Kaspersky has unveiled its 2014 versions of Kaspersky Anti-Virus and Kaspersky Internet Security. And although they look much like the previous editions, the new builds have plenty of new and enhanced features to offer.

The big Internet Security news is probably the introduction of Trusted Applications Mode, a new whitelisting scheme in which only known safe programs are allowed to run. If you generally use the same set of applications (that is, you’re not forever downloading and trying out new programs) this can be a very effective way of blocking even brand new, previously undiscovered malware.

Both Kaspersky Anti-Virus and Internet Security now include new protection against ransomware. If your system is locked, and malware demands payment for it to be released, then you may now be able to regain control by pressing a specific hotkey.

The interface may be much the same, but there are worthwhile new features just beneath the surface

Elsewhere, the Parental Controls system now includes a permissions system to decide who can run particular games and applications.

Safe Money automatically protects your transactions with even more online banks and web stores, while also allowing you to choose your preferred browser.

And a stronger focus on performance brings a host of welcome benefits. The applications start more quickly; GUI performance has been improved; resource use is down; and the system switches to a new “limited activity” mode when your PC is idle, so reducing its workload and helping to extend battery life.

This isn’t always quite as straightforward as we’d like. Kaspersky says that Trusted Applications Mode may be missing or unavailable, for instance, depending on your region, provider, the file system of your hard drive, and whether various protection components are enabled. If this is a feature that interests you, be sure to check out the trial before you buy.

Otherwise, though, this seems to be a solid upgrade with a range of useful enhancements. If you’d like to check them out for yourself, then trials of Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2014 and Kaspersky Internet Security 2014 are available now.