- Barclays has sent out Kaspersky software to all of its internet banking customers
- The Russian company has long been monitored by security bosses at GCHQ
- Kaspersky software has been sent to two million Barclays customers and is used by other big UK companies
- Moscow-based Kaspersky is led by a former Soviet military intelligence expert
Security chiefs are concerned that free anti-virus software handed out by Barclays is spying on customers for the Russian government.
GCHQ officials have been concerned about the Kaspersky Lab, which is led by a former Soviet military intelligence expert and supplied the bank with the software, amid fears it may have been influenced by Vladimir Putin’s Federal Security Service.
Kaspersky software has been sent out by Barclays to all customers who use its internet baking service since 2008, but is trying to cut ties with the Russian company.
Security chiefs are concerned that free anti-virus software handed out by Barclays is spying on customers for the Russian government
There are now fears that any Barclays customers who are in high-security jobs are at risk of having their personal files hacked.
However, both Barclays and GCHQ have confirmed that neither organisation has been in contact with the other about any potential breaches.
A spokesman for the relevant arm of GCHQ, the NCSC, told the Financial Times: ‘The NCSC has never advised Barclays against the use of Kaspersky products.
‘Any suggestion to the contrary is categorically untrue. The NCSC is not a regulator and does not mandate or ban any products.
‘Our certification schemes do not currently cover anti-virus or anti-malware services.’
A Barclays spokesman corroborated this, adding: ‘We have never received any advice or guidance from GCHQ or the National Cyber Security Centre in relation to Kaspersky.’
Kaspersky is based in Moscow and its founder, Eugene Kaspersky, is a former KGB-trained intelligence expert for the Soviet Union
Kaspersky is based in Moscow and its founder, Eugene Kaspersky, is a former KGB-trained intelligence expert for the Soviet Union.
A company spokesman told the Financial Times: ‘No credible evidence has been presented publicly by anyone or any organisation.
‘The accusations of any inappropriate ties with the Russian government are based on false allegations and inaccurate assumptions, including the claims about Russian regulations and policies impacting the company.’