Just looking for another malwarebytes license and saw the deal posted by abacus a few months ago was active again. These lifetime subscriptions are 'supposedly hard to get' now according to malwarebytes' website (not sure how true that is). Might be useful to some of you who missed out last time.
Why is it being sold through pc authority though? Does it make a difference than through the malware bytes site?
I have avast's free software and also malware bytes free version too…. which occasionalyl schedules scans… so in paying $30 to get the premium is real time protection the only difference?
Is it even necessary if one already has the free avast antirvirus with its shields running?? Perhaps someone with better knowledge in the electronic defense area against nasties can put their 2 cents in if this is worth the money?
Given it is a 1 PC unlimited license, doe sthis mean that if you change computers you can still reinstall onto one computer? Or it's locked to the initial laptop you download and activate it on??
the realtime protection in my opinion is the best thing and much better than waiting for a scheduled scan - stop the malware being installed when you go to the web site, why wait until it's downloaded and installed (which means there is already a hook on your PC and it is vulnerable).
though I will admit if a machine gets really farged up, I generally hit it with kaspersky first to try and clean / remove the infection. then I load on malware bytes and use my personal licence to check if the machine is still trying to call out to a remote control / website.
I'm genuinely interested in how you could get infected just by visiting a website. Say you're running Chrome with plugins off (or click to enable) and an adblocker as I do, the only attack vector left are vulnerabilities against Chrome itself. While these exist, they are very rare in the wild and quickly patched. You'd have to go to a really nasty website with some really sophisticated exploit code. I've just never seen it myself and I'm on my computers all day every day. I have seen it on other people's PCs though - who were all using IE.
Encrypting ransomware has been made entirely out of Javascript. Unpatched Java and Flash are usual culprits.
Yes, Flash and Java are the culprits. Why would anyone be allowing these to run except in very specific, trusted scenarios?
If, on the other hand, someone absolutely must trawl the dodgy parts of the internet and use Flash there, just set up a Linux VM that can be reset at any time.
I just don't see the need for spending money on programs like this especially when they slow down your computer (although usually only marginally).
@dazweeja: You must always remember that users are stupid and will often click out when something pops up wanting to update. Unfortunately a lot of widely used software out there uses outdated Java. Fortunately Flash is usually only found on old computers.
To answer your last question, and this is straight from Malwarebytes.
I did a clean install of my system a month ago but I forgot to deactivate Malwarebytes beforehand and did the clean re-install
When i tried to re-install Malwarebytes, the program was not recognizing my key. I got in touch with Malwarebytes support via live chat. They were able to reset everything their end and I was able to re-activate it.
But, and here is something I was not aware of and this applies to Lifetime subscriptions. You are only allowed to activate/de-active your program 4 times. After that you lose your subscription and need to buy a new one. So it makes sense after each clean install to have Malwarebytes as one of your first programs to install and then make a full system Image.
I personally don't agree with this policy but this is what I was told, so folks beware.
That's unfortunate, so in other words each clean reinstall is up to a maximum of 4 times unless you restore from system image backups.
Not really a lifetime policy but thanks for letting us know.
MY worry is per comments below it doesn't seem like the channel for which buying through this 3rd party website seems secure in terms of license keys no longer working?
COUGH keys are all over internet
If it disappears from the PC Authority web store again then try http://store.downloadcrew.com/p29874-malwarebytes_anti-malwa… where it has been constantly available (lifetime version) at the same discounted price.
I was always a fan of this, however Nothing but performance issues with Windows 10 with v1.
Could just be me, it's been a while so will try again.
My copy of Malwarebytes works find with Windows 10.
Whilst it used to be good, I am not convinced that the program really offers much "protection" against things that actually matter.
I find that most of these "anti-malware" programs demonstrate lots of "detection activity" but upon analysis it's found that what they are "detecting" are simply cookies and what they deem as Potentially Unwanted Programs. The PUP's end up being non-dangerous,
To be truthful I cannot remember that last time that Malwarebytes has detected anything that was causing any actual problem for my machines. But I can remember plenty of instances where I have noticed a machine is "not acting right", and Malwarebytes cannot find anything wrong…. yet there is a nasty undetected infection.
Over the years I've suffered a number of nasty Rootkit infections that were never detected or cleaned by Malwarebytes. In fact, any malware that's worth it's name will detect the presence of most Anti Virus and Malwafebytes and then hide itself from detection, usually by running as a Rootkit and loading up prior to the OS and applications.
gizmomelb alludes to a similar thing in the comments above, and usin Kaspersky to clean any infected machines.
As for Realtime Protection against "websites installing malware", I think the last time that happened to me was about 10 years ago on an old XP machine. And that was a glitch in the Acrobat reader update process, and a PDF exploit was used. I doubt that ANY modern web browser has a security hole large enough to allow any program to "be installed" without the user knowing AND agreeing to it.
So, what EXACTLY does Malwarebytes Pro actually do that makes it worth paying anything for?
Over the years I've suffered a number of nasty Rootkit infections that were never detected or cleaned by Malwarebytes.
There's your problem. You're using a program designed for cleaning malware and adware for a rootkit. Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit (MBAR) is their program for rootkits. TDSSKiller works really good as well.
The problem is the company and the way their products are split up.
MBAM free has got a rootkit scanning option which last time I checked wasn't enabled by default. If you're paying attention you'll turn it on. I don't know about their paid real time protection though.
You shouldn't need to be intimately familiar with their product lines in order to find the right protection. If a user sees "anti-malware" in the name and has enough knowledge to identify rootkits as malware they should not be caught out. You also shouldn't need to run multiple products for real time scanning. I am not familiar with MBAR so I don't know whether it integrates with MBAM so there's only one set of scanning going on, but in any case for an end user this setup is a confusing mess.
MBAM free has got a rootkit scanning option which last time I checked wasn't enabled by default.
I never understood why they would leave that unchecked :s
It's the first thing I look for whenever I install it or if I get a program update.
That'd be because their Anti-Rootkit functionality is still in Beta. Malwarebytes is a fairly new startup compared to the other big players. They don't actively advertise themselves to normal consumers as much like the other big players.
There's your problem. You're using a program designed for cleaning malware and adware for a rootkit.
No, I am expecting that the program designed for cleaning malware will actually prevents Malware from installing itself. Or at the very least, detecting that there is Malware on the machine…. which it doesn't.
"A rootkit is a collection of computer software, typically malicious, designed to enable access to a computer or areas of its software that would not otherwise be allowed (for example, to an unauthorized user) while at the same time masking its existence or the existence of other software"
"Malware is an umbrella term used to refer to a variety of forms of hostile or intrusive software, including computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, ransomware, spyware, adware, scareware, and other malicious programs. It can take the form of executable code, scripts, active content, and other software."
A rootkit is a special TSR Program that gets installed by Malware, and in specifically engineered to hide the existence of Malware to Anti-Malware programs. Like Malwarebytes.
Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit (MBAR) is their program for rootkits.
Which doesn't work, is not enabled by default, and after a few months deactivates itself.
TDSSKiller works really good as well.
To remove certain Rootkits, yes it does. Pity that Malwarebytes firstly lets them get installed, and secondly cannot clean them either.
Does work with or replace an anti virus program?
It is supposed to work "with" your AV. I am not particularly convinced on what functionality it adds, except to give false alarms about "Adware Cookies".
I'd previously purchased a Lifetime license..
What's the difference between that and "V2"?
Nothing; you as a lifetime subscriber, should by now have version 2. Whenever they update their Program version, you will get a notification asking you to upgrade.
This is different to their definition database updates which are updated at least once a day.
Thanks TilacVIP, pretty sure that was the case. Wasn't 100% that it wasn't as Trickey below suggests..
It's probably only covering the development lifecycle for V2. Once V3 comes out you probably need to buy a lifetime V3 license.
Being honest, I don't think this is actually worth it. Malware doesn't magically appear on computers, and always on protection/scanning has more drawbacks than benefits. Don't even get me started on false positives…
If you're not prepared to set up a gateway that provides external scanning of traffic, a product like Sandboxie or a VM offers a lot more protection by never allowing a threat near your workstation. The biggest crux of anti-virus and anti-malware products is that the threat still has to reside on a workstation before it can be detected and cleaned. If it's an 0-day threat then you're not really protected at all, despite these vendors claims to the contrary.
Anything is possible Trickey, but I highly doubt they are going to ask for a new purchase to move to v3.
As long as V2 works fine and updates the definitions, then they would probably stay with v2 if Malwarebytes plays silly buggers.
Lifetime is lifetime, you can't use stupid technicalities to charge again, and that should include version updates too.
Lifetime is lifetime, you can't use stupid technicalities to charge again, and that should include version updates too.
Lifetime is never "lifetime." It all has a beginning and end date e.g. maglite is purchase date + 99 years. A Windows OS is 7 years + 3 years extended support. You can be dealing with the purchasers lifetime, the lifetime of the product, product version, support contract etc.
Always read the fine print… lifetime is simply a marketing buzzword.
I'm going to vote this as a negative because I purchased 2 of these licenses from the previous deal, and when attempting to install it, I received "Error Code 403: The usage level has exceeded the max volume allowed ".
When contacting Malwarebytes about this I received this information:
" PcAuthority is not an official re seller of Malwarebytes, nor do we offer lifetime subscriptions anymore. Unfortunately you have purchased a fraudulent license and it will not work. You can try to ask PcAuthority for a refund but we can not issue you one. If you would like to continue using the premium features of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware you will need to purchase a new license from our official website."
When contacting the pcauthority store about this:
"Thanks for the question, but they aren’t “offered fraudulently”, Malwarebytes stopped issuing and supporting lifetime codes. No-one is authorised to sell them officially!"
Essentially pcauthority offered NO SOLUTION after selling me NON WORKING licenses and my email asking for a solution to my situation
I purchase one from PC Authority in August 2015 and have no such problem
Well I purchased 2 in August 2015, and neither of them worked in December 2015 (I had never installed or used them before then, and only purchased them as I was going to install it on a PC i built for my parents to give them for christmas).
If you paid by PayPal [and in future for any purchase as this or similar everyone should use it] put in a dispute. I think there would be a very good chance you will get fully refunded. You have 6 months from time of purchase.
Awesome thanks, I didn't realise I had up to 6 months to open a dispute on a paypal. I always thought it was 45 days..(but I think must have got it confused with ebay or something)..Either way, just opened the dispute now.
I have the same issue - purchased from last deal - was working fine but now says I only have free version and the "Error Code 403: The usage level has exceeded the max volume allowed " I'd be cautious buying from these guys…. A quick google search will show plenty of others having trouble with 'lifetime' keys from 'unauthorized' sellers. up to you, but beware that this might also happen to you. Sent a support ticket to PC Authority and MBAM. Will see what happens
If PC & Tech Authority are a legit business, and they are doing some shonky sh!te, then they should be reported and investigated.
I paid with PayPal and if anything happened I would have bought up a dispute. Most of the time and with proof of receipt PayPal would reimburse you for the cost. I guess thats one benefit using PayPal.
If you are lucky enough to discover the issue during the PayPal dispute period. One day outside of that and you are out of luck.
I recently did a scan on an old partition with lots of installed software using both Malwarebytes and Eset Nod. The difference: lots of false positives found by Malwarebytes plus it missed some infested files found by Nod.
I would recommd that people save their money on Malwarebytes and purchase a proper AV like Kaspersky or Nod instead.
My experiences are exactly the same.
An ineffective program that doesn't catch the very problems that it claims to solve, but concerns itself with cookies (which are fundamentally harmless). And no, I don't need my Loaders and other utilities to be quarantined or "cleaned"… LOL
I think anti-exploit is the one worth getting. Not sure if included in this deal.
I purchase license in Nov, and I reinstalled software due to clean installation of the windows. It stopped working now same error "ERROR CODE 403", send a mail to PC Authorities, got replied
"I’m afraid those lifetime codes are strictly 1-activation 1-PC codes. They can’t be activated a second time."
Not a good Idea, didn't use paypal so I cannot dispute. Please learn from my mistakes.
I put in a dispute request via paypal, and even then Cleverbridge are saying that it is too late for a refund. Here is the rub for me, at least you were able to successfuly activate it once..
Both the keys I had failed with 0 activations, and it is why I am annoyed. If I had at least got it to work once, I would have thought yeah ok, fair enough.. but this was never the case for me.
This whole situation is shoddy. Not that it related to me directly, but shouldn't their website be disclosing that those keys are 1 activation, 1 pc codes as well.? Their website only says "Includes a 1-PC, lifetime license.", which could technically also fall under false advertising
Yes, that is precisely what it should say.
Don't worry about what Cleverbridge say. Just put your dispute in via paypal, hopefully it will work out in your favour.
This 1 time activation thing in BS. I was going to buy another key but will pass on it.
This company should get some bad press from us here at OZB.
You are right, I fell under false advertisement.
Last paragraph last line
"By contrast, the Premium license you purchase here will never expire, so you’ll be able to enjoy that extra layer of protection in perpetuity.
Includes a 1-PC, lifetime license."
It doesn't look any good to me now. I'm very disappointed with PC&Tech Authority. Never ever again.
Hmmm I'm not sure why it didn't go through for you, that sucks. I'm just going by my own experiences but it registered fine with the license I just bought.
Ok so I'm a little confused - seems like an ok deal for someone like me who doesn't have live monitoring (i have avast free, but no malware real time monitoring)…. but from what I summarise above there seems to be an issue with the channel of buying through this third party website , where the license keys seem to be recycled or no longer working for some all of a sudden?
I'd love to buy this but am I correct in saying that there seems to be a 50/50 split in experiences judging from comments below? Or is all the worry/negativity unfounded??
My reply might be too late and the deal expired but your best option would be to buy via PayPal, see how it all goes. If there are any issues, simply put in a dispute.
Mine installed fine, the keys worked and are still working since AUG 2015. I even had to contact Malwarebytes due to an issue I caused myself with thte key and needed resetting. Malwarebytes asked for the ID and Key number after I mentioned to them I had a lifetime subscription, reset it for me and I was on my was. Obviously if there was something fishy with the key it would have stood out like a sore thumb on their database, so I will assume all is ok with mine.
Luke pursued technical support from Malwarebytes for some issues with his license. Upon being told he purchased it from PCAuthority.com.au, he received the following response from a Malwarebytes representative:
"PCAuthority.com.au is not an authorized partner or reseller of Malwarebytes licenses. Lifetime licenses have stopped being offered since March of 2014.
Our system has flagged this license for fraudulent activity. You should attempt to contact PCauthority for a refund of your purchase"
got a key a few months back and it got flagged
did not get a refund so watch out guys
It seems like it is true… you can't buy lifetime anymore. I think I'll get it, the software itself is useful.