Malwarebytes review | Is Malwarebytes worth it in 2024?

Summary

In this comprehensive review of Malwarebytes, the narrator assesses its features and effectiveness in the competitive antivirus market. Highlighting critical aspects such as real-time protection, exploit protection, and customizable scan options, the review emphasizes the software's strengths in malware detection and ease of use. Despite lacking a firewall and certain advanced features, Malwarebytes is praised for its strong detection rates and user-friendly interface. The review also discusses the affordability of its plans, including a free version, and concludes with a recommendation for Windows and Android users seeking reliable online protection.

Takeaways

• 😀 Malwarebytes has been a player in the antivirus market for 17 years, indicating experience and reliability.
• 🔒 It offers essential features like real-time protection against various online threats, including malware and ransomware.
• ⚙️ Users can choose from three scanning modes: quick scan, threat scan, and custom scan, catering to different needs and time constraints.
• 📦 Quarantine features are robust, immediately neutralizing detected malware and allowing users to restore files if necessary.
• 🌐 A browser guard is available as a free extension for popular browsers, enhancing protection against ads, trackers, and phishing sites.
• ❗ The absence of a firewall is noted as a potential drawback, as it limits monitoring of incoming and outgoing traffic.
• 💰 Malwarebytes offers a free plan, but it lacks essential features like real-time protection, making it unsuitable for long-term use.
• 🌟 The premium plan starts at about $5 per month, providing access to advanced protection features.
• 📱 Different versions for Windows, Mac, and mobile devices offer varying features, with the Windows version being more comprehensive.
• ✅ Despite mixed independent testing results, Malwarebytes is recommended by experts for its solid malware detection capabilities.

Q & A

How long has Malwarebytes been in the antivirus market?

Malwarebytes has been on the antivirus scene for around 17 years.

What is the primary function of Malwarebytes' Real-Time Protection?

Real-Time Protection works in the background to protect devices from various online threats without requiring users to manually run scans.

What advanced security features does Malwarebytes offer?

Malwarebytes offers advanced features like exploit protection, ransomware protection, and real-time scanning against infected websites.

What are the different scan modes available in Malwarebytes?

Malwarebytes provides three scan modes: Quick Scan, Threat Scan, and Custom Scan, each offering different levels of thoroughness.

How does Malwarebytes handle detected malware during scans?

Once malware is detected, it is instantly neutralized and moved to a quarantine section, preventing any potential damage.

What is the purpose of the Browser Guard extension?

The Browser Guard is a free extension that blocks ads, trackers, and phishing sites to enhance browsing security.

What are the shortcomings of Malwarebytes mentioned in the review?

The main shortcomings include the lack of a firewall and some limitations in detection rates for newer malware.

How does Malwarebytes' detection rate compare to the industry average?

Malwarebytes is strong at detecting older malware but scores slightly lower than the industry average for newer, harder-to-detect threats.

Is there a free version of Malwarebytes, and what does it include?

Yes, there is a free version of Malwarebytes, but it only removes existing threats and lacks real-time protection.

What pricing options are available for Malwarebytes Premium plans?

The entry-level Malwarebytes Premium plan starts at around $5 a month, offering real-time protection, with higher-tier plans available for more devices and additional features.