Some US Kaspersky security users got a big surprise when their protection was suddenly replaced by UltraAV due to a government ban. But Kaspersky’s demise has been looming for years.

Some US-based users of Kaspersky antivirus products have found their software replaced by product from by a low-profile entity named "UltraAV" – a change they didn't ask for, and which has delivered them untested and largely unknown software from a source with a limited track record.

Kaspersky is handing the computer security of US customers to UltraAV, an "alternative" product with unknown anti-malware capabilities. The move comes after US authorities banned its

Kaspersky's antivirus software deletes itself across the US and installs UltraAV instead without notifying customers. Some are frustrated and struggling to uninstall the new program.

Kaspersky announced that it would offer UltraAV as an alternative following the ban in the USA. Clients will now be switched automatically.

The Russia-based antivirus software may be now banned in the United States, but it hasn't left without a trace.

"Following the recent decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce that prohibits Kaspersky from selling or updating certain antivirus products in the United States, Kaspersky part

Some users have turned to online forums to report that UltraAV was installed on their computers without consent.