Beta Testing of Kaspersky® Anti-Virus Personal 5.0 Begins

Kaspersky Lab, a leading information security software developer, announces open beta testing of Kaspersky Anti-Virus Personal 5.0, a new anti-virus product, which includes the very latest Kaspersky Lab developments for home computers. Beta-testing of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Windows Desktops was an important stage in the evolution of Kaspersky Anti-Virus Personal 5.0. The comments and recommendations of those who participated have been taken into account, helping to create a much improved anti-virus product. Kaspersky Anti-Virus Personal 5.0 offers a wide range of functions, which can be configured to provide comprehensive protection for home computers. The program safeguards against all potential sources of virus threat: storage media, email, and Internet protocols. The program has two modes: the first of these offers uninterrupted active protection, when all data entering the computer, and opened or saved on the computer, is scanned. The second mode, when scanning and treatment is carried out both on the computer as a whole, and on individual elements (ranging from storage media to individual files and directories) can be activated either manually or automatically. The most notable new feature of the product is the user interface. The results of research into user preferences were used in developing an ideal graphical program interface, which combines ease-of-use and simplicity, while at the same time allowing the user to manage inbuilt protection using the cutting edge Expert Advice system. If an unexpected event occurs, this function will provide recommendations on how to proceed, with advice ranging from how to use the program to configuration options. In the majority of cases, Expert Advice provides sufficient information for the user to solve the problem independently: indicators on the execution of functions are always accessible via the main program window. The new Windows XP style interface of is distinguished by its simple, intuitive and attractive design. All technical details of the protection process have been adapted so that they can be understood even by a beginner, and are presented in a 3-tier settings menu. The menu means that all program elements can be controlled from a single point. Using Kaspersky Anti-Virus means that system functionality can be fully restored in case of a virus attack. Anti-virus scanning and treatment of email clears all incoming and outgoing messages of viruses in real-time. If required, the user can also scan and treat mail databases of a variety of systems. Automatic downloading of anti-virus database updates, released by Kaspersky Lab every three hours, protects the computer from the very latest varieties of malicious code. In addition to all of the above, the new version of Kaspersky Anti-Virus Personal has additional features for dial-up connections. If there is no connection available at the moment when downloading is scheduled to take place, the program will begin downloading as soon as a connection is established, without further action being taken by the user. Improvements to the update system have significantly strengthened protection for personal computers. This has been achieved by extending the databases that contain definitions of riskware: programs which can be used to spy on remote computers and to control them, but which are not classified as viruses. The most widespread of these programs to date are remote management programs, keyboard loggers, password crackers and programs which automatically connect to paying sites. Previously, users were able to download and install additions to the anti-virus database as required, but this database now comes as standard. When a suspicious object is detected, the user can place it in quarantine. Files placed in quarantine can be treated, deleted, restored to the original directory, or sent to Kaspersky Lab for analysis. Before processing any infected or suspicious object, a copy of the object can be created, making it possible to restore the object following analysis. An effective system for presenting statistics is incorporated in Kaspersky Anti-Virus Personal 5.0 in order to record the results of the work of the system. Detailed scan reports include information on objects checked and the status of downloaded updates, as well as details of the scanning sequence and the separate processing of individual objects. In addition to all of the above, access to the program's management can be restricted by the introduction of a password system. You can find out about the terms and conditions of participating in beta testing here. The most active participants will be awarded free commercial versions of Kaspersky Lab anti-virus products.