Question Should we continue using Kaspersky software?

[jonathan1683]

Hello I have been using kaspersky anti virus suites for as long as I can remember and have it on about 5 devices and I have always installed it on pc builds I have done for people I know. I know it is one of the best available, but now with all the threats of cyber warfare with Russia do you think it could be a potential threat? If so what software would you consider comparable? Maybe someone has researched this a bit more and has some insight on it?

Thank you!

 

[Ralston18]

This:

"If it does turn out to be true that Kaspersky is sharing information to Russia, they can face a heavy lawsuit. "

Lawsuits at that level (full disclosure, I am not a lawyer) are meaningless from the beginning. Nothing substantial will happen and even if something does happen then that would be years away....

And with all that is going on these days a lawsuit now means nothing to many individuals as individuals or as heading up companies and countries.

Everywhere.

Certainly not to most of the "leadership" likely to be involved. They do not care. And it is very difficult, if possible at all, to force things otherwise.

 

[WrongRookie]

I'm just trying to say if TC feels it's not worth it because of the data being shared from the pc to Russia, that is just not how the software should be judged on. And if tc likes the software then there is nothing wrong sticking with it.

Sure I get it companies don't care about you who but their products. But there are laws that you can fight for if they do violate it and even if it doesn't work out, atleast your voice is heard. That's the point I'm trying to make.

I guess you can ask around to those who have Kaspersky and see what they think.

 

[USAFRet]

I'm just trying to say if TC feels it's not worth it because of the data being shared from the pc to Russia, that is just not how the software should be judged on. And if tc likes the software then there is nothing wrong sticking with it.

I guess you can ask around to those who have Kaspersky and see what they think.

Software, and anything else, should be judged on everything it does.

It might be the greatest AV on the planet (it isn't). But if it also does something weird, that's not good.

For instance, an AV suite that also installs a crypto mining function.
Extra baggage. Unwanted baggage.
Avira and Norton do this.


For Kaspersky in particular...

Kaspersky permanently banned from providing services to the US government - SiliconANGLE

Kaspersky permanently banned from providing services to the US government - SiliconANGLE

siliconangle.com

 

[Eximo]

When I worked at a large company with government contracts, and the US government announced their suspicion of every network and cellular tech from Huawei and ZTE we had to scramble. All the employees in China, India, AUS, etc were using pretty much only that. I think the entire network was Cisco (which if you believe wikileaks, have backdoors for the CIA) but all those personal devices and mobile hotspots and cellular modems had to be phased out. I believe the US also convinced the UK to give up their contracts with them.

 

[digitalgriffin]

I'm just trying to say if TC feels it's not worth it because of the data being shared from the pc to Russia, that is just not how the software should be judged on. And if tc likes the software then there is nothing wrong sticking with it.

Sure I get it companies don't care about you who but their products. But there are laws that you can fight for if they do violate it and even if it doesn't work out, atleast your voice is heard. That's the point I'm trying to make.

I guess you can ask around to those who have Kaspersky and see what they think.

Kaspersky is good antivirus.
It's also Russian.

Obviously you like to play With Russians. Why don't we play a game of Russian roulette. You first. Obviously I'm joking. But you are dealing with the same odds that your computer won't be used for something malicious.

 

[KyaraM]

When I worked at a large company with government contracts, and the US government announced their suspicion of every network and cellular tech from Huawei and ZTE we had to scramble. All the employees in China, India, AUS, etc were using pretty much only that. I think the entire network was Cisco (which if you believe wikileaks, have backdoors for the CIA) but all those personal devices and mobile hotspots and cellular modems had to be phased out. I believe the US also convinced the UK to give up their contracts with them.

Yeah, that policy affected my company as well, due to government contracts. Even outside US like my own workplace was affected. Thankfully we didn't use any of their devices, but if we had, we would have had to switch out everything. Now with Kaspersky, it does impact the company, though in a minor way, thankfully.

 

[WrongRookie]

Kaspersky is good antivirus.
It's also Russian.

Obviously you like to play With Russians. Why don't we play a game of Russian roulette. You first. Obviously I'm joking. But you are dealing with the same odds that your computer won't be used for something malicious.

Ok I get it then. I suppose those who have done the antivirus should lose their jobs even if they did a great job of making a reliable antivirus. Its almost saying like any product from DeepCool should not be bought because of them being a Chinese company and the Chinese are just as bad as Russians going by this logic.

Anyways..I guess I'll rephrase my statement to TC for the sake of the argument ends. I suppose if you feel suspicious about it or in this case, uncomfortable in this, then unsubscribe Kaspersky.

 

[USAFRet]

Ok I get it then. I suppose those who have done the antivirus should lose their jobs even if they did a great job of making a reliable antivirus. Its almost saying like any product from DeepCool should not be bought because of them being a Chinese company and the Chinese are just as bad as Russians going by this logic.

Anyways..I guess I'll rephrase my statement to TC for the sake of the argument ends. I suppose if you feel suspicious about it or in this case, uncomfortable in this, then unsubscribe Kaspersky.

No, thats not the way this works.

There is a distinct possibility that government entities (Russian) have induced (forced) Kaspersky and its developers to include code in their software that may transmit data for things other than AV related info, back to home base.

I'm quite sure that various entities around the world would be interested in the contents of files named "F35_Engine_Specs" or SurreyPowerPlantPerformance.docx".

Maybe not even the content...just the names of certain files may lead to deeper targeted investigation, to that particular system or person.

Is this actually happening? No idea.
But it might.


In light of many many other AV tools available, this is why the US govt has banned that particular company from govt and contractor systems.

You can use it all you want.
I wouldn't. Then again, I never did before.

 

[USAFRet]

Similarly, if a "company" based in North Korea came out with the bestest ever antivirus tool...that would also be banned.

 

[digitalgriffin]

No, thats not the way this works.

There is a distinct possibility that government entities (Russian) have induced (forced) Kaspersky and its developers to include code in their software that may transmit data for things other than AV related info, back to home base.

I'm quite sure that various entities around the world would be interested in the contents of files named "F35_Engine_Specs" or SurreyPowerPlantPerformance.docx".

Maybe not even the content...just the names of certain files may lead to deeper targeted investigation, to that particular system or person.

Is this actually happening? No idea.
But it might.


In light of many many other AV tools available, this is why the US govt has banned that particular company from govt and contractor systems.

You can use it all you want.
I wouldn't. Then again, I never did before.

Not only that, but your computer could be used as a relay for more dangerous attacks. The purpose of which is to hide the origin of said traffic. I'm not just talking DDOS. Key example: STUXNET.