Is Kaspersky still safe to use?

[qubit]

I've been using Kaspersky Internet Security for over 15 years now. It has been a great product with consistently great reviews and still works fine now. However, it did get banned by America on government computers in 2017 for alleged links to the Kremlin, as it's a Russian product. On top of that, now that Russia has actually invaded Ukraine, I don't feel quite so comfortable with using it so would like your opinions of whether I should continue or switch to something else and if you have any links to informed articles and reviews from reputable sites about it that would be great.

If I'm to change a/v products, then what do you recommend I replace it with?

Please vote in the poll and also explain your reasoning to help me and others reading this thread decide what to do.

UPDATE 06MAR2022

Thanks to all your replies and votes, I've decided to reluctantly ditch Kaspersky.

Also, I just did a bit of Googling around Kaspersky and found this article on Eugene Kaspersky's "neutral" position on the war and careful wording in a tweet. Given this and the furious response by the security industry, I think walking away now is simply a must, a no-brainer. What more evidence does one need short of a smoking gun that he and / or his company are likely to be compromised? Real shame though, so disappointed.

Looks like I'll go Norton 360 Deluxe off Amazon - a good, solid American company that I feel I can trust, with great reviews. Super cheap at just £12.19 for the download version I can't go wrong. Even if I decide to go with something else, it's not a lot of money to lose, but I probably won't switch.

Eugene Kaspersky's Statement Provokes Controversy Within Cybersecurity Industry

Eugene Kaspersky's statement on ongoing conflict in Ukraine provoked strong reaction from leading cybersecurity figures

www.infosecurity-magazine.com

 

[Solaris17]

I don't feel quite so comfortable with using it

With how close top tier products like kaspersky are with one another than the above is the only reason you need and geo politics shouldn't really be part of it.

Switch to something else.

 

[chrcoluk]

Windows Defender.

My issue would be that a/v software hooks at the highest privilege level possible, so if I wanted to collect information or takeover a machine, creating a security program would be the way to do it.

On the other hand it is a well known brand, not some small startup. But ultimately if that doubt is in your head you should probably stop using it.

 

[Tarte]

Since 1 year switched from Kaspersky to F-Secure, there are no problems.

 

[Shou Miko]

Since 1 year switched from Kaspersky to F-Secure, there are no problems.

F-Secure is fine but I have expericed more false positives with F-Secure than Kaspersky personally.

I use the Windows Defender and Glasswire Elite.

 

[Joe Bauers]

"I don't advise, pal... uh... I don't advise. They'll eat you."

 

[HD64G]

I am on the same boat with qubit. But the product works well all those years and most of the rest aren't as good to switch to one of those. I use to get backups regurarly eitherway, so no point in being anxious me thinks.

 

[qubit]

Thanks for all your replies and votes people, please keep them coming.

 

[Fluffmeister]

I wouldn't touch anything Russian with a bargepole.

 

[Regeneration]

Kaspersky has several SKUs of their products. European versions must comply with GDPR.

Disregard of politics, Kaspersky security products are very annoying: you can either have no prompts what so ever OR million prompts. There is no setting in the middle.

I prefer to have full control of the antivirus / firewall. Custom choice per detection or by application.

 

[Ferrum Master]

Safe or not safe, why are you supporting Russian product with your money?

By any means it simply cant be safe, otherwise they wouldn't be allowed to operate.

 

[GerKNG]

No reason to use anything else than windows defender.

 

[Regeneration]

No reason to use anything else than windows defender.

Windows Defender sometimes can slow down the system and use 100% CPU utilization for no reason.

Detections are somehow bad and there is no HIPS or self defense component.

Windows Firewall is easy to exploit and doesn't block outgoing connections by default.

 

[GerKNG]

Windows Defender sometimes can slow down the system and use 100% CPU utilization for no reason.

Detections are somehow bad and there is no HIPS or self defense component.

Windows Firewall is easy to exploit and doesn't block outgoing connections by default.

never happened since i use computers with windows (~ 20 years)
Test Microsoft Defender 4.18 for Windows 10 (211616) | AV-TEST

 

[MarsM4N]

I've been also using Kaspersky for years, because it always got top ratings and you can buy keys on eBay for cheap.
I still have 180 days left, but with the latest developments I also made the decision to switch over to some other software. Putin has his KGB boots on every russian neck, and I wouldn't be surprised if he forces Kaspersky to abuse it's software to deploy malware on our PC's for cyber attacks. It's even questionable if they still can operate outside Russia with all the sanctions.

Still doing my research & haven't made up my mind. Here are some good resources for tests:

AV-Comparatives.org
AV-Test.org
PC-Magazin.de

The chart on PC-Magazin is quite neat, listing all features. McAffee is already out of the window for me, since it has no ransomware protection.

Will be a hard choice. Guess I will first do a backup (because some antivir softwares can quite mess up your system) and download 30 day trial versions.
For now, judging by the test results, it will most likely be for me ESET Internet Security (expensive, but best results) or Bitdefender Internet Security (still good & super cheap on keys on eBay).

And to those who recommend Microsoft Defender, guess for what "software" malware is written most? For the most is use. Period.

 

[HD64G]

Btw, how many of the ones who worry about the Kaspersky security have changed their Intel CPUs when found that some of their CPU generations and in cooperation to NSA, included a port in their arch (bus ring) in order for those to be able to surpass any security and get access to the PC? Just curious...

 

[MarsM4N]

Btw, how many of the ones who worry about the Kaspersky security have changed their Intel CPUs when found that some of their CPU generations and in cooperation to NSA, included a port in their arch (bus ring) in order for those to be able to surpass any security and get access to the PC? Just curious...

Well, back then we weren't in a cold war with USA & the US had quite different intentions for doing it.

 

[pavle]

While I do not like Kaspersky because of system slow down and while off topic yet not I have to ask - has the threat of Intel management engine been dealt with yet or not?

 

[HD64G]

Well, back then we weren't in a cold war with USA & the US had quite different intentions for doing it.

Excuses... An insecure PC is bad to its owner no matter what.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

I've been using Kaspersky Internet Security for over 15 years now. It has been a great product with consistently great reviews and still works fine now. However, it did get banned by America on government computers in 2017 for alleged links to the Kremlin, as it's a Russian product. On top of that, now that Russia has actually invaded Ukraine, I don't feel quite so comfortable with using it so would like your opinions of whether I should continue or switch to something else and if you have any links to informed articles and reviews from reputable sites about it that would be great.

If I'm to change a/v products, then what do you recommend I replace it with?

Please vote in the poll and also explain your reasoning to help me and others reading this thread decide what to do.

Genuinely surprised it's you using it, I never liked Kaspersky, or removing it.

And not for just that alone, it's a no from me.

 

[Frick]

Windows Defender sometimes can slow down the system and use 100% CPU utilization for no reason.

I only see that when it's actually working on something (like when turning on an external HDD and Defender does a quick scan of it) and it's very brief.

 

[eidairaman1]

I've been using Kaspersky Internet Security for over 15 years now. It has been a great product with consistently great reviews and still works fine now. However, it did get banned by America on government computers in 2017 for alleged links to the Kremlin, as it's a Russian product. On top of that, now that Russia has actually invaded Ukraine, I don't feel quite so comfortable with using it so would like your opinions of whether I should continue or switch to something else and if you have any links to informed articles and reviews from reputable sites about it that would be great.

If I'm to change a/v products, then what do you recommend I replace it with?

Please vote in the poll and also explain your reasoning to help me and others reading this thread decide what to do.

I'd pull it

 

[Bill_Bright]

You asked, "is it safe to use?" It probably is for private individuals. But should you? Hell no! The problem is not that it is a Russian company. The problem is the CEO of the company, Eugene Kaspersky, is a billionaire oligarch, trained by the KGB and has had long ties to Putin and the Russian government.

I've been preaching for years to avoid Kaspersky product (at least since 2018). I hope now every Kaspersky user sees the light.

Even if the CEO believes he is telling the truth (which, IMO is doubtful), I would not put it past Putin to plant his operatives in the company without the CEO's knowledge.

Sadly, it is the Russian people who will suffer, but we need to stop supporting Kaspersky. Because the reality is, short of WWIII, it is the Russian people who need to rise up and dethrone Putin. And even more sadly, they are going to get hurt in the process. Over 8,000 Russian peace protesters arrested as Putin faces resistance

 

[mclaren85]

Why would anyone need an antivirus anyway?

If you concern about your privacy, I have bad news for you. US government also has some backdoors (see prism scandal, intel management engine, heartbleed etc.... edward snowden) to gather information about you whenever they want. China also has some form of spy hardware buried deep inside their high-tech Huawei 5G network devices. I'm sure there are lots of other backdoors we have not known or will not even know in the foreseeable future.

I don't think a private company to risk itself by sharing the private infos about its customers. But if you have too sensitive informations you must disconnect the pc from the web.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Why would anyone need an antivirus anyway?

I just addressed that here.

But if you have too sensitive informations you must disconnect the pc from the web.

This I agree with. The rest of your post is too inflammatory for this discussion and mods should remove it, IMO.