[4] KIS regularly participate in and achieve high results[5][6] in independent tests by AV-Test,[7] AV-Comparatives,[8] and SE Labs.

KIS has the ability to scan within compressed or packed files, detecting 83.3 percent of the "hidden" malware.

However, version 6.0 was criticized for not completely removing malware by leaving Registry entries and files.

PC World also highlighted the suite's false positives — eight of 20,000 clean files were incorrectly flagged as malicious — and its noticeable impact on computer performance.

Features such as parental controls and instant messaging protection, found in competing suites from Symantec and McAfee, were not a part of version 6.0.

Attempts to access forbidden URLs are logged, and sites visited are tracked as well, raising privacy issues.

Limits on Internet access may be set based on time, and chat rooms along with webmail sites can be manually blocked.

However, version 7.0 had a relatively poor showing, misidentifying 30 percent of valid messages in PC Magazine testing.

The suite warns users when programs attempt to access or send data from certain areas, such as where Internet Explorer stores webform information.

The firewall correctly blocked all attempted outside connections, with a reasonable level of security when left on default settings.

This version introduces a revised user interface, an application filtering module, an updated anti-virus engine, and a vulnerability scanner.

[18] Kaspersky claims the core anti-virus engine was revised to increase scan speed.

However, PC World noted to achieve that kind of performance, users will have to modify program settings.

However, PC World criticized the amount of computer jargon used and lack of information about how adjust settings appropriately.

[citation needed] On the other hand, PC Magazine found the feature straightforward, and often the solution involved downloading and installing an update.

When using an unsupported e-mail client to download POP3, IMAP or NNTP mail, Kaspersky will still generate a report of all messages.

Version 2010 of Kaspersky Internet Security introduced an overhauled user interface and a sandbox for running applications in a virtualized environment.

The 2014 release was frequently characterized as inferior to user expectations, largely due to its removal of a range of granular fine-tuning options in 2013 and earlier, which were used by experienced users; a number of these were added back in the 2015 beta by the time of its technical release (build 463).

[29] In March 2015, Bloomberg accused Kaspersky of having close ties to Russian military and intelligence officials.

[30] Kaspersky slammed the claims in his blog, calling the coverage "sensationalist" and guilty of "exploiting paranoia" to "increase readership".

[31] As a result of alleged Russian involvement in the 2016 United States presidential election and ongoing investigations, the Department of Homeland Security officially banned the use of the Kaspersky Internet Security by the United States federal government in September 2017.

The Bureau states that the company poses a national threat due to being based in Russia.

The ban is scheduled to take effect on July 20 with updates for existing customers allowed until September 29.