Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
In September 2024, eligible U.S. Kaspersky consumer customers faced a transition to Pango Group’s UltraAV after U.S. restrictions threatened Kaspersky product sales and updates. On Windows, reports said the replacement happened automatically; customers using Mac, Android, and iOS were told to install and activate UltraAV manually. Kaspersky and Pango said they had provided advance notice and were seeking to maintain protection, while some users said they were surprised and had not agreed to the change.
Why Kaspersky customers were moved to UltraAV
The transition followed U.S. restrictions on Kaspersky. SecurityWeek reported that sales were to end on July 20, 2024, while limited updates could continue through September 29. Kaspersky arranged for Pango Group’s UltraAV to replace its software for eligible U.S. consumer customers. The cited reports concern this U.S. transition, not Kaspersky customers worldwide.
Kaspersky described the move as an alternative intended to ensure continuous protection before its products’ functionality had to be discontinued under the regulations. That was the company’s explanation; the coverage does not independently establish that UltraAV offered protection equivalent to Kaspersky.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
How the transition worked on different devices
| Platform | Reported transition |
|---|---|
| Windows | Kaspersky software was removed and UltraAV installed automatically through an update, according to contemporary reporting. |
| Mac, Android, and iOS | Customers were reported to need to install and activate UltraAV manually. |
SecurityWeek reported that the transition began September 17, 2024, and was expected to conclude by September 29, ahead of the update restriction. Its September 24 coverage described the affected U.S. customer base as roughly one million, an estimate attributed to earlier coverage rather than an audited count.
#1 Best Overall
- USB Type-C connector suits a variety of devices. Compatible with Microsoft Windows & macOS
Why users objected despite the companies’ notice claims
Kaspersky and Pango said customers had been notified in advance. Pango said notices were available by email, in the app, on account pages, and on its website; Kaspersky said eligible customers received email notices. Some users nevertheless reported discovering UltraAV after it had replaced Kaspersky without understanding that the replacement would happen automatically.
The dispute was about more than receiving a notice: users objected to an antivirus being replaced without an on-device choice. Pango defended the low-friction approach by saying that many antivirus users do not closely monitor the software. In SecurityWeek’s September 2024 coverage, EFF cybersecurity director Eva Galperin criticized installing another antivirus without warning or consent. These are opposing positions recorded at the time, not proof that every customer did or did not receive a message.
Rank #2
- Reliable storage for photos, videos, music and other files
- Available in capacities from 8GB to 256GB (1GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes - Actual user storage less)
- Transfer with confidence when moving images and other content
- Retractable design keeps the connector safe
- SanDisk SecureAcces software with 128-bit AES encryption and password protection(1)
What was reported about uninstall problems
Some users said UltraAV was difficult to uninstall, behaved unexpectedly, or returned after a reboot. Those accounts do not establish that UltraAV was malware, nor do the cited reports independently verify a common technical cause or quantify how many users had problems. Pango characterized uninstall issues as affecting “a small number” of customers and said it was addressing them through support and software patches; it did not provide a denominator or independently verified rate.
What customers could do at the time
In September 2024 statements, Kaspersky and Pango said customers who did not want UltraAV could cancel their Kaspersky subscriptions and choose another antivirus product. Pango said such customers would not have received the UltraAV update if they canceled directly through Kaspersky customer service. This describes the companies’ stated option at that time; the available reporting does not verify a current cancellation process, account workflow, or product availability.
Rank #3
- ✔ Permanently Wipe Data – Securely erase your hard drive, ensuring no recovery is possible.
- ✔ Plug & Play – No Installation Needed – Bootable USB drive with preloaded professional erasure software.
- ✔ For IT Professionals & Personal Use – Perfect for selling, recycling, or disposing of old computers.
- ✔ Compatible with Most Devices – Works with Windows, Linux, BIOS & UEFI-based PCs & Laptops.
- ✔ Industry-Standard Data Sanitization – Uses trusted DBAN, ShredOS (Nwipe), and Secure Erase tools.
The reports do not provide independent detection-rate comparisons between Kaspersky and UltraAV, or a verified count of users affected by technical problems. They therefore cannot support a conclusion about which product performs better or whether protection was equivalent.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Plug and Data View: Smart display USB drive adopting advanced intelligent recognition technology and adhering to the design of plug-and-play. Equipped with a high-definition LCD screen that automatically lights up upon insertion into any compatible device, synchronously displaying five core data dimensions: remaining storage capacity, read/write speeds, file transfer progress, current interface operation rate, and the drive’s temperature. Whether you need to confirm if there is enough remaining space for large project files during work or check the progress during transmission, everything is at a glance.
- AI Intelligent Temperature Control: Design for optimal heat management upgrades from basic temperature monitoring to AI intelligent temperature control management. The built-in AI algorithm dynamically adjusts transmission speed based on real-time temperature data and transmission scenarios, balancing speed and heat dissipation. It avoids overheating caused by long-term high-speed transmission while maximizing work efficiency, ensuring the USB drive maintains stable performance even during prolonged heavy-load use.
- 1090MB/s Fast Transmission: Save significant time costs powered by USB 3.2 Gen 2 high-speed control chip, it achieves an ultra-fast read speed of up to 1090MB/s with an optimized signal transmission architecture. 1GB HD video, large compressed package, or design source file can be read and transferred in just 1 second.
- Excellent TLC Memory: Thumb drive adopts premium TLC memory, which features higher storage density, better durability, and more stable performance compared to ordinary memory. It effectively resisting data degradation and ensuring long-term reliable storage of precious files. The optimized memory chip also enhances read/write speed stability, avoiding sudden speed drops during large-file transmission.
- 4K ProRes HDR Ready：Zinc alloy shell usb stick is your great partner for iPhone 15/16/17 Pro/Pro Max. External ssd supports 4K ProRes HDR video recording—just connect this USB - C external drive to your iPhone. Record videos directly onto the drive no extra transfer needed. Capture every detail in stunning quality and skip the hassle of moving files later.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
