Military Space News
CYBER WARS
US bans Russia's Kaspersky antivirus software
US bans Russia's Kaspersky antivirus software
by AFP Staff Writers
Washington (AFP) June 20, 2024

President Joe Biden's administration on Thursday banned Russia-based cybersecurity firm Kaspersky from providing its popular antivirus products in the United States over national security concerns, the US Commerce Department said.

"Kaspersky will generally no longer be able to, among other activities, sell its software within the United States or provide updates to software already in use," the agency said in a statement.

The announcement came after a lengthy investigation found Kaspersky's "continued operations in the United States presented a national security risk due to the Russian Government's offensive cyber capabilities and capacity to influence or direct Kaspersky's operations," it said.

US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said "Russia has shown time and again they have the capability and intent to exploit Russian companies, like Kaspersky Lab, to collect and weaponize sensitive US information."

Kaspersky, in a statement to AFP, said the Commerce Department "made its decision based on the present geopolitical climate and theoretical concerns," and vowed to "pursue all legally available options to preserve its current operations and relationships."

"Kaspersky does not engage in activities which threaten US national security and, in fact, has made significant contributions with its reporting and protection from a variety of threat actors that targeted US interests and allies," the company said.

The move is the first such action taken since an executive order issued under Donald Trump's presidency gave the Commerce Department the power to investigate whether certain companies pose a national security risk.

Raimondo said the Commerce Department's actions demonstrated to America's adversaries that it would not hesitate to act when "their technology poses a risk to the United States and its citizens."

While Kaspersky is headquartered in Moscow, it has offices in 31 countries around the world, servicing more than 400 million users and 270,000 corporate clients in more than 200 countries, the Commerce Department said.

As well as banning the sale of Kaspersky's antivirus software, the Commerce Department also added three entities linked to the firm to a list of companies deemed to be a national security concern, "for their cooperation with Russian military and intelligence authorities in support of the Russian government's cyber intelligence objectives."

The Commerce Department said it "strongly encouraged" users to switch to new vendors, although its decision does not ban them from using the software should they choose to do so.

Kaspersky is allowed to continue certain operations in the United States, including providing antivirus updates, until September 29 this year, "in order to minimize disruption to US consumers and businesses and to give them time to find suitable alternatives," it added.

Related Links
Cyberwar - Internet Security News - Systems and Policy Issues

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
CYBER WARS
UN raises alarm over AI-fuelled Holocaust denial and distortion
Paris (AFP) June 18, 2024
AI technology is helping to create false stories about World War II atrocities including Holocaust denial, risking an "explosive spread of anti-Semitism", the UN warned Tuesday. The UN's education and culture body UNESCO called for governments and tech companies to introduce ethical safeguards around AI technology, and for schools to spread the word about the risks of AI-generated content. UNESCO's report highlighted instances where hackers had rigged chatbots to spread Nazi ideology, and others ... read more

CYBER WARS
US to fast-track Ukraine anti-air missile deliveries

Romania to send Patriot missile system to Ukraine

Ukraine's backers struggle to provide air-defence systems

Washington to send new Patriot missile system to Ukraine: US media

CYBER WARS
Suspected North Korean hypersonic missile explodes in mid-flight, Seoul says

Russia hits Odesa as Kremlin warns US after Ukrainian strike on Crimea

Russia blames US for missile attack on Crimea

Ukraine missile attack on Crimea kills 2, wounds 22: Moscow-appointed governor

CYBER WARS
Drone Racing Tests AI Systems for Future Space Missions

New Cargo Drone HH-100 Completes First Flight

Russia, Ukraine exchange drone, missile attacks

Drone tests radar system for planetary landings

CYBER WARS
SES Space and Defense Successfully Demonstrates Multi-orbit, Multi-band LEO Relay

Iridium Secures Five-Year $94 Million Contract with Space Systems Command

EchoStar secures contract to provide 5G to US Navy and agencies

China launches communication test satellites into medium-Earth orbit

CYBER WARS
U.S. strongly denies Netanyahu's claim weapons to Israel have been blocked

Chad ammo depot blaze kills nine, wounds dozens

Chad ammo depot blaze kills nine, wounds dozens

One dead, eight wounded in blast at Czech military base

CYBER WARS
China protests EU sanctions on firms with Russian war links

Putin warns South Korea against sending weapons to Ukraine: 'Very big mistake'

China's Xi vows to boost crackdown on corruption in military

French tech giant Atos's top shareholder drops rescue offer

CYBER WARS
Rutte: Cycling 'Trump whisperer' set to steer NATO in wobbly times

Trump to Putin: what key challenges face Rutte at NATO?

Trump to Putin: what key challenges face Rutte at NATO?

NATO names Dutch PM Rutte as next boss

CYBER WARS
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.