There are plenty of antivirus and security tools around, but not all are worth your trust. Is Malwarebytes up to the challenge?
As digital technologies become more and more central to our lives, cybercriminals are continually refining their ways to exploit them.
From phishing emails to malicious links and infected files, hackers often use modified versions of legitimate software to infiltrate victims’ devices. The case of the cyber-mercenary group Bahamut was sadly just the last instance where fake VPN apps were used as the main vector of attacks.
No matter how they manage to infect a device, though, all malware has the goal of compromising both your data privacy and security. That’s why software like the best antivirus and VPN services have become paramount nowadays.
Malwarebytes is one of those. Born as an easy-to-use anti-malware software, the provider now also offers an extended suite of privacy tools to protect your devices from different threats.
As there are plenty of similar tools on the market, you need to choose which provider you want to trust with your data carefully. So, is Malwarebytes up to task?
With 15 years of experience under its belt, Malwarebytes is a compact and easy to use software for protecting your device from malware threats.
It comes with both a free and paid version. Malwarebytes Free is limited in features, offering only on-demand scanning for malware, spyware and rootkits.
Once you upgrade to its Premium plan (opens in new tab), the provider adds more advanced options including real-time protection, URL blocking and an extra layer of ransomware protection. One-year subscription costs $40 for a single connection, or $80 to cover up to five devices.
You can also opt for its Privacy bundle (opens in new tab) for a multifaceted defense strategy. On top of the malware protection, you will also have access to its own Mullvad-powered VPN with unlimited bandwidth. One year protection for five devices comes for a $100 fee.
It’s inevitable that in order to execute its capacity, the provider needs to collect some information about your devices and activities. More info about this below.
This means that, besides a transparent and balanced data privacy policy and security infrastructure, you need to trust the company manufacturing the software in the first place.
Informally founded in 2004 when its CEO Marcin Kleczynski was still a teenager, Malwarebytes Inc. was formally launched in 2008 while Kleczynski was graduating as a computer scientist from the University of Illinois.
Unlike some rivals, is appears that the company has never been involved in shady activities.
