Kaspersky antivirus software on U.S. national security threat list

The FCC has added Kaspersky antivirus software to its list of national security threats.

Millions of Americans have downloaded Kaspersky security software and should get rid of it immediately.

We are also now learning that the U .S. government began quietly warning American companies about the Russian cybersecurity software risk within a day of the attack on Ukraine.

 

Risk that Moscow could make Kaspersky software do harm

The U.S. classified briefings point to the most obvious threat.  Vladimir Putin could easily take control of Moscow-based Kaspersky software to weaponize it.

Kaspersky responded by saying in a statement that criticism of their software “is not appropriate or just”.

Founded by a former Russian intelligence officer, Eugene Kaspersky, the antivirus software requires deep control in order to detect malware making it a perfect candidate to be exploited for espionage.

Dictatorships such as Russia have the power to take over systems based in their own country at will similar to China regulatory laws.

The U.S. warnings follow Germany and the U.K. which were first to sound the alarm.

In 2017, the National Security Agency alleged Russian intelligence used Kaspersky software to steal classified documents from the US government.

Following the incident, the Trump administration banned Kaspersky from government devices in 2017.  Kaspersky has denied any connection with Russian intelligence claiming the decision was “made on political grounds”.

Five years ago I stopped recommending Kaspersky antivirus security software.  In fact, we avoid embracing any software based in regions where their own governments pose a risk to security and privacy.

 

Remove and replace Kaspersky antivirus software

I recommend you ditch Kaspersky from all of your devices completely and choose a safer, strong antivirus solution. See my recent review of the top antivirus security protection for here including my top pick TotalAV.

 

How to remove Kaspersky antivirus software

How to remove Kaspersky antivirus software on Windows

1. Close Kaspersky application that may be running on your computer. You’ll need to right-click the application icon and click Exit.
2. Open the Control Panel by searching for “Control Panel” in the windows search box on the left of your taskbar
3. Go to Programs and Features.
4. Select the Kaspersky application and click Uninstall.
5. If the application is password-protected, enter the password, followed by clicking  Yes, and then Next.
6. If you were signed in to My Kaspersky, click Next.   If you were not signed in, click Save and sign in from the interface that opens.
7. Go back to the uninstallation wizard and click Next.
8. Select the checkboxes beside any data you want to save. Click Next and then Remove.
9. Click Yes to reboot the computer
10. The software should now be removed.

 

How to remove Kaspersky antivirus software on macOS

1. Be sure to quit the Kaspersky application
2. Launch Finder.
3. Click applications in the Finder
4. Identify Kaspersky Internet Security and drag the icon to the Trash.
5. You may need to enter your admin password to trash.
6. Right-click the Trash icon and click “Empty Trash”
7. As an alternate method, go back to step #4 and see if there is an icon that has the words “Kaspersky” and “uninstall”.  If it’s there, try open it and follow the prompts to remove the application from your computer.
8. The software should now be removed.

 

How to remove Kaspersky antivirus software on an iPhone

1. On your iPhone, press and hold the Kaspersky Security app icon until all the icons start to jiggle.
2. Tap the “x” in the upper left-hand corner
3. Alternatively, you can press the app icon and click “Remove App’ > Delete App > “Delete” from the menus that pop up.

 

How to remove Kaspersky antivirus software on an Android

1. Open the Kaspersky app
2. Click Settings
3. Click Uninstall app
4. On the uninstall Kaspersky Internet Security screen, click Next
5. If prompted, enter the app secret code (this app secret code was set up to protect against uninstallation in the Anti-Theft settings of your phone)
6. Confirm uninstallation of Kaspsersky Internet Security
7. The software should now be removed.

 

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