Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
Encyclopedia
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (MBAM) is a computer application that finds and removes malware
. Made by Malwarebytes Corporation, it was released in January 2008. It is available in a free version, which scans for and removes malware when started manually, and a paid version, which provides scheduled scans, real-time protection and a flash memory scanner.
that other anti-virus and anti-spyware programs generally miss, including rogue security software, adware
, and spyware
. MBAM therefore does not interfere with existing anti-virus and anti-spyware programs on the computer.
MBAM is available in both a free and a paid edition. The free edition must be run manually, while the paid version can automatically perform scheduled scans. The paid version also adds real-time protection, IP based blocking to prevent access to malicious web sites and a flash memory scan option, which only scans the open services, programs and drivers.
MBAM is available in Arabic, Belarusian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latvian, Macedonian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish.
and MajorGeeks.com in order to have the download sites remove the IOBit software. IObit said that as of Version 1.30, their database has been updated to address those accusations of intellectual property theft made earlier by Malwarebytes.
Malware
Malware, short for malicious software, consists of programming that is designed to disrupt or deny operation, gather information that leads to loss of privacy or exploitation, or gain unauthorized access to system resources, or that otherwise exhibits abusive behavior...
. Made by Malwarebytes Corporation, it was released in January 2008. It is available in a free version, which scans for and removes malware when started manually, and a paid version, which provides scheduled scans, real-time protection and a flash memory scanner.
Overview
MBAM is intended to find malwareMalware
Malware, short for malicious software, consists of programming that is designed to disrupt or deny operation, gather information that leads to loss of privacy or exploitation, or gain unauthorized access to system resources, or that otherwise exhibits abusive behavior...
that other anti-virus and anti-spyware programs generally miss, including rogue security software, adware
Adware
Adware, or advertising-supported software, is any software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertisements to a computer. These advertisements can be in the form of a pop-up. They may also be in the user interface of the software or on a screen presented to the user during...
, and spyware
Spyware
Spyware is a type of malware that can be installed on computers, and which collects small pieces of information about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. Typically, spyware is secretly installed on the user's...
. MBAM therefore does not interfere with existing anti-virus and anti-spyware programs on the computer.
MBAM is available in both a free and a paid edition. The free edition must be run manually, while the paid version can automatically perform scheduled scans. The paid version also adds real-time protection, IP based blocking to prevent access to malicious web sites and a flash memory scan option, which only scans the open services, programs and drivers.
MBAM is available in Arabic, Belarusian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latvian, Macedonian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish.
Reception
- PC WorldPC World (magazine)PC World is a global computer magazine published monthly by IDG. It offers advice on various aspects of PCs and related items, the Internet, and other personal-technology products and services...
's Preston Gralla wrote that "Using Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is simplicity itself". - CNETCNETCNET is a tech media website that publishes news articles, blogs, and podcasts on technology and consumer electronics. Originally founded in 1994 by Halsey Minor and Shelby Bonnie, it was the flagship brand of CNET Networks and became a brand of CBS Interactive through CNET Networks' acquisition...
cited Malwarebytes as being useful against the MS Antivirus malware. CNET awarded it April 2009 Editor's Choice along with 25 other computer applications - Bleeping ComputerBleeping ComputerBleeping Computer is a computer help site founded by Lawrence Abrams in 2004. It is a resource site for answering computer, security, and technical questions. All services to the public are free, including malware and rootkit cleanup of infected computers and removal instructions on rogue...
has listed Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware as a method of removing fake security applications such as MS Antivirus - Mark Gibbs of Network WorldNetwork WorldNetwork World is a weekly IT publication that provides news and information to network executives. The company is headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts, United States....
gave Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 4 out of 5 and wrote that "It does the job and only the lack of a detailed explanation of what it has found stops it from getting 5 out of 5." - PC MagazinePC MagazinePC Magazine is a computer magazine published by Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. A print edition was published from 1982 to January 2009...
gave Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 3.5 out of 5, pointing out that although the product is good at removing malware and scarewareScarewareScareware comprises several classes of scam software with malicious payloads, or of limited or no benefit, that are sold to consumers via certain unethical marketing practices. The selling approach uses social engineering to cause shock, anxiety, or the perception of a threat, generally directed at...
, it fell short on removing keyloggers and rootkits.
Controversy
On November 2, 2009, Malwarebytes accused rival IOBit of incorporating the database of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (and several products from other vendors, which were not named) in its security software IObit Security 360. IOBit denied the accusation and stated that the database is based on user submissions, and sometimes the same signature names that are in Malwarebytes get placed in the results. They said they did not have time to filter out the signature names that are similar to Malwarebytes. IOBit also stated that Malwarebytes does not have convincing proof, and promised that the databases were not stolen. After the declaration from IOBit, Malwarebytes replied that they are not convinced of the argument from IOBit. Malwarebytes claims to have served DMCA infringement notices against CNET, Download.comDownload.com
Download.com is an Internet download directory website, launched in 1996 as a part of CNET. Originally, the domain was download.com.com. The domain download.com attracted at least 113 million visitors annually by 2008 according to a Compete.com study....
and MajorGeeks.com in order to have the download sites remove the IOBit software. IObit said that as of Version 1.30, their database has been updated to address those accusations of intellectual property theft made earlier by Malwarebytes.