IObit Malware Fighter

CNET Editors' review

by: Eddie Cho on May 20, 2013

IObit's latest version release brings Malware Fighter to 2.0 and showcases a much more eye-popping design that is more consistent with the modern look and feel of Windows 8.

You'll be greeted with four basic options: Scan, Protect, Update, and Action Center. Since version 1.7, IObit's latest design feels much cleaner and certainly more intuitive for the average user. The original overview graph that the previous version opened with is now tucked away.

Previously included features like cloud scanning and quarantine lists are still present, but reside in a more modernized settings panel to the right, labeled by monochromatic icons. Scanning settings and options exist as on/off switches, similar to those in Windows 8. Make no mistake: Version 2.0 is undoubtedly developed for touch screens.

Though this version is free, that also means it's ad supported. However, IObit has opted to remove all the extraneous social-sharing options, with the exception of a Like button on the bottom right; again, we've never used it but if you're really into it, then the option is there.

We ran a full scan to first test for any bogus claims of "threats" that come from detecting the usual temp files cached by your browser, as well as other common false alerts. IObit came out clean, which was a good sign. Scan speeds were also respectable given the state of our file system. You can also set custom scans and isolate Malware Fighter to look for threats just within your memory processes or select drives.

One minor issue we had with Malware Fighter was that it classifies the absence of Advanced SystemCare and Smart Defrag as "problems." There's no option to clear out these warnings, and choosing to fix them results in an automatic download and installation of IObit's other product offerings.

Compared to its previous version, IObit Version 2.0 is a step in the right direction despite its questionable labeling of ASC and Smart Defrag. But if you're looking for an easy-to-use, lightweight malware scanner, then Malware Fighter does the job.