US Gov announces upcoming ban of Kaspersky antivirus software for US customers—including future updates—citing an 'unacceptable risk to national security'

Businessman working on laptop with virtual screen. Online documentation database, IT consultant being set up Virtual Document Management System with a laptop, Software for archiving corporate files.
(Image credit: SmileStudioAP via Getty Images)

Kaspersky Lab, Inc, the US subsidiary of the popular Russia-based antivirus software and cybersecurity company Kaspersky, has just felt the wrath of the US government. The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced on Thursday that it will be banning Kaspersky from "directly or indirectly providing antivirus software and cybersecurity products or services in the United States or to US persons."

The ban doesn't just apply to the sale of Kaspersky products, but also means that US customers will not receive updates to existing versions of Kaspersky software in general (via Bleeping Computer). Any US customers affected will need to switch to alternative antivirus and security software to stay protected from future threats.

As of midnight ET on July 20, 2024, Kaspersky will be banned from entering into new agreements with US customers, while updates will be prohibited from midnight ET, September 29.

Several reasons are given for the ban, primary of which is the assertion that Kaspersky is subject to the jurisdiction of the Russian government, and is therefore required to comply with requests for information. The BIS says that this could lead to the exploitation of access to sensitive information on devices using Kaspersky's software.

"Russia has shown time and again they have the capability and intent to exploit Russian companies, like Kaspersky Lab, to collect and weaponize sensitive U.S. information, and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to safeguard U.S. national security and the American people" said US Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo.

"Today’s action, our first use of the Commerce Department’s ICTS authorities, demonstrates Commerce's role in support of our national defence and shows our adversaries we will not hesitate to act when their technology poses a risk to the United States and its citizens."

Kaspersky Lab has repeatedly been accused of ties with the Russian government, allegations that it has strongly denied. In September 2017, the US federal government ordered government agencies to remove any Kaspersky Lab products from their internal systems, while the UK National Cyber Security Centre had previously warned UK government departments to avoid using any Russian-based antivirus software, citing similar concerns.

This, however, is a significant escalation, and a nationwide US ban on products for consumer use is a mark against any company's international reputation. While Kaspersky's AV has long been lauded as an effective antivirus solution—and often performs extremely well in independent testing—these latest developments are likely to shake confidence in the software for users worldwide.

Best gaming PCBest gaming laptop


Best gaming PC: The top pre-built machines.
Best gaming laptop: Great devices for mobile gaming.

Andy Edser
Hardware Writer

Andy built his first gaming PC at the tender age of 12, when IDE cables were a thing and high resolution wasn't—and he hasn't stopped since. Now working as a hardware writer for PC Gamer, Andy's been jumping around the world attending product launches and trade shows, all the while reviewing every bit of PC hardware he can get his hands on. You name it, if it's interesting hardware he'll write words about it, with opinions and everything.

Read more
TP-Link AXE75 Wi-Fi 6E router
US congressman calls again for the government to ban Chinese-made TP-Link routers: 'I would not have that in my home'
Three Magikarp Pokémon
The FBI used self-destruct on malware infecting over 4,000 US computers, it's super effective
The Buffalo RUF3-KEV USB drive on a red-orange gradient
This USB flash drive has a built-in anti-malware system, but I still wouldn't use one I found in a parking lot
An FBI wanted poster for alleged hacker Zhou Shuai.
US Justice Dept announces $10 million bounty on at-large 'hacker-for-hire' cabal it says targeted China critics, religious missionaries, and the Treasury
America to the rescue
US pressures Malaysia to stop banned AI chips potentially entering China by monitoring 'every shipment that comes to Malaysia when it involves Nvidia chips'
The TikTok app with Donald Trump ranting behind it.
So is the US banning TikTok or not? The Supreme Court says go for it, but it's up to Trump now: 'You're going to see what I'm going to do'
Latest in Security
An FBI wanted poster for alleged hacker Zhou Shuai.
US Justice Dept announces $10 million bounty on at-large 'hacker-for-hire' cabal it says targeted China critics, religious missionaries, and the Treasury
Kinzie, in an FBI jacket, uses a computer with the logo of the Third Street Saints on it
Have I Been Pwned adds over 284 million compromised passwords from latest breach
A still from a YouTube video of Senator Mark Warner speaking
Telecoms hack on US government officials is 'worst in nations history' and 'the barn door is still wide open' says senator
HDMI cable
Hackers can wirelessly spy on your display by collecting HDMI signal leaks and churning them through an AI, but I wouldn't break out the tin foil just yet
Computer code and text displayed on computer screens. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
Forcing users to periodically change their passwords should go the way of the dodo according to the US government
An original Apple Macintosh Model M0001, as they celebrate 40th anniversary, is on display in between 2024 Apple models at the independent Apple products store chain Amac, on January 24, 2024 in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Based on the Motorola 68000 microprocessor, the Macintosh was the first successful mouse-driven computer with a graphical user interface.
Major browser providers scramble to patch an 18-year-old vulnerability affecting MacOS and Linux systems but Windows remains gloriously immune
Latest in News
Image of Ronaldo from Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves trailer
It doesn't really make sense that soccer star Ronaldo is now a Fatal Fury character, but if you follow the money you can see how it happened
Junah beginning a battle in Metaphor: ReFantazio.
Today's RPG fans are 'very sensitive to feeling like they wasted time' when they die, says Metaphor: ReFantazio battle planner—but Atlus still made combat hard anyway
Image of Cersei Lanniser from Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Steam early access trailer
A new Game of Thrones RPG is coming to Steam today with a cast of 'familiar faces,' which is good because it's really the only way to tell it's a GoT game at all
The new Prime Asset featured in the upcoming update for the Outlast Trials.
The Outlast Trials puts its already paranoid players under surveillance for a time-limited story event
A Viera looking confused in Final Fantasy 14.
Old armor continues to fall victim to Final Fantasy 14's bizarre two-channel dye system, unless you're super into changing the colour of teeny-tiny eyelets: 'Why even bother at this point?'
Starfield: Shattered Space
By the time Bethesda was on Starfield, you'd 'basically get in trouble' for breaking schedule, says former dev: 'A lot of the great stuff within Skyrim came from having the freedom to do what you want'