Kaspersky Labs, the Russian anti-virus software maker, announced Monday that it will be winding down its US operations starting July 20. The decision comes nearly a month after the Biden administration's plans to prohibit the sale of Kaspersky products in the United States over claimed security concerns.

Effective immediately, Kaspersky has stopped selling its products to US consumers. Currently, when a US-based buyer accesses its website, it flashes the notice, indicating that the "purchase unavailable for US customers." Additionally, all US-based positions are set to be axed as part of the phasing-out process.

Last month, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced her intentions to ban sales of Kaspersky antivirus software in the United States, citing security risks due to Russian influence over the cybersecurity company. The US government did more than slap the cybersecurity company with these concerns in its senior leadership by placing sanctions on the chief business development officer, chief operating officer, legal officer, and corporate communications chief at Kaspersky.

The news of the company's plan to leave the US was first reported by CNN.

This new sanction blocks downloads of the software updates, sale of licences, and resales of Kaspersky products to any customer based in the US with effect from September 29.&nbsp;

New U.S. business for Kaspersky are to be barred 30 days after the restrictions were first announced on June 20.

In essence, Kaspersky Labs is going to stop its operations in the United States because of the heightened security measures by the US government. The restriction reflects lingering concerns about the risks associated with cyber security with the company, hence a significant change in the products for digital security available within the United States.

Kaspersky Labs, the Russian anti-virus software maker, announced Monday that it will be winding down its US operations starting July 20. The decision comes nearly a month after the Biden administration's plans to prohibit the sale of Kaspersky products in the United States over claimed security concerns.

Kaspersky Labs, the Russian anti-virus software maker, announced Monday that it will be winding down its US operations starting July 20. The decision comes nearly a month after the Biden administration's plans to prohibit the sale of Kaspersky products in the United States over claimed security concerns. Effective immediately, Kaspersky has stopped selling its products to US consumers. Currently, when a US-based buyer accesses its website, it flashes the notice, indicating that the "purchase unavailable for US customers." Additionally, all US-based positions are set to be axed as part of the phasing-out process. Last month, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced her intentions to ban sales of Kaspersky antivirus software in the United States, citing security risks due to Russian influence over the cybersecurity company. The US government did more than slap the cybersecurity company with these concerns in its senior leadership by placing sanctions on the chief business development officer, chief operating officer, legal officer, and corporate communications chief at Kaspersky. The news of the company's plan to leave the US was first reported by CNN. This new sanction blocks downloads of the software updates, sale of licences, and resales of Kaspersky products to any customer based in the US with effect from September 29. New U.S. business for Kaspersky are to be barred 30 days after the restrictions were first announced on June 20. In essence, Kaspersky Labs is going to stop its operations in the United States because of the heightened security measures by the US government. The restriction reflects lingering concerns about the risks associated with cyber security with the company, hence a significant change in the products for digital security available within the United States.

Kaspersky's US Exit: cybersecurity concerns amid geopolitical tensions

Russian cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab will “gradually wind down” its US operations and lay off its US-based employees after the Department of Commerce announced a ban on the firm selling its products in the United States, Kaspersky said Monday.

Kaspersky to wind down US operations amid new security restrictions

The Joe Biden administration in the United States (US) on Thursday (June 20) announced plans to bar the sale of antivirus software made by Russia's Kaspersky Lab in the country due to the company's alleged links to the Kremlin.

The Joe Biden administration in the United States (US) on Thursday (June 20) announced plans to bar the sale of antivirus software made by Russia's Kaspersky Lab in the country due to the company's alleged links to the Kremlin. Addressing a press conference, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said that Russia showed it had the capacity and intent to exploit Russian companies like Kaspersky to collect and weaponise the personal information of Americans. "...and that is why we are compelled to take the action that we are taking today," Commerce Secretary Raimondo added. Also read | Canada bans WeChat, Kaspersky on govt devices due to security risks Citing a source, a report by the news agency Reuters early Friday said that Kaspersky's antivirus software's privileged access to a computer's systems could allow it to steal sensitive information from American computers or install malware and withhold critical updates, enhancing the threat. The new restrictions Raimondo told reporters that the new restrictions (on inbound sales) would be coupled with another move to add three units of the company to a trade restriction list. The restrictions, which would also bar downloads of software updates, resales, and licensing of the product will be imposed from September 29. New US business for Kaspersky would be blocked 30 days after the restrictions are announced. Sales of white-labelled products — that integrate Kaspersky into software sold under a different brand name — will also be barred, the aforementioned source told Reuters. The Commerce Department would notify companies before taking enforcement action against them, the source added. 'Our activities don't threaten US nat'l security' Speaking to Reuters, Kaspersky said it believed that Washington's decision was based on "the present geopolitical climate and theoretical concerns, rather than on a comprehensive evaluation of the integrity of Kaspersky's products and services." Kaspersky added that its activities did not threaten American national security and that it would pursue legal options to preserve its operations. Also watch | Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv says US, allies delaying pilot training × Kaspersky's Russian business is already subject to sweeping US export restrictions over Moscow's war in Ukraine. But now, its UK-based unit will be effectively barred from receiving goods from American suppliers. The company has long been in regulators' crosshairs. In 2017, the Trump administration banned its flagship antivirus product from federal networks, alleging ties to Russian intelligence and noting Russian law lets intelligence agencies compel assistance from Kaspersky and intercept communications using Russian networks. During that year, media reports alleged Kaspersky Lab was involved in taking hacking tools from a National Security Agency employee that ended up in the hands of the Russian government. The company said it had stumbled upon the code but said no third parties saw it. (With inputs from agencies)

US bans sale of Kaspersky software due to alleged Kremlin links

The ban on WeChat and Kaspersky was made to ensure the security of government networks and data, according to Canada's Treasury Board.

Canada bans WeChat, Kaspersky applications on government devices

Canada on Monday (Oct 30) banned Chinese messaging platform WeChat and the Russian antivirus program Kaspersky on government-issued mobile devices due to privacy and security risks.

Canada on Monday (Oct 30) banned Chinese messaging platform WeChat and the Russian antivirus program Kaspersky on government-issued mobile devices due to privacy and security risks. In a statement, Canada's treasury board said that the ban was announced after an assessment by the country's chief information officer that WeChat and Kaspersky presented an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security. "The decision to remove and block the WeChat and Kaspersky applications was made to ensure that government of Canada networks and data remain secure and protected and are in line with the approach of our international partners," the statement said. The board also said that it had no evidence that government information had been compromised, but the collection methods of the applications provide considerable access to a device's contents. China criticises ban by Canada China on Monday criticised the ban imposed on WeChat. The Chinese foreign ministry said that the ban was issued without any real evidence, under the guise of maintaining data security. The ministry added that the ban abused national power and unreasonably suppressed the behaviour of enterprises in specific countries. On Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, "We hope that the Canadian side will discard ideological prejudices, abide by the principles of market economy and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises." Kaspersky, meanwhile, was surprised and disappointed with the ban and said that Canada decided without warning or an opportunity for the firm to address the government's concerns. In a statement, the antivirus giant said, "As there has been no evidence or due process to otherwise justify these actions, they are highly unsupported and a response to the geopolitical climate rather than a comprehensive evaluation of the integrity of Kaspersky’s products and services." WeChat and Kaspersky were removed from government devices and users would be blocked from downloading the applications in future. In February, Canada banned TikTok on government devices due to similar privacy and security concerns. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Canada bans WeChat, Kaspersky on govt devices due to security risks

Users of Samsung, Huawei, and Google phones have been advised to remove a number of popular apps that may contain spyware which steals money.

Tech experts have cautioned owners of Android smartphones and tablets that a variety of apps could be infected with harmful malware called 'Harly'.

What is Harly?

Harly, named after Harley Quinn the popular Batman villain, who is also the Joker's girlfriend, is a type of trojan known as a "trojan subscriber" signs users up for paid services without their knowledge.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Tech Talk: Popular apps capable of collecting private information on iPhones

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Since 2020, more than 190 Harly-infected apps have been discovered on Google Play, according to Kaspersky. The well-known antivirus supplier estimates that 4.8 million people have downloaded these apps, however, the actual number may be far higher.

How does it work?

The Harly family of Trojans imitates trustworthy applications. Scammers download common apps from Google Play, add malicious code to them, and then submit the altered versions to Google Play. Users might not even be aware that the apps are dangerous because they still have the functions that are provided in the description.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/google-deletes-50-apps-after-joker-malware-attack-users-should-delete-them-if-they-are-installed-501251">Google deletes 50 apps infected with Joker malware. Recommends users to delete the apps if installed</a>

But don't you need a verification code for paid subscriptions?

Yes, you do. However, according to The Daily Express, Harly can sign up Android users for pricey subscription services without their knowledge by stealthily taking security codes from text messages.

It can also check subscriptions over the phone without the device owner's knowledge, and once this is done, it could empty someone's bank account without being noticed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-discovers-malware-capable-of-gaining-access-to-industrial-control-systems-issues-alert-471072">US discovers malware capable of gaining access to industrial control systems, issues alert</a>

How do we protect ourselves?

The company advises reading user reviews and viewing an app's rating on Google Play before installing it. But bear in mind that ratings and reviews could be inflated. Another solution it recommends is of course "a reliable security solution."&nbsp;

Which apps have been affected?

Kaspersky, which first flagged the malware has made mention of a number of apps, some of which already have thousands of downloads. Here are a few apps that you need to skirt clear of:

-Pony Camera&nbsp; 
-Live Wallpaper&amp;Themes Launcher 
-Action Launcher &amp; Wallpapers&nbsp; 
-Color Call 
-Good Launcher&nbsp; 
-Mondy Widgets 
-Funcalls-Voice Changer 
-Eva Launcher 
-Newlook Launcher 
-Pixel Screen Wallpaper

(With inputs from agencies)

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Users of Samsung, Huawei, and Google phones have been advised to remove a number of popular apps that may contain spyware which steals money. Tech experts have cautioned owners of Android smartphones and tablets that a variety of apps could be infected with harmful malware called 'Harly'.

Users of Samsung, Huawei, and Google phones have been advised to remove a number of popular apps that may contain spyware which steals money. Tech experts have cautioned owners of Android smartphones and tablets that a variety of apps could be infected with harmful malware called 'Harly'. What is Harly? Harly, named after Harley Quinn the popular Batman villain, who is also the Joker's girlfriend, is a type of trojan known as a "trojan subscriber" signs users up for paid services without their knowledge. Watch | Tech Talk: Popular apps capable of collecting private information on iPhones Since 2020, more than 190 Harly-infected apps have been discovered on Google Play, according to Kaspersky. The well-known antivirus supplier estimates that 4.8 million people have downloaded these apps, however, the actual number may be far higher. How does it work? The Harly family of Trojans imitates trustworthy applications. Scammers download common apps from Google Play, add malicious code to them, and then submit the altered versions to Google Play. Users might not even be aware that the apps are dangerous because they still have the functions that are provided in the description. Also read | Google deletes 50 apps infected with Joker malware. Recommends users to delete the apps if installed But don't you need a verification code for paid subscriptions? Yes, you do. However, according to The Daily Express, Harly can sign up Android users for pricey subscription services without their knowledge by stealthily taking security codes from text messages. It can also check subscriptions over the phone without the device owner's knowledge, and once this is done, it could empty someone's bank account without being noticed. Also read | US discovers malware capable of gaining access to industrial control systems, issues alert How do we protect ourselves? The company advises reading user reviews and viewing an app's rating on Google Play before installing it. But bear in mind that ratings and reviews could be inflated. Another solution it recommends is of course "a reliable security solution." Which apps have been affected? Kaspersky, which first flagged the malware has made mention of a number of apps, some of which already have thousands of downloads. Here are a few apps that you need to skirt clear of: -Pony Camera -Live Wallpaper&Themes Launcher -Action Launcher & Wallpapers -Color Call -Good Launcher -Mondy Widgets -Funcalls-Voice Changer -Eva Launcher -Newlook Launcher -Pixel Screen Wallpaper (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: 'Harly' the latest malware in market, that can drain your bank accounts

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