Kaspersky, the Russian cybersecurity company, recently made a significant change that caught many customers off guard. In response to being added to the U.S. Entity List and facing a ban on sales and updates for its antivirus software in the United States, Kaspersky decided to shut down its operations in the country. This decision led to the abrupt deletion of Kaspersky’s anti-malware software from customers’ computers across the U.S., with UltraAV’s antivirus solution automatically taking its place.
While Kaspersky had informed customers via email that they would receive cybersecurity protection from UltraAV after Kaspersky ceased operations in the U.S., many users were surprised to find their Kaspersky software gone and UltraAV installed without any warning. This unexpected transition caused confusion and concern among customers, with some fearing that their devices had been infected with malware.
Reports from online forums indicated that some users were unable to uninstall UltraAV completely, as the software would reinstall itself after a reboot. Additionally, some customers discovered that UltraVPN had also been installed on their computers, likely due to having a Kaspersky VPN subscription.
UltraAV, owned by the Pango Group, is relatively unknown to many customers. The Pango Group controls various VPN brands and operates Comparitech, a VPN software review website. On its official website, UltraAV assured former Kaspersky customers that they would have access to premium features and protection after the transition.
According to a statement from a Kaspersky employee on the company’s official forums, the forced switch to UltraAV was facilitated by a software update released on September 19. This update aimed to ensure a seamless transition for U.S.-based customers and prevent any gaps in cybersecurity protection after Kaspersky’s exit from the market.
Customers were encouraged to visit UltraAV’s FAQ page or contact its support team for more information about the transition. Despite these efforts to ease the switch, many customers were left with unanswered questions and concerns about the sudden change in antivirus software.
When contacted for a comment, a Kaspersky spokesperson was not immediately available to provide further details. The unexpected deletion of Kaspersky software and the installation of UltraAV without warning have left many customers feeling unsettled and uncertain about the future of their cybersecurity protection.