VPN

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About VPN

Kaspersky VPN functionality is not available in some regions.

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.

Now you can use VPN in the upgraded all-in-one app — Kaspersky for iOS. This app has everything you need for your protection and privacy and it includes Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection functionality.

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 VPN Secure Connection, and you can delete this app.

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 VPN Secure Connection, you will have to configure the VPN settings manually.

About the subscription

If you have a My Kaspersky account with a 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.

Choosing the VPN version

The availability of the free version depends on your region.

You can use the free version of VPN or buy a subscription including unlimited VPN. You can buy or renew your subscription from the app.

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 VPN.

• In the free version, the secure connection will be disabled when the secure traffic limit is exceeded. The app notifies you when your secure connection has been disabled. You can wait the time specified in the main app window and then re-establish a secure connection. The amount of secure traffic displayed as used in the app may slightly differ from the amount actually used.
• In the unlimited version, your daily amount of secure traffic is not limited. Your subscription for the unlimited version may include either one or several devices. If your subscription works for several devices, connect them to one My Kaspersky account to share your subscription. On My Kaspersky, you can also disconnect the devices from your subscription.

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Turning on VPN

To turn on VPN:

1. Open Kaspersky app.
2. Turn it on in the VPN section

   A secure connection will be established. The secure connection state may change as the app operates.

Turning on VPN via Shortcuts

This feature is available only in the Plus and Premium subscription plans for the Kaspersky app.

Please note that the feature requires the Shortcuts app. If the Shortcuts app is not preinstalled on your device, you can find it in the App Store.

Voice activation with Siri

Quick start from the Shortcuts app

Automatic VPN connection

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Viewing the VPN 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 VPN.

To view the secure connection state and available secure traffic,

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

Switching to unlimited VPN

To switch to the unlimited version:

1. Open the Kaspersky app.
2. On the Home screen, turn on VPN.
3. Select a subscription.

   The App Store window will open in the app.

4. Confirm the purchase.

   The subscription details will be updated on My Kaspersky.

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

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 Wi-Fi Security Check

About Wi-Fi Security Check

Wi-Fi Security Check offers to turn on a secure connection when you connect to the internet via an unsecured Wi-Fi network. This way, you can enter your confidential data safely, for example, in a public Wi-Fi network.

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

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.

If you configured automatic activation of a secure connection or tapped Turn On for the unsecured Wi-Fi network without an internet connection, the app will check for an internet connection during one hour. If the app detects internet connection, a secure connection will be turned on. If the device is disconnected from this Wi-Fi network, the app will stop trying to turn on a secure connection on the device.

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 Kaspersky app.
2. Tap Profile > Settings > Wi-Fi Security Check settings.
3. Tap 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.

   • Turn On VPN. 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.

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 Kaspersky app.
2. Tap Profile > Settings > Wi-Fi Security Check settings.
3. Tap 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 unsecured known networks. If the network is secure, the app does nothing.
   • Turn On VPN. 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.

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.

Choosing the location

About the virtual location

Your virtual location is a simulated location that will be presented to the websites and apps you open, allowing you to keep your true location private. You can select this location in the app's interface.

If you want to appear to the internet as a visitor from a different country, you can change the country specified in the location settings.

By default, the app chooses the location automatically. Usually, the selected location provides the fastest connection.

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

Kaspersky app at the moment supports the following virtual locations.

Changing the location

To change the location:

1. Open Kaspersky app.
2. Select the VPN section.
3. Select the location.

   If you want the app to select a location with the fastest server automatically, select the Fastest Server option.

   To watch regional content in streaming services, select the recommended location.

If you prefer using specific locations, you can add them to your favorites for quick access.

To add the virtual location to your favorites:

1. Open Kaspersky app > VPN.
2. Find the desired location either by searching for it, or by scrolling the list of locations.
3. Tap the heart next to the location to add it to your favorites.

   You will see your favorite locations on the Favorites tab.

   To remove a location from your favorites, tap the heart next to the location.

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

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 app 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 app 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 Kaspersky app.
2. Go to Profile > Settings > VPN settings.
3. Turn on Kill Switch.
4. 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.

Selecting a VPN protocol

The speed and availability of VPN depend on the region you are connecting from. If you notice slower speeds or if VPN is unavailable, try using a different protocol.

You can select from 3 options:

• Auto

  This option lets the Kaspersky app select the optimal protocol for your current connection.

• Catapult Hydra

  This protocol works well for long-distance connections. Select it if your physical location is far from the virtual location you want to connect to.

• WireGuard

  This is a globally trusted open-source protocol that provides high connection speeds even on low-performance devices. The WireGuard protocol uses ChaCha20-Poly1305 data encryption.

To select a VPN protocol:

1. Open the Kaspersky app.
2. Go to Profile > Settings > VPN settings.
3. Scroll down to the Protocol card and tap it.
4. Tap the protocol you want to select.

   The protocol is changed.

Please note that the VPN connection must be turned off to change the protocol. If Phishing & Malware Filter or VPN are on, they will be turned off to change the protocol. You can turn these features back on after the protocol is changed.

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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.