Kaspersky has announced the addition of new features to protect cryptocurrency assets in its products, including Kaspersky Standard, Kaspersky Plus, and Kaspersky Premium, these new features are designed based on advanced core technologies to provide security for cryptocurrency users.
The added protection includes defense against cryptocurrency-related fraud and cryptojacking operations, where attackers exploit computing resources of individuals or organizations for cryptocurrency mining, these features also offer enhanced protection for credentials of cryptocurrency wallets.
Cybercriminals consider cryptocurrency users as attractive targets to access their funds and personal data, last year witnessed a significant increase in cryptocurrency-related phishing activities, with a 40% year-on-year growth, along with the discovery of 5,040,520 cryptocurrency phishing attacks in 2022, compared to 3,596,437 attacks in 2021.
The basic cryptocurrency protection features, such as defense against cryptoscam and protection against cryptojacking, are available in all three new Kaspersky packages: Kaspersky Standard, Kaspersky Plus, and Kaspersky Premium, Kaspersky Premium offers the most comprehensive features for protecting cryptocurrency assets compared to the other packages.
Kaspersky products support new tools related to cryptocurrencies with four key features:
1. Protection against cryptocurrency fraud and theft:
The Kaspersky feature for protecting against cryptocurrency-related threats can safeguard users from various attacks of this nature, it blocks users from accessing websites that may appear to be legitimate cryptocurrency sources but are designed to deceive users into providing their personal or financial data related to cryptocurrency wallets, if users encounter any related fraudulent activities, the website will be blocked immediately, and users will be alerted through notifications.
2. Protection against cryptojacking:
The protection from cryptojacking feature aims to prevent unauthorized use of victim’s computing capabilities for cryptocurrency mining, it ensures no deterioration in device performance and prevents unwanted electricity usage. Kaspersky’s behavior-based detection technology protects devices from unauthorized mining activities, and if any suspicious behavior is detected, users will be promptly notified.
3. Cryptocurrency Wallet Credential Security:
This feature aims to protect two main types of data: the account password and the 12-word initial phrase used to recover the wallet. Losing these data would make it difficult for users to regain access to their wallets, resulting in a potential loss of all assets stored in the wallet. The key features include:
– Password Security Status: This feature warns users if their passwords are leaked online or easily compromised.
– Identity Protection Vault: Sensitive data is stored in an encrypted vault that can only be accessed by the user through any of their devices, using the most secure encryption algorithms (AES-256-bit).
– Secure “Vault”: It transforms sensitive user information, such as cryptocurrency data, into an unreadable format, protecting it with a password on the device’s hard drive.
4. Reliability of Antivirus and Virtual Private Network (VPN) Tools:
The basic security features for antivirus and VPN provide strong protection against essential cyber threats like viruses, malware, spyware, ransomware, making them highly valued among cryptocurrency holders, these features include:
– Instant Threat Protection: An advanced multilayered security feature that safeguards against both current and emerging malware threats.
– Stalkerware Identification: Warns users about stealthily installed applications on computers and Android devices aimed at spying on users.
– Remote Threat Detection: Prevents criminals from accessing user’s computers to gather and misuse their information for identity theft.
– Unwanted Application Preventer: Prohibits the installation of unwanted bundled applications, especially those unintentionally installed by users and potentially malicious.
– Smart Firewall: Monitors all computer communications, preventing unauthorized access to the device through the internet or local network.
– Input Data Security: Helps protect users’ data from keylogging tools (secure keyboard input).
– Adware Removal Tool: Detects and removes adware, malware, auto-dialers, and suspicious bundled programs.
In addition to the above, Kaspersky provides an unlimited Virtual Private Network (VPN) for computers and mobile devices to ensure high levels of protection for personal data and communication.
Kaspersky’s VPN is the fastest product in terms of performance, allowing users to download files or watch movies without experiencing ping tests or traffic loss.
Marina Titova, Vice President of Consumer Product Marketing at Kaspersky, stated: “As the number of cryptocurrency users rapidly exceeds 300 million users in 2022, it is evident that they are concerned about their assets due to the possibility of falling victim to cryptocurrency crimes.
Our research shows that almost half of them (44%) fear such cryptocurrency-related crimes, therefore, we provide support to these users and meet their security needs by adding special features to protect their wallets, allowing our customers to deal with digital currencies without exposing themselves to cybersecurity risks and safeguarding their funds and personal data.”
