Solved Thoughts on Buying Malwarebytes.

DigitalGoat · Feb 7, 2022

And you could go to Tech Radar and read the test results placing Malwarebytes consistently low in the rankings for detection when compared against other paid for apps, and in some tests beaten by Defender, where Defender scored 100% and Malwarebytes scored 95%, and the review points out a security flaw in Malwarebytes allowing one of it's resident services to be turned off by malware.
I'm sure other products have also had such flaws, but it just goes to show that you shouldn't blindly put your trust in any solution, paid, integrated or free.
Malwarebytes Antivirus solutions review

This is in no way a dig at Malwarebytes, but just to show that referencing one sites forums to show how poorly a competitor performs is pretty pointless and proves nothing, it is just cherry picking.
The only thing AdvancedSetup said that you can rely on is that adopting safe browsing practices and maintaining a solid backup plan is the best defence against malware of any type, and adding that is true regardless of the anti malware solution you use, not just Defender.

Porthos · Feb 7, 2022

DigitalGoat said:
And you could go to Tech Radar and read the test results placing Malwarebytes consistently low in the rankings for detection when compared against other paid for apps

The thing about testing is people gather samples and throw them at Malwarebytes. No regular user will encounter malware like that. Doing so bypasses web protection for starters. There is more but encountering malware organically like a normal user is never done in the tests that are done.
Also, testing was on an older version of Malwarebytes. It gets better with each new version.
Personally, I believe, that when Malwarebytes is installed, because it registers in the Windows security center it disables Defender like any other 3rd party AV that unless you make a simple change in Malwarebytes settings, you lose the added benefit of Defender running alongside Malwarebytes.

I have Defender and Malwarebytes set up on 100's of systems since Win 10 was released and I have not seen an infected computer yet. I would know because since I offer free cleanup to those clients who have both set up by me and I have not yet had to do free work.

With the addition of Malwarebytes Browser Guard and I use Ublock Origin as well the protection is increased.

To use Malwarebytes with Defender, change the following setting in Malwarebytes to off like in this screenshot.

PS, I do NOT work for Malwarebytes.

JAM83 · Feb 7, 2022

OldMainframeGuy said:
I run the paid version alongside Defender. I was lucky enough to by my license many years ago when it was a lifetime license. Malwarebytes and Defender work well together; no interference.

I have a lifetime license as well. I bought mine back in the early 2010s

Wynona · Feb 7, 2022

Winuser said:
After reading a few posts about Malwarebytes I decided to give it a try. It seems to run OK side by side with Eset Internet Security. I still have a few days left on the trial version. My question is should I buy Malwarebytes or just use the free version. If I go with the paid version, I'll go with the Family pack.

Hi. I downloaded and installed the free version. More for insurance if and when I need it, than what it can do for me.

Here's an article by How to Geeks about using MB along with other AVs.

How to Run Malwarebytes Alongside Another Antivirus

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a great security tool that's particularly effective against "potentially unwanted programs (PUPs)" and other nasty software traditional antivirus programs don't deal with.

www.howtogeek.com

BTW, I didn't see a family package, but MB is having a 25% off sale. I have five computers, three of which are dual boot, so even at 25% off, ($29.95), I don't think I can afford it.

It's a good thing that Windows Defender does such a good job; I don't really need MB, but I don't mind a second opinion now and then.

Wynona · Feb 7, 2022

AdvancedSetup said:
I am an employee and I'm not saying you have to buy our product, but you can go visit the Bleepingcomputer forums and see how many people have been infected with ransomware that was only running Windows Defender. Granted, where you visit, what you click, etc. does have a lot to do with it but in some cases, as with unpublished exploits, one can also be attacked having not clicked on something bad. Having good backups of your data that you take offline or otherwise make unavailable to attack is a very prudent process that I would highly recommend if you're going to rely on just WD. You could go years without any infection but it only takes one successful time to encrypt all your data. Do yourself a favor and make good backups a part of your maintenance.

First and foremost, one company selling a product that disses another company's product doesn't sit all that will with me. In fact, I would refuse to even look at dissing company's product.

AdvancedSetup · Feb 8, 2022

I'm sorry you feel it as dissing. I'm simply trying to make it apparent to those saying that they only need Windows Defender that they shouldn't be lulled into a false sense of security and that would apply to our product as well. No computer should be treated as a black box that does not require users also practice good safety habits on a computer.

DigitalGoat · Feb 8, 2022

AdvancedSetup said:
I'm sorry you feel it as dissing. I'm simply trying to make it apparent to those saying that they only need Windows Defender that they shouldn't be lulled into a false sense of security and that would apply to our product as well. No computer should be treated as a black box that does not require users also practice good safety habits on a computer.

Then there was no need to reference Defender and point forum users to the bleepingcomputer.com forums for 'evidence', you could have just left out the Defender part.
Your post comes across as dissing, whether you intended it or not, I certainly took it that way, hence my attempt at a balancing post following it.
A member of a companies staff making public statements represents that company in the eyes of readers.

AdvancedSetup · Feb 8, 2022

The topic was about Windows Defender and those claiming they didn't need anything more. I never claimed you needed our product. In fact, I said you didn't. I simply wanted to point out that one could easily find out that type of thinking might prove harmful. I never made any claim using our product would prevent that. I then went on to say one should ensure they keep their data backed up.

dbartenstein · Feb 8, 2022

OldMainframeGuy said:
I run the paid version alongside Defender. I was lucky enough to by my license many years ago when it was a lifetime license. Malwarebytes and Defender work well together; no interference.

Same here. I got a lifetime license back when that was still possible. The only nag I have is that it turns off Defender when you install it or it upgrades, so you have to remember to turn Defender back on.

Porthos · Feb 8, 2022

dbartenstein said:
The only nag I have is that it turns off Defender when you install it or it upgrades, so you have to remember to turn Defender back on.

I have never had it turn odd Defender in any upgrade nor have any of my clients.
ONLY when you install it or do a clean install.

DigitalGoat · Feb 8, 2022

Regardless of any solution's claims to protect you the phrase "when it happens not if it happens" applies here, even people who say "I have been using computers for xx years and never been infected" are not immune to being caught out one day.
Up to date offline backups across different media types are the best protection for your data, coupled with safe browsing habits, self education and keeping as much personal information as possible off your devices.
I personally use Defender and a Microsoft account and consider that enough for me.
I prefer to use the money required for a license/ subscription to a 3rd party anti virus app to buy extra hard drives and other media for backups. With my setup an infection/ encryption would just inconvenience me for 10mins or so.
But this is only relevant to me and my usage. :)

trevo · Feb 8, 2022

AdvancedSetup said:
The topic was about Windows Defender and those claiming they didn't need anything more. I never claimed you needed our product. In fact, I said you didn't. I simply wanted to point out that one could easily find out that type of thinking might prove harmful. I never made any claim using our product would prevent that. I then went on to say one should ensure they keep their data backed up.

I've been following this Thread and see no evidence of "dissing" on your behalf.
Ransomware is one of the reasons I don't rely on Windows Defender, so in my opinion your point was valid.

Winuser · Feb 8, 2022

Wynona said:
Hi. I downloaded and installed the free version. More for insurance if and when I need it, than what it can do for me.

Here's an article by How to Geeks about using MB along with other AVs.

How to Run Malwarebytes Alongside Another Antivirus

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a great security tool that's particularly effective against "potentially unwanted programs (PUPs)" and other nasty software traditional antivirus programs don't deal with.

www.howtogeek.com

BTW, I didn't see a family package, but MB is having a 25% off sale. I have five computers, three of which are dual boot, so even at 25% off, ($29.95), I don't think I can afford it.

It's a good thing that Windows Defender does such a good job; I don't really need MB, but I don't mind a second opinion now and then. :)

I decided to go with the free version of Malwarebytes. I may change my mind later. I have nothing against Windows Defender but it's not for me. I will stay with Eset on all of my main computers. When I read about studies or surveys, I always ask myself, who, why and what do they have to gain from the results. Yes, I do put on my tin foil hat.

dbartenstein · Feb 8, 2022

Porthos said:
I have never had it turn odd Defender in any upgrade nor have any of my clients.
ONLY when you install it or do a clean install.

Happens to me whenever it upgrades the program (not the signature files).

ThrashZone · Feb 8, 2022

Winuser said:
I decided to go with the free version of Malwarebytes. I may change my mind later. I have nothing against Windows Defender but it's not for me. I will stay with Eset on all of my main computers. When I read about studies or surveys, I always ask myself, who, why and what do they have to gain from the results. Yes, I do put on my tin foil hat.

Hi,
Yeah you're just really late to the mbam pro party
mbam premium is a yearly subscription commitment can't say I would either lol

Iggy_AZ · Feb 8, 2022

JMedlock83 said:
I have a lifetime license as well. I bought mine back in the early 2010s

I also have the Lifetime Lic years ago from Malwarebytes and it has works flawlessly with Windows 11 and Defender.
You can also turn on Defender to additionally run a random scan by turning that switch on.
But as you can see I have them both running and Malwarebytes catches thing 1st.
Good pairing and no problem even when I used Window 7 and 10.

Winuser · Feb 8, 2022

DigitalGoat said:
Then there was no need to reference Defender and point forum users to the bleepingcomputer.com forums for 'evidence', you could have just left out the Defender part.
Your post comes across as dissing, whether you intended it or not, I certainly took it that way, hence my attempt at a balancing post following it.
A member of a companies staff making public statements represents that company in the eyes of readers.

So, it's OK to point out the positives of Defender but taboo to point out the negatives? I for one don't buy all the hype about Defender or any security program. They all have their pluses and minuses. Free, paid or nothing at all we should use what we feel comfortable with and not try to discourage others from doing what they feel is best.

Winuser · Feb 8, 2022

dbartenstein said:
Same here. I got a lifetime license back when that was still possible. The only nag I have is that it turns off Defender when you install it or it upgrades, so you have to remember to turn Defender back on.

I totally forgot that years ago I had purchased a lifetime license. I found the ID and key saved on OneDrive. Malwarebytes is now activated.