Kaspersky Secure Connection VPN Review
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Do you want to browse the Internet and have privacy and security at the same time? You need a “Virtual Private Network” (VPN). Many VPNs compete in a happening market, and Kaspersky Secure Connection is one of them.
AO Kaspersky Lab, a Russian information security company owns this VPN service. It’s a well-known cybersecurity company, and it’s commonly known as “Kaspersky Lab”. This company has a suite of cybersecurity products, and Kaspersky Secure Connection is its VPN offering.
VPNs make tall claims. They promise to offer privacy, security, speed, compatibility, access to geo-restricted content, and access to P2P/torrenting services. Many VPNs claim to offer great customer support and competitive price. The reality often varies though.
We have evaluated Kaspersky Secure Connection using these yardsticks. Does it meet your requirements? Should you buy a subscription? Read on, as we answer all of these questions.
Features you get with Kaspersky Secure Connection VPN
Let’s evaluate the features of Kaspersky Secure Connection.
Your privacy at K.S.C. VPN
You want a VPN that protects your privacy. A VPN needs to mask your IP address, encrypt your Internet traffic, and refrain from logging your online activities for this.
Kaspersky Secure Connection masks your IP address and encrypts your Internet traffic. However, it keeps logs of your activities on the Internet. While it claims that it doesn’t log your activities online, its “Information provision” policy contradicts that.
This policy states that its users need to agree to send several pieces of information automatically to Kaspersky. This information includes many data elements like the unique ID of the computer, the type of computer, and the geographic location of the computer.
Kaspersky Secure Connection tracks the type, version, and edition of the operating system (OS). This VPN also collects the wireless network name, type of wireless network authentication, the start and end time of the connection to the wireless network, etc.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of data that users need to agree to provide to Kaspersky automatically. Kaspersky states that it doesn’t collect any personal data as part of this information, however, we see that it logs plenty of information. We prefer VPNs that implement a “no logs” policy, and we don’t see Kaspersky doing that.
Kaspersky Secure Connection collects your email address when you buy a subscription. It collects your password, moreover, it collects part of your credit card information.
This VPN provider collects this information to provide its service to you. The company secures this information and processes it per applicable laws. This is standard and we don’t see any concerns with it.
When you visit its website, Kaspersky Secure Connection collects analytics using services like Google Analytics. We don’t find any concern with this.
The jurisdiction of Kaspersky Secure Connection is Russia. This country has a history of violating privacy rights and freedom of expression. Russia isn’t the perfect jurisdiction for a privacy-focused VPN.
While Kaspersky meets several criteria of a privacy-focused VPN, it keeps partial logs of your online activities. You can find VPNs that follow a strict “no logs” policy, and Kaspersky Secure Connection lags behind its competitors.
Security at K.S.C. VPN
Kaspersky Secure Connection supports OpenVPN. It’s the most secure VPN protocol, and we are satisfied to see that this provider supports it. This VPN supports L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2, and SSTP, which are secure protocols too.
We noticed that Kaspersky Secure Connection supports the PPTP protocol. This VPN protocol has security vulnerabilities, and we don’t recommend you use it. Kaspersky Secure Connection doesn’t require you to use this protocol.
This VPN provider provides AES-256 encryption. This is military-grade encryption, therefore, your sensitive data is secure with this VPN.
Kaspersky Secure Connection prevents all IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. Its infrastructure and software are free from viruses.
Since Kaspersky is a well-known provider of cybersecurity solutions, we had expected it to provide advanced security features in its VPN. We didn’t find them though.
For example, Kaspersky Secure Connection doesn’t offer a “kill switch”. A kill switch blocks your Internet connection if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. This protects your sensitive information even if your VPN drops suddenly. Many VPN users even consider it as a basic feature.
To take another example, we noticed that Kaspersky Secure Connection doesn’t offer any ad and/or malware blockers. You can buy an ad/malware blocker from Kaspersky, however, that’s in addition to what you will pay for a VPN subscription.
Kaspersky Secure Connection doesn’t mention anything about offering “Perfect Forward Secrecy” (PFS) either. This feature changes the encryption key regularly. Even if a hacker steals your encryption key, PFS will soon change it. It’s a valuable security feature and many leading VPNs offer it.
While we are satisfied with the basic security features offered by Kaspersky Secure Connection, this VPN doesn’t offer advanced security features. It lags behind its competitors in this regard.
Where are the Kaspersky Secure Connection VPN servers located?
You want a VPN that offers good speed. VPNs with a sufficiently large number of servers in all key geographies can offer good speed.
Kaspersky Secure Connection has its servers in 18 countries, which include the US, the UK, Germany, France, Canada, Sweden, Spain, Japan, Hong Kong, and Russia.
When you compare Kaspersky Secure Connection with other leading VPNs, you will notice that this VPN offers fewer servers. It has a presence in fewer geographies too.
Kaspersky Secure Connection provides reasonable speed. Depending on where you are, you could experience a slow connection. Its limited server network impacts its speed. If you prioritize speed, then you should explore leading VPN providers.
What Platforms are supported by K.S.C. VPN?
Kaspersky Secure Connection supports Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. This VPN provides easy-to-use custom apps for all of these platforms, which is helpful.
However, this VPN doesn’t support any other platform. We expect a VPN to support Linux and routers, which are key platforms. Kaspersky Secure Connection doesn’t do that.
It also doesn’t support smart TV platforms and gaming consoles. This VPN allows 5 simultaneous connections, which is comparable with many other VPNs.
Kaspersky Secure Connection supports too few platforms. While it offers user-friendly custom apps for the platforms it supports, it should support Linux and routers. This VPN lags behind its competitors as far as compatibility is concerned.
Can you unblock streaming services using K.S.C. VPN?
Kaspersky Secure Connection claims on its website that it lets you access more sites and content. It doesn’t state which sites or the content it unblocks. Many Internet users buy a VPN subscription to unblock geo-restricted streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. The claim of unblocking sites and content on the website of Kaspersky Secure Connection could give the impression that it unblocks such geo-restricted streaming services.
We found that this VPN can’t unblock these streaming services. It doesn’t bypass the “Great Firewall” of China. If you want to access geo-restricted streaming services using a VPN, or if you want a VPN that works in China, then you should explore other leading VPNs.
Does Kaspersky Secure Connection VPN allow P2P/Torrenting?
Kaspersky Secure Connection doesn’t state whether it allows P2P/torrenting activities. In this regard, it lags behind its competitors.
We wouldn’t recommend you access P2P/torrenting services using this VPN even if it allows that. P2P/torrenting activities can pose several risks. Some countries ban P2P/torrenting services, and you can run into copyright issues even in countries that allow them. Copyright laws can be complex, and we suggest that you check them carefully before accessing P2P/torrenting services.
Since hackers monitor P2P/torrenting services and target their users, using a VPN is important if you plan to access them. Kaspersky Secure Connection isn’t a good VPN for torrenting though! Consider this example, where you inadvertently access copyrighted content on these services. Such inadvertent actions can pose challenges for you since Kaspersky Secure Connection keeps partial logs.
This VPN doesn’t state if it allows P2P/torrenting, and we don’t recommend you use it for this purpose.
How much does Kaspersky Secure Connection cost?
Kaspersky Secure Connection offers 3 plans, which includes a free plan. The free plan has limitations. For example, you can use 200 MB data per day, or 300 MB per day if the app is connected to the “My Kaspersky” account of the user. The free VPN selects a server and you can’t choose. We don’t recommend any free VPN, and the Kaspersky Secure Connection isn’t an exception.
The other 2 plans are paid, and these are as follows:
· Monthly: This plan costs you $4.99 per month;
· Yearly: This plan costs you $29.99 once a year.
You can pay using popular credit cards, debit cards, bank transfer, prepaid cards, electronic wallets, and mobile payment methods. Kaspersky Secure Connection provides a secure payment process.
Kaspersky Secure Connection doesn’t offer a free trial for its paid plans. This VPN offers a 30-days money-back guarantee. Kaspersky Secure Connection is quite cheap, and its yearly plan offers a steep discount.
The pros and cons of Kaspersky Secure Connection VPN
Kaspersky Secure Connection offers the following advantages:
· It provides all basic security features like secure protocols and strong encryption.
· This VPN supports key platforms like Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
· Kaspersky Secure Connection offers user-friendly custom apps for all the platforms it supports.
· You can connect 5 devices simultaneously.
· This VPN offers very good documentation.
· The customer support team of Kaspersky Secure Connection is professional, knowledgeable, and prompt.
· This VPN is cheap, moreover, it offers a 30-days money-back guarantee.
This VPN offers a few disadvantages too, which are as follows:
· It keeps partial logs.
· Its jurisdiction is Russia, which isn’t a privacy-friendly country. Coupled with partial logs that Kaspersky Secure Connection keeps, the jurisdiction is a disadvantage.
· This VPN doesn’t offer a few key security features like kill switch and ad/malware blocker.
· Kaspersky Secure Connection doesn’t support Linux and routers.
· This VPN can’t unblock geo-restricted streaming services like Netflix.
· Kaspersky Secure Connection can’t bypass the “Great Firewall” of China.
· This VPN doesn’t mention whether it allows P2P/torrenting, moreover, it’s not an ideal choice for these due to partial logs.
· Kaspersky Secure Connection offers reasonable speed, however, it’s slower than other leading VPNs due to its limited sever network.
· This VPN doesn’t offer live chat support.
We find that Kaspersky has limited features, however, it’s quite cheap.
A few quick facts about Kaspersky Secure Connection VPN
We now summarize a few quick facts about Kaspersky Secure Connection, which are as follows:
· This VPN is operated by AO Kaspersky Lab, a well-known Russian cybersecurity company.
· Kaspersky Secure Connection keeps partial logs, and its jurisdiction is Russia.
· This VPN offer basic security features like secure protocol and strong encryption, however, it doesn’t provide advanced security features.
· Kaspersky Secure Connection can’t unblock Netflix and similar geo-restricted streaming services.
· It’s not a good choice for P2P/torrenting since it keeps partial logs. This VPN doesn’t state if it allows P2P/torrenting.
· This VPN is cheap, and it offers a 30-days money-back guarantee.
· It has servers in 18 countries, and it can be slow depending on where its users are.
· Kaspersky Secure Connection supports Windows, Mad, Android, and iOS, moreover, it offers custom apps.
· This VPN offers good documentation and customer support, however, it doesn’t offer live chat support.
Is Kaspersky Secure Connection easy to use?
The Kaspersky Secure Connection website is easy to navigate and use. You can find key menu options and “Call To Action” (CTA) buttons easily. The company provides a secure and easy way for you to buy a VPN subscription.
You need to navigate to the app download option and find the app-specific tutorials there. This section also has the information provision policy of Kaspersky Secure Connection. The website of this VPN has a support page with a knowledge base.
Kaspersky Secure Connection provides custom apps for all the 4 platforms it supports, namely, Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. You will find these apps easy to use. That’s certainly an advantage, however, this VPN doesn’t support other key platforms like Linux and routers.
We find that Kaspersky Secure Connection is a user-friendly VPN.
Is the customer service os Kaspersky Secure Connection reliable?
Kaspersky Lab has a support page on its website, which covers all its products. You can get help with Kaspersky Secure Connection there. The support page has a searchable knowledge base. It also neatly categorizes information like customer support contact, how-to videos, etc. for its different products.
The download pages for each VPN app provides guides on how to install the app. These pages also contain guides on how to use the app. Considering that the Kaspersky Secure Connection VPN apps are user-friendly, these guides should suffice. These VPN apps are reliable, therefore, you might not need much customer support.
If you want to contact the customer support team Kaspersky, you can do that using the “Submit request” option on its support page. Kaspersky Secure Connection doesn’t offer live chat support. Its customer support team is professional, knowledgeable, and responsive.
We are satisfied with the documentation and customer support capabilities of Kaspersky Secure Connection. It falls short of its leading VPN providers though since they offer 24x7 live chat support.
What's the jurisdiction of K.S.C.
AO Kaspersky Lab is a Russian company. The jurisdiction of Kaspersky Secure Connection is Russia. This country isn’t a part of the 5/9/14 eyes alliances that conduct mass surveillance. While you might see this as positive, remember that Russia isn’t exactly privacy-friendly.
There have been numerous reports about the violation of freedom of expression and privacy rights in Russia. Considering that Kaspersky Secure Connection keeps partial logs, its jurisdiction can pose privacy-related challenges to its users. If you are a privacy-focused Internet user, then we recommend you explore other market-leading VPNs that protect your privacy better.
Does K.S.C. VPN keep any logs of your activity?
Kaspersky Secure Connection keeps partial logs of your online activities. Its website states that it doesn’t keep logs, however, its “information provision” policy mentions otherwise.
This policy states that its users need to agree to send several pieces of information automatically to Kaspersky. The following are some examples of information:
· Unique ID of the computer;
· The type of computer;
· The geographic location of the computer;
· The type, version, and edition of the operating system (OS);
· The wireless network name and the type of wireless network authentication;
· The start and end time of the connection to the wireless network.
This isn’t an exhaustive list, and we don’t see any reason why Kaspersky Secure Connection needs to collect so much information about users. While the company says that it doesn’t track personal information, it’s certainly keeping partial logs.
The jurisdiction of this company is Russia, which has a history of violating privacy rights and freedom of expression. Coupled with that, this partial logging can pose challenges to the privacy of users.
Kaspersky Secure Connection hasn’t implemented a “no logs” policy. If you prioritize privacy, then you should explore other leading VPN providers.
Technical security of Kaspersky Secure Connection VPN
Kaspersky Secure Connection supports secure VPN protocols. It supports OpenVPN, which has the reputation of being the most secure VPN protocol. This VPN supports L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2, and SSTP, and these are secure VPN protocols too.
While Kaspersky Secure Connection supports PPTP, it doesn’t compel you to use it. We suggest that you don’t use this protocol since it has known security vulnerabilities.
This VPN supports AES-256, which is the strongest encryption you can get. Kaspersky Secure Connection prevents all IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. Its infrastructure and software don’t have any virus.
While Kaspersky Secure Connection offers basic security features, it doesn’t offer advanced security features. For example, it doesn’t offer a kill switch and it doesn’t provide any ad/malware blocker. Its website is silent about PFS, which is another key security features.
If you want advanced security features, then you should explore market-leading VPNs. On the other hand, if basic security features are sufficient for you, then Kaspersky Secure Connection would suffice.
Our short conclusion regarding Kaspersky Secure Connection VPN
Kaspersky Secure Connection promises a lot, however, the realities vary. It claims that it doesn’t log the online activities of its users, however, it keeps partial logs. This VPN provides basic security features like secure protocols and strong encryption, however, it doesn’t offer advanced security features.
Kaspersky Secure Connection supports Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, and it offers user-friendly custom apps for these platforms. It doesn’t support Linux and routers though. This VPN can’t unblock geo-restricted streaming services like Netflix. It doesn’t mention whether it allows P2P/torrenting, furthermore, it’s not an ideal VPN for P2P/torrenting since it keeps logs. Its jurisdiction is Russia, which isn’t a privacy-friendly country.
Kaspersky Secure Connection offers good documentation and professional customer support, however, it doesn’t offer live chat support. It’s a cheap VPN with a free plan and a 30-days refund policy. It has servers in 18 countries and you might find it slow.
Do you want a VPN with advanced privacy and security features that unblocks geo-restricted content and offers great speed? Then you should explore other leading VPNs. On the other hand, do you want a basic VPN for a low price and you don’t mind if it keeps partial logs? In that case, you can buy a Kaspersky Secure Connection subscription. You can ask for a refund if it doesn’t meet your requirements.
