In June 2024, the Biden administration announced that the download, update, license and resale of the Kaspersky software would be banned from July 20, 2024.
The justification was that because Kaspersky is based in Moscow, the Russian government could force the company to deliver access to its systems and interrupt all the computers in which it is installed.
Kaspersky has often denied some connection with the Russian government, but the United States has determined that this is simply not good enough.
What does it mean for me?
Kaspersky has been a family name for antivirus in the United States, with a market share prior to the prohibition of around 35%.
After Ban Kaspersky downloaded the Pango group, which quickly installed Ultrav as a replacement service that caused a stir.
If I was using Kaspersky Antivirus, you will be asked if I wanted to change to Ultraav. However, none of the main antivirus test laboratories has published a score for Ultraav, and customer comments and online publications suggest that software is less than ideal.
Those who chose to give up the Ultraav update will have been allowed to continue using Kaspersky, and if that includes, their device has a serious risk.
Am I at risk if I still use Kaspersky?
Yes. The prohibition prohibited new updates for the Kaspersky software, which means that the software cannot protect against any new malware or threats that have arisen from the ban in June 2024.
Antivirus suppliers publish frequent updates of their software to maintain their protected device of existing malware, as well as the exploits ‘of 0 days’ or the new vulnerabilities that are being actively exploited. Without these updates, devices can succumb to infection and attacks against which other devices would be protected.
As a point of additional concern, if you used Kaspersky on a Windows device, it is likely that the antivirus of the Windows defender would be put in passive mode, preventing it from offering its full level of protection. If you were using Kaspersky, or still, I recommend verifying if your Windows defender antivirus is still in passive mode and change it to assets.
What do I have to do?
The first thing is the first, verify if the default antivirus of the manufacturers of your device is updated and turned on.
Now that you have some level of protection, think if you consider sufficient predetermined protection.
For many devices, the predetermined antivirus program will offer a fairly decent protection level against malware, but will lack many of the other security tools that have almost become a need in the digital world.
I look at my complete guide to the best antivirus and take a look at the characteristics that you think would be the best for you.
Many services include a VPN to help encrypt their Internet traffic in Is Heads from their device to their destination, preventing criminals from intercepting it in transit.
Others will have a parent control application that will help you prevent adult content being seen in their children’s devices, as well as establish screen time limits to help them concentrate on their tasks or tasks.
Password administrators are also a very useful tool to help keep their accounts online. If you do not use an authenticator application, your account is as safe as your password. Antivirus only will not prevent a hacker from giving its username and password.
Do I need to bother with the antivirus in 2025?
As a security expert, my answer is 100% yes. I have seen firsthand the speed with which new threats and vulnerabilities may arise, and the damage they may have not only in the devices but also the livelihoods.
If an attacker obtains access to the files of his computer, he can steal confidential files and data that can help them commit identity theft or credit fraud. Even if you do not want to splash a premium service, you can always resort to the best free antivirus to provide a good level of protection to all your devices.
