Since the advent of the first Windows operating systems, issues regarding the protection of computers and networks from all kinds of virus threats have become very acute, since most known viruses (both then and today) are mainly designed to defeat the OS developed by Microsoft. But what exactly to choose for safety? Next, we consider two main and competing Russian antiviruses and try to find out which is better - Doctor Web or Kaspersky. Both developers have declared themselves in the security software market for a long time and are rightfully considered to be one of the leading in the world. However, the opinions of users and specialists regarding preferences or the propensity to install a single software product are clearly divided. Let's try to compare some of them, taking into account such reviews.
Which is better - Kaspersky or Doctor Web? What is the starting point for comparison?
To begin with, each user must learn that both developers release quite a lot of antivirus software products designed for completely different situations. Among all that you can find, the most popular are regular antiviruses installed directly on operating systems on local computers, servers or network terminals, portable programs designed to neutralize threats on already infected computers, and special disk utilities that have their own boot loaders to start instead launching the OS in order to eliminate threats for cases when Windows does not boot just because of a virus exposure.
Let us briefly dwell on all three types of applications, and also consider the issues of acquiring licensed software, the complexity of installation and use, the load on system resources and the quality of security as comparative characteristics.
Comparison of Kaspersky and Doctor Web: Cost and Installation Issues
As for the free full-time software products, then both developers have practically none.
An exception is only the latest modification of the free Kaspersky Anti-Virus (and it needs to be activated in a timely manner). Doctors of the Web do not even mention this. The first round is for Kaspersky. All portable programs and disk applications are truly free. But if you purchase legal versions of official antiviruses, in fact, it turns out that Doctor Web's software products cost home users and corporate users almost half the price than similar Kaspersky Lab products. There is no arguing.
But of the standard tools, which antivirus is better - Kaspersky or Doctor Web? Regarding issues of installing this type of software, neither experts nor users have a single opinion.
Some people think that installing Doctor Web is easier than installing Kaspersky, while others have the exact opposite opinion. However, if you take an open mind, opinions about the complexity of the installation look clearly far-fetched. The only exceptions may be only server versions, when antivirus settings are required either on each network terminal or directly on the central server. These issues should be left to system administrators, as the average user does not need such knowledge absolutely.
But Doctor Web can easily be installed to clean up an already infected system, and problems with Kapersky are quite common in this regard.
Some differences in functionality
If we consider the regular protective equipment of Kaspersky or Doctor Web in terms of the functionality incorporated in them, a special difference can be seen only in the details, since the standard sets for both developers are almost the same.
But what looks somewhat unusual for Kaspersky is the ability to connect any other device with the same product to the installed antivirus and manage the protection system through a personal account located on the My Kaspersky portal. This is a clear plus. As for cross-platform use, both antiviruses are in equal positions (their versions can be found for almost all known OSs installed on both desktop PCs and mobile devices).
Response to viruses and suspicious threats
Now let's see which is better - Kaspersky or Doctor Web, if we are talking about detecting threats and neutralizing them. It is generally accepted that Kaspersky virus databases are the most complete. But you can argue with that. But in terms of verification, some believe that Doctor Web is clearly losing for the reason that it checks absolutely all files downloaded from the Internet, even if they do not carry a direct or perceived threat, which takes longer. In addition, the default settings used for scanning a computer in the background, which are used by both programs by default, also cause legitimate indignation of users when the scan starts at the most inopportune moment, because of which the programs begin to freeze, and system resources are fully used exclusively by antiviruses . However, only those users who don’t know how to set up a scheduled scan so that it occurs at times when the computer is idle can say this.
System Resource Load
As for resource consumption, the conclusion that “Kaspersky” or “Doctor Web” is better, many make an unambiguous.
For some reason, it is generally accepted that Kaspersky slows down the system incredibly, although the latest modifications (according to the developers) are no different. Apparently, this is due to an established stereotype that has existed since the first anti-virus products were released, when it was impossible to work even on powerful computers with the installed Kaspersky Lab anti-virus.
Portable and disk utilities
Naturally, among Kaspersky and Doctor Web antiviruses there are also special treatment programs that do not require installation on a computer or laptop hard drive (KVRT and Dr. Web CureIt! Respectively). Both utilities are almost equal in their capabilities, but often the dissatisfaction of users who scan their system with a portable application from Doctor Web is caused by the fact that it defines many well-known optimizer programs or uninstallers as potentially unwanted software.
At the same time, it is believed that there is no way to disable treatment or removal for especially critical cases, and after the scan is complete, installed applications refuse to work at all. In addition, Doctor Web does not respond to activators such as, for example, KMSAuto Net. On the one hand, this is good for the average user, on the other hand, it is the most illegal activation of Windows. Kaspersky issues a warning about the discovery of a legal activation program, but reports that it may contain malicious code. Disk utilities are at about the same level, although again it is secretly believed that Kaspersky Rescue Disk detects and neutralizes threats of any type better than LiveDisk from Doctor Web.
Which antivirus to prefer?
So is Kaspersky or Doctor Web better? Alas, it is impossible to give a definite answer to this question. All software products from both developers deserve all praise, and the choice in favor of one thing often depends on user preferences or even a pre-formed stereotype. That is why you are given the right to make your own choices and install exactly the software product that you consider necessary and most effective.