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Question

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/virus-spyware/f/3522/p/19441846/20298022.aspx#20298022

Thank you for your opinion, tacoslammer.

The Pro (paid) version can be scheduled, however it has a real-time component that stays installed and runs in the background. The real-time component is NOT recommended. The real-time component of MalwareBytes AntiMalware has been known to interfere with other programs.

This discussion has been moved to a new discussion so that it does not send the McAfee topic too far off topic. Can you please post documentation to support the claim that the realtime component of MBAM is not recommended? This is something that interests me. I'll ask my colleagues in the security community who work at MBAM to look in on this discussion.

joe53 · Answer

Tacoslammer:

I agree with Bugbatter. This topic deserves its own thread.

Independent tests* of MSE alone have demonstrated some deficiencies in protection lately (AV-Test, AV-comparatives, Malware Research Group Flash). I appreciate the value of MSE, but do not feel it sufficient in and of itself for complete protection.

My real-time protection on Win 7 systems has consisted of MSE and MBAM Pro (paid) for some years now. I have noticed no conflicts caused by MBAM Pro, and my systems thus protected have not been compromised to date. Could you provide any references to support your recommendation to avoid the paid version of MBAM?

I should add that I am a proponent of free security programs in general. IMHO, MBAM Pro is an exception. (Full disclosure: I was an original beta-tester of MBAM, but have no affiliation or financial interest in the company).

* http://www.mrg-effitas.com/current-tests/flash-test-results/
http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/windows-7/novdec-2012/
http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/docs/avc_sum_201212_en.pdf

tacoslammer · Answer

Here is a post by the McAfee Moderator in a thread (https://community.mcafee.com/message/224573) about McAfee and MalwareBytes. The first sentence is key here. McAfee is not the only one saying virtually the same thing. I researched this in the past but no longer have the specifics other than this more recent one from McAfee.

"

Peacekeeper

19,499 posts since
Nov 23, 2002

1. May 8, 2012 4:19 AM ( in response to joni)

Re: McAfee and Malwarebytes

First Malwarebytes Pro will clash with Mcafee guaranteed. MWB pro has a real;time scanner and when it and Mcafee try to check teh same file things happen. The free 1 works fine with Mcafee IF you install it after Mcafee as Mcafee objects to it being present.

Are you saying that MWB alone is better than both together? MWB is a backup seebelow from 1 of the MWB developers

· As far as why MBAM is very good at dealing with this infection, that is simple.MBAM is designed to be very good at dealing with malware that the AVs seem to be having problems with. I do not spend my time making MBAM detect millions of infections that any decent AV already detects as MBAM is DESIGNED to work alongside antivirus software, not replace it. A huge chunk of the research that goes into MBAM revolves around what we see making it into HJT threads as the vast majority of these threads involve antivirus software that was in some waybypassed.
...
Lets settle this now and avoid any further misinformation. MBAM is now a very good backup to any antivirus software and will only get better in the future. MBAM will NEVER add antivirus abilities to its core app and is always advised to be used WITH antivirus software. We actually get this question a lot in the forums and I assure you that we always say :

"No, MBAM can't replace your existing antivirus software and is not designed to."

Try a couple of the scanners mentioned here especially stinger and getsusp.

McAfee Communities: Anti-Spyware, Malware & Hijacker Tools

Did the registered version actually find anything? I thought both detect the same just the pro is doind it in real time.

You got XP? Also by Mcafee host you mean Mcafee host (mchost.exe) or mcsvhost?

Finally what are your PC specs. Cpu and ram?

Tony
Volunteer Moderator
Mcafee Total Protection 6.1 beta, Windows 7 64bit"

joe53 · Answer

I should add that MBAM Pro has slowed down my XP/MCE/SP3 desktop system every time I installed it since day one. Programs took significantly longer to load, as did browsers. Slower, but never compromised. Mind you, this is an 8 year old system, upon which I tested many security products.

I never did find the cause for this, and I essentially use the same security programs on my Win 7 (Professional, and Home Premium) systems, where MBAM Pro causes me no problems along with MSE.

ky331 · Answer

As for the allegation that 'The real-time component [of MBAM] is NOT recommended.  The real-time component of MalwareBytes AntiMalware has been known to interfere with other programs', I have to side with both BugBatter and Joe53 here.   I have NEVER heard these assertions previously. Indeed, MBAM has gone out of its way to make sure it IS compatible with just about every major anti-virus program available.   See their FAQ http://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showtopic=10138  where sections E through M discuss what can be done, if needed, to guarantee MBAM's compatibility with McAfee, Trend Micro, AVG, MSE, Norton, Avast, and Panda.   Note the italicized 'if needed':   I am running MBAM PRO (real-time) along with Avast, but have NOT found any need to implement any of the exclusions pointed out.   So I just leave well-enough-alone. Both BugBatter and Joe run MBAM PRO along with MSE, and have indicated their happiness with the combination. Why am I keen on MBAM Pro?   Because we've seen too many victims here who are running an anti-virus program --- be it paid (like Symantec or McAfee) or free (like Avast or MSE) --- who believe they are fully protected, but nevertheless succumb to malware.   Zlob/Vundo trojans, and rogue malware programs, have their way of getting through just about every anti-virus program there is!   And once that infection gets through, MBAM is typically the first removal tool used to get rid of the problem.   Well, if the free version of MBAM can successfully scan for & remove these problems after the fact (i.e., once infection has already set it), it stands to reason that MBAM PRO, running in real time, could have prevented the infection from ever infecting the PC in the first place!   And that's why I strongly believe in recommending MBAM PRO.

dalem29 · Answer

I use the Windows Firewall/Windows Defender combo, along the Antivir AV on my main computer running Vista. I recently opted in for MBAM Pro and there have been absolutely no problems or compatibility issues. In addition to those I do weekly scans with SAS and Hitman Pro (both free), plus an occasional online scan rotating among the several available. Still use Spyware Blaster and Spybot S&D for whatever good they do.

I can't remember when, if ever, that WD has alerted to something or had anything show up on a scan. It didn't seem to stop or remove some of the problems (ransomware) that I had several months ago, MBAM was able to do that once I was able to start it in Safe Mode. If MBAM Pro continues to work as advertised it surely can be considered to be a wise investment.

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