Things are heating up for the Russia-based cybersecurity company Kaspersky. After the company’s antivirus desktop version was hit by a ban in the United States, it is facing a second major drawback.
The details:
- Google removed Kaspersky’s antivirus app from Google Play worldwide.
- Google confirmed the removal.
- Kaspersky apps remain available on the Apple App Store, third-party Android stores, and direct downloads.
Related content
Google confirmed the removal of Kaspersky apps from Google Play in a statement to Bleeping Computer:
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security recently announced a variety of restrictions on Kaspersky. As a result, we have removed Kaspersky’s apps from Google Play.
A search for Kaspersky or any Kaspersky app comes up empty on Google Play. Other antivirus apps are highlighted instead.
Kaspersky says that users may download their apps from third-party sources or from Kaspersky directly.
Kaspersky representatives say that the company is investigating the removal of its apps from the Play Store. It seems unlikely that the apps will be reinstated any time soon.
The removal is another heavy blow for the cybersecurity company. While alternatives remain available, the bulk of Android users rely on the Play Store for all-things app related.
Closing Words
Whether you truly need an antivirus solution for Android is up for debate. A good trusted VPN on the other hand is a recommended addition, if you happen to connect your device to public or third-party wireless networks at times.
What is your take on all of this? Do yo use extra security apps on Android or iOS? If so, which do you use and for what purpose? Feel free to leave a comment down below.
Other countries are constantly trying to hack anything and everything in the US, why would anybody in the US use software from those countries? Especially countries with dictatorships, like Russia, who force private companies to do anything they like.
Disclaimer: The US is busy hacking away at everyone too.
We do use a trusted VPN app whenever we connect to any WIFI that is not our own.
9/25/24: Kaspersky released its annual web tracking report showing that Google services dominated web tracking last year, https://chipp.in/security-privacy/google-services-dominated-web-tracking-last-year/.
10/7/24: Google removes Kaspersky antivirus from Google Play, https://chipp.in/software/android/google-removes-kaspersky-antivirus-from-google-play/.
Connection?
I would recommend AdGuard with VPN. My problem that I am already paying for NordVPN, but it does not want to work on my phone. So I am using basic AdGuard for now.
However, this is just a safety net that works for basic stuff. All those wireless banking and money transfer apps, in my opinion, are extremely unsafe. Facebook was discovered few years ago, tracking all keystrokes and analytics data from other secure competitors’ apps. I saw a few videos where YouTubers showed proof that Meta is tracking everything on your phone, regardless how you secure it. They install something in Kernel or Certificate or whatever it is called in Android). The best choice, never put your credit card or banking information in your phone if you can. Use some prepaid debit or very limited credit card if you have to. It is easier to steal money from your phone than from your wallet. And no Antivirus can help you on the phone. It’s relatively easy for apps to go under Antivirus security level on mobile devices.
I already posted many times my opinion about Kaspersky. While it is good as Antivirus, but if you can not trust company owners, your Antivirus can become massive Trojan Horse in a minute. I just do not understand why it was removed worldwide. Remove it for US and its close Allies. Rest of the world can put requests by themselves.
@Boris
The ExpressVPN app works great on Android phones and we see practically no speed reduction on our 300 Mbps home connection. Note: We use OpenVPN not the app on PC’s because the app won’t let me bind ip’s.
Surprised you mentioned the VPN aspect Martin since back in May last year, you wrote an article on Ghacks which states that according to Mullvad VPN, Android leaks certain traffic which can’t be prevented: https://www.ghacks.net/2022/10/15/mullvad-android-may-leak-information-when-connected-to-a-vpn/
Original Mullvad report on the subject: https://mullvad.net/en/blog/2022/10/10/android-leaks-connectivity-check-traffic