Feds issue ban on anti-virus software from Russia-based Kaspersky Lab

WOBURN, Mass. — A popular brand of anti-virus software with U.S. in Massachusetts is taking a major hit tonight from the federal government.

The department of homeland security issuing an all-out ban on use of Kaspersky Lab software on government computers.

The concerns are that that Kaspersky executives may have ties to Russian military and intelligence, and that the software may have a built-in way for Russian intelligence to hack into computers using it.
Kaspersky is based in Moscow, but has a U.S. office in Woburn.

The company issued a statement to Boston 25 News about the allegations. (Read the full statement at the bottom of this article.)

"Kaspersky Lab doesn't have inappropriate ties with any government. No credible evidence has been presented by anyone or any organization. The accusations are based on false allegations and inaccurate assumptions."

The company suggests it would be financial suicide to have ties to the Russian government since 85 percent of its sales are to places outside Russia.

The homeland security order would wipe Kaspersky software from government computers in 90 days, a move the company suggests is un-American.

"Kaspersky Lab has never helped nor will help any government in the world with its cyberespionage or offensive cyber efforts. And it's disconcerting that a private company can be considered guilty until proven innocent due to geopolitical issues."

Full statement from Kaspersky Lab:

"Given that Kaspersky Lab doesn't have inappropriate ties with any government, the company is disappointed with the decision by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), but also is grateful for the opportunity to provide additional information to the agency in order to confirm that these allegations are completely unfounded. No credible evidence has been presented publicly by anyone or any organization as the accusations are based on false allegations and inaccurate assumptions, including claims about the impact of Russian regulations and policies on the company.  Kaspersky Lab has always acknowledged that it provides appropriate products and services to governments around the world to protect those organizations from cyberthreats, but it does not have unethical ties or affiliations with any government, including Russia.

"In addition, more than 85 percent of its revenue comes from outside of Russia, which further demonstrates that working inappropriately with any government would be detrimental to the company's bottom line. These ongoing accusations also ignore the fact that Kaspersky Lab has a 20-year history in the IT security industry of always abiding by the highest ethical business practices and trustworthy technology development.

"Regarding the Russian polices and laws being misinterpreted, the laws and tools in question are applicable to telecom companies and Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and contrary to the inaccurate reports, Kaspersky Lab is not subject to these laws or other government tools, including Russia's System of Operative-Investigative Measures (SORM), since the company doesn't provide communication services. Also, it's important to note that the information received by the company, as well as traffic, is protected in accordance with legal requirements and stringent industry standards, including encryption, digital certificates and more.

"Kaspersky Lab has never helped, nor will help, any government in the world with its cyberespionage or offensive cyber efforts, and it's disconcerting that a private company can be considered guilty until proven innocent, due to geopolitical issues. The company looks forward to working with DHS, as Kaspersky Lab ardently believes a deeper examination of the company will substantiate that these allegations are without merit."

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