Kaspersky VPN

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About Kaspersky VPN

Kaspersky VPN hides your real location and encrypts all data sent and received by your device.

How it works

Public Wi-Fi networks may be under-protected, for example, a Wi-Fi network may use a vulnerable encryption protocol or popular Wi-Fi network name (SSID). When you make Internet purchases over an unsecured Wi-Fi network, your passwords and other confidential data may be transmitted without encryption. Hackers can intercept your confidential data, find out your bank card details and then access your money.

When connecting to a Wi-Fi network, the app checks the network. If the Wi-Fi network is unsecured, the app prompts you to enable a secure connection via a specially allocated virtual server. This way, the app sends and receives your data over an encrypted secure connection. This process guarantees that no one in the Wi-Fi network can intercept your private data.

Advantages

Kaspersky VPN provides the following advantages:

• Safe use of payment systems and booking websites. No one in the Wi-Fi network will be able to intercept your bank card details when you make online payments, book hotel rooms, or rent cars.
• Protection of your privacy. Others can't determine the IP address of your device or your location.
• Protection of your personal data. No one in the Wi-Fi network will be able to intercept and read your email, chats, and private correspondence on social networks.

By default, you have the free version of Kaspersky VPN. You can switch to the unlimited version.

Now you can use VPN in the upgraded all-in-one app — Kaspersky app for Android. This app has everything you need for your protection and privacy and it includes all other Kaspersky Security Cloud and Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection features, too.

When you install Kaspersky app, tap VPN and follow the instructions on the screen to transfer your VPN settings.

After these settings are transferred, the VPN will work via Kaspersky app. At the same time, VPN functionality will stop working in Kaspersky Security Cloud and Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection, and you can delete these apps.

The secure connection will be automatically turned off while the VPN settings are being transferred to Kaspersky app.

If you want to transfer VPN settings, both apps should be connected to the same My Kaspersky account. If you have different subscriptions and want to use them at the same time, you'll have to contact Customer Service.

You can still change your mind and use Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection instead of Kaspersky app. However, settings cannot be transferred back from Kaspersky app. If you decide to keep using Kaspersky Security Cloud or Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection, you will have to configure the VPN settings manually.

About the subscription

If you have a My Kaspersky account with Unlimited subscription to Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection, you can sign in to it in Kaspersky app and use the subscription.

If you used an anonymous subscription for Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection, you will have to connect to your My Kaspersky account. As a result, your subscription will become deanonymized.

Use of VPN may be regulated by local legislation. You may use VPN only in accordance with its purpose and without violating local legislation.

VPN availability in certain regions

In some regions, using a VPN is legally regulated. To learn more, refer to this article.

Transferring VPN settings to Kaspersky app

Now you can use VPN in the upgraded all-in-one app — Kaspersky app for Android. This app has everything you need for your protection and privacy and it includes all other Kaspersky Security Cloud and Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection features, too.

When you install Kaspersky app, tap VPN and follow the instructions on the screen to transfer your VPN settings.

After these settings are transferred, the VPN will work via Kaspersky app. At the same time, VPN functionality will stop working in Kaspersky Security Cloud and Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection, and you can delete these apps.

The secure connection will be automatically turned off while the VPN settings are being transferred to Kaspersky app.

If you want to transfer VPN settings, both apps should be connected to the same My Kaspersky account. If you have different subscriptions and want to use them at the same time, you'll have to contact Customer Service.

You can still change your mind and use Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection instead of Kaspersky app. However, settings cannot be transferred back from Kaspersky app. If you decide to keep using Kaspersky Security Cloud or Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection, you will have to configure the VPN settings manually.

About the subscription

If you have a My Kaspersky account with Unlimited subscription to Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection, you can sign in to it in Kaspersky app and use the subscription.

If you used an anonymous subscription for Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection, you will have to connect to your My Kaspersky account. As a result, your subscription will become deanonymized.

Free version of Kaspersky VPN

You can use the free version or the unlimited version of Kaspersky VPN.

When using the free version:

• You can use a limited amount of secure traffic per day.
• You can't select the virtual server. The virtual server is selected automatically.

When the secure traffic limit is exceeded, the secure connection is terminated. The app notifies you when your secure connection is disabled. You can wait the time specified in the main app window and then re-establish a secure connection. The amount of used secure traffic displayed in the app may slightly differ from the amount actually used.

The amount of available secure traffic doesn't affect the amount of internet traffic available from your mobile operator. You can continue using the internet after the secure traffic limit is exceeded, but your data won't be secured by Kaspersky VPN.

You can get unlimited secure traffic by switching to the unlimited version of Kaspersky VPN.

Unlimited version of Kaspersky VPN

When using the limited version:

• You can use a limited amount of secure traffic per day.
• You can't select the virtual server. The virtual server is selected automatically.

When using the unlimited version:

• You can use an unlimited daily amount of secure traffic on several devices connected to one My Kaspersky account, regardless of the device platform (Android or iOS). If you purchased a subscription in the app, you can use it on your other devices as well. On My Kaspersky, you can choose the devices, where you want to use the unlimited version. For details, see My Kaspersky help.
• You can select any virtual server and appear to the Internet as a visitor from any country on the list.

To use the unlimited version, you must purchase a subscription to Kaspersky VPN. You can purchase or renew a subscription from the app.

A connection to My Kaspersky is necessary to activate and use the unlimited version.

Your My Kaspersky account details include the number of days remaining before your subscription expires. See the section "Viewing information about subscriptions".

Viewing the secure connection state and available traffic

You can view the secure connection state and make sure that your data is transferred securely.

In the free version, you can also view the amount of secure traffic available for today. In the unlimited version, the app doesn't display traffic usage because you have an unlimited amount of secure traffic.

The amount of available secure traffic doesn't affect the amount of internet traffic available from your mobile operator. You can continue using the internet after the secure traffic limit is exceeded, but your data won't be secured by Kaspersky VPN.

To view the secure connection state and available secure traffic, do one of the following:

• Open the main app window and navigate to the VPN section.

  The amount of used and available secure traffic is displayed in the lower part of the screen.

• Open the notification panel on the device.

  The amount of used and available secure traffic is displayed in the notification.

Activating the unlimited version of Kaspersky VPN

You can use your My Kaspersky account to switch to the unlimited version of Kaspersky VPN. In this case, your unlimited version subscription is associated with your My Kaspersky account.

If you do not have a My Kaspersky account, there is no need to create it right away. You can switch to the unlimited version of Kaspersky VPN, without having a My Kaspersky account, directly from the app. You can associate your unlimited version subscription with your My Kaspersky account later, if you want.

To switch to the unlimited version:

1. Open VPN.
2. In the lower part of the window, tap Upgrade.

   Swipe through the screens with the feature descriptions and continue to get the unlimited version.

3. Select a monthly or annual subscription.

   The Google Play window will open in the app.

4. Confirm the purchase.

   The subscription details will be updated on all of your devices that use Kaspersky VPN as well as on My Kaspersky.

   You can view subscription details in the account info section of the app.

When buying an auto-renewable subscription on Google Play, there is a short evaluation period during which you can use Kaspersky VPN for free. This period can be granted only once.

If you cancel your subscription during the evaluation period, you can use app features for free only until the end of the evaluation period.

When the free period expires, the app will automatically continue to use the unlimited subscription and you will be charged automatically every billing period. The charge will be automatically collected from your account by Google Play.

Restoring the unlimited version of Kaspersky VPN

If you have previously purchased a subscription to the unlimited version of Kaspersky VPN, you can restore it. Your subscription is associated with your My Kaspersky account.

When you install Kaspersky app on a new device or delete the app from your device and reinstall it, connect to My Kaspersky to restore your subscription.

Configuring Smart Protection

About Smart Protection in VPN

Smart Protection technology offers to turn on a secure connection when you connect to the Internet via an unsecured Wi-Fi network or open websites and apps where you can enter confidential data.

For example, when you open a website from the Banking category, the app prompts you to turn on a secure connection, so you can perform financial operations safely.

You can configure rules to automatically activate a secure connection for networks, websites, and apps that you use often.

You must turn on accessibility for Kaspersky app to use this functionality.

How to turn on accessibility

If there is no Internet connection in an unsecured Wi-Fi network, a secure connection will not be turned on automatically or the app will not offer to turn on a secure connection. The app will notify you that there is no Internet connection in the unsecured Wi-Fi network.

Allow Kaspersky app to send you notifications. Otherwise, the app will not be able to warn you and offer to establish a secure connection. For information on configuring notifications, please refer to your OS documentation.

On Android 9-13, the app requests permission to access your device’s location to find information about the Wi-Fi network (SSID, BSSID). The app uses this data to check Wi-Fi networks and turn on VPN, determine your home Wi-Fi network and notify you about connected devices. The app does not use the received data to track the device's location.

Without permission to access your location, Secure Connection and Smart Home Monitor features will work not as intended.

Kaspersky app does not have access to GPS data and does not monitor your actual whereabouts. Permission is only required in order to get information about the Wi-Fi network (SSID, BSSID).

To give the app access to the device's location, ensure that the use of location for your device is turned on and then grant access to location—particularly for Kaspersky app. On some devices, you need to grant permissions manually.

Secure connection for a specific app

You must turn on accessibility for Kaspersky app to use this functionality.

To configure automatic activation of a secure connection for a specific app:

1. Open VPN.
2. Tap Settings > Smart Protection.
3. Tap Apps.
4. Select an app from the list of apps installed on the device.
5. Select When opening the app and specify which action the application must take when you open this app:
   • Secure the connection. Kaspersky app turns on a secure connection when you open this app.
   • Ask. Kaspersky app displays a notification and prompts you to turn on a secure connection when you open this app.

     Allow Kaspersky app to send you notifications. Otherwise, the app will not be able to warn you and offer to establish a secure connection. For information on configuring notifications, please refer to your OS documentation.

   • Do nothing. Kaspersky app does not turn on a secure connection when you open this app.
6. Tap Apply.
7. Tap VPN server and select the virtual server that you want to use, when opening this app.

Secure connection for a specific website

We recommend that you secure the connection when opening websites where you may enter personal data. Otherwise, your data may be exposed to cybercriminals.

You must turn on accessibility for Kaspersky app to use this functionality.

To configure automatic activation of a secure connection for a specific website:

1. Open VPN.
2. Tap Settings > Smart Protection.
3. Tap Websites.
4. Make sure that the switch is turned on.
5. Tap Other websites.
6. To add a website, tap .

   The Add website window opens.

7. In the web address field, enter the website address and tap OK.
8. Tap When opening the website and specify which action the application must take when you visit this website:
   • Secure the connection. The app turns on a secure connection when you open this website. For example, you can configure automatic activation of secure connection when you visit your bank's website.
   • Ask. The app displays a notification and prompts you to turn on a secure connection when you visit this website.

     Allow Kaspersky app to send you notifications. Otherwise, the app will not be able to warn you and offer to establish a secure connection. For information on configuring notifications, please refer to your OS documentation.

   • Do nothing. The app does not turn on a secure connection when you visit this website.
9. Tap Apply.
10. Tap VPN server and select the virtual server that you want to use when visiting this website.
11. Tap Save.

Secure connection for a specific website category

We recommend that you secure the connection when opening websites where you may enter personal data. Otherwise, your data may be exposed to cybercriminals. For example, you can specify that a secure connection must be activated when you visit payment system websites or social network websites.

You must turn on accessibility for Kaspersky app to use this functionality.

To configure automatic activation of a secure connection for a specific website category:

1. Open VPN.
2. Tap Settings > Smart Protection.
3. Tap Websites.
4. Make sure that the switch is turned on.
5. Select the website category:
   • Banking.
   • Payment systems.
   • Online stores.
   • Social networks.
6. Select the action that the app must take when you visit websites in the selected category:
   • Secure the connection. The app turns on a secure connection when you visit websites in this category.
   • Ask. The app displays a notification and prompts you to turn on a secure connection when you visit websites in this category.

     Allow Kaspersky app to send you notifications. Otherwise, the app will not be able to warn you and offer to establish a secure connection. For information on configuring notifications, please refer to your OS documentation.

   • Do nothing. The app does not turn on a secure connection when you visit websites in this category.
7. Tap Apply.

Setting VPN rules for unsecured Wi-Fi networks

Kaspersky app evaluates the security status of a Wi-Fi network. You can set up the app to turn on secure connection for the Wi-Fi networks that are considered to be unsecured.

To configure automatic turning on of a secure connection for unsecured Wi-Fi networks:

1. Open VPN.
2. Tap Settings > Smart Protection.
3. Tap For unsecured Wi-Fi networks and select one of the following options:
   • Ask. The app displays a notification and prompts you to turn on a secure connection when you are connecting to an unsecured Wi-Fi network.

     Allow Kaspersky app to send you notifications. Otherwise, the app will not be able to warn you and offer to establish a secure connection. For information on configuring notifications, please refer to your OS documentation.

   • Secure the connection. The app turns on a secure connection when you are connecting to an unsecured Wi-Fi network.
   • Do nothing. The app does not display a notification and does not turn on a secure connection when you are connecting to an unsecured Wi-Fi network.
4. Tap Apply.

Setting VPN rules for known Wi-Fi networks

If you regularly connect your device to a specific Wi-Fi network, you can preconfigure secure connection settings for that network.

To configure automatic activation of a secure connection for known Wi-Fi networks:

1. Open VPN.
2. Tap Settings > Smart Protection.
3. Tap For known Wi-Fi networks.

   A list of known Wi-Fi networks is displayed. If there are no known Wi-Fi networks, the list is empty.

4. Select the Wi-Fi network for which you want to configure secure connection settings.
5. Select an action for this network:
   • Do as for unsecured. When you connect your device to this Wi-Fi network, the application uses the settings specified for unsecured Wi-Fi networks. This applies to known networks that are unsecured. If the network is secure, the app does nothing.
   • Secure the connection. When you connect your device to this Wi-Fi network, the application turns on a secure connection.
   • Do nothing. When you connect your device to this Wi-Fi network, the application does not turn on a secure connection.
6. Tap Apply.

Choosing the virtual server

About the virtual server

The virtual server defines your virtual location as being in the selected country. You can select a virtual server in the app's interface. You will appear to be in the selected country to the websites and apps you open.

If you want to appear to the Internet as a visitor from a different country, you can change the country specified in the virtual server settings.

You can select a specific country for visiting online shops or social networks, or configure a secure connection for a specific website or app. The secure connection settings for websites take priority over the settings specified for website categories.

If you are using the free version, you can't select the virtual server. The virtual server is always selected automatically.

Kaspersky app at the moment supports the following VPN server locations.

Changing the virtual server

To change the virtual server:

1. Open VPN.
2. Tap the current country name.
3. Select the new location.

If you want the app to select the fastest server automatically, select the The fastest server option.

If you are using the free version, you can't select the virtual server. The virtual server is always selected automatically.

Configuring change of the virtual server

When you switch between apps, websites or website categories with different virtual server settings, you can configure which server Kaspersky app uses—the current one, or the one specified for the app or website you are opening now.

You can configure the change of the virtual server if you are using the unlimited version.

To configure the change of the virtual server:

1. Open VPN.
2. Tap Settings > Smart Protection.
3. Tap Which VPN server to use.
4. Specify which action Kaspersky app takes if you switch between apps, websites or website categories for which specific virtual servers are configured:
   • From the settings. The app changes your virtual location based on which location you specified for the app or website you are opening now.
   • Current server. The app does not change your virtual location. You continue using the current virtual server.
   • Ask. The app shows a notification where you can specify whether or not to change your virtual location.

     If you choose not to change the virtual server for the specified website or app, the app will not ask to change the server for this website or app for the next 6 hours.

Protecting data if a secure connection is lost

When you turn on a VPN, your data is reliably protected while you surf the Internet. However, if the VPN connection drops, your data will be unprotected, and attackers can steal it. For example, while you're walking around a shopping mall, your phone switches from one Wi-Fi connection to another. Each time this happens, it takes Kaspersky VPN a few seconds to protect your new connection.

To ensure that your data is always protected, use Kill Switch. Kill Switch will cut off data transfer over the Internet when the VPN is reconnecting. Your Internet connection will be restored as soon as the VPN turns on.

By default, Kill Switch is turned off and Kaspersky VPN does not block your Internet access if the VPN connection is interrupted.

To protect your data, Kill Switch blocks data transfer via the Internet entirely, until the VPN is restored.

To use Kill Switch, you must turn on VPN restoration after a disruption.

To turn on Kill Switch:

1. Open VPN.
2. In the Settings section, enable Kill Switch.
3. The app may prompt you to turn on VPN restoration after a disruption and to grant the required permissions. Follow the instructions in the app interface.

The application will block your Internet access if the VPN connection is interrupted. You will be back online as soon as the VPN connection is restored.

Viewing the statistics of secure traffic use on My Kaspersky

You can view the statistics of secure traffic use on My Kaspersky.

To view the statistics:

1. Sign in to My Kaspersky.
2. Go to the Devices section.
3. In the Devices section, select the device on which Kaspersky app is installed.
4. Click the Statistics button in the app panel.

   The secure connection usage report for the current day is displayed. The connection time and virtual server are also displayed under the report.

Restrictions for the use of Kaspersky VPN

It is prohibited to use Kaspersky VPN for the following purposes:

• For any purpose that violates any applicable local, national or international legislation or regulation of the country in which the VPN server is located or in which the application is used.
• For the purpose of inflicting harm or attempting to inflict harm on minors by using any means.
• For the purpose of improperly using the application and intentionally deploying malicious computer software or any other similar code fragments that are malicious and/or inflict technological damage.
• For the purpose of reverse engineering, decompiling, disassembly, modification, interpretation, or any attempts to reveal the source code of the application or to create derivative operations.
• For the purpose of obtaining unauthorized access, interfering with or inflicting damage on the application. Any such violation will be reported to the appropriate authorized executive agencies, and we will assist such agencies in revealing your identity. If such a violation occurs, your rights to use the application will be immediately terminated.
• For the purpose of uploading, publishing, emailing or otherwise transferring any content aimed at provoking behavior that is unlawful, dangerous, threatening, violent, intended for harassment, dishonest, demeaning, immoral, indecent, defamatory, encroaching on the sanctity of privacy, malicious or racist, instigating ethnic or other conflicts, or any content that is likely to provoke such behavior.
• For the purpose of pretending to be any other person or legal entity or to otherwise distort your personal identity or association with a legal entity in cases where such identification is required or is stipulated by applicable legislation.
• For the purpose of falsifying or manipulating means of identification in order to conceal the original source of any content transmitted over VPN systems.
• For the purpose of uploading, publishing, emailing or otherwise transferring any content that infringes on any party's rights to any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, or other intellectual property.
• For the purpose of uploading, publishing, emailing or otherwise transferring any unwanted or unauthorized announcements or advertising materials, such as "junk mail", "spam", "chain letters", or "pyramid schemes".
• For the purpose of interfering with or incapacitating VPN systems and/or VPN servers and/or VPN networks, or violating any of the requirements, procedures, policies, or rules of networks connected to VPN systems.
• For the purpose of collecting and storing personal data of other users without their knowledge.
• For the purpose of distributing information that incites unlawful activity, or that promotes the infliction of physical damage or injury to any group of people or individuals, or that promotes any act of violence against animals.

Kaspersky is not a provider of VPN (Virtual Private Network) services. If access to specific websites or services is limited in the VPN service provider's region, you will not be able to access these websites and services through the Kaspersky VPN feature.