May 10, 2022

The ongoing war in Ukraine has triggered a national security investigation into the activities of Russian antivirus software Kaspersky Lab.

While the case was referred to the Commerce Department to investigate the cybersecurity firm, little was done.

The renewed attempt to investigate Kaspersky stems from the U.S. government’s decision to protect U.S. citizens and businesses from Russian cyberattacks.

The probe will be executed using new powers from the Trump administration that allow the Commerce Department to ban or restrict transactions between U.S. firms and internet, telecommunications and technology companies from “foreign adversary” countries like Russia and China.

There is speculation that the Russian government could use antivirus software to steal or manipulate sensitive information from American computers.

The Department of Homeland Security banned Kaspersky’s flagship product from federal networks in 2017 over alleged ties to Russian intelligence.

The U.S. agency also referred to a Russian law that allows its intelligence agencies compel assistance from Kaspersky and intercept communications between Russian networks.

The sources for this piece include an article in Reuters.