Malwarebytes premium vs Avast Free, Thoughts/recommendations please

For the last 5 years I have basked in the protection of a Malwarebytes Premium Account courtesy of my Bank.

Alas, this gift is to be withdrawn as of May 31st this year.

Apparently, MBAM are yet to; "make us an offer we can't refuse"!

Waiting with baited breath, but it will have to go some to beat free access to their Premium package!

In the meantime, I'm trying to formulate a back-up plan!

I have noted that Avast "free" seems to be a very comprehensive package.

I quail at the thought of having to "tweak" or otherwise fine tune a new Firewall, So far in life, I have just accepted that provided by Windows.

The main thing which puts me off Avast is their ownership of AVG.

I have used AVG from I guess the early 90's and despite having no issues, that all changed when I foolishly used AVG "ZEN" on two machines.

One was a second hand gaming machine, and the other was a brand new self build.

Having some problem (I can't recall what) I was allowing AVG To investigate via a remote session.

The lady conducting the session remarked that my brand new machine showed evidence in the registry that it had been used for gaming!!!

It certainly had not, but despite this she showed me entries for some software for a gaming mouse, I know for a fact that this software was present on the second hand machine as I had seen it there and decided to leave it alone.

After that session I quit using AVG and will never use any of their products again.

That kinda taints my view of Avast a little, despite it being supplied on my Huawei Phone. 

Thoughts/recommendations please.

Thanks.

Microsoft Defender and MBAM Free

If you can't afford/want to spend the money on Malwarebytes which has served you well for the last 5 years then Windows Defender with a weekly scan with Malwarebytes free.

I suggest at this time you do the following.

Please make the following change in Malwarebytes if you're using the Premium or Trial version

• Please open Malwarebytes. Click on the small gear icon to open the Settings and go to the Security, or General in V5 tab.
• Then turn off "Always register Malwarebytes in the Windows Security Center"
• Restart the computer

Hi @wee-eddie have to say Microsoft have come a long way with their AV since the bad old days when I used Vista!   A worthy tool to have in the arsenal 

@Porthos Thanks for that advice, that's how MBAM support had advised me to set up, have to say I don't understand the ramifications of it but accepted their knowledge and that's how its been running on my box.

I'm hoping that they will really make us an offer we can't refuse as I have always felt well protected by MBAM.

Must say though the advent of the "Weekly News email" smacks of scare tactics. 

I no longer recommend avast as a free alternative anti-virus solution...I explain why in this topic (Post #3).

@quietman7 Thanks for that link, made me feel a sudden rush of youthfulness!

I have absolutely no experience of Avast, but did have them filed under "decent" surely they've cleaned up their act in the intervening years?

Have to say I didn't understand this just what purpose does it serve, if anything other than a scare tactic?

Your link was enough to dissuade me from evaluating Avast further! 

Edited by six-h, 11 May 2024 - 03:03 PM.

Hi, IMHO Avast is more problems than it is worth. 

Give this a try for Defender A/V to bring out hidden controls : https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/configuredefender.html

Use this for the same reason for Firewall Controls : https://www.binisoft.org/wfc the Developer works for MBAM now so this is part of it I guess as per the colours.

As well this for the Browser : https://www.malwarebytes.com/browserguard

Hi @Pkshadow I've just found out about "Configure Defender", I'm not sure I'm capable of making valid changes but will try and get to know more about it.

Firewalls to me are in the same box as Registry Edits, WiFi and Internet connection tweaks; labeled "Here in lies Magic, Keep Out"!  

I just get that "squeaky bum" feeling that I'm about to lose my grip on the world!

TBH I suppose I have a firewall, be it Windows or MBAM, but I've never attempted to interact with it, nor felt the need to!!

Maybe I should.

As for Browserguard, I have had that for some time, good to know that even without subscribing to MBAM that will continue to be available to me.

Interesting links, I have a lot to get my head round.

Thanks.

All the 2 Menus do is give you more Control.

MBAM is not a Firewall.  WFC is a control that brings out the Microsoft Hidden Menus.  Is nothing more than what is actually there.  includes Configure Defender.

MBAM is now a A/V and a Real time malware program as well as on demand.

:=}

So all this time thought it was a Firewall.  Might stick in WFC as same colours...lol "=}

For these 2 do not have to do a thing. Will still get the same protection.  It is just for when want more or to do specific things.

I do not use them myself as I use proper Software that is made for user interaction.  Millions more options than you can use or not use.  

Suggest stick them in and learn by seeing them there name/menu.  Once get over the version of sticker shock you will use as it fits you :=}

Off Topic

But a Menu is only a Menu; God Mode : https://www.howtogeek.com/402458/enable-god-mode-in-windows-10/ /11 

This is on your system as well.  Just turns it on like the others.

I'm hoping that they will really make us an offer we can't refuse as I have always felt well protected by MBAM.

 

If they do it will only be for the first year or 2 if you get a 2 yr subscription. Not an official answer but an educated one.

@Pkshadow Thanks for that, good to know that I can't permanently divorce myself from the Net!

Read about GOD Mode awhile back but thought it was probably handy rather than searching for "what controls which " and stumbling around in the dark.

So far, I've only used the obvious stuff unlikely to get involved in storage and back-up! yeah, I know it's crazy  but long story:

MS Almighty trashed my file system way back after I asked for help setting up "Libraries", some guy in Beijing office made a mistake and did a "Global Search" for Pictures/Artwork/Clipart and I ended up with the equivalent of a real world Filing system just dumped on the floor!

MS paid me £50 Sterling as an apology 'cos the OS needed to be re-installed to correct the error, I never bothered, too much stress, just learned to live with the consequences 

@Porthos I suspect you are right, just have to wait and see what they offer, but it's likely to be after I've departed for a month's holiday which might cause further complications!

Thanks @benecoy I too have misgivings about them!

I've been offered a two year sub for one machine at Sterling £9.00 with MBAM, hard to resist at that price!

Have to be ready for the "Auto -renewal" as I really don't want to pay the full price.

With the free version and some common sense, I feel that would offer a reasonable level of protection.

Better the devil you know I feel than risk all sorts of interference from unknown AV's

Edited by six-h, 26 May 2024 - 10:40 AM.