Users are advised to always check for ‘custom’ installation options whenever adding any program to your computer as this is the best way to avoid unwanted ‘extras’.Įven though I still hold Malwarebytes Anti-malware in high regard, as a result of this rather bizarre assessment and decision I’ll no longer be recommending it as number one free scanner/remover. We detect some as ‘PUP’ (Potentially Unwanted Programs) but cannot classify all due their actual install practices, which when inclusive of an EULA or options to not install prevents additions to the database in any way. While these types of programs and additions are unwanted by many, they’re not malicious nor infections. Malwarebytes explanation for dropping these ubiquitous toolbars from the definition database is that they are classified as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) and are not actually malicious:

which includes toolbars – such as Ask, Conduit, Babylon and MyWebSearch – browser hijackers, homepage hijackers and search engine hijackers. I’ve been reading reports that Malwarebytes is no longer identifying and removing PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs). Malwarebytes has always ticked the boxes on three fronts simplicity, effectiveness and low false positive rates… but now it seems, the times they are a changing. For some time I, among many others, have been recommending Malwarebytes Anti-Malware as top dog, albeit by a narrow margin.

Malware removal tools, or scanner/removers, have become an almost integral part of a home user’s security arsenal and we are fortunate that there are several very good freeware offerings to choose from.

Malwarebytes still good