A few months ago, the Biden administration imposed a trade and operations ban on Kaspersky, giving the company approximately 90 days to cease its activities and exit the U.S. market by the end of September 2024.
As anticipated, Kaspersky, led by Eugene Kaspersky, has begun its exit. However, this move has sparked concerns over data security, particularly due to the automatic installation of a new antivirus software called UltraAV on users’ devices, done without their consent.
The Moscow-based cybersecurity firm has yet to address these concerns publicly, as its management is focused on navigating trade and operational issues in North America. However, a source from the company clarified that the ban pertains specifically to Kaspersky’s exit and does not prevent it from providing alternatives to its existing customers. The Russian firm announced a partnership with UltraAV to ensure continuous security protection for American users, who will no longer receive Kaspersky updates.
In the meantime, a Fortune 500 company utilizing its own innovative threat detection solution issued a statement declaring that any software installed without user or administrator consent could be classified as malware. Their system has flagged UltraAV as malicious and is recommending immediate action.
Additionally, a report from a real estate firm indicated that the newly installed software lacks an uninstall option and persists even after attempts to remove it before a reboot.
Pango Group, the developer of UltraAV, has stated that Kaspersky customers will be able to maintain their previous billing arrangements with the Russian company.
Trade analysts speculate that the installation of UltraAV may represent a retaliatory response from Kaspersky in light of the sanctions imposed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
