Malwarebytes is a popular cybersecurity company that develops anti-malware and anti-spyware software. Their primary product, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM), is designed to detect and remove various forms of malware, including viruses, worms, Trojans, adware, spyware, and more.
Malwarebytes utilizes advanced scanning techniques and heuristics to identify and eliminate threats that traditional antivirus software might miss. It also offers real-time protection, preventing malware from infecting your computer or device in the first place.
In addition to the traditional desktop application, Malwarebytes also provides versions for mobile devices and offers enterprise-grade solutions for businesses to protect their systems and networks from cyber threats.
Since the cybersecurity landscape constantly evolves, it is advisable to check the latest information and reviews on Malwarebytes to ensure that you are aware of any recent updates or changes to their products and services.
What Does Malwarebytes Do?
As of my last update in September 2021, Malwarebytes is an anti-malware software designed to detect, remove, and protect against various forms of malware and other cybersecurity threats. Here’s a breakdown of what Malwarebytes does:
Malware detection: Malwarebytes uses advanced scanning techniques and heuristics to identify and detect different types of malware, including viruses, worms, Trojans, adware, spyware, ransomware, and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).
Malware removal: Once malware is detected, Malwarebytes helps remove it from your system. It aims to clean up infected files and quarantines malicious items, preventing them from causing further harm.
Real-time protection: Malwarebytes offers real-time protection to actively prevent malware from infecting your computer or device. This feature constantly monitors your system, web browsing, and downloads to block malicious activities and potential threats before they can execute.
Browser protection: The software includes browser extensions that can protect you from visiting malicious websites, block malicious ads, and warn you about potentially harmful URLs.
Anti-exploit technology: Malwarebytes incorporates anti-exploit features to safeguard your system against exploit kits and zero-day vulnerabilities that hackers might use to compromise your computer.
Anti-ransomware: Malwarebytes includes specific features to protect against ransomware, a type of malware that encrypts your files and demands a ransom to unlock them. It actively monitors for ransomware behavior and attempts to prevent encryption in real-time.
Scan scheduling: Users can schedule regular scans to ensure their system stays protected without needing manual intervention.
Malwarebytes for Business: Malwarebytes offers enterprise-grade solutions for businesses to protect their systems and networks from cybersecurity threats.
Keep in mind that the features and capabilities of software may change over time as developers release updates and new versions. It’s always a good idea to visit the official Malwarebytes website or consult the most recent information to get the most up-to-date details about the software’s functionalities.
How To Use Malwarebytes?
Using Malwarebytes is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use Malwarebytes Anti-
Malware on a Windows computer:
Download and Install:
Go to the official Malwarebytes website (www.malwarebytes.com) and download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows.
Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the software on your computer.
Launch Malwarebytes:
After installation, launch Malwarebytes from the desktop shortcut or by searching for “Malwarebytes” in the Start menu.
Update Malwarebytes:
It’s crucial to have the latest malware definitions to ensure the best protection. When you open Malwarebytes, it will check for updates automatically. If updates are available, it will download and install them.
Perform a Scan:
On the Malwarebytes dashboard, click the “Scan” tab in the left sidebar.
Click the “Start Scan” button to initiate a Threat Scan. This scan will check the most common areas where malware hides.
Review Scan Results:
Once the scan is complete, Malwarebytes will display a list of threats (if any are found). Click on the “Quarantine” button to isolate the detected malware.
Remove Quarantined Items:
After quarantining the threats, you can review them in the “Quarantine” tab. From there, you have the option to remove them permanently from your system.
Check for Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs):
Malwarebytes also detects potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). If you want to review and remove PUPs, click on the “Detection History” tab, then click “Allow” or “Quarantine” for each identified item.
Perform Additional Scans (Optional):
If you suspect there might still be malware on your system or want to perform a more comprehensive scan, you can do a Custom Scan or a Hyper Scan by clicking the respective options under the “Scan” tab.
Enable Real-Time Protection (Recommended):
To keep your system protected in real-time, go to the “Protection” tab and ensure that all protection layers are enabled. This will help prevent malware from infecting your computer in the future.
Configure Settings (Optional):
Malwarebytes allows you to customize various settings to suit your preferences. You can access these settings by clicking on the “Settings” tab.
Remember to keep Malwarebytes up-to-date and run regular scans to ensure continuous protection against emerging threats. It’s also essential to use Malwarebytes alongside a reliable antivirus program for comprehensive security coverage.
How To Uninstall Malwarebytes
To uninstall Malwarebytes from your computer, follow these steps:
On Windows:
Using the Control Panel:
Click the “Start” button and select “Settings” (the gear icon).
In the Settings window, click on “Apps” or “Apps & features” (the name might vary depending on your Windows version).
Scroll down the list of installed apps and locate “Malwarebytes.“
Click on “Malwarebytes,” and then click the “Uninstall” button.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
Using the Malwarebytes Support Tool (Recommended):
Malwarebytes provides a dedicated Support Tool to help uninstall the software completely. This tool ensures that any remnants of Malwarebytes are removed from your system.
Download the Malwarebytes Support Tool from the official Malwarebytes website (www.malwarebytes.com/support).
Run the Support Tool and accept the User Account Control (UAC) prompt, if prompted.
Click the “Advanced” tab, and then click on “Clean.”
Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the uninstallation.
On macOS:
Drag to Trash:
Open Finder and navigate to the “Applications” folder.
Locate “Malwarebytes” in the Applications folder.
Click and drag the “Malwarebytes” application icon to the Trash bin in the Dock.
Empty the Trash bin to complete the uninstallation.
Using the Malwarebytes Support Tool (Optional):
Malwarebytes provides a Support Tool for macOS as well, but it’s not always necessary for uninstalling. If you encounter any issues during the standard uninstallation process, you can use this tool for a more thorough removal.
Download the Malwarebytes Support Tool for Mac from the official Malwarebytes website (www.malwarebytes.com/support).
Run the Support Tool and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation.
After uninstalling Malwarebytes, it’s a good idea to restart your computer to ensure that all changes take effect. If you decide to reinstall Malwarebytes or switch to a different security solution, make sure to download the latest version from the official Malwarebytes website to ensure you have the most up-to-date protection.