Kaspersky gives US customers six months free security software as a farewell

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Kaspersky leaves a parting gift for US customers

Image credit: Kaspersky (Image credit: Kaspersky)

Kaspersky is withdrawing from the US market following a ban on the sale of its software, but as a farewell gift, the company is offering free security products and safety tips to its customers.

The Russian firm was added to the US Entity List, which comprises “foreign individuals, companies, and organizations deemed a national security concern.”

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 Kaspersky exits US

Kaspersky

(Image credit: Kaspersky)

When visiting Kaspersky’s US website, users will now be greeted with a pop-up stating “With Kaspersky leaving the U.S., we’d like to pay you back with the least we can: gifting you a selection of our security solutions for free for 6 months.”

The company also provides some internet security tips:

  •  remember to always back up your data
  •  be wary of links and double-check their source before clicking
  •  protect your identity online, change passwords regularly, and keep them long and complex 

As Kaspersky updates will no longer be allowed after September 29, users who choose to accept the 6 months of free security protection will have to manually update their antivirus definitions via the Kaspersky website. 

This does, however, mean that the security of the product may decrease as the software will not update automatically as soon as one is available.

Kaspersky users looking for a new protection provider may want to check out our guide to the best antivirus, or our writeup of the best firewalls.

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Benedict Collins
Benedict Collins
Senior Writer, Security

Benedict is a Senior Security Writer at TechRadar Pro, where he has specialized in covering the intersection of geopolitics, cyber-warfare, and business security.

Benedict provides detailed analysis on state-sponsored threat actors, APT groups, and the protection of critical national infrastructure, with his reporting bridging the gap between technical threat intelligence and B2B security strategy.

Benedict holds an MA (Distinction) in Security, Intelligence, and Diplomacy from the University of Buckingham Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies (BUCSIS), with his specialization providing him with a robust academic framework for deconstructing complex international conflicts and intelligence operations, and the ability to translate intricate security data into actionable insights.