The recent US restrictions on Kaspersky have raised questions about the safety and reliability of our products. As a company that protects over a billion devices worldwide, it’s important for us to address these concerns head-on. In this article, we aim to give you a comprehensive overview of the safety and integrity of Kaspersky’s operations and products, so you can make up your own mind about us.
Background on the US ban
In June 2024, the US Department of Commerce issued a final determination restricting the sales and distribution of our software to U.S. persons from 20 July 2024 onwards.
We view this decision as unjustified and baseless – influenced by geopolitical tensions rather than a thorough evaluation of Kaspersky’s products and operations. Our official response outlines Kaspersky’s commitment to protecting users in the US:
“Kaspersky does not engage in activities which threaten U.S.
national security and, in fact, has made significant contributions with
its reporting and protection from a variety of threat actors that
targeted U.S. interests and allies.”
It’s important to note that we remain as committed as ever to protecting the world from cyberthreats – and we intend to pursue all legally available options to preserve our current operations and relationships.
Kaspersky: Trusted by millions
Founded in 1997, Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity company with millions of daily users. Over the last 27 years, we’ve built a solid reputation for robust, effective security solutions. To put it simply, our customers trust us. We’ve shown them consistent performance in neutralizing a wide range of cyberthreats. But there are two more reasons our customers trust us.
Firstly, Kaspersky’s security products are renowned for their unusually high detection rates. Independent testing organizations such as AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives consistently rank Kaspersky products among the top performers in the cybersecurity industry. In 2023, AV-Comparatives tested Kaspersky Standard and found it to have a 99.96% protection rate. High scores like this assure our customers that Kaspersky is a safe and reliable choice, and that they can trust our products to protect their devices against the latest threats.
Secondly, Kaspersky’s commitment to data privacy and security has been a key factor in our company’s widespread acceptance. We adhere to strict data handling practices and, in 2017, we launched the Global Transparency Initiative – an initiative introducing concrete measures to validate and verify the trustworthiness of our products, processes, and business operations. One of our actions was to relocate a large portion of our cyberthreat-related data storage and processing to Switzerland, a country known for its strong privacy laws and political neutrality. This move helped alleviate concerns about Kaspersky’s data security and reinforced our commitment to protecting user information.
Kaspersky's history and dedication to customers
Kaspersky began with a simple mission to protect people and businesses from cyberthreats and build a safer world. Our founder, Eugene Kaspersky, believes “everyone has the right to be free of cybersecurity fears” – and it is this belief that underpins our efforts as a company. Over the years, Kaspersky has grown into one of the most recognized names in the cybersecurity industry.
Our success is in part due to our early commitment to research and development (R&D), which helped us pave the way for innovative products that address the ever-evolving threat landscape. At Kaspersky, we’re relentless about improving product performance and user experience. That’s why we employ some of the best minds in the cybersecurity field. Half of the highly qualified specialists working at Kaspersky are in fact, R&D specialists. This dedication ensures Kaspersky products are always at the forefront of technology, delivering state-of-the-art protection for our users.
Kaspersky’s customer service is also highly regarded. We offer the option of 24/7 remote IT support with our consumer products, which can include services like remote installation, virus check and removal, and PC health checks. Having this priority access to support gives our customers greater peace of mind because they know we’re always there to help.
Why Kaspersky is safe
The safety and reliability of Kaspersky products is underpinned by several key factors:
- Advanced threat detection: Kaspersky uses state-of-the-art technologies, like machine learning and artificial intelligence, to detect and respond to threats as they happen. Our company’s comprehensive threat intelligence network analyzes vast amounts of data to identify emerging threats quickly, both for our individual and business customers.
- Regular updates: Cyberthreats are constantly evolving, so at Kaspersky, we make sure our products are always up to date. Regular updates give our users the latest security patches and threat definitions, so they always have a high level of protection against new and emerging cyberthreats.
- Comprehensive security: We offer a wide range of products tailored to different user needs, from individual antivirus solutions to comprehensive security suites for large organizations. Kaspersky products deliver powerful multi-layered protection against various threats, including malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, and countless others.
Kaspersky’s key achievements in the cybersecurity industry
We’ve made significant contributions to the cybersecurity industry, with lots of achievements that highlight our leadership and expertise:
- Top rankings in independent tests: Kaspersky consistently ranks highly in independent tests conducted by organizations like AV-TEST and SE Labs. In 2023, our products took part in 100 independent studies – and won 93 times. This made 2023 our best year yet. High rankings like these reflect our superior detection rates as well as the overall effectiveness of our security solutions.
- Industry awards and recognitions: We’ve also received many awards and recognitions for our products and services. For example, Kaspersky Standard, one of our popular consumer cybersecurity packages, won 2023 Product of the Year at AV-Comparatives, a leading European test lab. Such accolades affirm Kaspersky’s commitment to excellence and our role as a leader in the cybersecurity industry.
- Innovative technology: Kaspersky’s extensive research and development efforts have allowed us to develop cutting-edge products like Kaspersky Premium, a pioneering cybersecurity plan that delivers advanced virus protection for consumers. Features include real-time data leak monitoring, identity protection, unlimited VPN, and more. Our significant investment in R&D ensures that we continue to develop top-tier products like Kaspersky Premium, providing our customers with a robust defense against the latest and most sophisticated cyberthreats.
- Global Transparency Initiative: As mentioned, the launch of the Global Transparency Initiative was a groundbreaking move in the industry. By relocating our core data infrastructure to Switzerland and allowing independent reviews of our source code, Kaspersky set new standards for transparency and trust in the cybersecurity field. Such measures are unmatched by any of our peers.
Online reviews and customer experiences
Customer reviews and experiences on app stores and social media platforms like Reddit and Quora offer valuable insights into why users trust Kaspersky. Here are some highlights from these platforms:
- Reddit: On Reddit, users often compare Kaspersky with other antivirus solutions. In discussions, users praise Kaspersky for our products’ user-friendly interface, high detection rates, and minimal impact on system performance. Many users prefer Kaspersky over competitors due to our reliability and effective protection.
- Quora: On Quora, users often recommend Kaspersky for our products’ robust security features and excellent customer support. In threads comparing antivirus software, Kaspersky is often highlighted for its comprehensive protection and advanced threat detection capabilities.
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Apple App Store:
- iOS users frequently champion Kaspersky for our products’ powerful protection and user-friendly design. The Kaspersky app's features, such as identity protection and secure VPN, receive high praise for their effectiveness and ease of use.
- Many reviews emphasize the peace of mind that Kaspersky provides, with parents particularly appreciating the parental control features.
- Users also value the low system impact and regular updates, which ensure their devices remain protected – without compromising performance.
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Google Play Store:
- Many users highlight the seamless experience and high performance of Kaspersky on mobile phones. They appreciate the comprehensive protection features, including anti-theft, web security, and call blocking.
- Reviews often mention the intuitive interface and the minimal impact on device performance, making Kaspersky a preferred choice for Android users.
- Users also praise the frequent updates and our excellent customer
service.
Expert reviews
Kaspersky products have received favorable reviews from cybersecurity experts around the world:
- Aliza Vigderman and Gabe Turner for Security.org: “Best performing virus scans on the market: Kaspersky detected all five malware we hid in our computer, a feat that only one other antivirus software achieved.”
- Richard Patterson for Comparitech: “Kaspersky detected and blocked all virus samples during real-time scanning. It also located the files and deleted them during a full scan.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the US restrictions on Kaspersky have raised concerns, but it is essential to examine the facts and our response to these allegations, so you can decide for yourself what to think. Kaspersky’s extensive transparency measures, top-tier threat detection capabilities, and positive customer reviews all affirm our reliability and trustworthiness. For users outside the US, Kaspersky remains a robust choice for comprehensive protection from cyberthreats.
In terms of what lies ahead, our official response is clear: “Kaspersky remains committed to protecting the world from cyberthreats. The company’s business remains resilient and strong, marked by an 11-percent growth in sales bookings in 2023. We look forward to what the future holds, and will continue to defend ourselves against actions that seek to unfairly harm our reputation and commercial interests.”
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