Windows 10: Kaspersky Risks?

Here is another story on Kaspersky software today - Google for UK spymasters raise suspicions over Kaspersky software’s Russia links

I've had concerns for some time and have now decided to remove Kaspersky software from my PCs. This is a shame since Kaspersky antivirus software does have some useful features.

I'll rely on Defender with periodic scans by AdwCleaner and Malwarebytes.

:)

 

Kaspersky

You don't have to install Windows Defender and the Windows firewall; all you have to do is
uninstall Kaspersky. The Windows programs will become active after Kaspersky is removed.

 

Kaspersky

I want to install free Microsoft security I still have about 10 days left with Kaspersky. What are steps to take to do this?

 

Do you mean that report from Wikileaks that alleges that CIA was impersonating Kaspersky in some instances ?

WikiLeaks: CIA source code leak shows agency impersonating Kaspersky
WikiLeaks drama alert: CIA forged digital certs imitating Kaspersky Lab • The Register

 

I found amusing reading articles like this, it is politics, it has got nothing to do with Kaspersky. For the record NSA did not found any evidence, Israel did, it found Kaspersky analysing CIA tools and it reported it as hacking. Kaspersky reported, that its behavioural engine uploaded a suspicious source code of those tools and once the manager had found about it, he ordered to remove it. All AVs do it, even Windows Defender, but Kaspersky is Russian, so they are the bad guys.

'Israel hacked Kaspersky and caught Russian spies using AV tool to harvest NSA exploits' • The Register

Germany Says No Evidence Found Kaspersky Software Used by Russians for Hacks | Technology News

 

Seems that the origin of this story is in the FT. Linking to it will not work due to it being a kind of paywall.

From reading it, there is nothing new to report, no hard evidence and it's all maybes, ifs, potential, etc. Seems more like FUD than anything.

It's a pity that Barclays have said that they'll be dropping Kaspersky soon. Just hope that they don't inflict McAfee upon their customers. *Wink

 

So..., with very limited knowledge of networks and packets and stuff... I checked the connections Kaspersky makes through firewall





...so excluding localhost the only other IP it uses is this:

WHOIS Result for : 62.128.100.157 - Global WHOIS Search

A quick squizz of the RIPE Database T's & C's shows it's public and open to audits...

https://www.ripe.net/manage-ips-and-...entation/db-tc

... So I can't see the issue -- or am I missing it ?

 

I see my thread was closed then opened again for some reason. It's interesting you can't see something untoward going on but temporary links could perhaps be reporting back information. The intelligence agencies in the US and UK have given enough hints based on their classified sources for me to now to remove Kaspersky software.

 

Have installed free version Kaspersky on one of four computers.....Hardly realise its installed, no nag nags....Honestly do not believe Russian intelligence have the slightest interest in little old me.

What makes you think they could be interested in yourself?

 

Also begs the question as to why you'd trust the US, UK and other Western agencies? It's in their interests to damage the reputation of something that they can't control. Not that I trust the Russian security services, but there is a big smell of FUD going on here.