Kaspersky Hell

[GrahamKnott]

First, can anyone with regards to Kaspersky’s LAB launcher explain what the acronym “LAB” actually means in longhand?

The reason I ask is because (a) it’s constantly updating itself on my laptop, and I do mean near enough 24/7: (b) it cains the memory to the point whereby I almost need a second (Kaspersky-free) device in which to get online these days: (c) there appears to be no meaningful way to configure it anywhere in Settings: (d) that Kaspersky’s so-called “Customer Services” means the precise opposite.

Second, if by jettisoning Kaspersky - which I intend to do in short order - will Windows Defender suffice in its place, at least as a stop-gap? Note that I’m a light online user, plus I keep well away from those areas of human interest known to be problematic.

Finally, I’m running Windows 10 on a bog-standard Asus laptop with 4GB of memory.

Thanks for reading this post.

[Bastet]

Defender is now on-par with the top paid software & is recommended. Some users supplement this with Malwarebytes free which is an on-demand scanner.
Does the Kaspersky website not state what the acronym stands for?

[GrahamKnott]

Hi, Virginia/Bastet. . . thanks for that! I’ll give Defender a go and hopefully I’ll get my laptop back again. LAB? There’s not a whisper of it on Kaspersky’s main website. Leastways I’ve not spotted it yet. Perhaps they keep it in a deep shelter. Could it be shorthand for laborious, or even labyrinthine? :unsure:

[GrahamKnott]

(I don’t know what happened to my reply above?) So to repeat from memory the important part:

Hi Virginia/Bastet. . . thanks for that!

[GrahamKnott]

(I don’t know what happened to my reply above?) So to repeat from memory the important part:

Hi Virginia/Bastet. . . thanks for that!

[Bastet]

I would recommend turning all Kaspersky’s protection settings off - especially any self protection mode then either using Revo Uninstaller free or Kaspersky’s own removal tool To get rid of all its files.

Your replies are appearing for me.

[GrahamKnott]

I’ll try that, then seek a refund. Thanks again.

[Bastet]

Keep us updated.

[Bruce]

+1 on also removing Kaspersky.
and to backup what’s been said about Defender, since Win7 it has scored equal or better than all the other AV suites in independent testing.

a few months old now but some stats here; Test Microsoft Defender Antivirus (Enterprise) 4.18 for Windows 11 (222416) | AV-TEST

[GrahamKnott]

I take it then that I must first fully delete Kaspersky from my hard drive, not merely kick it into touch, before I can install Defender?

[Bastet]

Yes otherwise Defender may see the remnants & Defender won’t activate.
Defender should already be on your PC.

[PeterOz]

irst, can anyone with regards to Kaspersky’s LAB launcher explain what the acronym “LAB” actually means in longhand?

Lab is not an acronym
it is part of the name. Just like Jerry is part of the name of Ben and Jerry’s
The company that everyone abbreviates to Kaspersky is actually called Kaspersky Lab

[GrahamKnott]

Kaspersky “Lab”. . . Oh, right. Thanks for the explanation. I only raised the issue in order to understand what I was up against, all the better to deal with it.

Before deleting Kaspersky, I will first need to see if it’s possible to claw back the outstanding amount of my subscription fee I paid to the company for the installation of their anti-virus software on my hard drive, this on a point of principle more than anything else.

[Bastet]

If you purchased within the last 30 days then there should be no problem. Explain all the problems you’re having with their program as well.

[Malnutrition]

I suggest that you remove it with GeekUninstaller. Then run the Kaspersky removal tool for good measure.

I keep this tool on a usb, it is a complete antivirus remover.