Antivirus Bait-and-Switch: Kaspersky Replaces Itself with UltraAV

Kaspersky antivirus software automatically deletes itself from U.S. users’ computers and installs UltraAV without warning.

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Key Takeaways

  • Kaspersky antivirus automatically transitioned to UltraAV for U.S. users without explicit consent.
  • The lack of clear communication and forced installation left users frustrated and questioning trust.
  • Pango Group, the company behind UltraAV, faces challenges in establishing trust with new users.

In a shocking turn of events, Kaspersky antivirus software has abruptly transitioned to UltraAV for its U.S. customers, leaving many users frustrated and confused. The process, which began in early September, has been marred by a lack of transparency and clear communication from Kaspersky.

Users were caught off guard when their Kaspersky software automatically deleted itself and installed UltraAV without explicit consent. Emails sent by Kaspersky on September 5 informed customers about the upcoming transition but failed to specify that UltraAV would be installed automatically.

“I woke up and saw this new antivirus system on my desktop and I tried opening kaspersky but it was gone. So I had to look up what happened because I was literally having a mini heart attack that my desktop somehow had a virus which uninstalled kaspersky somehow,” one user reddit user said according to bleepingcomputer.

Many users have expressed their frustration and disappointment with the way Kaspersky handled the transition. They feel betrayed by the lack of transparency and the forced change to a new antivirus software they know little about. So naturally they took to forums online to express their shock as pointed out by SCworld.

“UltraAV automatically installed on my computer. I WAS NEVER ASKED NOR NOTIFIED THAT THIS INSTALLATION WOULD HAPPEN,” one angry user wrote as reported by PCMag. “Also, I CANNOT UNINSTALL IT! I used Windows 11 Uninstall, everything was supposed to be removed. Well I restarted the computer and found the UltraAv had reinstalled itself. I DO NOT WANT THIS SOFTWARE!”

The transition has left users wondering about the authorization process and the trustworthiness of both Kaspersky and UltraAV. The lack of clear communication and the automatic installation of UltraAV has raised concerns about user privacy and consent.

As Kaspersky users grapple with this unexpected change, many are searching for answers and reassurance from both Kaspersky and UltraAV. The incident has highlighted the importance of transparent communication and user choice in the antivirus software industry.

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