Russian cybersecurity giant Kaspersky has begun deleting its antivirus software from U.S. customers’ computers, effective Thursday, and replacing it with UltraAV’s antivirus solution. The shift comes after months of escalating tensions between Kaspersky and the U.S. government.
Kaspersky’s decision to shutter its U.S. operations follows its addition to the U.S. Entity List, a roster of foreign companies flagged as national security risks. The company was officially banned from selling and updating its software to U.S. customers starting September 29, 2024, after the Biden administration raised concerns about potential security threats posed by Kaspersky’s technology.
In the wake of these sanctions, Kaspersky sent emails to its U.S. customers earlier this month, assuring them their cybersecurity protection would continue through partnership with UltraAV, an antivirus solution owned by Pango Group, reports BleepingComputer.
However, customers were not informed that this switch would automatically delete Kaspersky’s software or warned that UltraAV would be force-installed on their computers without notice.
Many users have expressed confusion and concern regarding this transition. Several customers, waking up to find UltraAV installed on their devices, initially suspected malware had infiltrated their systems.
For some users, the experience has been particularly troubling. While many could uninstall UltraAV using the provided uninstaller, others faced a more complex issue — UltraAV would reinstall itself after a reboot, leaving customers worried about a possible security breach.
Additionally, Kaspersky users who had subscribed to its VPN service found UltraVPN installed alongside the antivirus software.
In an official statement on Kaspersky’s forum, the company defended its decision, stating that the forced switch to UltraAV was necessary to protect U.S. customers.
“Kaspersky has partnered with UltraAV to ensure continued protection for U.S.-based customers that will no longer have access to Kaspersky’s protections,” the company said. The transition was implemented through a software update on September 19, aiming to prevent a gap in coverage as Kaspersky exited the U.S. market.
The incident raises serious concerns about transparency and consumer privacy. For many users, the abrupt installation of a relatively unknown antivirus program, particularly one that reinstalls itself after attempts to remove it, has fueled fears of potential security vulnerabilities.
As of now, Kaspersky has not provided additional comments on the situation. The full scope of the transition remains unclear, leaving customers uncertain about UltraAV’s long-term reliability and whether their devices remain fully secure.
In the News: Cyvers warned WazirX of the hack, delayed response proved costly
