Israeli intelligence alerted US to Kaspersky-linked Russian hackers: report

Israeli intelligence officials surveilling their Russian counterparts alerted the United States to widespread intrusions that led to the U.S. government’s decision to purge Kaspersky Lab antivirus software from computers last month, according to a new report from The New York Times.

Israeli intelligence agents hacked into Kaspersky Lab’s systems, where they witnessed Russian agents acting against the U.S. in real time, the Times reported Tuesday.

Russian agents have reportedly used access to Kaspersky Lab’s software to maliciously intrude in computer systems around the world.

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A September directive from the Department of Homeland Security ordered Kaspersky Lab software to be removed from all government computers, citing security concerns.

“The Department is concerned about the ties between certain Kaspersky officials and Russian intelligence and other government agencies, and requirements under Russian law that allow Russian intelligence agencies to request or compel assistance from Kaspersky and to intercept communications transiting Russian networks,” the directive read.

The decision was met with bipartisan support in Congress.

Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Russian agents stole classified documents from a National Security Agency contractor using the Kaspersky Lab software installed on his home computer.

The Russian company denied any involvement with the country’s government in a statement to the Times on Tuesday.

“Kaspersky Lab has never helped, nor will help, any government in the world with its cyberespionage efforts,” the company said, adding that it “respectfully requests any relevant, verifiable information that would enable the company to begin an investigation at the earliest opportunity.”