Malwarebytes is one of the best anti-malware apps on the market. It was developed to do one thing, and that is to fight malware. Do not confuse malware with viruses, spyware, trojans, and other types of threats found on the Internet. They are all different and need special treatment. Yes, and you thought Windows Defender was enough.
Even if you are using an antivirus that is not preinstalled on your computer, you will still need Malwarebytes. Here’s how you can use Malwarebytes to remove threats. I will also share some tips and tricks.
Let’s start.
1. How to Use
The free version of Malwarebytes is still good enough, but paid is recommended. The free version can be used with your favorite antivirus app, but the paid version will replace it. So you only have to pay for Malwarebytes or the antivirus you use.
It is available for all popular platforms like Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. You will have to purchase separately for each platform. The Windows and macOS version will cost you $39.99 per year, while Android and iOS will cost you $11.99 per year.
The paid version will run in the background and comes with automatic scheduled scans and real-time and ransomware protection. The free version lacks these advanced features and requires you to perform scans manually. If you can afford it or are already paying for an advanced antivirus, consider Malwarebytes pro.
2. How to Remove Threats
Once the scan is complete, you will see the results showing if any threats were detected. The most common solution is to quarantine and neutralize the threat that will contain it in a safe zone. There is also a separate tab for it.
Not sure what it is? Malwarebytes will suggest steps when a threat is detected and walk you through the whole process. Solutions will vary depending on the nature of the threat. Just follow the instructions and when in doubt, rescan to make sure it’s taken care of.
3. How to Delete/Remove Quarantined Items
Once a threat is quarantined, there is still some work to be done. Go to the Quarantine tab to view the full list. Select items from the list and click Delete to get rid of them. Here’s what you need to understand before continuing and deleting everything. Malwarebytes uses heuristics that may return false positives. This means that the software will select a harmless file or registry entry and call it a threat.
You do not want to delete these files or entries as they do not pose a threat and deleting them will affect the way your computer or related application works. The best way to move forward is not to take risks. To be safe, delete the quarantined file. Only restore if you know what you are doing and understand the risks involved.
Alternatively, you can leave the file in the quarantine zone as they are ineffective and cannot do any harm. This will give you some time to research or request more information on the subject.
4. How to Unblock Websites
Whenever you try to open a website blocked by Malwarebytes, you will be redirected to block.malwarebytes.org. Open Malwarebytes and click on Settings. Here you can create a list of excluded websites, files, folders or applications that you believe are harmless and should not be blocked. Click Add Exclusion.
Click Exclude a Website to enter the URL of the site you want to whitelist or allow.
Again, only do this if you are sure that the website is safe to visit and does not contain any threats. It’s possible that hackers are using a perfectly normal site to infect unsuspecting users. If in doubt, contact the site owner.
5. Game Mode
Notifications can be annoying, especially when you’re watching a movie or playing your favorite game. Malwarebytes comes with Play Mode, which you can enable under Settings in the Application tab. Note that the feature is only available in the premium version.
You can manage the list of apps to be excluded in Playback Mode after the option is enabled. This means that for these apps, when Play Mode is enabled, notifications will remain hidden or not open.
6. Effect of Scans on the System
Scanning your entire system for malware and threats can consume a lot of resources. This can adversely affect the performance of your computer. One way to circumvent this problem is to schedule scans during off hours when you know you will not be actively using the computer.
Another way is to enable the Effect of Scans System setting. This will take a priority approach where a lower priority will be assigned when system resources are not free or low. The result will be a slower scan speed that will take longer to complete.
This means that the functionality of other applications will be less affected when a scan is executed. You can also set a scan to a higher priority, which will complete the scans at the maximum possible speed. This is a call you should take depending on your own priorities and your system’s configuration.
The option is available under the Application tab in Settings.
7. Browser Extension
Not many people know this, but Malwarebytes also offers Chrome extension and Firefox add-on for free. I urge you to install them to get all-round protection even while browsing the web.
Better to be firm than sorry
Malwarebytes is an essential piece of software to have on your computer. As the number of cyber threats increases, you can never take too many precautions. It’s always better to be safe than to worry or worse, do damage control. The Malwabytes team has done a good job of making the app as easy to use as possible.
Next: Need more tips for staying safe from viruses and malware? Click the link below to learn more.
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