Russian min says Kaspersky’s products block US illegal projects

YEREVAN, Oct 25 (PRIME) -- Products of Russian antivirus software maker Kaspersky Lab prevent U.S. illegal projects from spreading by catching viruses too well, Communications and Mass Media Minister Nikolai Nikiforov said on Wednesday.

“Kaspersky Lab’s antivirus projects catch viruses so well, I think, that they make it difficult for the U.S. special services to carry out illegal projects,” Nikiforov said.

In September, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security ordered the government to stop the use of Kaspersky Lab programs over concerns about the company’s ties with the Kremlin. Kaspersky denies the accusations.

“The problem is not in the antivirus software, I won’t ever believe that there are components of the code that could send something by design. It will be found out and confirmed,” Nikiforov said.

The questions about exploitation of the Russian company’s products by U.S. special services “would likely impact reputation of the U.S.” because the issue of Kaspersky’s products disguises the issue of operating systems of Google, Microsoft, and Apple, which could threaten security and lead to illegal surveillance, the minister said.

“We think the Americans try to accuse others of doing what they do in order to carry on with their activities,” Nikiforov said.

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