In a significant development in the cybersecurity landscape, Kaspersky, a renowned antivirus software provider, has exited the US market, transferring its American users to a local, lesser-known security software supplier. This move, which has caught the attention of both users and media, involves the acquisition of all Kaspersky US users by Pango, a local cybersecurity firm, and the subsequent transition of services to UltraAV, Pango’s antivirus service brand.
Kaspersky’s Exit from the US Market
Kaspersky, which exited the American market in July, announced that it would be transferring its US users to UltraAV. This decision comes in the wake of a Commerce Department ban on the sale of Kaspersky products in the United States. The company, which is Russian-owned, had previously offered its American customers a free six-month subscription to its products.
UltraAV and Pango: The New Players
UltraAV, the new service provider for Kaspersky’s US users, is a relatively unknown entity in the cybersecurity industry. It is a brand under Pango, a company that was recently spun off from Aura, an online security software provider based in Boston. The split was intended to create two separate entities: Aura, focusing on personal and family online security solutions, and Pango Group, focusing on enterprise and consumer network security.
Pango, according to Axios, has acquired approximately 1 million new users through its agreement with Kaspersky. However, the company has not disclosed the terms of the agreement or whether its antivirus capabilities come from Kaspersky.
Implications for Users
The shift to UltraAV has raised concerns among users who are unfamiliar with the new provider. Users who were previously using Kaspersky’s services will now receive notifications from UltraAV on how to activate their new accounts. They will also gain access to UltraAV’s antivirus capabilities, along with additional features such as VPN, password management, and identity theft protection.
The Transition Process
The transition process is set to begin this month, with users expected to receive notifications from UltraAV in the coming days. This move will see the end of Kaspersky’s antivirus software updates for US users, as they will now be serviced by UltraAV.
Industry Reactions
The move by Kaspersky has been met with a mix of reactions from the cybersecurity industry. While some see it as a strategic move to expand into new markets, others view it as a concern, given UltraAV’s relatively low profile in the industry.
Conclusion
The exit of Kaspersky from the US market and the subsequent transfer of its users to UltraAV is a significant development in the cybersecurity landscape. It remains to be seen how this transition will affect users and the cybersecurity industry as a whole. However, one thing is clear: the cybersecurity industry is evolving rapidly, and users need to stay informed about the changes to ensure their online security.
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