TLDR:

• US bans the sale of antivirus software made by Moscow-based cybersecurity company Kaspersky due to security concerns.
• The ban will take effect on July 20, with existing users able to receive software updates until September 29.

The US Department of Commerce stated that Kaspersky’s operations in the US posed a national security risk due to the Russian government’s cyber capabilities and influence on the company. As a result, Kaspersky will no longer be able to sell its software in the US or provide updates to existing users.

US Bans Russian Company Kaspersky’s Software Over Security Concerns

The US has announced a ban on the sale of antivirus software made by Moscow-based cybersecurity company Kaspersky. The decision was based on concerns regarding national security risks posed by the company’s operations in the US, stemming from the Russian government’s offensive cyber capabilities and potential influence on Kaspersky’s operations.

Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo emphasized that Russia has demonstrated the intent and capability to exploit Russian companies like Kaspersky Lab to gather and weaponize sensitive US information, prompting the ban on the sale of Kaspersky software in the US, effective July 20. Existing users will still receive software updates until September 29.

Although Kaspersky has denied any risk associated with its products and emphasized its status as a private global cybersecurity company with no government ties, the ban in the US reflects ongoing concerns about potential vulnerabilities and security threats.

Notably, the ban on using Kaspersky software on government devices in the US has been in place since 2017, with Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security also cautioning against its use. With the ban on sales in the US, private and professional users are advised to seek alternative antivirus software to mitigate potential risks to their cybersecurity.