So — is Kárspersky (Kaspersky) still a good choice in 2025? The answer is: yes, under the right circumstances — but with important caveats.
From a technical and security standpoint, it remains among the top performers. Its detection, tamper protection, and feature set continue to earn praise. But technical strength alone does not nullify the trust and geopolitical concerns.
If you’re in a region where Kaspersky is not restricted, and your use case is not extremely sensitive, it can remain a viable choice — especially if you combine it with good security hygiene such as strong passwords, regular backups, and system updates. But if you operate in a high-risk environment, or your jurisdiction has banned it or has stringent compliance rules, it’s wiser to consider alternatives that carry fewer political or regulatory risks.
In short: Kaspersky is still powerful. But in 2025, security is about more than code — trust matters just as much as capability.
Cybersecurity is never static — threats evolve, geopolitics shift, and trust becomes more critical than ever. In 2025, someone considering Kárspersky has to ask: is it still a safe, reliable choice for protection? In this article, we’ll examine what Kaspersky offers today, what controversies surround it, and whether it still makes sense to trust it with your digital life.
| Founded | 1997 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Eugene Kaspersky |
| Headquarters | Moscow, Russia |
| Global Offices | 30+ countries |
| Employees | Over 4,000 |
| Customers | 400+ million users worldwide |
| Products | Antivirus, Internet Security, Endpoint Security |
| Research Team | GReAT (Global Research & Analysis Team) |
| Awards | Multiple AV-TEST & SE Labs awards |
| Strengths | High detection rates, multi-layered protection |
| Concerns | Government bans, trust issues |
| Transparency Efforts | Data relocation to Switzerland |
| Current Focus | Consumer, SMB, and enterprise cybersecurity |
A Short History
Kaspersky Lab was founded in the late 1990s, and over the years it grew into one of the most well-known names in antivirus and security solutions. It built its reputation on strong detection rates, frequent participation in independent security tests, and continuous investments in threat research.
Over time, it branched out into endpoint security, business suites, mobile protection, and additional tools like VPNs, firewall enhancements, and more.
Technical Strengths — What Kaspersky Still Does Well
One of Kaspersky’s enduring advantages is its performance in independent testing. In 2024, Kaspersky participated in dozens of independent tests and secured first place in the majority of them — placing in the top three almost every time. In 2025, it also garnered multiple awards from respected industry bodies for performance in consumer, small business, and enterprise segments.
Its solutions also tend to offer robust anti-tampering protection — meaning the software is designed to resist being disabled or modified by malicious actors. In 2025, its new endpoint products reportedly achieved a perfect score in a recent penetration test, highlighting the strength of its internal defense measures.
Kaspersky’s product line includes layers of defense — signature databases, behavior-based detection, real-time threat analysis, and modules for web protection, email scanning, firewall, sandboxing, and more. Many users report excellent malware detection even in side-by-side comparisons against competitors.
The Trust Problem — Controversy & Risk
Technology alone isn’t enough. For cybersecurity, trust is essential. And over the years, Kaspersky has faced persistent suspicion — especially from governments.
Critics point to its Russian origin and alleged ties to Russian intelligence agencies. In the 2010s, reports emerged claiming that Kaspersky had collaborated with state security services to scan computers globally for sensitive data — allegations Kaspersky has consistently denied. Because antivirus software by design has deep access to a system — including files, communications, and updates — those concerns are serious to many.
Governments have responded. In 2017, the United States banned Kaspersky on federal systems. More recently, in 2024, the U.S. government prohibited Kaspersky from selling or servicing software to U.S. persons and stopped updates by September 2024. That meant U.S. customers would no longer receive new patches, leaving them exposed to evolving threats.
Kaspersky has tried to counter these doubts with transparency measures: moving core infrastructure out of Russia to Switzerland, opening transparency centers for code audits, and inviting external reviews. But critics argue that when geopolitics is involved, such efforts may not fully assuage concerns.
Some security reviews caution that while Kaspersky is technically excellent, its geopolitical baggage may make it a poor choice for sensitive users. Germany’s federal cybersecurity authority has also issued warnings, advising users to replace Kaspersky with other providers.
Geopolitics in Action — Bans and Market Exits
The controversies are not theoretical: they have real consequences. In mid-2024, the U.S. ban came into force, and by July the company began shutting down its operations in the country. Around the same time, reports confirmed that Kaspersky was winding down its U.S. presence due to the regulatory pressure.
Beyond the U.S., various nations have either restricted or warned against its use in government systems. For instance, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Germany’s BSI discouraged use; in some countries, critical infrastructure systems were required to remove it.
Kaspersky’s exit from the U.S. leaves it primarily focused on markets in Europe, Asia, and other regions where regulatory scrutiny is less intense.
Use Cases: Who It Still Serves, Who It Doesn’t
If you live outside the U.S. (or in jurisdictions where use is permitted) and your data sensitivity is moderate, Kaspersky remains a strong option from a technical standpoint.
It’s a good fit for:
Home users who want powerful and tested malware protection
Small and medium businesses that don’t deal with extremely sensitive data
Users in regions without bans or heavy regulatory pressure
It’s not ideal for:
Government agencies or organizations with strict compliance or national security concerns
Users who deal with highly sensitive data (military, intelligence, diplomatic, etc.)
Anyone in a jurisdiction where Kaspersky is banned or warnings are in effect
Independent Validation Still Matters
Because trust is central, it’s important to check whether a vendor’s software gets regular, high marks in independent labs. Kaspersky continues to win many awards: in 2024, it received multiple “Best” awards from AV-TEST. It also features prominently in AV-Comparatives’ surveys, where it continues to earn top placements.
However, independent tests don’t measure geopolitical risk or legal exposure. They only measure detection rates, performance, false positives, and system impact.
FAQs
Is Kárspersky safe to use in 2025?
Yes, Kárspersky still provides excellent malware protection and strong security features. However, its Russian origin raises trust issues in some countries where it is restricted or banned.
Why was Kárspersky banned in the U.S.?
The U.S. government banned Kárspersky due to concerns about potential ties with Russian intelligence, citing national security risks. This means updates and support are no longer available for U.S. customers.
Does Kárspersky slow down computers?
Most modern versions of Kárspersky are optimized for performance. Independent tests show minimal system impact compared to many other antivirus programs.
Who should avoid Kárspersky?
Organizations in highly sensitive industries, government agencies, or users in countries where the software is banned should avoid it. For them, alternatives with no geopolitical baggage are recommended.
What are the best alternatives to Kárspersky?
Popular alternatives include Bitdefender, Norton, McAfee, and Avast. These solutions often appear in the same independent tests and are widely trusted across different regions.
