Kaspersky in the US: what the ban means and what to do if you used it
For years, Kaspersky scored among the best antivirus products in independent testing, and it still appears in older "best antivirus" lists. If you're in the United States, though, you can no longer buy it, and it can no longer send you the updates it needs to protect you.
What the ban says
The US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security issued a Final Determination prohibiting Kaspersky Lab, Inc. and related companies from providing antivirus software and certain cybersecurity services to people in the United States.
- From July 20, 2024: Kaspersky could no longer enter into new agreements with US customers for covered products.
- From September 29, 2024: Kaspersky could no longer provide antivirus signature updates or software updates to US customers, or operate its cloud threat network in the US.
The US government's stated reason was national security, relating to where the company is based. It was not a finding that the software didn't work. Kaspersky has publicly disputed the decision.
Why this matters even if Kaspersky is still installed
Antivirus depends on constant updates. New threats appear every day, and the software needs fresh information to recognize them. A security product that stopped receiving updates in 2024 is increasingly blind to anything newer. It may still look as if it's protecting you, which is arguably worse than having nothing, because it creates a false sense of security.
What happened to existing customers: UltraAV
In September 2024, many US Kaspersky users found that their software had been replaced by a different product, UltraAV, from another company. Kaspersky had arranged the transition as it wound down its US business, but many people only discovered it when unfamiliar software appeared on their computer.
If that happened to you, it's worth making a deliberate choice about whether to keep UltraAV, rather than leaving it simply because it arrived automatically.
What to do now
- Check what's installed. On Windows, open Settings → Apps → Installed apps and look for Kaspersky or UltraAV. On a Mac, check your Applications folder.
- Decide what you want to use instead. On Windows, the built-in Microsoft Defender is free and performs well in independent tests. See is built-in protection enough? Or compare paid options in our 2026 comparison.
- Uninstall Kaspersky (and UltraAV, if you don't want it) through the normal uninstall option. On Windows, Microsoft Defender switches itself back on automatically when no other antivirus is active.
- Confirm you're protected. On Windows, open Windows Security and check that real-time protection is on, then run a scan. See how to scan with Windows Security.
If you're outside the US
This prohibition applies to the United States. Kaspersky continues to operate in many other countries, where it remains independently tested. Some other governments have their own restrictions, particularly for government systems, so check the rules where you live.