)
Russia’s attack on Ukraine has brought the trustworthiness of Kaspersky, a Russian cyber security provider, into question. Due to the rising concerns, the US government issued a ban on Kaspersky products in USA in June 2024.
Kaspersky software has faced governmental restrictions starting from 2017. Such warnings, restrictions and even complete bans for Kaspersky products have currently been issued in the United States, the EU, Canada, Germany, the UK, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Italy.
United States ban on Kaspersky products due to national security risk
The ban issued on Kaspersky software by the United States in June 2024 is the latest turn of events in the controversy surrounding Kaspersky software. The US Bureau of Industry and Security issued a statement about the ban:
“Today’s Final Determination and Entity Listing are the result of a lengthy and thorough investigation, which found that the company’s continued operations in the United States presented a national security risk—due to the Russian Government’s offensive cyber capabilities and capacity to influence or direct Kaspersky’s operations.”
In the same statement they continued: “Any individual or business that continues to use Kaspersky products and services assumes all the cybersecurity and associated risks of doing so.”
Although Kaspersky has repeatedly denied any inappropriate connections to the Russian government, suspicions remain due to Russia's current geopolitical climate and use of cyber warfare tactics. The concerns center around the possibility of Russian intelligence agencies leveraging Kaspersky’s access to critical systems worldwide.
What the Kaspersky ban means for you
The ban poses a direct impact on current Kaspersky users in the US. Here’s what you need to consider if you are using Kaspersky software:
Updates and Support: With the ban in place, there is uncertainty about the continuation of updates and support for Kaspersky products in the US. While the company might continue to provide updates globally, there could be restrictions or disruptions for US users. This could potentially leave your system vulnerable to new threats if updates cease, posing risks to customer data.
Critical Infrastructure: The use of Kaspersky software in U.S. critical infrastructure highlights potential risks of data theft, espionage, and system malfunctions. Transitioning to new vendors is crucial to limit exposure of sensitive data and protect critical infrastructure from potential cybersecurity threats.
Compliance Issues: Businesses and federal contractors might face compliance issues if they continue using Kaspersky products. The ban implies that using Kaspersky could be against the law for entities operating under federal contracts or dealing with sensitive information related to national security, including sensitive data.
Performance Concerns: Although the performance of Kaspersky software isn’t in question, any disruptions in updates or support services could lead to reduced effectiveness over time. Staying updated is crucial for any cybersecurity tool to defend against evolving threats.
If you need to switch, choose the strongest and easiest option
The recent developments have forced many to reconsider their cyber security choices, seeking alternative providers.
If you have found yourself in this situation, you may want to make the switch as easy as possible. When switching, consider the following:
Comprehensive protection: Award-winning F‑Secure products provide comprehensive and customizable protection for all devices.
More than an antivirus: On top of malware and viruses, F‑Secure also protects you against online scams and identity theft, and keeps your money safe when banking and shopping online.
Ease of use: F‑Secure products are designed with the user in mind, offering easy-to-use features that make staying safe online accessible to everyone, regardless of technical expertise. This is backed with independent awards. F‑Secure has been awarded for best usability in 2024.
Commitment to privacy: Your privacy is backed by more than just our word. European privacy regulations ensure that your data is handled with the utmost care.
Proven track record: With over three decades of experience, F‑Secure is trusted by tens of millions of users globally.
Straightforward purchase: With F‑Secure, all you need is one app to cover all your PC, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
)
