One million US Kaspersky customers to be migrated to this lesser-known alternative

US customers of Kaspersky's banned security software are being thrown a lifeline in the form of an alternative product. In emails sent to its customers, Kaspersky revealed that it will automatically migrate them to Pango Group's UltraAV software as a continuation of their current subscriptions.

The news comes in the wake of a ban by the Biden administration on virtually all Kaspersky security products, prohibiting the Russia-based company from selling any of its core products in the US.

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Since July 20, Kaspersky has been barred from selling its software in the US. Existing customers have still been able to use the products, but updates are due to stop on September 29, which means the move to UltraAV comes just in the nick of time.

"Facing the recent US restrictions forcing Kaspersky to limit the protection functionality of its products, the company has arranged a solution to provide its consumer product users with continued cybersecurity protection," Kaspersky said in a statement sent to ZDNET. 

"As a result of the agreement reached between Kaspersky and its trusted partner UltraAV, users of consumer products in the US will continue to receive reliable anti-virus protection under their existing subscription."

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Kaspersky had long been in the crosshairs of the US government, which has alleged that the company's ties to Russia pose a security risk to the United States. The current ban follows an investigation by the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry (BIS), which found that Kaspersky and its products entail "unacceptable risks to the United States' national security and the security and safety of its people."

In a document posted online, the BIS listed 81 Kaspersky products blocked through the US ban. The only items not on the list are Kaspersky Threat Intelligence products and services, Kaspersky Security Training products and services, and Kaspersky consulting and advisory services.

In response to the ban, Kaspersky has maintained that it does not engage in activities that threaten US national security. Instead, the company said that it offered protection against a variety of threats that targeted US interests and allies. However, with the ban firmly in place, Kaspersky had little choice but to give up the fight without leaving its customers in a lurch.

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"The security of our users has always been our top priority, and the current situation is no exception," Kaspersky said in its statement. "While US persons were left with one less choice in defending themselves against online threats, we are committed to ensuring that they continue to be served by a world-class provider."

Pango is a lesser-known name in the security world, though it has been around for about 20 years. On Tuesday, Pango Group was officially split off from its parent company Aura. As part of the separation, Aura will provide online security for individuals and families, while Pango will offer cybersecurity for consumers and enterprises. Pango's product lineup includes several VPN programs, such as AnchorFree, Hotspot Shield, UltraVPN, Betternet, VPN360, and OVPN.

As for UltraAV, Kaspersky said that the version being given to its customers will include such features as a VPN, a password manager, and identity theft protection. Otherwise, the program offers several options not found in Kaspersky's software, according to ISMG. These include real-time authentication alerts, high-risk transaction monitoring, fraud alerts, home title monitoring, and $1 million identity theft insurance.

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As part of the deal between the two companies, around 1 million Kaspersky users will be transitioned to Pango, Neill Feather, president and chief operating officer at Pango, told Axios.

How will the migration play out?

Around mid-September, Windows users will automatically be migrated from Kaspersky to UltraAV without any action needed, according to an UltraAV FAQ page. After the transition is finalized, UltraAV protection will be active on your computer with all the premium features in tow.

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Mac and Android users will receive an email notification when UltraAV is available. A link in the email will help you kick off the setup. Otherwise, you'll be able to open your current Kaspersky software on your Mac or Android device and follow the instructions from there.

Though UltraAV will be free to Kaspersky customers, those who want to continue using the product when their subscription ends will have to pay for another year. Subscribing to UltraAV for the first year will cost $47.88. After that, though, the annual price tag jumps to $149.99.