- Written by: Osama Zahid Cybersecurity Specialist
Malwarebytes Overview
Malwarebytes has remained a reliable antivirus for 2 decades , gaining popularity as a free malware removal tool. However, I wanted to see whether the full antivirus suite is as good as the best apps available. So, I extensively tested Malwarebytes’ security features.
Its protection is flawless like Norton’s, Malwarebytes has effective virus scans that find and remove of malware . Plus, it has solid real-time protection, which kept of zero-day malware and real-time threats from infecting my system. I was impressed with the results and can confidently say that you can get Malwarebytes for reliable security .
Note that it’s not the most feature-rich app, but Malwarebytes has a few extra features for improved security . Its Browser Guard extension improves protection while browsing, the built-in VPN keeps you anonymous online, and there’s also a suite of ID theft protection features. Unfortunately, the ID protection features cost a lot more money to use.
I like that Malwarebytes comes with intuitive apps on all platforms . All the features in its desktop app are easily accessible, and you can toggle its various real-time protection functions on/off from the main page. The mobile apps are also beginner-friendly, and you can install them in less than a minute from your device’s app store.
You’ll also get great customer support with Malwarebytes. It’s easy to contact support via the 24/7 live chat and email channels. Also, there’s a detailed online knowledge base with lots of basic troubleshooting help and other useful information about the app.
Malwarebytes’ plans start at $ 59.99 /year, meaning it’s not the cheapest antivirus. However, there’s a generous 60-day money-back guarantee and a 14-day trial. So, you can try Malwarebytes without risk and see if it’s right for you before committing.
In a Rush? Here’s a Quick Summary
| Overall Rank | #6 | Supported Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malware Detection via Scans | Free Plan | ✔ | |
| Real-Time Malware Detection | Free Trial | ✔ (14 days) | |
| Firewall | ✘ | Low Price | $ 59.99 |
| Built-in VPN | ✔ | Money-Back Guarantee | 60 |
Try Malwarebytes risk-free for 60 days
Security
Malwarebytes delivers airtight security with its excellent malware detection score and various security features. It safeguards against the latest threats, such as viruses, trojans, ransomware, worms, and other malware. However, you’ll need a paid subscription to get the best protection, as the free plan only offers the on-demand virus scanner.
The app uses a combination of signature and heuristics-based detection to check your device for threats. If Malwarebytes can’t find a certain kind of malware in its database, it uses heuristic analysis to analyze process behavior and determine whether it’s malicious.
I also found that Malwarebytes doesn’t have its own firewall , meaning you must rely on Windows’ firewall if you get it. This puts it behind other top antiviruses like Norton, which have a built-in firewall with many customization options.
Virus Scan — Multiple Scans With Excellent Detection Scores
Malwarebytes’ virus scans are among its biggest strengths. During tests, I planted over 600 different malware samples on my device, and Malwarebytes’ scans found of threats on my system . It’s as secure as Norton, which also finds threats, but Norton does it without highlighting false positives. Malwarebytes offers the following 3 scans:
- Quick Scan — checks memory and startup objects for malware.
- Threat Scan — scans all spots on your system where infections are known to hide.
- Custom Scan — lets you specify the locations and files to check for malware.
