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Kaspersky in the US: what the 2024 ban means

Kaspersky can't be sold to, or updated for, US customers. If it is still installed on a US computer, it stopped receiving protection updates on 29 Sep 2024.2

Written by the AVSO Editorial Desk
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Kaspersky logoNot ranked in the US

Timeline

  1. Final Determination issued

    The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security bars Kaspersky Lab, Inc. from providing antivirus and cybersecurity products to US customers. It is the first Final Determination by its Office of Information and Communications Technology and Services.1

  2. Entity List additions

    AO Kaspersky Lab and OOO Kaspersky Group (Russia) and Kaspersky Labs Limited (UK) are added to the Entity List the same day.1

  3. No new US sales

    From 12:00 AM EDT Kaspersky may not enter new agreements with US persons.2

  4. Kaspersky replaced by UltraAV

    US Windows users report Kaspersky removed and UltraAV (owned by Pango) installed automatically.34

  5. Updates end

    From 12:00 AM EDT no more signature or software updates, and no resale or licensing in the US.2

If you still have Kaspersky (or UltraAV) installed

  1. 1Check what's actually running.Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection. It names the active antivirus provider. If it says Kaspersky or UltraAV and you're in the US, keep reading.
  2. 2Uninstall what you didn't choose.Use Settings → Apps → Installed apps. Removing a third-party antivirus automatically switches Microsoft Defender back on, so you aren't left unprotected while you decide.
  3. 3Cancel the subscription.Check your card statements and the account the product was registered with for auto-renewals you no longer want.
  4. 4Pick a replacement on the evidence.Our ranking uses the same lab tests where Kaspersky scored well, so you can compare like for like.

Lab results, for context

The ban is not about detection quality. Kaspersky still takes part in both labs' tests and scores at the top:

Kaspersky lab results, for context only
TestResultAward
AV-TEST Windows · Aug 202656 / 6 / 6TOP PRODUCT
AV-C Real-World · Feb–May 2026699.8%ADVANCED+
AV-C Summary 20257Top-RatedTop-Rated

Outside the US, Kaspersky remains on sale. Whether to use it there is a judgement about your own government's guidance; this page covers the US position only.

Kaspersky ban: questions

Is Kaspersky illegal to use in the US?

The Commerce Department's 2024 Final Determination prohibits Kaspersky from selling its products and providing updates to US persons. It targets Kaspersky's ability to sell and update, not individual users. In practice, a copy installed in the US no longer receives signature or software updates after 29 Sep 2024, so it stops protecting you against new threats.

Why was Kaspersky banned in the US?

The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security concluded that Kaspersky's provision of security software in the US posed undue national-security risks, citing the company's jurisdiction under, and potential direction from, the Russian government. It was the first Final Determination issued by its Office of Information and Communications Technology and Services.

What is UltraAV and why did it replace Kaspersky?

UltraAV is an antivirus owned by Pango. In September 2024, many US Kaspersky users found that Kaspersky had been removed and UltraAV installed through an update, as reported by BleepingComputer and TechCrunch. If you didn't choose UltraAV, you can uninstall it and install a product you picked yourself.

Is Kaspersky still good at detecting malware?

In lab terms, yes: Kaspersky Premium scored 18/18 at AV-TEST in August 2026 and 99.8% in AV-Comparatives' Feb–May 2026 Real-World test. The US ban is a national-security decision, not a judgement on detection quality. We don't recommend it to US readers because it can't be bought or updated there.

Sources

All accessed

  1. 1.US Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security: Commerce Department prohibits Russian Kaspersky software for U.S. customers (June 20, 2024). bis.gov/press-release/commerce-department-prohibits-russian-kaspersky-software-u.s.-customers (opens in a new tab)
  2. 2.Bureau of Industry and Security: Kaspersky Final Determination information page. bis.gov/kaspersky (opens in a new tab)
  3. 3.BleepingComputer: Kaspersky deletes itself, installs UltraAV antivirus without warning. bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/kaspersky-deletes-itself-installs-ultraav-antivirus-without-warning/ (opens in a new tab)
  4. 4.TechCrunch: Some Kaspersky customers receive surprise forced update to new antivirus software (Sept 23, 2024). techcrunch.com/2024/09/23/some-kaspersky-customers-receive-surprise-forced-update-to-new-antivirus-software/ (opens in a new tab)
  5. 5.AV-TEST Windows 11 home-user test, August 2026. av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/windows-11/august-2026/ (opens in a new tab)
  6. 6.AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection Test, February–May 2026. av-comparatives.org/tests/real-world-protection-test-february-may-2026/ (opens in a new tab)
  7. 7.AV-Comparatives Consumer Summary Report 2025. av-comparatives.org/tests/summary-report-2025/ (opens in a new tab)