CNET Editors' note:
The Malwarebytes Free edition offers users the option of installing a trial version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Pro.
CNET Editors' review
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a surprisingly effective freeware antimalware tool. It's a relatively speedy malware remover, with the quick scan taking about 8 minutes even with other high-resource programs running. The heuristics engine proved on multiple computers during empirical testing that it was capable of determining the difference between false positives and dangerous apps.
The app has some nice features rolled in, too. It supports multiple drive scanning including networked drives, context menu options including a scan-on-demand for individual files, and the FileAssassin option under the More Tools section for removing locked files. The interface is simple, but pleasant-looking and well-organized. Tabs live just below the oversized logo, with few options per tab to keep down the clutter. The installation process was fast enough, but interestingly offered up the well-kept changelog and an instant definition file update.
Do note that the real-time protection is restricted to the paid version, as is the scheduler for updates and scans. Overall, though, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a responsive malware remover that does what it should with a minimum of fuss.
Watch the CNET video review of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware:
Publisher's Description
From Malwarebytes:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware combines powerful new technologies designed to seek out, destroy, and prevent malware infections.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is an easy-to-use anti-malware application available in both a Free and PRO version. The Free version is well-known for its detection and removal capabilities, and the PRO version uses advanced protection technologies to proactively stop malware infections. Additionally, Malwarebytes offers a host of extra utilities as well as an approachable forum community to help you combat any piece of malware that exists in the wild.
What's new in this version: This version fixes several bugs from 1.60
More Popular Spyware Removers downloads
-
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
427,382 downloads
-
Anvi Smart Defender
38,347 downloads
-
Ad-Aware Free Internet Security
34,375 downloads
-
Spybot - Search & Destroy
32,406 downloads
-
SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition
13,241 downloads
-
All versions:
4.5 starsout of 5,240 votes
-
Current version:
4.2 starsout of 22 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Excellant protection. Have this on all my computers."
Version: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.1
Pros
Protects quietly in the background.
Cons
Auto update doesn't work all the time.
Summary
Great program.
-
"A Must-Have Software"
Version: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.1
Pros
This is the best anti-malware software that I have ever used to date. It can removes the most evasive and damaging virus and malware out there. The scan time is also faster with the newer version.
Cons
The free version does not have real-time protection, and thus rendering it virtually useless if a virus is able to invades your computer and disables all of your antivirus software. It also has to be manually updated.
Summary
Malwarebytes is a must-have antivirus software to have in addition to another reliable real-time such as Microsoft Security Essentials.
-
"Fantastic Software!"
Version: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.1
Pros
I have had nothing but good experiences with Malwarebytes. It has gotten me out of many problems that I didn't know how to handle. I have nothing but good things to say about the software.
Cons
I have no negatives at all about this software.
Summary
Super wonderful program!
-
"great scan tool to remove dangerous infections"
Version: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.1
Pros
easy to use, reliable
Cons
none found so far
-
"East to use, but does it work?"
Version: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.1
Pros
Easy to download; easy to use. I used the short scan as well as the long sscan. The latter took about an hour and a half. Much quicker than the Norton Secrurity that came with my machine.
Cons
I'm not sure that it accomplished anything. The malware that had eclipsed my homepage and replaced Firefox as my default browser was not found by Malwarebytes. That malware, searchqu -- which entered my machine unbidden on the coattails of iLivid (which I had intentionally downloaded)was not located by Malwarebytes. I should point out that searchqu also replaced IE as my backup search engine. It's a really horrible bit of nastiness, and I had high hopes that Malwarebytes would locate and destroy searchqu. I had been able to find iLivid and its maker, bandoo, and expel them, but searchqu still resides someplace in the bowels of my machine. Fortunately, I was able to download Google Chrome, which was able to bring back my missing homepage and is now my default browser. Every now and then I re-try Firefox and IE, but all I get is searchqu.
Summary
Malwarebytes may be able to find malware in your machine, but it wasn't able to find the specific malware (searchqu) in mine, which is what I needed it to do. On the other hand, it didn't cost me anything to try it.
-
"up to now, its caused no problems"
Version: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.1
Pros
this programme, like others of a similar genre, can only prove its worth by being completely unobtrusive. well up to now it has, I presume its doing its job efficiently in the background.
Cons
No major problems,I let it perform the full scan overnite as it takes quite a while, and up to now its detected two exceptions,
Summary
seems to be doing what its supposed to do, so Im more than satisfied with it at present !
-
"Not what is claims to be."
Version: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.1
Pros
Does a good job at finding Malware.
Cons
Even tho it says it's a freeware version, it really is not. It's free to download but it's a trial version. Unfortunately I have ''0 days remaining on my trial, Please upgrade''. Now if i want to continue using this and staying protected I have to UpGrade. = (
FAIL! -
"Look out bad guys"
Version: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.1
Pros
Worked great, downloaded quickly without any problem, found bugs that my other program ( will not mention name ) didn't pick up.
Cons
Had to uninstall it after I used it to sweep out the nasties because continued use apparently conflicted with my current PAID security system. so more of a con with other program not being compatible
Summary
will download it on a regular basis to clean out anything my current system misses, a great back up, "spring cleaning" program. Thanx.
-
"works well"
Version: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.1
Pros
Clear and simple to use
Cons
Exceptions method took a while to understand, it kept stopping Avast AV from updating.
Summary
with simplified exception interface, this would have got five stars.
-
"this product keeps my PC in top running order."
Version: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.1
Pros
I have used this for years and am very pleased with it, it does what it says. Keep up the good work.
Cons
I have nothing bad to say about this product.
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
See more CNET content tagged:
Previous Versions:
