hello. can anyone tell me if it's worthwhile BUYING a subscription to malwarebytes or not? i know there is a free download version available. besides which, i don't know how to take advantage of such a thing. robert.

While you are thinking about the paid version,get the free version and use it right away.You can decide on the paid version and still be safe.This is one program free or buy that is a must.

Geo, i downloaded the free version but didn't know how to use it. basically that's my dilemma. robert.

Did you install it? It should have created a program item with a link to run it. Once it's started, just press Scan Now and let it run to completion.

Robert, here is a Malwarebytes screen image of what the Malwarebytes window looks like when you run the program after installation--it may not look exactly like mine because I have a paid subscription, but it should be close. To scan your system you simply select the Scan Now and the program will start scanning your system. You can change things within the program by selecting one of the selections at the top of the window. You can see if your system is protected, the condition of the software by looking at the middle section, and gain additional information by selecting the lower left area.

But it has to be installed first, or if it's a zipped file, unzipped first. To see the differences between the free version and paid subscription I'd go to the Malwarebytes site and look at the difference between the two.

The free version of MalwareBytes will only scan your machine manually as you decide to do it. The purchased version provides ongoing protection.

Would it be better off to get the paid one instead of the free one.
Richard

The pay version provides real-time protection. I'll give an example... mom was 89 at the time and called me to say her Malwarebytes Pro was alerting her to something. I told her to let Malwarebytes quarantine it which was one of the options. I live 600 miles away and the next time I was up there, I checked her quarantine file and the event log. Turns out it was one of those ransome-ware viruses which would have completely destroyed her computer. Malwarebytes stopped it in its tracks before it ever got to her computer.

She would have been lost without her pinochle game! If you watch the sales at Newegg, sometimes they have it for $15.

The active protection with the paid version sits quietly in the background with its eyes peeled for anything, anything, it doesn't like. When it spots something you're notified that it spotted something and want's to know what to do with it. I specifically went with the paid version because Malwarebytes "sits quietly in the background" looking for nasties. The only pop ups I've ever seen are notifications about nasties and when my subscription is about to run out.

Have Malwarebytes started a subscription service? I bought the premium version for around $25 and only had to pay it once. The blurb at the time (around 3 years ago) stated that it was a one off payment. I have a license key and have unstalled and re-installed it on laptops and pc's with no issues.

Yes, Upsydaisy, they have moved to a subscription model for real-time protection. I believe the free version which scans only when you tell it to is still available. Pro is now $24.95 a year for up to 3 computers. For those of us who previously purchased the Pro version as a one-time charge, we will have no changes. This is for new purchases.

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/bits/2014/02/03/malwarebytes/1

hi InlandAZ, thanks for the reply. i have a further question for you or anyone else who may be reading. does Malwarebytes anti-malware do the same job as Trend Micro Internet Security? watching out for 'baddies'! i pay approx. 60.00 Canadian per year to Trend but wouldn't i be better off taking out a Malwarebytes account instead? robert.

Malwarebytes does not do the same thing as Trend Micro or other anti-virus programs. I use BOTH Malwarebytes and a free anti virus program.

hi Draclvr, thank you for your response. can you recommend a free anti-virus program to go along with the Malwarebytes, please. robert.

If you already have paid for a subscription to Trend Micro, I would just keep it. It's rated fairly well.

Many people here use AVG, Avast, Microsoft Security Essentials and a few other free ones. Do a search for "best free anti-virus 2014" and you will get some reviews of others too. I use Malwarebytes Pro with Microsoft Security Essentials which is kind of middle of the road for ratings. Others are rated higher such as Avast. But for my usage, this works well for me.

But if you have already paid for anti-virus, you should keep it.

ok Draclvr many thanks, robert.