Sudden Software Update by Kaspersky Leaves Many Users Concerned

Many users woke up on Thursday to find their current Kaspersky anti malware software deleted from their desktops and replaced by UltraAV antivirus. The impact was felt across the United States, making several people concerned about their cybersecurity. 

It is important to note that this change may be an indirect consequence of the US government adding the Russian cyber security company Kaspersky to the Entity List, a catalog of “foreign individuals, companies, and organizations deemed a national security concern” in June.

Also, Kaspersky recently shut down its US operations and laid off US employees. Additionally, the rivalry between the two countries deepens with America banning Kaspersky software sales and any further update starting September 29, 2024. 

Despite all the signs of a cold war because of cybersecurity concerns and data leaks, Kaspersky has assured its users through an email that they will continue receiving “reliable cybersecurity protection” from UltraAV (owned by Pango Group). 

However, with the sudden software update of UltraAV, customers are concerned about their data and if switching to a different service provider is a good idea. Many users tried to uninstall the software by using software uninstaller, but others saw it reinstalled after a reboot. Users are also annoyed because no notification of the installation was given to them. 

Amidst all this, a Kaspersky employee explained in an official statement that the installation is part of their partnership with UltraAV to help protect customers’ accounts once their services are disabled after September 30. 

As the news spreads like wildfire, we wonder if this is the beginning of a tech war between the two countries, impacting customers not just in the US but also worldwide.