'Don't install Russian antivirus software Kaspersky,' German cybersecurity agency warns

The Federal Office for Information Technology and Safety (BSI) , a federal cybersecurity agency in Germany, has warned against installing the Russian-owned antivirus software Kaspersky, saying 'the reliability of the manufacturer is questionable'.

BSI --Presse --BSI warnt vor dem Einsatz von Kaspersky-Virenschutzprodukten
https://www.bsi.bund.de/DE/Service-Navi/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/Presse2022/220315_Kaspersky-Warnung.html

German citizens told to uninstall Kaspersky antivirus • The Register
https://www.theregister.com/2022/03/15/kaspersky_germany_antivirus/

Kaspersky Anti-Virus Software Risks Being Exploited by Russia, Germany Warns --Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-15/germany-warns-kaspersky-software-risks-being-exploited-by-russia

BSI said, 'Antivirus software, including real-time cloud services, has a wide range of system privileges, and for system-related reasons such as updates, it is necessary to send encrypted and unauditable communications to the manufacturer's server. In order to use the software safely, self-defense, reliability of the manufacturer, and trust in the correct operation of the software are important. If there is any doubt about the reliability of the manufacturer, antivirus software protects the IT infrastructure. It's a big risk. '

In addition, BSI said, 'Military and intelligence activities in Russia and the threats that Russia faces against the EU, NATO and Germany in the process of armed conflict are related to the great risk of IT attacks. Russian IT makers attack themselves. It could be active, unintentionally attack the target system, unknowingly spy on cyber attacks, or used as an attack tool, 'said Kaspersky in Russia. As long as it is a manufacturer of, it has shown an attitude that it should be cautious.

At the time of writing, there are no specific reports that Kaspersky Lab is being used in cyber attacks. In addition, Kaspersky founder Eugene Kaspersky CEO has not shown a positive attitude toward Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but rather said that he was 'shocked by Russia's invasion' and took a neutral attitude. Has stated.

Russian security company Kaspersky has released a statement showing its neutral attitude toward Russia's invasion of Ukraine --GIGAZINE

by Axel Bührmann

In 2017, the US Department of Homeland Security issued an order to discontinue the use of Kaspersky Lab products by government agencies for the same reasons as BSI.

US Department of Homeland Security orders government agencies to stop using Kaspersky Lab products for fear of Russia's influence-GIGAZINE

by David Orban