T wrote:

On 12/03/2017 02:16 AM, Bob Henson wrote:
Scott wrote:

Any views on the wisdom or otherwise of continued use of Kasperski?

It would be nice to have something other than rumour and innuendo with
which to make a decision. I've taken it off my system, but I'm not
convinced that there is a deal of fact in the stories. That being the case,
why did I do it? I based the decision on the probability of anything
emanating from Russia *not* being used for nefarious purposes by the ruling
dictator and his cronies - as this is very unlikely I thought it might be
"better safe than sorry".


You are being a bit selective.

By chance to you purchase anything from China? Their human right are
abysmal.

Within their own borders, yes. Try being black, Mexican or Muslim in
America.

A lot of AV companies code in India. You know, the country who
nationals call Americans on the phone claiming to be from M$ and
attempting to steel credit card numbers? Do you buy anything
from India?

Buying something Indian (spices and cheap clothes - can't think of anything
else) poses no security risk to me or the rest of the world.

Do you buy anything from Muslim counties where girls are
sold by their fathers at age nine and are considered their
father's property and to only have half a brain and if they
get raped it is their fault and husbands are allow to beat
their wives and have sex slaves? Buy any textiles from Pakistan
lately?

I have not had my security compromised by a cheap T-shirt so far, and think
my Y-fronts are fairly safe (from the cyber-espionage point of view,
anyway).

Yes I know, Russia bribed one of our presidential candidates
into sell a YUGE amount of our uranium right to Russia.
Russia is not without its issues. Kaspersky is not one
of them.

And purportedly meddled in the US elections to favour a candidate that
favours them.

There is something about the sheer dictatorial arrogance and ruthlessness
of Putin that makes me more suspicious of Russia than China or anywhere
else with a cyber-security influence - which was the only thing being
discussed here. For just a few of many example - the way he has invaded the
Crimea and annexed Ukrainian territory and got away with it, interfered in
Syria to support a chemical-warfare-using dictator and got away with it and
murdered his enemies on British soil and got away with it that makes me
mistrust anything vaguely to do with Russia. China at least contributes a
great deal to the world's economic setup and hasn't invaded anyone since
Tibet a long time ago. Russia contributes nothing to the rest of the world
except by using its gas supplies to politically manipulate those it can't
get away with invading.

Whilst they are not the only ones with a cyber-warfare capability they are
way, way up at the top of my list of people likely to have a backdoor in an
Antivirus program. However, as I said, I'd like some proof either way. An
assurance from someone who makes a profit from selling the product, whilst
probably correct, goes nowhere to convincing me. An American product from
Microsoft, albeit known to be marginally less effective at catching
viruses, appeals to me more - even with Trump in charge we have more in
common. If someone is going to nick my data, I'd rather it was the
Pentagon.

--
Bob
Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England

Yes, a second honeymoon would be a good idea, dear. With whom?