Russia-backed internet security company Kaspersky has taken the decision to close down its operations in the US.
The somewhat inevitable move has come in the wake of the government officially banning the use of the company’s antivirus software within the US, which takes effect this Saturday, July 20th.
The effect of the closure means the cost of Kaspersky employees’ jobs in the US, with the estimated count of those losing their positions as fewer than 50.
Kaspersky Closure in US
Originally reported by the Zero Day cybersecurity blog, Kaspersky’s decision to leave the US has confounded the expectation that it would contest the ban.
Instead, it has confirmed that it will “gradually wind down” its US-based operations from July 20th when the prohibition comes into effect.
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Although Kaspersky hasn’t confirmed the exact number of employees who will be let go as a result of the closure, a statement from the company confirmed that “it affects less than 50 employees in the US”.
Zero Day reached out to affected employees, who told the publication that they are set to receive severance packages.
Safeguarding National Security
The US government’s decision to ban the use of Kaspersky was announced back on June 20th.
In explaining the decision, the US Department of Commerce referenced the Russian state control over Kaspersky and expressed concerns over the “capability and intent to exploit Russian companies, like Kaspersky Lab, to collect and weaponize sensitive U.S. information,” together with the necessity to safeguard national security.
Giving users 100 days to find alternative internet security solutions before enforcing their total banishment from within US borders, Kaspersky’s decision to wind down operations signals its intent not to appeal the ban.
Kaspersky Concerns
Despite frequently performing well in independent antivirus testing, there has long been a tension – dating back to its introduction to the US market back in 2005 – around the use of Russian-backed cybersecurity in North America.
The June 20th announcement was far from the first time that Kaspersky’s threat to US national security has been suggested. A governmental office in Germany also advised companies to ditch Kaspersky antivirus software.
Concerning stories have emerged over the the years challenging the trustworthiness of the software. We reported, for example, on a major security flaw in its VPN service that Kaspersky had to patch in 2022.
Alternatives to Kaspersky
If you’re a Kaspersky antivirus user and are wondering what you should replace the software with before the September 28th 100-day deadline, the alternatives to protect your PC and other devices are plentiful.
Norton and McAfee are two of the most secure and affordable options out there for Windows computers, each with a choice of packages that let you tailor the internet security to your specific needs (you can compare them in our dedicated Norton vs McAfee guide).
Or if you’re an Apple user, we consider Avast Premium and Bitdefender Premium to be the best antivirus for Macs. The former combines effective protection with an intuitive user experience. While Bitdefender is pricier, it throws in extra tools like a VPN and advanced parental controls.
