Kaspersky, the cybersecurity firm, is offering U.S. consumers free access to its security products for six months as a parting gift, following its decision to cease operations and lay off employees in the United States.
The company’s exit comes after the U.S. government added Kaspersky to the Entity List, labeling it a national security concern.
A Parting Gift for U.S. Users
In a message directed to its U.S. users, Kaspersky expressed gratitude for their loyalty over the years. “With Kaspersky leaving the U.S., we’d like to pay you back with the least we can: gifting you a selection of our security solutions for free for 6 months,” the company stated.
In addition to the free software, Kaspersky provided users with several cybersecurity tips:
– Always back up your data.
– Be cautious of links and verify their sources before clicking.
– Protect your online identity by regularly changing passwords and ensuring they are long and complex.
Implications of the Ban
The six-month free offer coincides with a ban by the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) on the sale and distribution of Kaspersky products in the U.S., effective September 29. Post-ban, U.S. users will no longer receive automatic updates and antivirus definitions through the software, potentially compromising security. Users will need to manually install updates via Kaspersky’s website if available.
Kaspersky announced that it will begin winding down its U.S. operations on July 20, resulting in layoffs. The decision follows the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Final Determination, which prohibits the sale and distribution of Kaspersky products in the country.
Shifting Focus to Other Regions
As Kaspersky exits the U.S. market, it faces additional pressure from the European Parliament, which is urging the exclusion of products from Chinese and Russian vendors in critical sectors within the European Union. Consequently, Kaspersky is redirecting its focus to other regions, such as Asia and South America.
Despite the U.S. ban, Kaspersky products remain widely used, and critical vulnerabilities in their software continue to be highly sought after. For example, SSD Secure Disclosure, a vulnerability disclosure outfit in South Korea, has announced “BIG payouts” for pre-authentication remote code/command execution vulnerabilities in Kaspersky Security Center, a security management solution for businesses.
Kaspersky’s departure from the U.S. marks the end of an era for the company in one of its significant markets, but it continues to navigate challenges and opportunities in other regions.
