What the Tech: Why did U.S. ban Kaspersky software?
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The U.S. government has banned the sale of Kaspersky anti-virus software due to concerns about the company’s potential ties to the Russian government.
This move comes amid fears that Kaspersky could be compelled by Russian authorities to share sensitive information or even install malware on American computers.
Kaspersky was a highly recommended anti-virus program, known for its effectiveness in protecting computers from various threats.
However, its Russian origins have raised concerns, especially given the current geopolitical climate.
Anti-virus software has deep access to a computer’s files and can potentially be exploited to install malware or keyloggers.
This level of access, in the hands of a company with potential ties to a foreign government, poses a significant security risk.
The Department of Homeland Security removed Kaspersky software from all government computers in 2017. Now, the Biden istration is extending that ban to all sales within the US.
Senator Mark Warner, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, released a statement following the approval of the ban.
“We would never give an adversarial nation the keys to our networks or devices, so it’s crazy to think that we would continue to allow Russian software with the deepest possible device access to be sold to Americans,” said Warner.
If you’re using Kaspersky, it’s recommended to uninstall it and switch to a different anti-virus program. You can check for Kaspersky in your computer’s settings under “Apps.”
For a more thorough removal, consider using a program like Revo Uninstaller, which can scan for and delete hidden files that Kaspersky might have installed.
While Kaspersky denies any ties to the Russian government, the U.S. is taking no chances when it comes to national security.
The United States also sanctioned twelve of Kaspersky Lab’s board of executives for their suspected association with the Russian government.
The ban goes into effect in September allowing businesses and consumers to find an alternative.
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