The United States today banned the sale of all applications produced by Kasperksy Lab for security reasons. Kaspersky is said to pose a security risk because it allegedly has close ties to the Russian government and can help become a spying agent when the software is used in the United States.
Licensing and sales of new software will no longer be possible after 20 July while updates to existing software will no longer be possible after 29 September. The 100-day period given after the announcement of the ban was given to allow businesses using Kaspersky software to find alternatives in the near future.
Previously, the software developed by Kaspersky was only banned from being used on government-owned hardware and networks also for security reasons. The sale of third-party application software that integrates Kaspersky services is also prohibited in the United States.
In addition to banning business dealings with Kaspersky, the United States also imposed sanctions on two Russian companies and one in the UK for allegedly helping Russian intelligence agencies carry out cyber attacks.
Kaspersky Lab was established in 1997 and it offers antivirus software, internet security, password management and various other cyber security products. Since the Ukraine-Russia conflict began two years ago, Kaspersky Lab's business in Russia has been subject to US sanctions. Today's announcement prevents all Kasperksy businesses from doing business in America.