Late last week, cybersecurity firm Kaspersky began deleting its anti-malware software from PCs in the United States. As a replacement, the company downloaded antivirus software from UltraAV.
If you use Kaspersky antivirus software, you may be aware that the Russian firm was added to the US government's Entity List early this year, resulting in a restriction on sales and upgrades in the US. As a result, the company informed BleepingComputer in July that it was closing its U.S. operations and laying off its American staff.
Although these developments are not a secret, it cannot be said that everyone was aware of them. Thus, many were taken aback by Kaspersky's abrupt and poorly justified decision to delete its software automatically.
Customers were notified via email at the beginning of September that the company had partnered with UltraAV to offer security for them even after Kaspersky left the US. However, it was not made apparent in the emails that their computers would be automatically updated to include this ongoing security. The shift was even more of a surprise to those who, for whatever reason, missed the email.
Users on Reddit and other forums have expressed uncertainty about the situation, as well as distrust in the new UltraAV software. One poster was concerned that their desktop had been compromised when they woke to find their Kaspersky antivirus software gone and UltraAV in its place.
This distrust is unsurprising given that nothing is known about the corporation other than its affiliation with other VPN companies such as UltraVPN, Hotspot Shield, and Betternet. According to online user reviews, many individuals are removing UltraAV because of this — and because it appeared on the devices in such a disruptive way.
Following its withdrawal from the market, Kaspersky released an official statement in which it stated that it had taken this measure to ensure that its clients “would not experience a gap in protection.” The statement continued by stating that UltraAV's comparable features and product offerings to Kaspersky's led the organisation to select it. Users of Kaspersky's VPN service, for example, also had UltraVPN installed on their devices.
For many users, the explanation comes too late and is unlikely to stop them from replacing UltraAV with a more well-known antivirus software product.
