Russian Antivirus software linked to new leak of NSA malware

[AkundaMrdal]

So, how does that make Kaspersky safe?

Which antivirus is safe? Which should I install?

[Gorsameth]

Yeah, I'm going to go ahead and say that Kaspersky is definitely not safe, and I do not want the Russian government to have access to me.

And I agree with you. I just wonder one thing, assuming you live in the West. Why are you more ok with the CIA having access to all your data?

[Najnaj]

So, how does that make Kaspersky safe? How does it undermine what I said about it allowing for the leaking of personal information?

It doesn't and he never said it does. It makes it the same as other similar products.

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And I agree with you. I just wonder one thing, assuming you live in the West. Why are you more ok with the CIA having access to all your data?

Why do you think the CIA and/or KGB would have access to your data? If they did, what information could a vast majority of us possibly have that a spy agency would have any interest in at all?

[Deleted]

There's also that whole problem with the connection to Russian intelligence services...

I'm sure ur cat pictures are super important to you, but to the kremlin?..

[schwarzkopf]

Who fucking uses Russian antivirus software?

These days there is no need to use additional AV software, what is built in is more than sufficient.

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Which antivirus is safe? Which should I install?

If you are running Windows - just install and keep the MS one up to date add a decent adblocker (e.g. uBlock Origin) and act a bit responsibly.

[Machismo]

I'm sure ur cat pictures are super important to you, but to the kremlin?..

I also have dog pictures.

[Deleted]

I use the normal Windows one. With Cortana-chan I feel save. She would never betray me!

[AkundaMrdal]

If you are running Windows - just install and keep the MS one up to date add a decent adblocker (e.g. uBlock Origin) and act a bit responsibly.

I was using microsoft essential on laptop, worked fine but never find a virus. Which was wierd considering the amount of porn sites I visited. Now I'm using Avast which occasionally find a virus and block website.

As regards of Kaspersky since I'm not American it makes no difference if I'm being spied on by NSA or Russian equivalent. Both should be destroyed.
It is ironic that people here are mad at Russians, but nobody bat an eye about Americans are doing exactly the same thing. They even write it in the article.

The stolen files included details about how the NSA breaks into foreign computer networks in its cyber espionage and cyber defense operations.

I guess breaking into foreign computers is perfectly fine, as long as you are an American.

[schwarzkopf]

What if say... my friend visits such dodgy porn sites that it's better to have some additional protection?

That's where the adblocker comes in (e.g. uBlock Origin).

[Kreo]

So Mr. Kaspersky refused to install NSA backdoor into his software? Nice, guy got balls.

If he would agree to their terms during that private senate conversation, it would be no media hysteria, fueled by idiots for idiots.

[Haven]

So, how does that make Kaspersky safe?

Relatively to every other decent antivirus, and your daily internet activity, it's perfectly safe.

That does not make it right.

Then develop a technology that will allow antivirus software to adapt to new viruses globally without analyzing them.

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Why do you think the CIA and/or KGB would have access to your data? If they did, what information could a vast majority of us possibly have that a spy agency would have any interest in at all?

Actually, it's how political activists are detected and put under control so that they don't act up. It's how you crush dissent in embryo. /puts on tinfiol hat

[Machismo]

Relatively to every other decent antivirus, and your daily internet activity, it's perfectly safe.

Then develop a technology that will allow antivirus software to adapt to new viruses globally without analyzing them.

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Actually, it's how political activists are detected and put under control so that they don't act up. It's how you crush dissent in embryo. /puts on tinfiol hat

Yeah, no thanks. I'm not big on just handing over my information to the Russian government. I'd rather make them work for it a bit harder.

Not today, ISIS.

[Haven]

Yeah, no thanks. I'm not big on just handing over my information to the Russian government. I'd rather make them work for it a bit harder.

Not today, ISIS.

As if you could protect yourself from brain rays. Russian government already has all the information about you.

[Machismo]

As if you could protect yourself from brain rays. Russian government already has all the information about you.

Yeah, that's too bad, especially considering they are a hostile, authoritarian regime.

[Mormolyce]

On the second front, there are, broadly speaking, three possibly scenarios: first, that Kaspersky is "innocent" (of everything but being conveniently located for Russian intelligence) and the victim of a man-in-the-middle attack on their inbound data feeds; second, that via carrot or stick, Kaspersky was "persuaded" to provide a degree of access to Russian intelligence (this is the method the NSA is well-documented as using on US-based entities), or finally that former KGB software-engineer Kaspersky has himself run his corporation as a front for Russian intelligence the whole time.

I'd say either Kaspersky was in on the whole thing. If you want to do business in Russia you have to get in bed with Putin, his cronies or the cronies of his cronies.

If not then they simply put assets in the business and ensured the backdoors etc were added anyway. But I think the former is more likely.

[Haven]

Yeah, that's too bad, especially considering they are a hostile, authoritarian regime.

You forgot "evil" and "of terror"

[Kreo]

It's ok to have backdoors from NSA, they good and our side, would never use all that cat pictures in a harmful way.
Russians on the other hand probably skinning that cat as we speak.

Media would never twist information to get on a hype train.

[Keeponrage]

Wait a sec. Kaspersky caught CIA spyware and sent it to be dissected like a lab rat? Can't imagine a better advertisement.

[Machismo]

You forgot "evil" and "of terror"

Which of those adjectives isn't completely true? They are clearly hostile to the United States government, as well as that of many Western European countries. They are very authoritarian, and easily in the bottom half of countries in the freedom index. There's no freedom of speech, no free expression, no freedom of the press.

No thanks.

[Logwyn]

Relatively to every other decent antivirus, and your daily internet activity, it's perfectly safe.

Then develop a technology that will allow antivirus software to adapt to new viruses globally without analyzing them.

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Actually, it's how political activists are detected and put under control so that they don't act up. It's how you crush dissent in embryo. /puts on tinfiol hat

I thought the argument was sending personal information out. Not stats on a virus. There is no reason to send out street address, phone number, name, sex, birthday, etc.to analyse a virus. Why would someone need to maintain a data base on how many time some living on main st in Iowa named Kevin gets a Virus? There isn't unless you are using said information for some other reason.