US bans Kaspersky Products Citing "Security Risks"

It's probably been a decade since I've used third-party anti-viruses. You don't really need them as long as you don't do anything too stupid right? I've been on just Windows Defender for many many years now and still haven't gotten a single virus/malware. + It's probably just because of the fact that Kaspersky is headquartered in Russia rather than actual concrete evidence that its unsafe.

Translation: "It is hereby decreed that you plebs are only allowed to use CIA backdoored antivirus and not KGB backdoored antivirus."

bent in front of MIGHTY or they will banned you under any reason.

rootyme said:

For me it's completely unexpected. Kaspersky is an old and reliable software company that is highly regarded for its quality products. Should India be worried?

1. https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy...ll-ban-kaspersky-anti-virus-software-in-july/

2. https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-u...iting-security-risks-what-this-means-for-you/

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rootyme said:

For me it's completely unexpected.

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Been in the works for two years

At issue is the risk that the Kremlin could use the antivirus software, which has privileged access to a computer's systems, to steal sensitive information from American computers or tamper with them as tensions escalate between Moscow and the West

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Access to the networks of federal contractors and operators of critical U.S. infrastructure such as power grids are seen as particularly concerning

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In 2017, the Department of Homeland Security banned Kaspersky's flagship antivirus product from federal networks, alleging ties to Russian intelligence and noting a Russian law that lets its intelligence agencies compel assistance from Kaspersky and intercept communications transiting Russian networks.

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The perceived threat has taken on greater urgency since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, which Moscow describes as a "special military operation."

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rootyme said:

Should India be worried?

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Not until the government says so

They're Anti-Russia. So yeah, it was totally expected.
I've been using Kaspersky since almost 2 decades now. No plans to change but if I do I'd go to Bitdefender. They're the only 2 top ones.

Defender is CPU heavy and bad with ransomware and heuristics in my experience. If people feel it's enough then they're entitled to their opinion.

rootyme said:

So yeah, the only reason I used Kaspersky was to enjoy the UI.

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Haha, likewise! ESET too for that matter IIRC. It really gave a sense of "quality" back then amongst the competitors but it worked really in the heyday of my dangerous ventures.

I've moved from Norton → Kaspersky → Bitdefender → Kaspersky if I'm remembering right and ultimately settled on uBlock + Defender + Malwarebytes combo to work well enough for most of my needs these days.

Anyway, it's been a very long while since I have had to deal with an infected system.

I'm surprised it took them this long tbh. NSA must've flagged it as a security risk ages ago.

rootyme said:

Have only ever seen those pendrive autorun things which were easily detectable and mostly harmless.

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Well, that explains the "why" for the most part in my case*. And the fact that I seldom have to download any risky attachments.

Another reason might be that I've moved to macOS for most of my computing needs, while the PC is mainly for gaming. macOS doesn't get targeted as much as Windows.

nullpc said:

macOS doesn't get targeted as much as Windows.

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windows and virus was well thought business plan, which completed its product lifecycle.

rootyme said:

All of Kaspersky products have been taken down from the Google Play Store. Applicable worldwide including in India. It's not a bug. Crazy!

Is Kaspersky blocked / removed from Google Play?

When I searched for Kaspersky's apps on Google Play today, I didn't see any of them appear, and only other brands' antivirus. So I used my PC to check if Kaspersky was removed from the App Store as well, but everything is fine on App Store. Google Play: App Store: I know there's another method th...

forum.kaspersky.com

Only way to get Kaspersky is downloading the APK from their site or using other stores as mentioned on their official site.

Kaspersky Mobile Device Security – smartphone protection you can trust | Kaspersky

Protect your smartphone devices from malware, privacy breaches, financial fraud, and more with an award-winning Kaspersky Mobile Security plan.

www.kaspersky.co.in

*Kasperaky Antivirus is missing from the Samsung Galaxy Store as of typing this post.

For US users, Kaspersky AV now auto-removes itself and auto-installs UltraAV.

Kaspersky deletes itself, installs UltraAV antivirus without warning

Starting Thursday, Kaspersky deleted its anti-malware software from computers across the United States and replaced it with UltraAV's antivirus solution without warning.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

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Treasury Sanctions Kaspersky Lab Leadership in Response to Continued Cybersecurity Risks

As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

In addition, foreign financial institutions that conduct or facilitate significant transactions or provide any service involving Russia’s military-industrial base run the risk of being sanctioned by OFAC.