McAfee and Kaspersky are some of the oldest, most trusted names in the antivirus industry, but their ideal usage scenarios vary. See which one suits you best.
McAfee and Kaspersky are two of the leading endpoint detection and response solutions available today. While both have a lot to offer and many of their features overlap, there are some notable differences between the two. With that in mind, here’s a closer look at McAfee vs. Kaspersky for 2022.
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What is McAfee?
McAfee is one of the first anti-virus software vendors and came on the scene in the late 1980s. Today, it remains one of the most recognizable names in the industry, and for good reason. His security suite, McAfee Total Protectionoffers comprehensive protection, including award-winning anti-malware software, authentication, and a password manager.
McAfee’s internet security comes with a strong emphasis on privacy. It includes a file shredder to ensure confidential files remain inaccessible after use, a secure web browser, and an auto-connecting virtual private network.
While Total Protection focuses on consumer markets, McAfee’s enterprise security doesn’t fall short either. It includes vulnerability monitoring and ransomware protection to provide the advanced protection businesses need. It’s also compatible with Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android, so you can protect all the devices your team may be using.
SEE: Mobile Device Security Policy (Tech Republic Premium)
What is Kaspersky?
Like McAfee, Kaspersky is an established name in cybersecurity, emerging a little later in the 1980s. the premium suite, Kaspersky Total Securityis also packed with useful security features for both consumers and business users.
Kaspersky Total Security has even more privacy features than McAfee. In addition to a VPN and secure web browser, the suite has webcam and microphone protection, encrypted file backups, and payment protection that encrypts traffic on financial sites and apps. Most of these features are also available at the mid-price tier, Kaspersky Internet Security.
One of the most unique features of Kaspersky is its GPS locator. While intended for parents to ensure the safety of their children, this device tracking tool can help companies keep track of their hardware assets. Like McAfee, Kaspersky is available on Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android.
McAfee vs. Kaspersky: feature comparison
| Function | McAfee | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-malware | Yes | Yes |
| Scan for vulnerabilities | Yes | Yes |
| Ransomware Protection | Yes | Yes |
| VPN | Yes | Yes |
| password manager | Yes, in all levels | Yes, but only in higher levels |
| Payment Security | New | Yes |
Head-to-head comparison: McAfee vs. Kaspersky
McAfee Total Protection and Kaspersky Total Security share some of their top features, but approach them differently. Here’s a look at how three critical security features work in McAfee vs. Kaspersky.
Scan for vulnerabilities
Data breaches cost companies trillions of dollars a year, so it’s vital to stay on top of potential threats. Both McAfee and Kaspersky offer vulnerability scans to find and manage these threats, although their scope and approach vary.
McAfee’s vulnerability scanner checks your network for security flaws, such as unupdated apps on devices. Depending on the user settings, you are then either warned about these risks or they are automatically patched. The software also includes personalized security recommendations based on users’ online activity. McAfee will also scan the dark web and break records to notify you of any leaked credentials, although this isn’t available in the UK
Kaspersky’s vulnerability scan includes more in-depth features, but many are only available on Windows. Complex exploit identification, fileless malware detection, ad-blocking, and key-logging detection are all exclusive to Windows. Still, these are useful features if you can use them, and all users can use malicious link detectors and real-time malware identification. Kaspersky also offers an ID protection service, but it only checks public databases.
Ransomware Protection
Ransomware rose 105% in 2021, making it one of the biggest threats to businesses, but McAfee Internet Security can protect against it. Although the solution does not have a special anti-ransomware feature, the antivirus and backup tools work against these threats. It includes 256-bit encryption to protect sensitive files, automatically blocks suspicious sites, and offers some of the best anti-malware detection and removal features available.
Unlike McAfee, Kaspersky offers a special ransomware protection feature. The tool scans your devices in real time to look for behavior similar to known ransomware threats. If it detects anything suspicious, it blocks and reports before the ransomware can lock you out of your devices. Notably, this service is only compatible with Windows devices, but Kaspersky’s standard anti-malware features are cross-platform compatible.
Virtual Private Networks
McAfee’s VPN comes standard with all tiers. That said, you only get one VPN license with the lowest tier, five with the middle, and ten with the highest. These licenses start at 500MB per month, but you can upgrade that to unlimited bandwidth if you enable auto-renewal.
Kaspersky also has a VPN, but not for the lowest package. You will need Kaspersky Internet Security or Total Security to use it, but business users will probably opt for the highest tier. It’s also worth noting that this VPN has a maximum of 300MB per month.
Choosing McAfee vs. Kaspersky
While Kaspersky Total Security has more features, McAfee has more cross-platform capabilities. If you work in a traditional IT environment or need more advanced threat protection, Kaspersky is the better option. However, if you want to protect more remote workers or have a bring your own device policy, you may want McAfee’s flexibility and versatile VPN.
