How to Uninstall UltraAV & UltraVPN – Easy Removal Guide

UltraAV and UltraVPN are two programs that you may have noticed unexpectedly installed on your computer.

If that’s the case, don’t be too alarmed; this is happening to thousands, if not millions, of US citizens as of time of writing.

Many users from various social media platforms and forums have reported that these apps, particularly UltraAV, were installed on their computers without their knowledge.

Since it was installed unexpectedly, it’s easy to assume it’s malware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP), but that’s not the case here.

Recently, our team reported that Kaspersky users in the United States are being switched to a different antivirus program.

This was communicated to Kaspersky users via emails, which explained that their subscription would continue with UltraAV as the new replacement program.

In an email to customers in the United States, Kaspersky announced the transition to UltraAV, here is what the email stated:

“Dear user,

As part of our commitment to providing you with continued top-tier service, we are pleased to announce that Kaspersky US users will be able to maintain reliable cybersecurity protection from our trusted partner – UltraAV.

You will now get UltraAV with your existing paid subscription, which includes important features including industry-leading VPN, password manager, and identity theft protection.

In the coming days, you will be receiving communications from UltraAV with instructions on how to activate your new account. We’re confident that you’ll enjoy the enhanced protection and features UltraAV offers.

Learn More About This Update

Thank you for your continued trust in our services.

Regards, Kaspersky

Kaspersky’s US Ban

The switch follows concerns about Kaspersky’s alleged ties to Russian intelligence, which prompted the US government to block updates to Kaspersky software beginning September 29, 2024.

This decision is part of an effort to cut off any possible links between Kaspersky and Russian authorities.

Kaspersky, a well-known cybersecurity company, has repeatedly denied allegations of collaboration with Russian intelligence.

Despite this, the US government imposed a ban on the sale of Kaspersky products, forcing Kaspersky customers in the US to switch to UltraAV, a new antivirus provider.

The ban, which went into effect in July 2024, was prompted by concerns that the Russian-based company would be forced by the Kremlin to spy on its US users.

As a result, Kaspersky informed its American customers that their antivirus software would no longer be updated after September 29.

To avoid leaving users unprotected, Kaspersky partnered with Pango Group, transferring approximately 1 million US customers to UltraAV, Pango’s antivirus brand.

This was done to ensure that users would still receive antivirus protection despite the ban.

Kaspersky users switch to UltraAV

So, while it may appear reassuring that Kaspersky’s customers will not be without antivirus protection, there are still serious concerns.

One of the main issues with the transition is that UltraAV is relatively unknown in comparison to Kaspersky, which has a long-standing reputation.

Although UltraAV claims to have been in operation since 2019, many users are unfamiliar with the product, and it receives little attention in independent antivirus reviews and comparison websites.

A quick online search for UltraAV yields very little information. It is not included in major antivirus test results from reputable companies such as AV-Test, AV-Comparatives, and Virus Bulletin.

For a product that is being given to over a million new users, many people are concerned about the lack of transparency and a well-established reputation.

Others have expressed similar concerns, with some even questioning whether UltraAV is simply a rebranded version of Kaspersky designed to avoid the US ban.

What should you do?

While Kaspersky’s email assured users that UltraAV is a “trusted partner,” there is little evidence to support that claim, leaving many users curious about the company’s true origins and capabilities.

Having said that, you can uninstall UltraAV and its associated UltraVPN program from your computer if you want to switch to a more popular and well-known antivirus program.

Because these programs appeared unexpectedly on users’ computers, it’s understandable for people to be concerned about an unfamiliar program being downloaded out of nowhere.

If you are uncomfortable with the situation, you can delete them and replace them with a more recognizable option.

How to Uninstall UltraAV and UltraVPN

If you need help deleting the said programs from your computer, you’ve come to the correct place.

You can do so by deleting the said program via the Control Panel. Here’s how to do so:

1. Click on the Windows key to open the Start menu.

2. Type Control Panel in the provided search bar and select the first item from the search results.

3. Click on Programs and inside, select Programs and Features.

4. You will be presented with a list of programs currently installed on your computer.

5. Find UltraAV and UltraVPN and right-click the items then select Uninstall/Change from the dropdown menu.

We’ll need to use a powerful uninstaller to do the dirty work for us if the software is stubborn and won’t go away with normal approaches.

Fortunately, there are tools for this; Revo Uninstaller is a good uninstaller program made to tackle and remove uninstallable programs.

System protection tips

As the saying goes: “The biggest vulnerability is the person behind the screen

So, here are some tips and what you need to know in order to keep your device safe and malware-free in the long run.

Keep every software installed up to date

Make sure that all of the programs in your computer is up-to-date with the latest version released by the developer. The reason behind this is that these updates frequently tackle bugs and issues that malware actors often exploit.

The same goes for your computer’s operating system, make sure Windows is up-to-date with the latest software update to prevent malware from exploiting a hidden vulnerability.

Avoid downloading files from unknown sources

One of the biggest sources of malware infection in a computer system is third-party installations. This happens when a user downloads a certain program from sources that are not the official download links. Some of the common types of sources where malware is present are torrent files, cracked software, and games.

Be careful with opening email attachments

Malware often disguises itself as resumes and quotations and threat actors often send thousands of these infected emails to company employees around the world in order to infiltrate their network.

Always check where your emails are coming from as there may be a chance that the project attachment you received via email did not actually come from a co-worker.

Do not visit unreputable websites

Avoid visiting websites that contain unfiltered advertisements such as illegal streaming websites, cracked software platforms, and links sent out to you by somebody you do not trust.

These sites are often linked to redirect chains that load once you click on an ad element on the page. Following this chain often leads to drive-by malware and phishing pages that an average user may eventually fail to notice.