Kaspersky is offering U.S. consumers six months of free security software as a farewell gift after the U.S. government added the company to the Entity List, leading to the closure of its U.S. operations and layoffs. The ban, effective September 29, will prevent automatic updates, requiring users to manually install them, potentially compromising security. Kaspersky is shifting focus to other regions like Asia and South America.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has banned Kaspersky software, preventing it from providing updates to U.S. customers. Despite the prevalence of third-party antivirus software, built-in protections like Microsoft Defender are now highly effective, making additional paid antivirus programs largely unnecessary. Older Americans are more likely to pay for these services out of habit, but modern default protections are sufficient for most users.
The Biden administration is preparing to issue an order preventing US companies and citizens from using software made by Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab over national security concerns, using Commerce Department authorities to prohibit certain products and services in the US. This move, if finalized, would be unprecedented and aims to mitigate risks to critical US infrastructure, with officials alleging that the Russian government could force Kaspersky Lab to hand over data or use its software for hacking or surveillance. The pending action signals a new era in which the Commerce Department will be more willing to intervene in the name of protecting national security, while Kaspersky Lab denies any unethical ties or affiliations with the Russian government.
