Steer clear of Russian-made anti-virus software
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 21, 2022) — Your level of protection against hacking, viruses and malware may well depend on where your anti-virus (AV) is made.
I am declaring any Russian-made, or influenced, software off-limits. Personally, I am not taking any chances, and you shouldn’t either.
I recommend that you review your AV software and switch from Kaspersky, Eset Nod32, AVG, Dr. Web and TrustPort right now. In my opinion, they may compromise your security and you would never know it.
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security banned Kaspersky products from all government departments on 13 September 2017, alleging that Kaspersky Lab had worked on secret projects with Russia’s Federal Security Service,” according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
When you installed your AV, you gave it permission to examine every single file on your computer with complete and unfettered access. That means the AV software can add, delete or change any file it wants. In fact, you handed the keys to your digital life to the AV software you installed. It also has permission to update, add or delete any other software you have installed at any time.
You trust the AV software to protect the very assets you hold most dear, like privacy, security and anti-intrusion. But you may never know if a foreign government ordered Kaspersky, or other companies linked to Russia, to add spy software to the AV.
Managed Service Provider
A Managed Service Provider (MSP) like ours is not perfect. But having eyes that are more technical on the subject gives users a more comprehensive and safe approach to the issue.
Our company is actively perusing alternatives, because the software we use, while not in Russian hands, could be a future target of these maniacs. We are sourcing only U.S.-made AV and you should as well.
As a public service to residences of Contra Costa County, we offer a free technical review of your AV software. We use a remote system to access your computer and examine your security. This means you don’t need to bring in your computer. If you need to change your AV software to a better product, or switch to SentinelOne, we can help.
For more information, visit https://www.sentinelone.com or call 925-672-9989.
Contact William Claney at willclaney@gmail.com.
Will Claney
William Claney is an independent tech writer and former owner of Computers USA in the Clayton Station. Email questions or comments to willclaney@gmail.com.