This is asked a lot but I want to see an updated opinion.
Information:
- Kaspersky is still a Russian company with its headquarters in Russia, registered in the UK and user data processes in Zurich, Switzerland.
- Kaspersky was banned in US government devices in 2017 and many countries issued warnings about using Kaspersky. Canada recently banned Kaspersky and WeChat on government devices.
- CEO Eugene Kaspersky was an ex KGB officer (now FSB).
Never really mentioned:
- The USA Kaspersky website hides that their headquarters are in Russia (Go to the Kaspersky website and hover to the top toolbar, press “About Us” → “Company Overview”) but mentions only one of their offices.
So I’m wondering if you guys still think it’s safe or not.
The Canadian government just banned it. So not gonna lie when they did I went and bought the premium black friday package. If the gov says its bad that is all the confirmation I need that its good.
No. The concerns are real. All I can say is do your own research, outside reddit.
I think it safe.
Who really cares if they spy on you? Most everyday programs do. (Facebook, tiktok, temu.)
And why would Russia want an average person’s data anyway? What use would they have for it?
Kaspersky is a good AV and unless you are a government official or you have got something to hide, there’s nothing to worry about
Kaspersky is safe,
They have been audited by 3rd party entities, nothing of concern to be found, nor any wrong doing has been found or to be proven. They are a global company with offices globally.
In terms of Western countries, especially the USA banning the use of Kaspersky on government computers, Russia would do the exact same thing for American made software/AV. America and the western media and countries are as bad or worse than Russia when it’s comes to propaganda, as I said above, no wrong doing or claims by America or its mainstream media train have been proven.
Russia doesn’t care about you or the average consumer, they aren’t spying on you or going to spy on you anymore than the American government or you local government already does.
Kaspersky has some of the best protection levels, I use and trust it as that is my main concern when choosing an Antivirus.
That’s a fair statement. Most people would say that “Oh! You will be a part of a botnet” or something like that. Or “The Russian government isn’t known to limit its power”. I understand people’s fears due to current events and stuff, but I also see your point too.
What does Russia wanna do with 30.45$ on a bank account, a random civilians online activity and their opened programs? Most programs will sell or at least utilize everything they can get from their users as a bulk.
And besides, IIRC they moved their headquarters and have been checked by other trustworthy companies which have found nothing.
I think Russia spying is a big concern, but I think what concerns users more is the Russian government forcing Kaspersky to install a backdoor and maybe make these users a part of a botnet.
IIRC they moved their headquarters
I’m pretty sure they are still headquartered in Russia. That hasn’t changed yet.
All AV software is a backdoor, Russia isn’t spying on anyone any more than America is or any other Western/Nato Country.
Personal choice what AV people want to run, but at some point people need to stop buying into the Western Propaganda train.
To the people who down vote or say I’m endorsed by Kaspersky or Russia. I’m Australian, Born in Australia, Live in Australia, i am just able to think for my self, do my own research instead of act like a human sheep.
Yeah, They are still headquartered in Russia. But they changed their way to process and store personal data. Now, Kaspersky does store and process data from EU, north and latin america, middle east, and some asian countries in a database located in Switzerland, and no loger in Russia. And their software and internal procedures have been reviewed by external and trustworthy security agencies.
My source is here:
kaspersky.com/transparency-center
Edit: the Kaspersky Transparency Initiative has been started in 2018, so not a behaviour related to the war in Ukraine.