When White Hats Collide - Comments Page 1

MBAM has also pulled this stunt with Wise Registry Cleaner. Until quite recently there was never any conflict between the two programs. Then, out of the blue Wise Registry Cleaner started disappearing from my computers. This happened to several of my friends as well. Took me awhile to figure out that MBAM was flagging WRC as a PUP. Once I realized what was going on it was easy enough to straighten out. Whether or not this was done with malicious intent I have no way of knowing, but in the future I'll know where to look for possible culprits.

If it comes down to reputation and believablity, I'm more inclined to trust MalwareBytes in preference to PC Pitstop.

It's petty stuff like this that reinforces my belief that the human race as a species is doomed. We can't seem to get beyond petty bickering and jealousy, regardless of the consequences.

I am exasperated with people who think "potential" means "possible" or "maybe". A "potentially unwanted program" is a program which is not "unwanted" now, but may somehow develop into one that is "unwanted"..

I had 3 paid services on 3 computers with malware bytes. I finally uninstalled all of them and canceled my subscription--guess what ---no refunds apply.
Their customer service folk never even tried to keep me happy.

Yes, this left a very bad taste in my mouth, and just when I was considering buying the new MBAM 3.0. I get the PCPitstop newsletter, even though I've never used PCMatic, because in the past it often had some very useful info. Unfortunately, it is now mostly just one big ad.
But when I read in their newsletter I was very taken aback and wrote to MBAM asking for an explanation (I have used the free version for many years on all my computers, mostly because people like you recommend it).
What I got back was a boilerplate letter listing all the things wrong with PCMatic as why they had flagged and deleted it.
Some of their points made sense, others not so much. But frankly, to me they were all irrelevant. However good or bad, PCPitstop is an established member of the security community and their product is used by millions. And it is not up to MBAM or any other entity to make judgments on it unless it actually contains viruses or other malware, which it clearly does not.
I just paid for and installed Webroot on all my PCs and now I'm wondering if I need to delete MBAM after reading your article. I am assuming it is only the version 3 I need to worry about, but I don't know if I would even be warned if the free version was updated to that.

Over the years MalwareBytes has been my go to program when things get questionable and have possibly saved my computers more than a few times. I will continue to trust them until proven otherwise and refuse to get involved in software wars where they choose to belittle each other.
(¯`·._.·ns¢ävË·._.·´¯)®

The largest problem I see is the lack of know-how in the users of security programs at all levels. If a program one uses is labeled as a "PUP", you should be informed enough to know what to do with regard to your computer/online security.

Re: "Does this leave you with a bad impression of Malwarebytes? "

Ayuh.

I ran an Avast subscription for a year, and I liked the icon in the tray that showed when it was active. But I'm looking for an alternative, just to try something else. And I'm tired of spending dollars to fight crime, though of course the vendors deserve to be paid.

Dear Bob,
Thanks much for the heads up. I run MBAM free along with Webroot SecureAnywhere, and I have not had any problems as of yet. I did check the settings in MBAM under Detection and Protection, and I have the box checked that requires MBAM to warm me before deleting any programs.
But,what do you think? Should I delete MBAM?
Again, thanks so much for keeping your readers informed.

I agree with Dan Topper's statement above. Why would anyone configure any antivirus or anti-malware program to blindly delete PUPs or even blindly delete (or send to a "vault") viruses or trojans when found? Every antivirus detects some false positives. I want to investigate each PUP or supposed virus to make sure it truly needs to be deleted or quarantined. If I choose to keep a program identified as a PUP or malware, I'll add it to the antivirus program as an exception so it won't be detected in the future.

I've used both programs for a long time. Malwarebytes gives you the option to not delete PC Matic. But I've run PC Matic twice & the program will not let me finish it unless it deletes Malwarebytes. And how many times have you seen anyone recommend PC Matic? Whereas Malwarebytes is recommended all the time. I will stick with Malwarebytes.

I have Malwarebytes on a laptop and desktop and have not had any problems; however, I also have ESET and have been very pleased with it so I wonder if Malwarebytes will delete ESET! Frankly, I think congress, which is apparently investigating much more about the internet, should investigate any/all vendors of any kind who presumptuously uninstall any software from any computer. As others have stated, I am considering stopping my use of Malwarebytes. Only problems is that if other vendors do this same thing, one doesn't know where to go. What happened to good old-fashioned integrity in the marketplace?

I think you can use MBAM as long as you check the box to "warn" you and not to "Delete" something. But be careful, that in updating definitions that MBAM

My last line got cut off. Be careful that in updating definitions, that MBAM does not change the boxes that you have checked in regards to your own preferences.

The report also indicates that PCM has higher number of false positives.

When I installed MBAM on my MacBook Pro (yes there is an Apple version of MBAM), it found a handful of bad programs the first time I ran it. I install the daily updates to its database, but since that first scan, it has yet to find a suspicious item on my system. I have to presume that it is very effective at catching new bad stuff and also preventing old bad stuff from returning. On my Windows computers, there are frequent updates of MBAM, way more often than the Apple version. Unless you tell me that MBAM stinks, I'm sticking with it.

WOW! I'm surprised... I have been a loyal user and one who recommends MBAM for years. (Both free and paid versions) It has saved my bacon on numerous occasions.

I have little faith in PcMatic because of how it works. You have to whitelist everything or it might be considered a pest. Too much like work...

I think I'll stick with MBAM based upon my years of experience, but I do intend to write them a nastygram about this behavior.

I have a lifetime subscription to MBAM and am now considering whether it is worth it. I have a Windows care program deleted a couple of times by MBAM. Yes they did show me that they wanted to delete it and I unchecked the deletion but strangely the Windows care program it didn't work after that and I had to reinstall it.

On the plus side MBAM has honored the lifetime subscription for many years and versions unlike many other companies that only honor the lifetime subscription for the version you bought.

Point 1. I agree 100% with Bob Rankin.
Point 2. Why are the criminals not being tracked down and given a life prison sentence.

Its going to get so bad we all will just not use the internet.

Maybe just have the internet only work in the USA.