Popular antivirus software Kaspersky banned in the U.S. and consumers have until September 29, 2024 to find an alternative. This follows a June ban by the Biden administration of the anti-virus software from Kaspersky Lab, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of a Russ-based anti-virus software and cybersecurity company.
The official notice, released June 20, gave Kaspersky users 100 days to find an alternative and reads as follows:
“Today, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced a Final Determination prohibiting Kaspersky Lab, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of a Russia-based anti-virus software and cybersecurity company, from directly or indirectly providing anti-virus software and cybersecurity products or services in the United States or to U.S. persons.”
The ban, which applies to consumers, government and business organizations, includes security updates for existing customers.
The decision was made after a review of Kaspersky’s cybersecurity transactions and services in which the BIS found them to pose “unacceptable risks to U.S. national security and public safety.” BIS cited threats from the Russian Federation, vulnerabilities in Kaspersky products, and the potential for Russia to exploit these vulnerabilities as key risk factors.
This new decision sheds light on the advantage of utilizing U.S.-developed software solutions, such as Enfortra and its PII removal solution MyPrivacy360. Plus Enfortra’s identity theft protection solutions are backed by a $1,000,000 Identity Theft Policy with $0 Deductible (Underwritten by AIG).
Norton’s AntiVirus remains the top antivirus product, while McAfee is the most popular free third-party tool. Only about 3% of antivirus users were running Kaspersky software before this recent U.S. government ban.
The BIS statement further states that “The manipulation of Kaspersky software, including in U.S. critical infrastructure, can cause significant risks of data theft, espionage, and system malfunction. It can also risk the country’s economic security and public health, resulting in injuries or loss of life.”
The ban extends to resellers. As of September 29, resellers will no longer be able to sell Kaspersky products, while developers of third-party products will be barred from integrating any software designed or supplied by Kaspersky.
Kaspersky has been scrutinized by the U.S. government for its ties to Russia. In 2017, the US banned its products in government agencies. This is the first time Kaspersky products are banned for both consumer and business use in the U.S.
