OT: Kaspersky anti-virus software

[Lynn Brenner lynn.brenner.nyc@xxxxxxxx]

There are increasingly loud calls these days for computer users to abandon Kaspersky software on the grounds that the company probably if not certainly works with Russian intelligence. (Two recent examples: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/04/opinion/kapersky-russia-cybersecurity.html?_r=0 ; https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-11/kaspersky-lab-has-been-working-with-russian-intelligence )

I'm very tempted to go with a more temperate view (https://www.tomsguide.com/us/kaspersky-safe-to-use,news-25516.html ; https://www.tomsguide.com/us/kaspersky,review-3864.htmlKaspersky antivirus software is excellent, and unless you're running a nuclear power plant, designing a jet fighter or operating the New York Stock Exchange, it should be safe to use.") because I've used Kaspersky with no problem for years and my admittedly lazy approach to software in general has always been If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

What do you guys think? Should the average consumer abandon Kaspersky? And if so, what's the optimal alternative?

Lynn Brenner