Alternative to Free Malware Bytes?

kopper

I have been using the free Malware Bytes for years as it was one of the best out there but the recent updates has now made the free version a trial with a prompt to upgrade to Premium for a fee.

Does anyone now of any good free alternatives out there which does a similar job to MB?

Thanks

Bowling_4_Gold

Malwarebytes is still free- they've just started you on the free trial of their premium offering. Once the trial has finished, Malwarebytes will revert back to the free version (after an in-app hard sell)

tavernman

Bowling_4_Gold wrote: »

Malwarebytes is still free- they've just started you on the free trial of their premium offering. Once the trial has finished, Malwarebytes will revert back to the free version (after an in-app hard sell)

Not quite true, the OP has not unticked the Premium Trial box , too many people don't read the options when they install free software. At least malwarebytes is just promoting it's own product and does not autocheck offers for Yahoo/ASK/MacAfee/Chrome and other stuff you haven't wanted. Unchecky is their friend if they can't be bothered to read.

wary

I've just installed the premium version as a 14-day trial. Hopefully I won't get plagued to death if I choose not to purchase it and instead opt for the downgraded (free) version? Might I be better off uninstalling & re-installing even at this stage, this time ensuring the premium check-box is not ticked?

pogofish

If you installed the premium trial and don't downgrade it before it runs out, it will revert to the free version but with some settings locked - which can become a PITA.

To sort it out, you need to remove the trial version, then run something like CCleaner, then reinstall the free one and it works fine. Otherwise, end the trial before it runs out.

wary

pogofish wrote: »

If you installed the premium trial and don't downgrade it before it runs out, it will revert to the free version but with some settings locked - which can become a PITA.

To sort it out, you need to remove the trial version, then run something like CCleaner, then reinstall the free one and it works fine. Otherwise, end the trial before it runs out.

Thanks for that. I've just ended the trial before its end-date so hopefully I won't have any issues.

agrinnall

I found that I had to end the trial and uninstall the existing copy of Malwarebytes in order to download a new free version, but I certainly didn't need to use CCleaner or do anything else. Bit annoying but better than paying for it.

gunte

agrinnall wrote: »

but better than paying for it.

Yes. No one can afford 5p per day to cover 3 computers. Right rip off.:D

Uxb

Blimey, @guente you had better not point that sort of thing out on this forum.

A paid for anti-virus suite commonly costs around £30 pa for 3 computers. Which makes it 2p per day per computer - which is denounced on here regularly as a total and outrageous rip off.......

gunte

With free antivirus such as avast/avira/avg you get the same real time protection as the paid versions so not worth purchasing. With free malwarebytes you do not. You only get on demand scans with no real time protection.

I have Avast free and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium.