Is Kaspersky Still Safe? Here’s What’s Behind the BSI Warning

by Tobias June 9, 2026

written by Tobias June 9, 2026

The answer to whether Kaspersky is still safe depends on various factors. The main consideration here is whether you are a home user.

Is Kaspersky still safe? Here’s what’s behind the BSI’s allegations

Kaspersky Lab is a Russian company. The firm specializes in developing antivirus and internet security software.

Kaspersky Lab was founded in 1997 and has since become one of the leading providers of security software. The programs are designed to protect computers and networks from various types of threats, including viruses, malware, ransomware, and other cyberattacks.
The BSI (Federal Office for Information Security) has issued a warning regarding the use of Kaspersky products. The agency has expressed concerns that the Russian government may have access to data collected by Kaspersky software. These concerns are based on a Russian law that allows the government to access corporate data.
Kaspersky has rejected the BSI’s claims and emphasized that the company operates independently and does not share data with the Russian government. Furthermore, Kaspersky has relocated its data processing centers to Switzerland to dispel doubts regarding data security.
According to the company, it is also working on enhanced security features. This includes increased use of AI-powered threat detection, which will be integrated into new product generations. This is intended to detect potential threats more quickly and automatically block them.
Nevertheless, the BSI warning regarding Kaspersky products remains in effect and has not yet (as of September 2025) been withdrawn. Legal actions taken by Kaspersky against the warning were unsuccessful, as administrative courts and the Federal Constitutional Court dismissed the appeals.

The BSI warning applies specifically to government agencies and critical infrastructure, such as energy and water supply or telecommunications.

The warning was not issued directly to individual users or businesses. For these groups, Kaspersky may still be a safe option, especially if no sensitive data relevant to national security is being processed.
If you are a private user and feel uncertain, you can use an alternative antivirus software. Both free and paid programs are available here. Well-known alternatives include Bitdefender, Norton, ESET, or Avira. These providers are considered established and are regularly tested in independent security tests.
Companies should seek expert advice if they wish to switch from Kaspersky to another provider. Especially for companies handling sensitive data, it makes sense to conduct a customized risk analysis and, if necessary, switch to providers with server locations in the EU or those offering specialized business solutions.