No, it's not. Previously things had to be danced around when presentations were made to Senate Sub Committees (like "Do you think it's a good idea to give a contract to a CEO who is a graduate of the Institute of Cryptography, Telecommunications and Computer Science?"). But with the blowing of the informants (Stoyanov and Mikhailov) earlier this year perhaps the actual proof has been finally shared.
The US intelligence community's concern, justified or not, respecting Kaspersky's connection to The Russian Intelligence Apparatus is very real. During this morning's hearing on Global Threats before The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (still ongoing), the Director of The CIA and The Director of National Intelligence, and others, stated that they have swept their systems to make certain that there are no Kasperky products, nor any contractors that use Kaspersky products or components present anywhere within their systems or those connected to it. https://www.c-span.org/video/?428161-1/russia-probe-looms-global-threats-hearing&live In addition, there is a clip from today's hearing in which Senator M. Rubio (R.-Fla) asks if the witnesses (CIA Director Mike Pompeo, Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, DNI Director Dan Coats, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Director Robert Cardillo, and Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. General Vincent Steward) would personally use a Kaspersky product. The responses were a unanimous and resounding "No!" https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4669226/kaspersky
One of the the portions of the hearing dealing fully with The Kaspersky Issue, other than The Senator Rubio clip, begins at 1:45:50 in the first (full) hearing link above. Noteworthy is The Director of The NSA's statement that the Kaspersky Issue is of the degree of concern that it has risen to his level and that he is personally engaged with dealing with it.
"US intelligence chiefs have doubts about cybersecurity firm over its Russian roots Top intelligence officials told a Senate hearing of their concerns over Kaspersky Labs’ broad presence.." https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/11/kaspersky-labs-cybersecurity-us-senate-intelligence
"Kaspersky willing to give US anti-virus 'source code' to disprove Russia spying claims... The firm's founder, however, told The Australian this week (24 May) that compromising his own software to allow full government access would have significant business implications. 'It's suicide,' he said bluntly. He [Eugene Kaspersky] denied accusations of state collusion and said, if asked, he would provide US authorities with 'the source code for checking.' He noted: 'When we have government contracts, in some cases we're asked to disclose our technologies. And we do it.'.." http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/kaspersky-...ce-code-disprove-russia-spying-claims-1623328
I have said this for years. Why would anybody use a product from a country that IS our enemy. China is our enemy. Iran is our enemy ect. Adguard is also Russian. You must understand the Russian Gov controls all it's companies. They even jail billionaire oil tycoons.
ROFL. So much silliness. I beta tested Kaspersky AV's for 4 years, and saw nothing other then bloat to keep me from using. I could comment more, but no political discussion.
I think it's a good gesture that Kaspersky is willing to provide the source code, but I'd still wouldn't trust them. But you're right about the fact that you should be cautious with all security tools no matter where they come from. Tools like AV's and also browsers are the perfect trojan horses. You have to trust them, and it's not always easy to figure out what type of info they are collecting and "phoning home".
"Under pressure, Western tech firms bow to Russian demands to share cyber secrets ...Russian authorities are asking Western tech companies to allow them to review source code for security products such as firewalls, anti-virus applications and software containing encryption before permitting the products to be imported and sold in the country. The requests, which have increased since 2014, are ostensibly done to ensure foreign spy agencies have not hidden any "backdoors" that would allow them to burrow into Russian systems..." http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-tech-idUSKBN19E0XB NE1 know how to say "tit-for-tat" in Russian ?
You use the word "our" a little too freely. China is not my enemy neither is Russia or Iran. They have done nothing to me, or you for that matter. Politicians and their lapdogs, the mainstream media make enemies of these countries let them go fight with them and leave the rest of us out of it.
"FBI questions U.S. employees of Russian cyber firm Kaspersky Lab The FBI interviewed several U.S. employees of Moscow-based cyber security firm Kaspersky Lab this week as part of an ongoing agency probe of the company's operations, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Federal Bureau of Investigation agents visited the homes of Kaspersky employees late on Tuesday in multiple U.S. cities,... The news followed the disclosure by senior U.S. intelligence officials last month, in testimony before the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, that they were reviewing government use of software from Kaspersky Lab, as lawmakers raised concerns that Moscow might use the firm's products to attack American computer networks... Kaspersky Lab confirmed in an email statement on Wednesday that FBI agents have had 'brief interactions' with some of its U.S. employees, discussions that the company described as 'due diligence' chats..." http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-kasperskylab-probe-idUKKBN19J2IX
Wow another Leak? a mole in the FBI is for certain. Russia is considered a enemy state and so I can see the governments concern for using Russian security programs and for using any other enemy states software for that matter. I guess I don't think Kaspersky is up to no good anymore like I used to. They would lose a bunch of money if they were doing bad things.
"U.S. senators seek military ban on Kaspersky Lab products amid FBI probe U.S. senators sought on Wednesday to ban Moscow-based cyber security firm Kaspersky Lab's products from use by the military because of fears the company is vulnerable to "Russian government influence," a day after the FBI interviewed several of its U.S. employees as part of a probe into its operations...."\ http://www.reuters.com/article/us-kasperskylab-probe-idUSKBN19J2IX
Russophobia is rampant. Americans have shown themselves to be easily manipulated. I run Kaspersky software - a world class product. The only thing is that in the current climate, American officials have an irrational fear of Russia. This is a superpower? I'm floored.
"...In response to U.S. lawmakers’ concerns, Kaspersky founder and Chief Executive Eugene Kaspersky had said during a question-and-answer session on Reddit that he would be willing to appear before the Senate to dispel any concerns about his company’s products... In a separate statement on Wednesday, the company said, 'Kaspersky Lab believes it is completely unacceptable that the company is being unjustly accused without any hard evidence to back up these false allegations.' It said that in its 20-year history, the company has abided by 'the highest ethical business practices.' U.S. intelligence agencies believe that the company and its president have had close ties to Russian political and intelligence officials since at least 2012, when a major shakeup of the firm’s executive ranks brought in new members with ties to Russia’s three main intelligence agencies, said one U.S. official familiar with the investigation." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry..._5954521ee4b05c37bb7be148?section=us_politics
Also run Kaspersky products now and then, they make good software. The problem is, K is embroiled in several big (global?) issues simultaneously right this very moment. If it makes some people flat out paranoid, OK. I'm more like: hmmmm How you could not look at the big picture a little funny? Edit: A quote from another Kaspersky-related thread in response to Kaspersky's filing a claim against Microsoft: "Precisely now is the time to start maneuvering to try to throw the hounds off its back. I don't buy the single-minded underdog concept for one New York minute. I just don't believe the motive for filing the complaint is all that--cof--- 'pure.' " Hounds, I mean Feds, are on Kaspersky's back anyway for the present.
Pretty sure the DOD had good reason for doing this. The FBI is not stupid. I have warned about this many times on this forum but as of lately , I thought Kaspersky was on the up and up but what do I know compared to intelligence? Same with Chinese software.
I was just going to add to that until I seen you tack on about the Chinese at the end of the statement. Some forum members had reservations about when Qihoo IS first came out which by the way I haven't forgot my first meeting with Mr Crypto. Just so happened I been using it almost a year than B00m! I don't blame that specifically on the program but it did slip past although I nailed it in time with other backup plans. In fact there was more static over using Chinese made apps than any other for the longest time.
Page No 12 in "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018" https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/FY18 NDAA summary2.pdf Thanks to adrian_sc
Yup. My last comment was called political - shame on the mod. Yet determining what software the DOD is allowed to run is being made on political grounds. I thought software is decided on the merits and not on national origin and subjective things like government influence?
It should be. In any case I think the whole thing is being exaggerated unless someone has proof of any wrong doing. If there is then they will go bankrupt. I don't think a company the size of Kaspersky would want to risk the whole company for the purpose of a little spying. They would never be trusted by anyone again. Ever.
