Don’t Buy Kaspersky Antivirus Software For Your St. Louis Business Computer Security
Kaspersky has been around for as long as most of us can remember, and the name is synonymous with antivirus. The Kaspersky company boasts over two decades of international recognition as an antivirus provider. Their antivirus solutions have a significant market in Russia, the United States, and worldwide.
Kaspersky has 400 million users globally, and 11% of this number are Americans. By the close of 2018, Kaspersky’s revenue in North America had dwindled by 25%. In 2016, the U.S. accounted for 25% of Kaspersky’s total revenue. In contrast, Kaspersky’s revenue internationally peaked at 4% and hit $725 million. To understand why U.S. sales dropped, we need to go back in time.
Origins of Kaspersky
Eugene Kaspersky founded Kaspersky Lab in 1997. Kaspersky graduated with a computer technology and mathematical engineering degree in 1987. After graduation, Kaspersky served as a Soviet military intelligence service software engineer.
He became interested in IT when a virus (Cascade) infected his work computer and developed an antivirus removal program. He became the CEO in 2007 and has held the position to date. Kaspersky has failed to condemn Russia for invading Ukraine, ruffling many feathers.
Kaspersky Ban
The Kaspersky ban had nothing to do with the Russia-Ukraine war and happened way before these events. In 2017, the U.S. government accused Kaspersky of colluding with Russian intelligence agencies. The company received a temporary ban on 1st October 2018. Kaspersky tried to fight this ban in court by claiming it went against the U.S. constitution, but they failed.
It’s a well-known fact that a ban is rarely lifted when issued unless the government orders a court to lift it. The ban is now permanent, and Kaspersky Lab cannot provide security solutions to U.S government agencies. This list includes third-party contractors that work with the government.
Kaspersky produces cybersecurity solutions for Russia and provides specialists for Russian intelligence officers and the police. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) raised concerns about Kaspersky Lab officials with ties to Russian government agencies.
Russian law allows Russian intelligence agencies to ask or compel Kaspersky to assist and intercept communications that pass through Russian networks. Kaspersky is headquartered in Moscow, Russia, and the risks linked to buying Russian software far outweigh the benefits.
Alternatives to Kaspersky
America has numerous antivirus alternatives that you can use. Some of them include:
1. TotalAV
For TotalAV has not been in existence for as long as Kaspersky. The company is already making a statement with its excellent performance, affordable packages, and user-friendly support. The free edition does not offer real-time protection, but it still provides a powerful solution.
TotalAV offers three packages to choose from and additional tools, such as optimizing tools and an independent VPN.
Pros
- Protection against malware, ransomware, and phishing
- Additional cleaning and OS (operating system) boosting tools
- It has a limited but capable free version
- Great customer service
- Works on older computers
- It is compatible with most platforms and operating systems.
- Fair prices on most packages
Cons
- Has no proper AV-test
- The free version has no real-time protection
- The quick scans take too long.
2. Avast
The Avast is among the most low-impact and user-friendly antivirus products. The product comes with a capable free version. Avast has been around since 1991 and currently boasts over 400 million users worldwide. The product is versatile, straightforward, and has extras like a safe browser, password manager, and VPN.
Pros
- The product’s lab test results came back above average.
- Has the best free versions in the market
- It is excellent value for its cost.
- Stands strong against threats
- Excellent entry-level solution
- Fast, easy to navigate, and intuitive
- Low impact
Cons
- The Avast free version is very limited despite its good performance.
- The product does not pack as many features compared to its rivals.
3. Bitdefender
The Bitdefender provides you with dynamic protection against known threats. It has excellent lab test results and a healthy antivirus core that works well against malware, ransomware, phishing, and other threats. The different modes such as games, work, and movies ensure you stay unbothered when working or gaming.
Pros
- Excellent malware protection
- 24/7 support
- Excellent extra features
- Game, movie, and work modes
- Bast app for Windows 10
- Free trials for all the packages
Cons:
- Full scans take too long
- Not very affordable
4. McAfee
The McAfee is a strong antivirus with excellent lab test results.
Pros:
- Robust protection for the major platforms.
- It does not give false positives.
- Removes virus thoroughly
- Easy to navigate and intuitive
Cons:
- High impact system impact during scans
- The multi-device packages cost too much
- Not strong in anti-phishing
5. Intego
The Intego has operated for 20 plus years and is Mac-exclusive. The antivirus does not work on Windows, Android, or iOS.
Pros
- Among the best antivirus for mac computers
- Affordable entry-level packages
- Scans files in real-time
- It has a powerful firewall
Cons:
- Only used on Mac OS
- It does not provide anti-phishing protection
With the Kaspersky ban, it is important to mention that it is permanent for government agencies. Regular users can still buy Kaspersky products for their personal use. We highly recommend switching to one of these and other alternatives on the market.
After the government agency refuses to use Kaspersky products, it will normalize after a long time. The removal of the already installed products may bring about issues and downtimes. No organization that was using the Kaspersky products can discard them just yet.
The gradual process means scouting for a worthy antivirus and ditching Kaspersky once they have an alternative on standby. With no protection, these federal organizations would leave themselves vulnerable to attacks.
The most significant challenge lies in that you have to reboot the systems to remove the antivirus completely. Most critical systems have Kaspersky installed, and downtime can lead to dire consequences.
If you need advice on the best antivirus product to use, the Alliance Technology Partners team can guide you along the way. Let us help you grow and protect your business. Call us now at (888) 891 885 and check here for alternative numbers. You can also email us at info@alliancetechpartners.com to consult about your protection.
