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Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

Free
Reviewed
February 2012
by ConsumerSearch
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

Pros
  • Fast scanning
  • Effective
  • Simple, easy-to-use interface
Cons
  • No real-time protection
  • No scheduler

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is acknowledged by critics as being an effective freeware option for catching spyware. It's fast and easy to use, and reviewers are surprised at how effective it is for a free program. While it offers features missing from other free spyware scanners -- such as multidrive scanning -- Malwarebytes Anti-Malware does not provide real-time protection or allow updates or scans to be scheduled. Those wanting that functionality must upgrade to the paid version (*Est. $25).

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware doesn't get a lot of press, but those who review it give it a fair amount of praise. The program is among the top picks at Download.com and 2-Spyware.com; both sites give Malwarebytes Anti-Malware a laudatory, if brief, review. Softpedia.com has a longer review, though its recommendations aren't quite as clear.

Our Sources

1. Download.com

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware gets an Editors' Choice designation from Download.com. Seth Rosenblatt calls it "surprisingly effective," praising the software's speed and ease of use. The only negative mentioned is the lack of real-time protection, which is only available in the paid version.

Review: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.50.1, Seth Rosenblatt, Feb. 10, 2009

2. 2-Spyware.com

2-Spyware.com features Malwarebytes Anti-Malware in a roundup of anti-spyware programs. With a score of 89 percent, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware finishes in second place, behind Spyware Doctor. In addition to a short editorial review, there are more than 140 brief user comments.

Review: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, Editors of 2-Spyware.com

3. Softpedia.com

What Ionut Ilascu's Softpedia.com editorial review lacks in style and clarity, it makes up for in length and thoroughness. Ilascu's report compares a recent version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (1.37; it's currently at version 1.5) with older ones, and it supplements its evaluation of performance with screenshots and statistics. Ilascu recommends Malwarebytes Anti-Malware as a "second layer" of computer protection.

Review: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, Ionut Ilascu, June 2, 2009

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