Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) is a powerful anti-malware application that assists Windows computers in removing and protecting against numerous threats including, but not limited to, worms, Trojans, rootkits, rogues, spyware, etc.. Used by our security team here at Tech Support Forum, Malwarebytes is designed to run alongside your existing antivirus program. MBAM is not a replacement for your antivirus. MBAM is designed to operate on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 (32-bit and 64-bit).
Malwarebytes offers both a free and premium version. For this article we will be downloading and installing the free edition of MBAM. The free edition is not have a trial and will never expire.
This guide will assist you in downloading, installing and operating Malwarebytes. If you run into any issues, please post a new thread here.
Downloading MBAM
1. First, make your way to Malwarebytes’ website here: Malwarebytes | Free Anti-Malware & Internet Security Software
2. Next choose the Free version download and save the installation file to your desktop or your preferred download location.
Installing MBAM
1. Navigate to the location where you downloaded the setup file and double click the mbam-setup-(version number).exe file or icon to begin the installation.
2. Select your preferred language to continue and click OK.
3. You should now be greeted by the installation process:
4. Click the Next button and the License Agreement will appear. Once satisfied, select I accept the agreement and click Next to continue.
5. Moving on, MBAM will now display some information including the current version number and recent improvement/fixes. Click Next to continue.
6. Malwarebytes will now ask where you would like it to be installed. The default location will be C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes Anti-Malware or C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. If you wish to change this, click Browse and select the installation destination. Otherwise, click Next.
7. Next, you have the option to create a Start Menu shortcut folder. My recommendation is to tick the box for Don’t create a Start Menu folder, however, this depends on your personal preference. Afterwards, click Next.
8. Finally, MBAM will ask whether or not to create a desktop icon. As MBAM is a live anti-malware program that is always running in the system tray, I have this unticked. After you have chosen whether you would like a desktop icon or not, click Next.
9. To finish the installation process, MBAM will review how the installation process will continue. Click Install to begin the installation.
Setting up MBAM
1. After MBAM is fully installed, it may ask to be updated. This will update MBAM to the latest database definition. This is a requirement before performing any scans.
2. To update, simply click Update >>.
3. When updated, MBAM will turn green indicating that the application is updated and ready.
Performing a Scan
1. If you are using MBAM to perform a malware scan, or were directed here by our security team, then make your way to the Scan menu found at the top of the program.
2. Once there, select the default Threat Scan and click the Start Scan button.
3. Before a scan is performed, MBAM will check for the latest malware database. Allow this to be updated if needed, otherwise it will continue.
4. MBAM will now begin the scanning process and look in common areas that malware is typically found. Allow MBAM to run uninterrupted. You may use the PC for internet browsing during this time or exit MBAM as it will scan in the background.
5. Once MBAM has finished scanning it will provide you with a simple review of the scan. To get a detailed view of how the scan performed click the Save Results >> link near the bottom. Choose to save it as a Text File.
Conclusion
Hopefully you have now successfully installed and run MBAM on your PC. If you are running MBAM on your own PC and a malicious file is detected, it is best to seek professional help in our security sub-forum. You can find assistance here.
During the installation process you may be asked to start a free trail of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium, this is on by default. This will provide you with a 14 day free trial of all of the premium features found in MBAM. If you choose to purchase Malwarebytes, understand that it is a one year license that is good for only one PC.
Please note that, as mentioned earlier in this article, the free edition is a non-trial application, meaning it will always be free and provide excellent protection as well as daily updates.
MBAM is a powerful and useful tool that can offer an additional layer of protection. MBAM is designed to be run alongside your current antivirus and should not cause any issues. It is good practice to perform a Threat Scan once a week.
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