Kaspersky Banned in US: Biden Administration Bans Russian Company’s Antivirus Software Over Security Concerns
The US will ban the sale of antivirus software made by Moscow-based cybersecurity company Kaspersky.
Washington, June 21: The US will ban the sale of antivirus software made by Moscow-based cybersecurity company Kaspersky. The company's operations in the US presented a national security risk "due to the Russian government's offensive cyber capabilities and capacity to influence or direct Kaspersky's operations," the US Department of Commerce said in a statement on Thursday.
"Kaspersky will generally no longer be able to, among other activities, sell its software within the US or provide updates to software already in use." Private and professional users of Kaspersky's widely installed antivirus software should find an alternative due to the risk, the Department added. Russia's Putin to Visit North Korea Amid International Concerns over Their Military Cooperation
"Russia has shown time and again they have the capability and intent to exploit Russian companies, like Kaspersky Lab, to collect and weaponise sensitive US information, and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to safeguard US national security and the American people," Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said. The sale of Kaspersky software in the US will be banned from July 20. Biden and Zelenskyy Will Sign a Security Deal, as G7 Leaders Agree to Use Russian Cash to Help Kyiv
The Russian multinational will be able to provide software updates to existing users until September 29. Kaspersky's software is designed to protect users against trojans, spyware and other cyber threats. In the US, installation on government devices has been banned since 2017, and in Germany, the Federal Office for Information Security warns against using the software. Kaspersky has denied its products pose a risk, stating it is a private global cybersecurity company with no ties to the Russian government.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 21, 2024 08:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).