developed new  countermeasures  to prevent any anyone  remotely  gaining access to the webcam on one's PC or laptop. This "WebCam Protection" technology  is now built into the 2015 edition.

With public WiFi networks increasingly being offered in  malls, parks, airports and railway stations,  who can resist using these free services instead of   charging the browsing to  any  data cards or dongles we might be carrying?   Granted, that in India using such public networks  involves registering with our mobile phones and email IDs, it is not always proof against   a determined onslaught:   Such unsecured networks   sometimes  leave users vulnerable to  interception of  passwords, credit card numbers and the like.   Kaspersky's new "WiFi Security Notification"   does a quick security audit  when you use  WiFi networks and  prompts you to tighten the security  settings on your   notebook or laptop  if it  perceives a latent  threat. 

Another tool  called "Cost-Aware Networking"  is useful  when using your own WiFi,   2G or 3G -based   data services. It allows you to set  your  personal  data limit and prevents you from exceeding, them -- and  receiving a nasty surprise when the next bill arrives!  While  Kaspersky Internet Security  2015, works with Windows XP, Vista, Win 7, 8 and 8.1, the Cost Aware Networking is available only on  Windows  8 and later   PC versions.