Kaspersky Labs

[Obliviax]

Beginning more than a decade ago, one of the largest security companies in the world, Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab, tried to damage rivals in the marketplace by tricking their antivirus software programs into classifying benign files as malicious, according to two former employees.

They said the secret campaign targeted Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O), AVG Technologies NV (AVG.N), Avast Software and other rivals, fooling some of them into deleting or disabling important files on their customers' PCs.

Some of the attacks were ordered by Kaspersky Lab's co-founder, Eugene Kaspersky, in part to retaliate against smaller rivals that he felt were aping his software instead of developing their own technology, they said.​

 

[Ten Thousan Marbles]

Beginning more than a decade ago, one of the largest security companies in the world, Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab, tried to damage rivals in the marketplace by tricking their antivirus software programs into classifying benign files as malicious, according to two former employees.

They said the secret campaign targeted Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O), AVG Technologies NV (AVG.N), Avast Software and other rivals, fooling some of them into deleting or disabling important files on their customers' PCs.

Some of the attacks were ordered by Kaspersky Lab's co-founder, Eugene Kaspersky, in part to retaliate against smaller rivals that he felt were aping his software instead of developing their own technology, they said.​

Serious question: Who in America would think it wise to use a Russian-based security system?

Might be instructive to take a step back in time and see who was suggesting that was a good idea.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Serious question: Who in America would think it wise to use a Russian-based security system?

Might be instructive to take a step back in time and see who was suggesting that was a good idea.

I think the idea is that if your biggest competitors are deleting valuable files on their customers' PCs, suddenly Kaspersky Labs looks a lot more attractive to said customers.

 

[bwifan]

I know there were several on here who highly recommended them and used their software.

 

[fairgambit]

The Citizens Bank news of yesterday stunned me and this does as well. I have never used Kaspersky but I know a number of people who do. If true, it just adds to the message that we live in a world where you can no longer trust anyone. Perhaps it was always so.

 

[fairgambit]

Serious question: Who in America would think it wise to use a Russian-based security system?
Might be instructive to take a step back in time and see who was suggesting that was a good idea.

I never used them but I always thought they were a highly reputable company.

 

[psengr82]

I use their free rootkit removal software. I works very well.

 

[Ranger Dan]

tried to damage rivals

When I first read this I was confused as to why a russian based software company would be out to get a sport message board host (Rivals)... then I figured out that it was a "small r" and not "capital R". LOL

I did use Kapersky Labs product when I had a quite invasive virus. It worked well, but I do kinda remember them wanting me to delete a lot of innocuous files. I'll not use them again after learning of this.

 

[simons96]

yeah John McAfee has been the model of stability the last few years, LOL

 

[Madsol]

Kaspersky is the only anti-virus i've tried that can run without completely shutting down my system. It works very well.

 

[mal359]

This sounds like a serious flaw in Avast!'s heuristics engine rather than dirty tricks on Kaspersky's end.

As for the "Russian software" quip, Kaspersky is about the only AV package I'd, personally, ever consider running.

 

[Leo Ridens]

When I first read this I was confused as to why a russian based software company would be out to get a sport message board host (Rivals)... then I figured out that it was a "small r" and not "capital R". LOL

Short answer: they work for the BOT.

 

[NittanyAmerica]

The Russians are coming, The Russians are coming.

At least someone is...

N i t t a n y A m e r i c a

 

[Nittany Ziggy]

The Russians are coming, The Russians are coming.

At least someone is...

N i t t a n y A m e r i c a

It is impossible to put any articulate phrases together that express how valuable your contribution is here!

 

[fairfaxlion2]

Kaspersky is the only anti-virus i've tried that can run without completely shutting down my system. It works very well.

Same reason I use them. Every other antivirus program I ever had would basically make my computer useless. I ended up deciding that my options were 1) have a computer with nothing on it, 2) use Kaspersky