Malwarebytes is compatible with most standard antivirus products, but some antiviruses work better than the others with this malware scanner. To avoid getting MalwareBytes blocked by your antivirus and vice-versa, it makes sense to install a product that has been tested and is recommended to operate in tandem with MalwareBytes.
. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (MBAM) is not an anti-virus, and cannot take the place of an anti-virus. MBAM has no security center integration. The security center does nothing productive, there's really no point. MBAM's resident protection will prevent installation of most new types of malware, and does so better than anyone else, but it. Malwarebytes is a widely respected anti-malware product which can protect your PC’s, tablets and phones from viruses and other malicious software. It protects against emerging threats such as viruses which can target your personal data, ransomware which can encrypt or delete all your files and phishing scams which try to steal data with fake.
Update: Malwarebytes now offers a paid Premium Edition that comes with built-in real-time antivirus. Check the detailed review here.
In this article, we are going to find out if you should use any of the commercial antivirus programs along with Malwarebytes, or if you may just rely on Windows Defender as your real-time virus protection. There is also an additional recommendation for those of you, who’s using an antivirus along with Malwarebytes, to make sure these programs will not block each other.
Why do you need a real-time antivirus along with MalwareBytes?
Let’s begin with this important question – do you really need to install an antivirus if you have Malwarebytes installed already? In the past, Malwarebytes have been positioning itself as the malware scanner developer. This means this app is not going to prevent your computer from getting infected. Malwarebytes was designed as a second-opinion malware scanner and cleaner. Usually, you would run this tool, when your real-time antivirus fails to detect a zero-day malicious program that seems to affect your PC’s performance or is removing your data.
Don’t forget to check our list of the best free antivirus programs in this article.
Nowadays, things have changed, and Malwarebytes have accepted the challenge to develop a real-time anti-virus/anti-malware solution that is aimed to replace your antivirus completely.
With that said, it’s still a new area for this developer, and they may and will lose too many long-time existing antivirus products like Bitdefender, Sophos, and others. That’s why it still makes sense to keep the MalwareBytes as a second-opinion malware scanner while having your real-time anti-virus software up and running in the background.
Is Malwarebytes any good as a malware scanner?
Malwarebytes Anti-malware 1.30
While there is still a chance for MalwareBytes to fail to detect the most recent viruses, it’s still a very useful tool when it comes to removing the malware that is already in your system. Most of the time, when your antivirus fails to prevent the virus from getting into your computer in the first place, Malwarebytes will help you remove that nasty intruder from your machine.
Most of the antivirus testing specialists, as well as some respected guys who work for the antivirus companies, would use Malwarebytes to confirm if their antivirus has done its job well in preventing the virus from getting to your machine. This tool is used as an indicator and as a remedy in cases when your virus alone was not enough.
What is the recommended antivirus software that works best with MalwareBytes?
Finally, after having the other questions clarified, we can get to know the best antiviruses that are compatible with MalwareBytes. If you want to get a full list of all tested products, officially recommended by Malwarebytes, you can check this PDF from their site.
Meanwhile, I took the liberty to hand-pick not just those recommended by the developer company, but those that are also continuously getting the best test results by most independent labs:
- Bitdefender Total Security 2020 (one of the best, but may trigger false positives sometimes).
- Webroot SecureAnywhere (always having a good detection ratio and is confirmed compatible with Malwarebytes).
- Sophos Home Premium (this developer offers a nice selection of different antivirus products for personal and business usage, with a good detection ratio and positive lab tests).
- ESET Internet Security (sometimes having controversial lab tests, but still a great antivirus with high detection ratio, and good compatibility with MalwareBytes scanner).
- Another option is to just use a Premium Edition of Malwarebytes, so you don’t have to install any other additional antivirus software.
Besides those paid premium antivirus solutions, you can also consider some free options if you are not ready to pay for the antivirus yet. Most of the previously recommended products, do also offer free versions (except ESET, and Webroot).
Sophos – offers a Home Free edition of their antivirus, which is going to work nicely as a real-time virus detection tool.
What about Windows Defender? Is it going to work well with MalwareBytes?
In case you have a habit of using the default, pre-installed software, on your computer, you may also want to consider staying with Windows Defender as your real-time virus guard. In many cases, this antivirus is going to work really really well, and it is already installed in your system if you’re using Windows. All you need to do is to install Malwarebytes and use it as an emergency virus removal tool.
Using Windows Defender alone is not recommended, as there are products with better detection ratio, and better virus signatures out there. But, if you are planning to also install Malwarebytes – these programs will work very well together and offer very decent malware protection for your system.
How do you install Malwarebytes along with the antivirus software?
The latest version of Malwarebytes adds some difficulties when you are trying to use it simply as a scanner as opposed to a real-time protection program. The thing is, MalwareBytes is now positioning itself as an antivirus/anti-malware program. Hence, when you install this tool, it will register itself as a default virus protection program. This will render it impossible to function well with other antivirus software you have, or going to install.
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NOTE: Only apply the following action in case MalwareBytes does really conflict with your antivirus. Most of the time, it will automatically choose the best option and enable you running it along with the antivirus. But, if you will install the antivirus after the MalwareBytes has already been installed – you will most likely have to implement the actions from this section.
After having Malwarebytes installed, just go into its Settings->Application, and choose either “Let Malwarebytes apply the best settings…”, or “Never register MalwareBytes in Windows Actions Center”.
You can read more about those settings in the official guide from MalwareBytes here.
Bottom Line
Obviously, running Malwarebytes together with a real-time antivirus will offer much greater protection compared to running each of those alone. You should always aim for the better protection strategy, and will definitely find this guide on “how to keep your personal data safe online” useful.
Also, if you got unfortunate, and there is malware in your system already, you may want to check this guide on malware removal.
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Today's cybercriminals design increasingly sophisticated threats. Pitt Information Technology recommends that you protect your computer by installing antivirus software and using it conjunction with anti-malware (Malwarebytes) protection.
![Malwarebytes Malwarebytes](https://www.enigmasoftware.com/images/2011/safetyantispyware_pic1.png)
Benefits of Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software
Malwarebytes
- Detects and protects against malware, viruses, and other harmful software in real time
- Contains proactive anti-ransomware and anti-exploit detection and response components
- Blocks hacking and phishing attempts
- Offers flexibility through manual and scheduled scan modes
- Provides a layered approaches to securing your computer
Antivirus Software
- Pitt IT recommends Microsoft Defender ATP as the antivirus solution for University-owned computers.
- Pitt IT recommends several antivirus options for personal devices.
Anti-Malware (Malwarebytes)
Malwarebytes’ anti-exploit system guards against ransomware and zero-day attacks. It is available at no cost to students, faculty, and staff through Pitt IT’s Software Download Service. Note that a reboot may be required after installation.
Malwarebytes
Students (for Personal Use)
Product | Operating Systems | Cost | Expiration Date |
---|---|---|---|
Anti-Malware (Malwarebytes Premium) | Mac | No Cost | One year based on installation date |
Anti-Malware (Malwarebytes) | Windows | No Cost | August 31 |
Faculty / Staff / Depts.
Product | Operating Systems | Personal Purchase by Faculty & Staff | Departmental Purchase | Annual Maintenance Renewal Date | Available through Software Download Service | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cost | Includes Home Use Rights | |||||
Anti-Malware (Malwarebytes) | Mac | No Cost | No Cost | Yes | Yes - one year based on installation date | |
My previous video. Anti-Malware (Malwarebytes) | Windows | No Cost | No Cost | Yes | Yes - based on installation date | Yes |
For additional information, visit Malwarebytes.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware For Mac
Additional resources
Additional resources
For assistance, please contact The 24/7 IT Help Desk at 412-624-HELP (4357). Questions can also be submitted online.