Germany Suspects Kaspersky Antivirus Could Be A Russian Spy Tool

Kaspersky is claimed to be used to spy for Russia or launch cyber attacks. (photo: doc. unsplash)

JAKARTA - Kaspersky cybersecurity company with its antivirus software is becoming a hot topic in Germany. Kaspersky is claimed to be used to spy for Russia or launch cyber attacks.

This statement was issued by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) itself, which warned organizations against using Kaspersky's antivirus software.

This is because BSI is concerned that Kaspersky antivirus could be exploited to become a spy or launch a cyber attack in the midst of Russia's war on Ukraine.

Even so, BSI is merely a warning, and advises organizations in Germany to immediately replace the products made by the Moscow-based company with alternative software from non-Russian vendors.

Given the news of its threats to Europe, NATO, and Germany, there is also a huge risk of a successful IT attack.

“Russian IT manufacturers can carry out their own offensive operations, be forced to attack target systems against their will, or be spied on without their knowledge as victims of cyber operations, or be misused as a tool to attack their own customers,” said BSI.

Furthermore, BSI also explains that antivirus software like Kaspersky has deep system access and must maintain a permanent, encrypted, and unverifiable connection to the manufacturer's servers.

BSI added, although users tend to be the last target if the attack is successful, they can fall victim to collateral damage or spillovers. Warnings from BSI immediately caused German organisations, such as German football club Eintracht Frankfurt to cut ties with Kaspersky.

In fact, the Italian Computer Security Incident Response (CSIRT) team has also urged organizations to urgently assess what technological risks are provided by Russian companies or companies with links to the country, although it doesn't directly mention Kaspersky.

In response to this, Kaspersky said that his party believes that BSI's decision is not based on a technical assessment of its products, but on the basis of political attitudes.

"We will continue to reassure our partners and customers in the quality and integrity of our products, and we will work with BSI for clarification on its decision and for how to address its concerns and other regulators," Kaspersky spokesman Francesco Tius, as reported by TechCrunch, Wednesday, March 16.

“Kaspersky is a private global cybersecurity company and, as a private company, has no ties to Russia or any other government. We believe that peaceful dialogue is the only possible instrument for resolving conflicts. War is not good for anyone."

Earlier in 2017, former US President Donald Trump in office banned government agencies from using Kaspersky software, citing concerns about the company's alleged ties to the Russian government.