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Rather than stick with a single device, we are becoming users who regularly call upon a number of devices to satisfy our computing and communication needs.  In some cases we might rely on a Windows computer, smartphone and an Android Tablet without giving it a moment’s thought.  As each of these devices is capable of communicating with the Internet, some form of security should be in place to ensure you are protected from malware and other anti-social attacks.  Offering to help protect various types of device is Kaspersky One which describes itself as Universal Security.

Kaspersky One is available in either three or five Device format to give the user multi-device protection from a single product.  This review is based on the five Device version which allows you to use the software on five different units which could be any combination of a Windows computer, Mac computer, smartphone or Android Tablet.  The software arrives on two CDs with a Quick Start Guide.  More comprehensive documentation is available in PDF format on the CDs.

See also: Anti virus/spam

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Inserting the first CD into your Windows computer brings up a menu that includes options to install Kaspersky Internet Security, Kaspersky Mobile Security, Kaspersky A/V for the Mac and Kaspersky Tablet Security.  The Mac option needs to be installed from the second CD.  Depending upon your choice of host device for the appropriate software, there will be some differences in the functionality provided and the installation process but one factor remains constant.  Each installation will need to be activated by the entry of a 20-character code which is then checked on-line.  The font used to display this code on the front of the Quick Start Guide makes it difficult to distinguish between some characters such as S and 5 or uppercase “i” and 1.

When installed on a Windows system (XP and later), a gadget will be placed on the desktop providing status information and access to the functionality of Kaspersky Internet Security 2012.  Options will be available to run scans classified as Full, Vulnerability or Critical Areas.  A Full scan can be time consuming.  It took well over an hour on the test system.  Once a scan was started, I could find no way of stopping its progress.

Parental controls can be set up with password protection.  You can run programs in a safe environment, view application activity and enable an extra level of security when accessing websites such as online banking.  A Kaspersky rescue disk or USB flash drive can be created.  History lists and data lists can be cleared with searches instigated for damaged and irregular settings that might have been caused by malware attacks.  Kaspersky will create reports regarding the status of your system and its own activities.

Mac users are catered for with a copy of Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2011 for the Mac.  The program’s main interface uses colour coding to indicate the current status of the system.  Green indicates the system is protected while yellow and red is used to signify that action is required.  When scanning a system, you have the choice of a Full or Quick operation.  Automatic updates and real-time scanning of files and downloads are two of the program’s features.  You need to be running Mac OS X 10.5 and later.

If your smartphone or Android Tablet supports scanning then you can use a QR (Quick Response) bar code located in the Quick Start Guide to download and install the software for your particular device.  You will need to enter the provided website URL into your device’s browser.  If this route is not open to you or you prefer to use the supplied CD then this option is available to you.  This latter method requires you to connect your device to the computer in order to proceed.  Support is provided for Android 2.1 – 3.2 running on a Tablet and Android 1.6 – 2.3, Windows Mobile 5.0. 6.0. 6.1 and 6.5, Symbian ^3 or Series 60 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4 plus Blackberry 4.5 – 6.0 when used on a smartphone.  While Tablet protection is limited to real-time defence against malware, smartphone protection will depend on the operating system.  See table.

Although it should be possible to use your full allocation of devices on a single platform, this product’s main focus, and reason for purchasing it, is to provide protection of different types of devices.  As mentioned there are versions for three and five devices.  The three version product is priced at £59.99 while the five version will cost £79.99.

http://www.kaspersky.co.uk/one