Malwarebytes Review 2021
Malwarebytes has launched its latest product, Malwarebytes 4. This new version is the first whole-number update in four years and comes with some great features. The product’s claim to fame is being smarter than its competitors due to anomaly detection, behavior matching, and application hardening.
So, is this the best product to keep you safe from malware? Here’s what you need to know.
This Malwarebytes review found that while the product boasts new features, its ability to detect and eliminate malware, especially new threats, is what makes it stand out.
If you are looking for extra security, this might not be the product for you. There’s no firewall, no specialist banking protection, no password manager, and no backup or parental controls — just the basics: malware detection and blocking access to malicious code and links. It’s important that you don’t confuse this product for an antivirus solution; you should rather think of it as an added layer of security that works in tandem with your antivirus software.
Malwarebytes Free Review
If you’re not sure whether this is the product for you, Malwarebytes Free lets you try the system out without committing financially. This version does not block URLs or offer real-time threat detection, but it will provide on-demand scans for malware, spyware, and rootkits. Malwarebytes Free is useful as a second-option scanner. For a completely free solution, you could run Windows Defender as your primary antivirus and then carry out a daily Malwarebytes scan. While it’s not perfect, this will protect you from most threats without breaking the bank.
Malwarebytes Premium Review
On the other hand, Malwarebytes Premium adds real-time protection, URL blocking against malicious websites, and an extra layer of ransomware protection. It installs quickly and doesn’t take up too much space on your computer — the package comes in at around 400MB of files.
The premium version even offers a free 14-day trial for customers who want to try before they buy. Downloading the free trial is a painless process and all you need is an email address to get started. Malwarebytes Premium allows you to stay on top of your device and can stop malware in real time before it causes any damage to your operating system.
When put to the test, the software was able to protect itself from attacks in most cases and perform well. Although performing impressively during tests, there are multiple reports of AV-TEST results being inconsistent. To put this into perspective, Malwarebytes Premium placed last out of 13 other software solutions in SE Labs’ most recent report. The top six products, including Kaspersky and McAfee, blocked 100% of threats while Malwarebytes only blocked 76%, making it vulnerable to a quarter of attacks.
Regardless, many businesses who report losing user productivity due to malware attacks have credited Malwarebytes to have solved this problem and increased their bottom line.
Malwarebytes Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easy to use
- Powerful anti-exploit module
- Works with other anti-virus tools
- Free version available
- Fast scans
- Eliminates new threats
Cons
- Vulnerable to attacks
- Below-average detection rates
- Not tested by most labs
- Few features
- No real-time protection (free version)
- Missed some malware during test
- Premium version more expensive than competitors
Pricing and Plans
Once you download the software, you can activate your license at any time. But, it’s important to note that your license starts as soon as you buy it, which means you should activate your product right away to get the most bang for your buck.
Malwarebytes has a 60-day money-back guarantee that allows you a full refund if you are unhappy with the product. This applies to new subscriptions and home products only.
Malwarebytes Free
Free
- Removes malware & spyware
Malwarebytes Premium
$40
/ year for 1 device
- Removes malware & spyware
- Real-time protection
- Extra layer of ransomware protection
Malwarebytes Premium + Privacy
$100
/ year for 5 devices
- All Premium Features
- Unlimited VPN
Malwarebytes Package Comparison: Free vs. Premium
Product Details
Malwarebytes Free
Malwarebytes Premium
Removes malware & spyware
Yes
Yes
Automatically finds malware in real time
No
Yes
Stops exploit attacks
No
Yes
Blocks ransomware attacks
No
Yes
Shields against malicious websites
No
Yes
Technical and Product Details
Product Details
Specs
Operating System
Windows and Mac
Compatibility
Windows, Mac, iOS and Android
** Malwarebytes Free is not available for Mac, iOS, and Android devices and can only be used on one single device.
Supported Countries
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom & United States
Supported Languages
Bulgarian, Chinese (Traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish & Swedish
Support
Live help
Threat Protection
Anti-spyware, anti-trojan, anti-phishing, adware prevention, anti-worm, anti-rootkit, anti-spam, and chat/IM protection
Scanning
Real-time antivirus, auto virus scanning, manual virus scanning, registry startup scan, and scheduled scan
Final Words on Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is a trusted brand with a product that many people appreciate. While it doesn’t compare to full antivirus solutions, this product is a great second line of defense for any PC. We recommend downloading the free version and running it together with an antivirus application to make sure you are 100% protected at all times.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Malwarebytes has a good reputation and its trusted team has been working on the product for more than 15 years. The software is used by millions of people around the world. If you’ve received a notification instructing you to remove it or that it is threatening your device, it is likely that you’ve been compromised.
Is Malwarebytes free version worth it?
Malwarebytes Free is the perfect second line of defense. When paired with an antivirus software, you can be sure that your device is protected against most threats. While the free version doesn’t have as many features, it really is one of the best pieces of free malware protection software on the market. Give it a try yourself to find out if it works for you!
Is Malwarebytes a good antivirus software?
This product excels in detecting and eliminating new threats. When compared to regular antivirus software, it might seem like it comes up short, but that’s because it’s not intended to be a traditional antivirus solution. It is most celebrated for detecting malware from downloaded files.
Is Malwarebytes worth the money?
Yes, but make sure that you actually need the extra features. Give the free 14-day trial a spin before committing.