Let's Talk Kaspersky
Posted by: Timothy Tibbetts on 08/28/2017 06:42 AM
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As we're sure you've heard, White House cybersecurity coordinator Rob Joyce and the FBI have warned against using products from Kaspersky Labs.
The Proof, or Lack Therof
No evidence has been shown yet that the Russian-based Kaspersky Labs is "nothing more than a front for Russian intelligence." As software geeks, we know that Kaspersky has always been one of the top-rated antivirus programs on the market and consistently shows up in the top five best antivirus programs. They also have done a lot of work in research and have disrupted some hacking organizations and identified Turla; an active group believed to work for Russia. If you're going to point a finger as the United States cybersecurity coordinator and hacker, then details should be provided.
Where's Your AntiVirus From?
Let's take a look at some of the other products available. Zone Alarm uses the Kaspersky engine in their products. Bitdefender, another one of our favorites, is based in Romania with 500 million users. And let's not forget the most popular antivirus, Avast who bought out AVG and Piriform, the makers of CCleaner and is based in the Czech Republic with offices in the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Russia, China, South Korea and Taiwan.
Joyce also pointed to Steam Games and QR codes as threats, but the Russian tie-in is more exciting, so that went largely ignored.
The Bottom Line
As I look around the room, I see many items, possibly made in sweatshops or at low wages and long hours. There's a computer full of parts made in China, a shirt made in Mexico and Tahiti, shorts made in Indonesia, a Jeep owned by an Italian company and underwear made in India. Is Kaspersky my biggest concern? Not really. But, just saying Russia is what gave these stories teeth. Maybe we should have tossed "Russia" into our headline? Did I mention Russia?
Now, if you don't mind, we need to get back to work on our new tin foil hat. We're thinking pirate theme.
The Proof, or Lack Therof
No evidence has been shown yet that the Russian-based Kaspersky Labs is "nothing more than a front for Russian intelligence." As software geeks, we know that Kaspersky has always been one of the top-rated antivirus programs on the market and consistently shows up in the top five best antivirus programs. They also have done a lot of work in research and have disrupted some hacking organizations and identified Turla; an active group believed to work for Russia. If you're going to point a finger as the United States cybersecurity coordinator and hacker, then details should be provided.
Where's Your AntiVirus From?
Let's take a look at some of the other products available. Zone Alarm uses the Kaspersky engine in their products. Bitdefender, another one of our favorites, is based in Romania with 500 million users. And let's not forget the most popular antivirus, Avast who bought out AVG and Piriform, the makers of CCleaner and is based in the Czech Republic with offices in the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Russia, China, South Korea and Taiwan.
Joyce also pointed to Steam Games and QR codes as threats, but the Russian tie-in is more exciting, so that went largely ignored.
The Bottom Line
As I look around the room, I see many items, possibly made in sweatshops or at low wages and long hours. There's a computer full of parts made in China, a shirt made in Mexico and Tahiti, shorts made in Indonesia, a Jeep owned by an Italian company and underwear made in India. Is Kaspersky my biggest concern? Not really. But, just saying Russia is what gave these stories teeth. Maybe we should have tossed "Russia" into our headline? Did I mention Russia?
Now, if you don't mind, we need to get back to work on our new tin foil hat. We're thinking pirate theme.
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