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Kaspersky CEO Says Hack Claims Cutting US Cyber Security Sales (reuters.com)

Posted by msmash on from the repercussion dept.

Eugene Kaspersky told news agency Reuters on Friday that his cyber security firm that bears his name would see a 'single digit' drop in U.S. sales this year as a result of suspicions about his company's ties to the Russian government, but global revenue should still increase. From a report: By turns frustrated and defiant in an 80-minute interview in his Moscow office, the founder and head of the embattled antivirus software maker denounced what he called an "information war" against his company, repeatedly asserting that "we've done nothing wrong." Anton Shingarev, Kaspersky Lab's vice president of public affairs, also told Reuters during the interview the company had abandoned efforts to sell its services to the U.S. government and that it would wind down its Washington-area subsidiary, KGSS. Kaspersky Lab has become a lightning rod in recent months as it has faced allegations by the U.S. government that its antivirus products can be used by Russian spies to conduct cyber espionage. Office Depot, Staples and Best Buy have stopped selling Kaspersky's security suite in their stores.

69 comments

  1. Should have donated to CGI when you had the chance by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Here's how Kaspersky could get out of this:

    1) change name to "Uranium Two"
    2) donate to the Clinton Global Initiative
    3) ??? (impeach Trump?)
    4) profit!

  2. Assuming the allegations are true. by sims+2 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The company is either corrupt (complicit in the hacking) or incompetent (unable to protect their own stuff).

    Both are extremely good reasons not to use their software.

    --
    Minimum threshold fixed. Thanks!
    1. Re:Assuming the allegations are true. by Calydor · · Score: 2

      Yes, assuming it's true.

      What happened to innocent until proven guilty?

      --
      -=This sig has nothing to do with my comment. Move along now=-
    2. Re:Assuming the allegations are true. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Innocent until proven guilty is for courts not software acquisition.

    3. Re:Assuming the allegations are true. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Is there a trusted alternative? The way I see it, you can either give your data to the KGB or the NSA.

    4. Re:Assuming the allegations are true. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nor indeed for presidents

    5. Re:Assuming the allegations are true. by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 2

      The company is either corrupt (complicit in the hacking) or incompetent (unable to protect their own stuff).

      Gee, that's what I would say about the NSA.

      Both are extremely good reasons not to use their software.

      With the NSA software . . . you do not have a choice:

      In Putinist Amerika, NSA software uses you!

      At any rate, the NSA will be happy to see them gone. One less company to worry about that will discover NSA Hanky Panky.

      --
      Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
    6. Re: Assuming the allegations are true. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, depends where you live. The KGB will not come after me(Mostly due to not existing anymore, but you can insert whatever Russian agency pleases you).

    7. Re:Assuming the allegations are true. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ASSUMING it is true that they sold a compromised product, then you conclude we shouldn't buy their product. Do you, by any chance, work for the government? Such brilliant thinking clearly indicates your true calling. (factory line work)
      I own Kaspersky's Internet Security and am leaning towards discontinuing it come renewal time because I haven't found their response to the vague claims as aggressively forthright as they need to be. OTOH, all I've found in terms of specific accusations is the claim that the virus scan flagged certain key-words more associated with security than with malware. The term "Top Secret" is the only specific example I've seen. Kaspersky claims that the accusations are too vague to address, but it seems to me that they ARE specific enough to respond to. I think it is enough to at least respond in a more definitive way than what they've done so far and their announcement that sometime in January 2018 they'll provide their source code to some unnamed 3rd party for review is far too little, far too late. I expect an immediate point by point discussion of the NYT and the WSJ accusations, not some vague claim that they don't understand what they've specifically been accused of so they are unable to respond.

    8. Re:Assuming the allegations are true. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How about
      Not a US product so the US alphabet soup departments won't be able to add their spyware.

      That should help sell to the 96% of the worlds population who live outside of the USA.

    9. Re:Assuming the allegations are true. by CaptainDork · · Score: 1

      I used the software for years at a law firm as a first line of mitigation for virus infection on desktops.

      It worked great.

      Then, I'd do a deep uninstall it using Revo Uninstaller because ... Russia.

      That was years ago and virus no longer presents a hazard.

      Nowadays, the bad stuff is ransomware.

      --
      It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.
    10. Re:Assuming the allegations are true. by CaptainDork · · Score: 1

      "Innocent until proven guilty" is a USA concept.

      Kaspersky is located in Russia, so they have no standing in that regard.

      --
      It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.
    11. Re:Assuming the allegations are true. by manu0601 · · Score: 1

      The company is either corrupt (complicit in the hacking) or incompetent (unable to protect their own stuff).

      Or more likely, every major internet company is infiltrated by spies working for various powers.

      I seriously doubt an antivirus company can detect new NSA malware without many government being noticed within hours.

    12. Re:Assuming the allegations are true. by sims+2 · · Score: 0

      Well considering that they have admitted that their software did actually collect said files in 2015 and never announced that their network had been breached (by both russia and Israel) they are at least one of the two.
      They must either be untrustworthy (if they knew and said nothing) or incompetent (they didn't know two diffrent nation states were running about their networks.)

      Both of which should be unacceptable for a security company.

      --
      Minimum threshold fixed. Thanks!
    13. Re:Assuming the allegations are true. by sims+2 · · Score: 1

      Most people get the choice of what av they run (if at all).

      What the American public thinks of the NSA doesn't matter we have no meaningful way to express our opinions on the matter and even if we could its unlikely most would even care.

      After all you can't fight safety people will vote for even the illusion of safety even when it can be shown it vastly to their own detriment.

      --
      Minimum threshold fixed. Thanks!
    14. Re:Assuming the allegations are true. by sims+2 · · Score: 1

      No I don't but I defiantly would not use a AV that has almost certainly been compromised by at least two nation states.

      There are at least a few dozen other antivirus programs out there that aren't all but compromised why not use one of those?

      Sure they might also be compromised but that's not the point.

      It's like saying my house is on fire but I don't want to leave because everyone else's house is probably on fire too.

      --
      Minimum threshold fixed. Thanks!
    15. Re:Assuming the allegations are true. by sims+2 · · Score: 2

      Dude there are entire companies that will scan files for you without reporting them to check if any AV can detect your leet new ransomware virus. I can't imagine that the NSA wouldn't have a similar setup to see if any of their tools have been compromised.

      --
      Minimum threshold fixed. Thanks!
    16. Re:Assuming the allegations are true. by sims+2 · · Score: 0

      How so? Israel was one of the countries that compromised kasperkey's network and they share intel with the United States.

      --
      Minimum threshold fixed. Thanks!
    17. Re: Assuming the allegations are true. by guruevi · · Score: 1

      The question is why would you live in a house that is on fire when cheaper or free houses with built-in fire sprinklers exist.

      Didnâ(TM)t your mother ever ask you âoeIf everyone else jumped off the bridge, you would too?â

      --
      Custom electronics and digital signage for your business: www.evcircuits.com
    18. Re:Assuming the allegations are true. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There is no concept of "innocence" anywhere to be found in the US criminal justice system. Defendants may plea, and those that make it through trial may be found, either guilty or not guilty. No one is innocent.

    19. Re:Assuming the allegations are true. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Assuming you're a gullable idiot and no one likes you because you're funny looking, you're a gullable idiot and no one likes you because you're funny looking. Can't argue with that logic, sport. But maybe we can do better by actually having, you know, a fucking thought in our heads.

      The accusation that Kaspersky antivirus software is a spy vector for Russian intelligence, and that Israeli hackers infitrated this vector, is entirely bullshit, on it's face, and any one that knows machines running a Microsoft OS knows from even any surface or pedestrian support level will immediately recognize this claim as absolute bullshit, as in made-up for some as yet unidentified reason.

      The proof is that this alleged software spy-vector is unnecessary and overly complicated and a weak choice, to do any such thing is that the host machine is running a Microsoft OS. There are God-knows unlimited security vectors already even if you believe you are vigilent running a different anti-virus software, beyond the OS itself, including every other available anti-virus software, as well as all the other software, their installers, anything available anywhere on the Internet, and ultimately anything that uses any Microsoft OS Windows.

      The hidden reason behind the well-placed and overly aggressively promoted bullshit may just be, beyond it appearing almost obviously it must be the case, that because Kaspersky was among the top reasearch groups to unravel all the known state-level malware shit, like Stuxnet, and that Kaspersky is a theat to future and current state-level software spy vectors.

      Get Kaspersky software while you can. We at least know spys and liars don't trust their anti-virus software. Russia at the state level, I bet, doesn't even understand the accusations. Experts don't see the proof, just a specious claim that supersecret info the Israelies shared with Americans is suddenly headline news. That's not a secret. That's bullshit.

      How's that bullshit taste today? You seem to have gorged on it.

      Again. Have a fucking thought in your head, or don't post... ever.

    20. Re: Assuming the allegations are true. by sims+2 · · Score: 1

      Sunk cost fallacy. You've already spent the money for the house and the time to move in. You would have to write that off to move into a cheaper or free house.

      --
      Minimum threshold fixed. Thanks!
  3. All stable doors are locked. Nothing to see here. by 140Mandak262Jamuna · · Score: 1

    They stole the election, and the presidency. Stole all the secrets from NSA.

    --
    sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact
  4. Re:Should have donated to CGI when you had the cha by Anonymous+Cashews · · Score: 1, Funny

    Just change the company name to "Kaspersky Blockchain" and watch the bitcoins roll in.

  5. Astonishing by 110010001000 · · Score: 0

    I am astonished that people actually bought security software from a Russian company in the first place. They could be 100% honest, but who knows? Their software is completely closed source. Why are you trusting your data to closed source software company?

    1. Re: Astonishing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why are you trusting data to anyone, even yourself?

    2. Re: Astonishing by 110010001000 · · Score: 1

      I can trust Open Source. I can't trust some company selling some closed source software where I have no idea what they are doing with my data.

    3. Re:Astonishing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why don't you keep your data on paper in a fireproof safe like everybody else? Are you retarded?

    4. Re:Astonishing by zlives · · Score: 0

      I acquired my president from Russia so whats so bad about software?

    5. Re:Astonishing by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 0

      But Gartner said it was OK! They are, like TOTALLY in the upper right quadrant!
      https://solutionsreview.com/endpoint-security/gartner-2017-epp-magic-quadrant/

    6. Re: Astonishing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So far you haven't given a reason for trust, neither closed nor open source.

      At least say your data is worthless.

    7. Re:Astonishing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hey, creimer! I heard you got laid off from Tesla. Did you apply for that Amazon delivery job?

    8. Re:Astonishing by AHuxley · · Score: 1

      Re "Why are you trusting your data to closed source software company?"
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
      They helped tell the world about Stuxnet, Flame, Equation Group https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/..., Duqu
      That skill level helped internet security globally.

      --
      Domestic spying is now "Benign Information Gathering"
    9. Re: Astonishing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Stone tablets are cheaper and I don't need to remember a combination.

    10. Re: Astonishing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Unless you personally review and inspect every line of code in the software you shouldn't trust anything open or closed sourced.

      So what if it's open source and nobody reviews the code just like Open SSL?

      What if the malicious code is written in a way to look like it is doing something else and you can't notice the true intent even if the code is open?

      What if the security code scanning software you use has some state influence that does not detect some items on purpose or because of some out right incompetence?

      Now go back to reviewing your MS Dos.... you haven't finished it yet why are you even using windows or Linux?

    11. Re: Astonishing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Congratulations on your awesome data, I for one, am extremely jealous. Very impressed. I mean..WOW. You are the coolest, and you have the best data. The best. I would explain open source, but I am too busy masturbating over your super spectacular data. Keep that shit safe my man. The world needs more people like you.

    12. Re: Astonishing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Indeed. Why trust U. S. Software? Closed or foss, does Not matter.

  6. Just like Trump by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Americans are getting ready to flush this turd down the bowl

    1. Re:Just like Trump by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Crazy libtards with their Russian conspiracy theories There was no interference in the election. Hitlary just sucks... but not as good as Monica. LOL

  7. Re:Assuming the allegations are true.FTFY by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Assuming the allegations are true.

    The Trump is either corrupt (complicit with russia) or incompetent (unable to practice sound judgement).

    Both are extremely good reasons not to have him be your president.

  8. Russian Federated Democratic Peoples Republics. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Fuck Kasperesky and fuck the Russian Federated Democratic Peoples Republics.

  9. Re:Should have donated to CGI when you had the cha by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Another impassioned defense of a traitorous faggot like Drupf. Throw it on the worthless faggot shit pile.

  10. What's your alternative? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So, apparently an NSA contractor scanned a non-NSA computer that had a backdoor with Kaspersky which identified the backdoor as well as other NSA malware.

    And then the FSB and NSA found out via their passive surveillance of the entire internet. Kaspersky did catch when they were attacked with STUXNET, though.

    I'm not sure what you want them to do about pervasive internet monitoring or how you think anyone is immune to the full TAO catalog. They probably owned everyone's routers before they were even delivered...

  11. Retailwise, this whole thing is an excuse by Presence+Eternal · · Score: 1

    I work in a retail store that just pulled it, and I never heard of a single consumer complaining simply because we stocked it. I suppose there's a small chance we pulled it in order to pay obeisance to whinging douchebags who weren't even real customers, but I think there's a better explanation.

    Kaspersky was bad for profits. The biggest reason is we'd rather promote our own antivirus guarantee service, and less competition means more money. Second, people who bought Kaspersky kept bumping into Windows 10 errors that could tie up associates with trying to provide support over the phone. Finally, it simply wasn't a great seller. It was hard to sell even during the holidays when it was free after rebate. I've sold antivirus on Ebay, and even Norton antivirus basic tends to pull in three times as much money as fullblown KIS.

  12. Impeach Twitter by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Seems like Twitter sold us out too: https://www.rt.com/news/407919-twitter-multi-million-offer-rt/

    Granted, that's the RT and they could be faking it, but it's probably still worth having Congress send a subpoena duces tecum to get all of Twitter's communication with RT to make sure.

  13. Where not to shop... by hyades1 · · Score: 1

    "Office Depot, Staples and Best Buy have stopped selling Kaspersky's security suite in their stores."

    If you're going to any of those places expecting to get security software for your computer, you should probably just find a Warez site and post all your passwords.

    Saves problems all 'round, and gives the lowest of the low level script kiddies a reason to live.

    --
    I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
  14. Re: Trump is going to prison for TREASON by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Anything repeated ad infunitum will be known by all. Still none of that cool, cool, proof stuff, though. Trump is shitty, but with Clinton, it is the pot calling the kettle metal.

  15. This is much to do about nothing for Home users by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    While the government seems to be on a witch hunt against Kaspersky. I think the average home users has more to gain then lose from using Kaspersky.
    For myself I simply rely on my own preventive measures and Defender or some other free option. But if you want and need protection, Kaspersky has always ranked high in tests which is a primary factor in security. Although many rumors have surrounded Kaspersky for a while about Russian government connections. Much of big business in Russia has ties to government. Its a communist country people, its not the USA free market type culture.

  16. "Single digit"? by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 1

    So you lost what, five sales? Six?

  17. Harm reduction by TheMeuge · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Considering that independent testing has generally placed them at or near the top of world antivirus companies and their software does so without being slow or intrusive, I think it may actually be safer to place your trust in them, being a US citizen, than to trust the American companies that are beholden to the NSA and the like. Frankly, there is nothing useful that Russia can gain from a backdoor to my computer. On the other hand, I fully expect NSA to be compiling list of undesirable persons based on race, religion, desire for digital security and privacy, software used, and most importantly - political affiliations. They are not going to make a mistake again at the next presidential election and let it actually proceed unmolested domestically. Next time the appropriate winner will be assured.

    1. Re:Harm reduction by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Replace "NSA" with "FSB" and "American companies" with "Russian companies" and your post will be more accurate. I can't believe people are so willing to ignore the actions of the FSB because that would force them to change their biased political positions. The US is bad so every shred of evidence to the contrary must be ignored at all costs because it may cause someone to re-evaluate their engrained biases. Something like that might mean all the protest signs and slogans would need to be changed and that could be expensive and time consuming.

      "there is nothing useful that Russia can gain from a backdoor to my computer"
      You are a blithering idiot. The Russian government and Russian mafia are one in the same. The Russian government allows it's extensive criminal organizations do anything they want as long as it only involves foreigners and the government gets it's cut. Kapersky software would not exist if they did not give the Russian government full access to every single piece of code they develop. Russian companies are required by law to provide a back door into all encrypted data stored or being transferred over Russia's electronic infrastructure.

    2. Re: Harm reduction by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wow. That is a fabulous tin foil hat analysis!

  18. Re:Should have donated to CGI when you had the cha by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Pence is worse.

  19. Re:Should have donated to CGI when you had the cha by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    creimer spam. mod down

  20. Re:Should have donated to CGI when you had the cha by CaptainDork · · Score: 0

    I'd buy a copy of Kaspersky and not install it if it's a ticket to getting the pussy-grabber and his insane cronies out of office.

    --
    It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.
  21. Kaspersky failed to ... by CaptainDork · · Score: 0

    ... protect its product(s) from bad press.

    That's on them.

    I'm not the least interested in the welfare of a business located in Russia.

    --
    It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.
    1. Re: Kaspersky failed to ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      To reciprocate , I will boycott google and msft from now on. Yandex!

  22. Re:Trump is going to prison for TREASON by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm confident Trump will manage to finally pass a fix for the disaster that is the ACA once Shillary is behind bars.

    The complete mental breakdown (almost, but not quite there yet!) and accompanying unprecedented wave of mass suicides among dumbfuck college kids will require morons in the House and Senate to do something other than bend over for Aetna.

  23. Re:Assuming the allegations are true.FTFY by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yes, both.

  24. Boo hoo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Russian cocksucker.

  25. "incapable of protecting their own stuff"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Are you for real ? With almist 100% certainty the nsa have a dip in all av solution in the us. Imagine this is a gold mine encrusted with diamond and emerald : not only you get a head on economic spying because you may get company documents deemed suspicious and sent back for analyze or even governemental docs, but also you get a free glimpse at new exploit, or even new stuff you may have not thought of and need to protect youself against. And it would be pretty damn easy to do a Mitm, they just need to have the cert.

  26. Even if they did nothing wrong... by MoarSauce123 · · Score: 0

    ....Krapersky still sucks. It is a performance killer and sends massive amounts of data to dubious servers.

    1. Re: Even if they did nothing wrong... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Name one anti virus that doesn't do that. I'll wait.

  27. Re: Should have donated to CGI when you had the ch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    False alarm boys.

  28. Re: All stable doors are locked. Nothing to see he by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    No, somebody Stile the meds of your ilk.

  29. Re: This is much to do about nothing for Home user by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hahaha. American Corporation are at least as much in bed with the federalez of Washington as kaspersky is with his government.

    Just look up Too Big To Faul.

  30. Re: Should have donated to CGI when you had the ch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's cute that you think more than one person cares to follow this discussion.

  31. Re: Should have donated to CGI when you had the ch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    PHASE 1: CREIMER ENGAGES IN MASSIVE SHITPOSTING
    You need to be more specific. I wrote 3,000+ comments this year.
    https://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=11065203&cid=55126475

    PHASE 2: ?????
    Nah... I just do it to piss off my trolls and make coffee money off of them.
    https://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=11060179&cid=55118657

    PHASE 3: HUUUUGE PROFITS!!!
    We have different priorities. You want to climb the corporate ladder. I want to own the corporate ladder.
    https://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=11055599&cid=55114803