Summary of Key Points
This article reveals how the United States has gradually dismantled Europe's antivirus industry over the past three decades by employing a dual strategy of capital acquisitions and covert intelligence operations, ultimately leading to Europe's complete dependence on the U.S. in the field of cybersecurity. Initially, European antivirus companies such as British-based Solomon and Guardian Angel held technological leadership. However, American capital acquired these firms, bringing them under its control. The NSA's "Architect" program was used to spy on global security vendors, and companies that refused to comply, like Kaspersky, faced severe sanctions. Finally, American company Gen Digital took control of the remaining European antivirus giants, Avast and Red Umbrella, turning Europe's once-diverse antivirus landscape into one heavily reliant on the U.S.
This not only stripped Europe of its cybersecurity autonomy but also impacted its national defense, as it became dependent on U.S. technology for systems like anti-missile defenses. As a result, Europe was forced to consider forming an independent anti-missile alliance, though the path ahead is fraught with challenges.
I. American Capital: Using Money to Acquire European Antivirus Companies
Europe was once a hub of antivirus technology, with companies like Solomon and Guardian Angel from the UK, Avast and AVG from Czechia, and Red Umbrella from Germany all possessing strong capabilities. However, American capital used acquisitions to turn these firms into its own subsidiaries:
- Step One: Acquisition of British Solomon (1998): NAI (Network Associates International) purchased the renowned British antivirus company for $642 million. Solomon's technology was integrated into McAfee products, the brand was discontinued, and the team was disbanded.
- Step Two: Control of British Guardian Angel: Originally a British tech startup, Guardian Angel was acquired by American private equity firm TA Associates in 2002 and later sold to another European firm (with significant U.S. funding). In 2019, it was privatized by American firm Thoma Bravo for $3.9 billion, becoming entirely under American control.
- Step Three: Consolidating the Remaining European Firms (2020-2022): Gen Digital (formerly Symantec) acquired Red Umbrella from Germany for $360 million and Avast from Czechia for $8.6 billion, taking control of all the major consumer-grade antivirus companies in Europe.
These acquisitions were more than mere business deals; they represented American capital's efforts to monopolize European technology, user data, and market share through a "capital black hole."
II. American Intelligence Agencies: Using Surveillance and Pressure to Remove Obstacles
American intelligence agencies, particularly the NSA, not only targeted their competitors but also monitored global security vendors, fearing that they might uncover U.S. cyberattacks:
- "Architect" Program: The NSA secretly monitored 23 security companies from Europe, Russia, China, and other regions, including Kaspersky, ESET, and Antivirus. By intercepting virus samples reported by users to these companies, the NSA gathered intelligence and even used these samples as part of its own attacks.
- Pressure on Kaspersky: Seeing Kaspersky as a threat, the U.S. banned federal agencies from using its products in 2017 and completely shut down its operations in the U.S. in 2024, sanctioning its executives. This was done to prevent Kaspersky from revealing information about U.S. cyberattacks.
III. Consequences for Europe
The dismantling of Europe's antivirus industry led to two significant issues:
- Cybersecurity Dependence on the U.S.: A report by the German think tank SWP indicates that European antivirus software and cloud security solutions rely heavily on American companies like Microsoft and Broadcom. If the U.S. cuts off supply or militarizes these technologies, Europe could face a complete cyber paralysis.
- Impaired National Defense: Europe's air defense and anti-missile systems, as well as its fighter jets (such as the F-35), depend on U.S. technology. The U.S. controls the flight plans and software updates for the F-35, allowing it to monitor every move of European pilots.
Europe's attempt to form an independent anti-missile alliance is hindered by its dependence on American core technologies, which undermines its ability to achieve true autonomy.
IV. European Resistance: Attempting to Break Free but Facing Challenges
Europe is aware of the issues and has recently made efforts to resist:
- Formation of a Ten-Nation Anti-Missile Alliance: In July 2025, Denmark, France, and other nine countries signed a declaration to establish an independent anti-missile system that does not rely on the U.S. Aegis system. However, the midcourse missile defense component still relies on American Patriot missiles, and the new system is still in the planning phase.
- Support for Local Companies: Europe is supporting domestic security firms like ESET and G DATA, but they are small and have limited global market influence, making it difficult to compete with American giants.
Europe's dilemma lies in its long-term dependence on the U.S., which has led to a weakened industrial base and divergent interests among member countries. Additionally, European countries are deeply penetrated by American intelligence agencies. Attempting to completely break free from U.S. control is like trying to "strip a tiger of its skin."
Conclusion
The decline of Europe's antivirus industry illustrates that industries without national sovereignty protection are vulnerable to being swallowed up by hegemonic powers. Cybersecurity is not a mere commercial matter; it is a matter of national life and death. For other countries, this serves as a warning: critical industries must not be left entirely to the market; they require strategic support from the state to avoid becoming dependent on others. Europe's future options are either to continue relying on the U.S. or to cooperate with other nations (such as China) to establish a fair global cyber order. However, Europe is still hesitating on this path.