Biden bans Kaspersky, the one antivirus software I could trust
From TikTok to Kaspersky, voters like me have far bigger topics we need the president to handle
Jobs (DEI specifically). Unemployment. War. Environment. Border control. Roe v. Wade and women’s right to choose. These are just a few topics that are priorities for me before the next election. And somehow companies that don’t bother me in the least keep coming up. While I can take or leave TikTok, I’m blindsided and disappointed by the recent Kaspersky Lab ban.
Kaspersky antivirus users may have found out two weeks ago that the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated 12 individuals in executive and senior leadership roles at AO Kaspersky Lab (Kaspersky Lab). And with this new leadership comes the following ban:
“Today’s action against the leadership of Kaspersky Lab underscores our commitment to ensure the integrity of our cyber domain and to protect our citizens against malicious cyber threats. The United States will take action where necessary to hold accountable those who would seek to facilitate or otherwise enable these activities.” - Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson
As a freelancer whose entire “black job” (I can only shake my head at Trump describing jobs and career fields for African Americans this way — among other questionable moments during the presidential debate) revolves almost exclusively around a computer, I have spent way too much money replacing or repairing a laptop with viruses on it even after installing McAfee and Norton Antivirus.
You know what software has helped me for well over a decade to vet and block viruses and questionable software? You know why I’ve never had a virus for more than a decade? Kaspersky — the antivirus software that President Joe Biden is blocking.
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Not only are Kaspersky’s annual cyberattack small business reports educational and interesting, but I can say firsthand that it’s one of few companies that I actively recommend. Regardless, the Department of Commerce has designated AO Kaspersky Lab and OOO Kaspersky Group (Russia), and Kaspersky Labs Limited (United Kingdom) on the Entity List for their (apparent) cooperation with Russian military and intelligence authorities in support of the Russian government’s cyber intelligence objectives.
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In addition to President Biden issuing an immediate ban on the sale of all Kaspersky security software in the U.S., this new ban also extends to current users. Starting September 29, existing consumers, government and business organizations can no longer use the product nor run security updates.
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Two months before an election, and now Kaspersky users have to scramble around to find antivirus software that was already working just fine. I can only speak for myself, but I have no desire to invest any money in Kaspersky's antivirus competitors. Been there. Done that. Paid royally for it.
Kaspersky’s take on the immediate ban
One day before the U.S. Department of Commerce released its official statement, Kaspersky published their own statement regarding the nationwide ban.
Kaspersky is aware of the decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce to prohibit the usage of Kaspersky software in the United States. The decision does not affect the company’s ability to sell and promote cyber threat intelligence offerings and/or trainings in the U.S.
Despite proposing a system in which the security of Kaspersky products could have been independently verified by a trusted 3rd party, Kaspersky believes that the Department of Commerce made its decision based on the present geopolitical climate and theoretical concerns, rather than on a comprehensive evaluation of the integrity of Kaspersky’s products and services.
Kaspersky does not engage in activities which threaten U.S. national security and, in fact, has made significant contributions with its reporting and protection from a variety of threat actors that targeted U.S. interests and allies. The company intends to pursue all legally available options to preserve its current operations and relationships.
So what now? PC Mag has tested a few other antivirus software options for 2024, also listing their pros and cons. Interestingly, Kaspersky is not on this year's list, which is why I would’ve ignored this countdown until today. For the next two months, I’ll be quietly watching “all legally available options” from Kaspersky before giving in to buy another software.
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