Contents

  1. Why should you remove Kaspersky?
  2. How to uninstall Kaspersky: three methods
  3. FAQs

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June 3, 2025

Uninstall Kaspersky on Mac

Maksym Sushchuk
Written by
Experienced tech writer with 15 years of translating complex Mac concepts into clear, user-friendly content.

Maksym Sushchuk

Alex Holovchenko
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The content has been reviewed and approved by our team member, an Apple Certified Support Professional, who provides technical support to Nektony’s users.

Alex Holovchenko

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Program to find duplicate files

If you’ve landed here, chances are you’re looking for a simple, reliable way to remove Kaspersky from your Mac. I’ve got you covered with clear, step-by-step instructions that anyone can follow.

Why should you remove Kaspersky?

Before we dive in, let’s look at a few reasons why you might want to uninstall Kaspersky from your Mac.

Security concerns

  • Back in 2015, Kaspersky antivirus was reportedly used by Russian hackers to steal sensitive files from the personal computer of a U.S. government worker.
  • In 2024, the U.S. banned Kaspersky from selling its software over concerns about potential spying.
  • Australia followed suit in 2025, banning it from all government devices for similar reasons.
  • There’s even a whole Wikipedia article detailing Kaspersky’s reported ties to the Russian government.

User experience issues

  • Kaspersky sometimes stays active or continues showing pop-ups even after you try to remove it.
  • It can leave behind leftover files that slow down your Mac.
  • It may clash with other apps, especially other antivirus tools.
  • If you try to move it to the Trash, you might get an error saying the app is locked.

And although we’re talking Mac here, some Windows users have reported finding malware after uninstalling Kaspersky. Probably best to stay on the safe side, right?

Let’s move on to getting it off your Mac completely.

How to uninstall Kaspersky: three methods

First things first, this guide is based on the latest macOS Sequoia 15.5 and Kaspersky Premium 26.0.0.150, so you can be sure everything is up to date and accurate.

the Kaspersky Premium dashboard in version 26.0.0.150

To remove Kaspersky from your Mac, you can go one of three routes. Pick the one that feels most comfortable:

Method Advantages Disadvantages Difficulty Speed Removal Thoroughness
Official Uninstaller Quick and simple Doesn’t always remove all files ★☆☆

★★★

(very fast)

★★☆

(partial)
Manual Removal Full control, thorough cleanup Time-consuming and requires some skill ★★★

★☆☆

(slow)

★★★

(complete)
Automatic Removal Easiest option, just a few clicks Requires extra software ★☆☆

★★★

(very fast)

★★★

(complete)

Method 1: Delete Kaspersky using its native uninstaller

This is the official, straight-from-Kaspersky method:

  1. Head over to Kaspersky’s Support Page and download their uninstaller tool called kavremover-mac. It works for all their products. The page also includes separate earlier uninstallation guides for each of them.
  2. You’ll get a .tar archive. Double-click to unpack it, then open the *.dmg file inside. the Kaspersky uninstallation app for Mac
  3. You’ll see a small window with Uninstall Kaspersky.app. Launch it and follow the instructions.

That’s it!

Note:

Be aware: this tool often leaves behind hidden files and system components.

Here’s what I found on my Mac after running it using Nektony’s App Cleaner & Uninstaller:

  • ~/Library/Application Scripts/2Y8XE5CQ94.com.kaspersky.kav

    Copy

  • ~/Library/Application Support/firebase-heartbeat

    Copy

  • ~/Library/HTTPStorages/com.kaspersky.kav_agent

    Copy

  • ~/Library/HTTPStorages/com.kaspersky.kav.downloader

    Copy

  • ~/Library/Application Scripts/2Y8XE5CQ94.com.kaspersky.mac

    Copy

  • ~/Library/Application Scripts/com.kaspersky.kav.kaspersky_security

    Copy

  • /private/tmp/kav_delayed_start_stderr.log

    Copy

  • /private/var/folders/v4/1n42g35d31v8bjztscsn5dmm0000gn/C/com.kaspersky.kav

    Copy

This might not be entirely Kaspersky’s fault. macOS security settings sometimes block full removal. Still, it means a bit of manual cleanup is necessary.

Method 2: Manual removal of Kaspersky

If you’re comfortable using Finder and poking around in hidden folders, this method gives you the cleanest result. (You can also use Terminal to delete these files; if that’s your thing, you likely know how it works already.)

In this guide, I’ll provide a full list of leftover files the official uninstaller often misses, along with a quick explanation of what each one does.

Note:

I used Kaspersky Premium (their most feature-rich version), so my file list may be longer than yours. Don’t worry if you don’t find some of these files – it just means Kaspersky didn’t create them on your Mac.

Step 1. Remove the app

If you haven’t already used the official uninstaller, begin by moving the app from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Message showing that the Kaspersky app is locked

If your Mac says the app is locked and won’t let you remove it, open Terminal and run this command:

sudo rm -rf /Applications/Kaspersky\ Anti-Virus\ For\ Mac.app

Copy

This does the same thing but gives you the admin-level permission needed to remove it.

Step 2. Remove kernel extensions (.kext files)

Kernel extensions let apps dig deeper into your system. In Finder, head to the following list of files and remove:

  • /Library/Extensions/kimul.kext

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  • /Library/Extensions/klif.kext

    Copy

  • /Library/Extensions/klnke.kext

    Copy

  • /Library/Extensions/klsat.kext

    Copy

  • /Library/Extensions/mark.kext

    Copy

Note:

These may not be deleted right away as they’re protected by macOS’s System Integrity Protection. To remove them, you’ll need to temporarily disable SIP. We have a step-by-step guide on that: How to disable SIP

(And don’t forget to turn it back on when you’re done; the guide explains how to do that as well.)

Step 3. Delete caches and temporary files

These files are safe to remove because they’re just leftovers meant to speed up app performance. Find them using the search option in Finder and remove them:

  • /private/var/.com_kaspersky_iswift_journal

    Copy

  • /private/var/.com_kaspersky_ids_drop

    Copy

  • /private/tmp/Kaspersky Internet Security.BL.lock

    Copy

  • /private/var/.com_kaspersky_kav_reboot_counter

    Copy

  • /private/var/.com_kaspersky_ids_drop_sysext

    Copy

Step 4. Remove application support files

These folders store behind-the-scenes data and helper files. They’re no longer needed.

  • /Library/Application Support/Kaspersky Lab

    Copy

  • ~/Library/Application Support/Kaspersky Lab

    Copy

  • /Library/Google/Chrome/NativeMessagingHosts/com.kaspersky.*.host.json

    Copy

  • /Library/Application Support/Mozilla/NativeMessagingHosts/com.kaspersky.light_plugin_*.kaspersky.com.host.json

    Copy

  • /Library/Application Support/Kaspersky Lab/Shared/klif.references

    Copy

  • /Library/Application Support/Kaspersky Lab/Shared/klnke.references

    Copy

Step 5. Clear containers and logs

Containers isolate app data. Logs keep a record of what the app did. Here’s what to delete:

  • ~/Library/Group Containers/2Y8XE5CQ94.com.kaspersky.mac

    Copy

  • /Library/Logs/Kaspersky Lab

    Copy

  • ~/Library/Logs/Kaspersky Lab

    Copy

Step 6. Uninstall browser extensions

If you installed any Kaspersky extensions in Safari, Chrome, or Firefox, remove them manually through your browser settings.

The Additional Protection window of the Kaspersky app for Mac

Method 3: Automatic uninstallation

Not a fan of doing everything my hand? This one’s for you. Use App Cleaner & Uninstaller – a tool that handles everything automatically.

Steps:

  1. Download and open App Cleaner & Uninstaller.
  2. In the Applications list, find and select Kaspersky. Search for Kaspersky in App Cleaner & Uninstaller
  3. Click Uninstall (or Remove in the Expert mode).

And that’s it! The app finds and deletes all leftover Kaspersky files for you.

Note:

If you’ve already uninstalled Kaspersky, just go to the Remaining Files tab to find anything it left behind and clean it up in one click.

Final Thoughts

Kaspersky is a Russian software company. While it set up a holding company in the UK, its main operations remain in Russia, a country long associated with state-sponsored cyberattacks, election interference, and digital espionage.

Whatever your reason for removing Kaspersky, it’s worth making sure it’s fully gone. With the methods above, you can clean up every trace and feel confident in your Mac’s security setup.

Also, if you ever want to uninstall another antivirus software, we’ve got you covered with separate guides for Avira, Sophos, and Trend Micro.

Frequently asked questions

What are the alternatives to Kaspersky for Mac?

For most users, macOS already provides strong built-in protection. You can read more about it on Apple’s official macOS Security page.

Still, if you’d like some extra peace of mind, consider these antivirus apps:

  • Avira – Lightweight and privacy-friendly.
  • Sophos – Great for families or small teams, with advanced web protection.
  • Trend Micro – Premium antivirus with strong ransomware defenses.

My Kaspersky app was slow, so I removed it. Should I reinstall it?

It’s understandable to wonder. But considering the concerns raised over Kaspersky’s possible ties to espionage, you may want to stick with alternatives.

Even if your subscription is still valid, there are antivirus apps with better reputations. And remember: your Mac already has solid protection through features like System Integrity Protection, app sandboxing, and Gatekeeper. So you’re not starting from zero.

How can I tell if Kaspersky compromised my personal data?

There's no foolproof way to know if any of your private data was accessed without your knowledge. Still, you can take these steps for added safety:

  • Change passwords for important accounts (email, banking, social media).
  • Turn on two-factor authentication where possible.
  • Keep an eye on your accounts for anything unusual.

It’s a good idea to do this anytime you uninstall a shady app, just to be safe.

How do I stop Kaspersky from running if it's still active?

To terminate Kaspersky processes:

  1. Open Activity Monitor (found in Applications > Utilities).
  2. In the search bar, type "Kaspersky."
  3. Select any active Kaspersky items.
  4. Click the "X" button in the upper-left corner to quit them.

How do I remove Kaspersky Endpoint Agent or Safe Kids?

The process is the same as for other Kaspersky products: you have three options.

  • Use the official uninstaller by downloading the removal tool from Kaspersky’s website.
  • Manually search for and delete all related files and folders using Finder or Terminal, including hidden leftovers.
  • For the easiest experience, use App Cleaner & Uninstaller, which finds and removes all Kaspersky components in just a few clicks.

What if the Kaspersky removal tool asks for a password?

That’s completely normal. It’s just asking for your Mac’s admin password to confirm you want to make system-level changes.

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