What is MALWAREBYTES?
By Dave Wallace - RIVER BENDER - September 2011
I assume everybody by now is using some kind of anti-virus software, either that came with their computer, purchased, or downloaded for free on the Internet. Typical retail products are from Norton and McAfee. Common free products are AVG from AVG Technologies (formerly called Grisoft) and MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials). Use Google or Bing to find the free ones to download.
Most New Bern Computer User Group (NBCUG) members have discovered a free software program called Malwarebytes that can be used in conjunction with other anti-virus programs and amazingly seems to find malicious software missed by others. It has even been found to restore a computer that won't boot properly. I suggest everybody using Windows 7, Vista, 2000 or XP download the free version of Malwarebytes at http://www.techspot.com/downloads/4716-malwarebytes-anti-malware.html.
Here are the results of a recent Malwarebytes "full scan" of one of my older computers using Windows XP. It appeared to be working OK but was a bit sluggish at times, however I should mention that sluggishness usually occurs when my AVG antivirus program happens to be updating automatically.
"Full scan" took 2 hours to scan 322,462 items and found 127 infections, which were quarantined and removed. Here is the list of infections:
5 Memory processes, 1 Memory module, 60 Registry keys, 8 Registry values, 22 Folders, 33 Files. Total = 127
As I mentioned, my PC was running OK so I'm not sure if any of the above infections were considered to be damaging. Probably not but they may have caused unwanted popup ads. I noticed that when I usually select "Quick Scan" instead of "Full Scan” of Malwarebytes, it takes far less time to scan but rarely finds an infection.
So why am I suggesting you get Malwarebytes? Because it has been found repeatedly to be the last line of defense when your computer has a virus malfunction that can't seem to be repaired by your usual anti-virus program. Sometimes when you can't boot into the normal Windows mode it has been found that you may have to run Malwarebytes in the safe mode for it to remove the infectious malware. Safe mode is usually accessed by tapping your F8 key during the boot process. Installation places an icon for Malwarebytes on your desktop. Click on it to scan your computer but be sure to have it update with the latest virus definitions first.