While scanning and cleaning a computer using Malwarebytes is always free, upgrading to the Premium version offers many benefits. This includes real-time protection, anti-ransomware, anti-exploit, and malicious website protection features.

Malwarebytes 5.0 now comes with the Trusted Advisor feature on all versions of the program, providing a score based on how secure your system is. This feature was previously available on Windows, but is now available on Mac, iOS, and Android.

Real-time protection monitors your computer in real-time and if you attempt open a malicious program or file, Malwarebytes will block it and automatically quarantine the file. This protects your from running infections that are disguised as free downloads or malicious attachments.

The anti-ransomware feature protects you from existing and new ransomware threats that may infect your computer. When Malwarebytes anti-ransomware detects ransomware behavior, such as file encryption, it will automatically halt the process exhibiting this behavior so that it cannot continue encrypting your computer.

The anti-exploit feature protects your compuer from exploit kits that try to attack vulnerabilities found in Windows and your installed programs. If Malwarebytes anti-exploit detects an exploit kit on a site that you are visiting or one that is attempting to exploit your computer's vulnerabilities, Malwarebytes will block it before it can infect your computer.

Finally, the malicious website protection feature will block your computer from accessing known malicious sites. These sites are labeled as malicious if they are known to offer malware, adware, pups, in-browser miners, or are hosting exploit kits. By using the malicious protect feature, your computer will be blocked from threats before they have a chance to attack you.

When a user installs Malwarebytes for the first time, they get all the features of the Premium version for free for 14 days. After that they can choose to upgrade to the Premium version or continue with the scan and clean features of the Free version. Regardless of whether or not you pay to activate Malwarebytes, we suggest that you install this program on your computer and perform a routine scan with it at least once a week. This will assure you that your computer is being secured from some the newest infections out there.

For those wishing to license Malwarebytes Premium for their entire household or business, Malwarebytes offers an interesting license option. They offer a base license for $44.99, which protects one computer for one year. You can then buy protection for additional devices for $10 more per devices. When buying a license, it is important to note that they are multi-platform. That means that the license can be used on Windows, Mac, or Android.

For a more detailed tutorial on how to clean your computer using Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, please visit this guide: How to use Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to scan and remove malware from your computer

Malwarebytes 5.2.1.144 Release Notes

Features and improvements

• Enhanced the app's self-protection capabilities to block vulnerable legitimate applications thate are often used in malicious activities.
• Minor updates to Trusted Advisor to alert users when actions are required.
• Localization updates.
• Improved support for “What’s new” announcements.

Issues fixed

• Reduced issues that caused crashes.
• Accessibility fixes
• Fixed an issue where the Notification Center could not be opened.

The types of programs that AdwCleaner targets are typically bundled with free programs that you download from the web.  In many cases when you download and install a program, the install will state that these programs will be installed along with the program you downloaded.  Unless you perform a Custom install, these unwanted programs will automatically be installed on your computer leaving you with extra browser toolbars, adware, and other unwanted programs.  AdwCleaner is designed to search for and remove these types of programs.

A guide for removing adware, which uses AdwCleaner, can be found here: How to Remove Adware from a PC

AdwCleaner Usage Instructions:

Using AdwCleaner is very simple. Simply download the program and run it.  You will then be presented with a screen that contains a Scan and Clean button.  The Scan button will cause AdwCleaner to search your computer for unwanted programs and then display all the files, folders, and registry entries found on your computer that are used by adware programs.

When the scan has finished, look through the scan results and uncheck any entries that you do not wish to remove. When you are satisfied with the selection, simply click on the Clean button, which will cause AdwCleaner to reboot your computer and remove the files and registry entries associated with the various adware that you are removing.  On reboot, AdwCleaner will display a log showing the files, folders, and registry entries that were removed.

It is also important to note that certain adware programs such as Babylon and Delta Search include a program that alerts you when a program is trying to change your browser's search or home page settings. When running AdwCleaner it will reset your search settings to the default Microsoft one if it detects it has been changed by an adware. If you see the warning that states AdwCleaner is trying to change your browser settings, please allow it to do so.

For those who need help using this tool or interpreting its results, please feel free to ask in our Am I Infected forum.

Changes in 8.4.2

• Update bundled definitions to 2024.03.04.1
• Fix the updater process verification mechanism failure and migrate from OpenSSL to Wincrypt. 

Speccy will analyze your computer and display a report of the make and model of all installed hardware found on your computer.  This includes:

• Motherboard
• CPU
• RAM (Including what RAM slots on your motherboard are being used)
• Optical Drives
• Graphics Cards
• Hard Drives
• Audio
• Peripherals
• Network
• Access hardware sensors on various components and report their current temperature.

Speccy also allows you to save a report of your computer's hardware in the event that you wish to share it with another person or support forum for troubleshooting purposes.

Usage Instructions:

1. Download the Bitdefender Uninstall Tool to your Windows desktop.
2. Once downloaded, double-click on the program's icon.
3. When the program opens, click on the Uninstall button.
4. The program will scan your computer for Bitdefender files and configuration entries and remove any that are found.
5. Please be patient during this process as depending on your computer it can take between 5 and 10 minutes to complete.

This program can remove the following Bitdefender products: Bitdefender Antivirus, Bitdefender Antivirus 2008, Bitdefender Antivirus 2009, Bitdefender Antivirus 2010, Bitdefender Antivirus 2011, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2012, Bitdefender Internet Security, Bitdefender Internet Security 2008, Bitdefender Internet Security 2009, Bitdefender Internet Security 2010, Bitdefender Internet Security 2011, Bitdefender Internet Security 2012, Bitdefender Total Security 2008, Bitdefender Total Security 2009, Bitdefender Total Security 2010, Bitdefender Total Security 2011, Bitdefender Total Security 2012

However, many users use the Malwarebytes Support Tool to perform a clean uninstall of all Malwarebytes products from Windows. This is especially helpful when you are having issues uninstalling the program though normal methods.

Usage Instructions:

1. Download the Malwarebytes Support Tool to your Windows desktop.
2. Once downloaded, double-click on the program to start it.
3. Agree to the license agreement.
4. Click on the Advanced button and then select the 'Clean' option.

The tool will now search for installs to uninstall, and when finished, prompt you to reboot your computer.

In order to use this decrypter, users must have a copy of the ransom note for the infected system as it contains the encrypted decryption key. This decryption key will be decrypted and used to decrypt a victim's files for free.

More information about the FilesLocker Ransomware can be at this URL: New FilesLocker Ransomware Offered as a Ransomware as a Service.

A detailed guide on using the decryptor can be found here: How to Decrypt the FilesLocker Ransomware with FilesLockerDecrypter

Using the ESET Uninstaller may reset your Windows network settings.

Windows Repair can perform the following tasks:

• Reset Registry Permissions
• Reset File Permissions
• Register System Files
• Repair WMI
• Repair Windows Firewall
• Repair Internet Explorer
• Repair MDAC & MS Jet
• Repair Hosts File
• Remove Policies Set By Infections
• Repair Icons
• Repair Winsock & DNS Cache
• Remove Temp Files
• Repair Proxy Settings
• Unhide Non System Files
• Repair Windows Updates
• Repair CD/DVD Missing/Not Working

Tweaking.com - Windows Repair 4.14.1 Change Log