Question Kaspersky software banned by US

[punkncat]

article here:

US Bans Kaspersky Software

Using a Trump-era authority, the US Commerce Department has banned the sale of Kaspersky’s antivirus tools to new customers in the US, citing alleged threats to national security.

www.wired.com

Apparently poses a security risk, as many of us following along have been saying for a while now.

 

[COLGeek]

Yep, this is old news.

 

[punkncat]

Yep, this is old news.

I was aware of continued information about the suspicion that it was phoning home, but was not aware that the sale or distribution of said had previously been banned by the US. The article is dated yesterday. Strange.

 

[COLGeek]

Likely an update to previous policies. Goes back to 2017. More here.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/biden-ban-us-sales-kaspersky-software-over-ties-russia-source-says-2024-06-20/

 

[MJS WARLORD]

i had 2 yrs left on my Kaspersky when ukraine got invade , i dumped it the same day and now use ESET

 

[Cilantro7536]

I was aware of continued information about the suspicion that it was phoning home, but was not aware that the sale or distribution of said had previously been banned by the US. The article is dated yesterday. Strange.

Ban to US federal agencies has dated to 2017. Now banned to provide the crucial services to other US markets as well. If carried through and no workaround, seem likely to be dead security products in the US and other countries that may follow suit. This will also likely convince some more consumers in other countries not to use the products as well.

 

[cAllen]

Not looking for hate mail, but having tried the other security softwares (including the new Defender) I found that using/testing Kaspersky with Malwarebytes provides the best protection hands down. Please show me where there have been actual cases where Kaspersky failed and/or was used for evil intent...other than Russian paranoid.

Thanks.

 

[Cilantro7536]

Please show me where there have been actual cases where Kaspersky failed and/or was used for evil intent...other than Russian paranoid.

Don't you think this is an unanswerable question? How would an average / (or even a ) technical person know that their secrets have been lifted by one of the national intelligence agencies via the all-powerful AV software? So it's going to come down to, this company/government says, and this other company/government says.

For some, maybe it's just a question of which political systems are more repugnant than the others. It's good that these products are available in American, European, Russian, Chinese, etc. flavors.

 

[35below0]

Not looking for hate mail, but having tried the other security softwares (including the new Defender) I found that using/testing Kaspersky with Malwarebytes provides the best protection hands down. Please show me where there have been actual cases where Kaspersky failed and/or was used for evil intent...other than Russian paranoid.

Thanks.

It's been an open secret for almost a decade. Legislation is just catching up to reality.
If you had a good experience, good for you.

 

[Exdeus]

Not looking for hate mail, but having tried the other security softwares (including the new Defender) I found that using/testing Kaspersky with Malwarebytes provides the best protection hands down. Please show me where there have been actual cases where Kaspersky failed and/or was used for evil intent...other than Russian paranoid.

Thanks.

Feel free to give this a read. Kaspersky obtained (three letter agency) toolkits through its AV software. They claim to have deleted it, but the tools leaked.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/kaspersky-we-inadvertently-downloaded-nsa-hacking-tools

Article also outlines the infection and a method of stealing the tools as well. It’s all up to who you want to believe, I suppose.

 

[cAllen]

Sounds like Kaspersky was shown effective against our own .gov hacks to me.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Video information on the new ban:

View: https://youtu.be/7XjH0EVVMeM

 

[cAllen]

Well...looks like it's time to wipe and redo everything...again. Anyone care to make a recommendation "with citation" to replace it...aside from Defender. Still going to use Malwarebytes Premium.

Sorry mods.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

ESET Internet Security or Bitdefender Internet Security.

 

[cAllen]

Thank you. Doing the research.

 

[BKramer]

What happens to time already left or products already purchased. My Kaspersky subscription runs out in August, but in anticipation of that I purchased a year code for 5 devices 2 months ago that hasn't been activated yet. Am I just out that money now?

EDIT: Update to the situation, I went through Amazon support and requested a support call for a digital purchase. After explaining the situation to the representative he was able to make an exception for a refund (which was needed as the purchase was past 30 days ago). So if anyone is in a similar situation and got your code on Amazon, it is possible to get a refund.

 

[Ralston18]

Relevant questions.

No answer per se.

How much money?

Contact Kaspersky and request a refund. The worst they can do is to say no but I would expect that that would draw even more unfavorable attention and further scrutiny.

How did you make payment - credit card? One time payment or some monthly billing?

If applicable check with your credit card company - you may be able to stop or dispute the payment via some theft or fraud provision.

Check your homeowner's insurance if and as applicable.

There may be some recovery options there.

And keep an eye out for additional stories and reports. Very unlikely that you are the only person/entity seeking a refund.

Good luck.

 

[BKramer]

Relevant questions.

No answer per se.

How much money?

Contact Kaspersky and request a refund. The worst they can do is to say no but I would expect that that would draw even more unfavorable attention and further scrutiny.

How did you make payment - credit card? One time payment or some monthly billing?

If applicable check with your credit card company - you may be able to stop or dispute the payment via some theft or fraud provision.

Check your homeowner's insurance if and as applicable.

There may be some recovery options there.

And keep an eye out for additional stories and reports. Very unlikely that you are the only person/entity seeking a refund.

Good luck.

My purchase was on Amazon using Amazon gift card balance. I called them and was able to get a refund pretty quickly. Those are good suggestions for others who may have gone a different route. I suspect many may have coverage time left with Kaspersky.