The Official Computer Tech Support Thread

[Trollheart]

Originally Posted by Plankton

I've used the free version of MalwareBytes in conjunction with AutoRuns.exe and ProcessExplorer.exe for years with no problems, and just let Windows Defender do it's thing. Minimal bloat and no subscription.

MalwareBytes only does spyware though, doesn't it? I use both the ones I mentioned, in conjunction with MWB and Hitman Pro. Works for me.

[Plankton]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

MalwareBytes only does spyware though, doesn't it? I use both the ones I mentioned, in conjunction with MWB and Hitman Pro. Works for me.

No, it does quite a bit more. Even the free version will detect and quarantine trojans and worms. Most antivirus 'bloatware' isn't needed if you know how to use what I mentioned. Windows defender works just fine, but isn't fool proof for people who aren't intuitive about threats and when to act on them. That's when I run ProcessExplorer and Autoruns to kill the process of the immediate threats, then eliminate any recursive startup processes. I use Malwarebytes to detect and quarantine, then run a Boot Time Scan as a final 'polish'. I've been doing this for over a decade with 100% success with my own PC's and about 99% with coworkers and friends. Once in a great while I'll come across someone's PC that has been infected for too long and the infection is too deep.

Edit: I should mention that I disable Malwarebytes until needed.