Malwarebytes制造的安全软件(security software)以其恶意软件清除(malware removal)能力而闻名，尤其是在涉及广告软件和间谍软件时。他们的产品还以其简单性和(simplicity and ability)与经典防病毒产品一起工作而不会干扰其活动的能力而闻名。2016年12 月(December 2016)，Malwarebytes Corporation发布了适用于 Windows(Malwarebytes for Windows)的 Malwarebytes （第 3 版(version 3)），旨在提供针对恶意软件、勒索软件、漏洞利用和恶意网站的保护。用他们自己的话说，Malwarebytes for Windows “是下一代防病毒软件的替代品(antivirus replacement)。”我们很好奇这个说法是否属实，所以我们决定测试最新版本的Malwarebytes for Windows。以下是我们对该产品的评论：
Malwarebytes for Windows 擅长(Windows good)什么？
在以下情况下，适用于 Windows 的 Malwarebytes 对(Malwarebytes for Windows )您来说是一个不错的选择：
- 除了主要的防病毒产品之外，您还想通过添加第二层防御恶意软件和勒索软件(malware and ransomware)来增强Windows 计算机的安全性。(Windows computer)
- 无论您喜欢使用哪种网络浏览器(web browser)，您都希望能够很好地抵御恶意网站
Windows 高级版(Windows Premium)与免费(Free)版的 Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes for Windows提供两个版本：高级(Premium)版和免费(Free )版。免费(Free )版可以检测恶意软件和间谍软件(malware and spyware)，并且可以从您的Windows 机器中删除 rootkit。高级(Premium)版做同样的事情，但它还提供：
- 实时保护：在恶意软件感染您的计算机之前识别并阻止它
- 反漏洞利用：保护常见应用程序免受漏洞利用和零日攻击
- 反勒索软件：阻止勒索软件加密您的文件
- 恶意网站保护：在您的(Malicious)网络浏览器(web browser)加载危险网站之前阻止它们
考虑到您从高级(Premium)版获得的所有附加安全功能，我们认为它比免费(Free)版更好。换句话说，如果您想积极主动，请购买Malwarebytes for Windows。如果您更喜欢将它用作反应式安全工具(security tool)，以及您的主要防病毒软件，免费(Free)版就足够了。
优点和缺点
以下是有关适用于 Windows的(Malwarebytes for Windows)高级(Premium)版Malwarebytes的一些好处：
- 它包含一些传统防病毒产品所没有的防漏洞利用功能，可以更有效地保护您免受零日攻击和应用程序漏洞的侵害
- 您可以将它与防病毒产品一起使用，而不会损害系统的速度或稳定性(speed or stability)
- 它可以有效地阻止您在您喜欢使用的任何网络浏览器中访问恶意网站
- 它不会减慢您的互联网连接或本地网络数据传输速度
- 用户界面(user interface)简单易用
还有一些负面因素需要考虑：
- 它不会扫描或要求扫描可移动驱动器，并且您无法在其用户界面的任何位置更改此行为(user interface)
- 它在检测恶意软件方面并不是最有效的，因此最好将它与其他防病毒解决方案一起使用(antivirus solution)
- 我们认为许可证的价格有点高，尤其是如果您认为不能将其用作真正的防病毒替代品(antivirus replacement)
判决
Malwarebytes for Windows是一个有用的安全工具(security tool)，但前提是您将它与其他防病毒产品或安全套件(product or security suite)一起使用。您必须至少使用Windows Defender作为它的补充。尽管Malwarebytes for Windows在其网站上吹嘘自己将成为您的下一个“下一代防病毒替代品”("next-generation antivirus replacement,")，但据我们所知，这种说法是错误的。当我们单独使用它时，没有其他防病毒软件处于活动状态，Malwarebytes for Windows未能检测到我们使用的所有恶意软件样本。加上没有任何防火墙模块，Windows Premium 的 Malwarebytes(Malwarebytes for Windows Premium)的价格感觉很高。该公司表示，真正的力量Malwarebytes for Windows是更智能的技术及其反漏洞保护能力。这可能是真的，但该公司对他们的软件不应该用作防病毒替代品(antivirus replacement)这一事实并不诚实，因为它不能有效地保护您免受所有形式的恶意软件的侵害。您必须同时安装防病毒软件。如果您已经拥有一个，并且想要对恶意软件、勒索软件、漏洞利用和有害网站进行第二层防御，并且金钱不是问题，您应该购买Malwarebytes for Windows。如果没有，最好购买一个好的防病毒产品(antivirus product)或使用Windows 版 Malwarebytes的(Malwarebytes for Windows)免费(Free)版本不时扫描您的计算机。
下载安装体验(download and installation experience)
要在您的计算机上获得适用于 Windows 的 Malwarebytes(Malwarebytes for Windows )试用版，您必须下载一个名为mb3-setup-consumer-3.3.1.2183.exe的可执行文件，大小为 74.7MB。运行安装程序会触发安装向导(installation wizard)的启动，让您可以使用默认选项进行快速安装。(quick install)您还可以配置高级选项(Advanced Options)。
但是，唯一的高级选项(Advanced Options)是选择安装文件夹(installation folder)并决定是否创建桌面快捷方式。如果您问我们，它们不是“高级”选项。
安装完成后，您会看到用户界面，并会看到一条欢迎消息“您的 14 天高级试用版”("your 14-day Premium Trial")。当此试用期结束时，如果您的计算机被感染，Malwarebytes for Windows可用于清理您的计算机，但它不再阻止恶意软件或主动阻止勒索软件和危险网站。
Malwarebytes for Windows 的下载和安装过程简单快捷。初学者和有经验的用户都可以流畅地执行它。此外，不需要任何用户数据，这非常好。(The download and install processes for Malwarebytes for Windows are straightforward and fast. Beginners and experienced users alike can perform it smoothly. Also, no user data is requested, which is excellent.)
与Windows、网络浏览器和通用Windows 平台(Windows platform)应用程序集成
Malwarebytes for Windows不会自动禁用Windows Defender，也不会禁用Windows 防火墙(Windows Firewall)。我们原以为它会禁用Windows Defender，因为官方网站将Malwarebytes for Windows显示为“下一代防病毒替代品(antivirus replacement)”。但是，看起来这种说法至少具有欺骗性。在搜索他们的论坛和帮助文档时，我们发现Malwarebytes for Windows旨在与包括(Malwarebytes for Windows)Windows Defender在内的其他防病毒产品一起很好地工作。
当我们测试这样的防病毒产品时，我们还会检查它们是否禁用Windows 防火墙(Windows Firewall)并用专有的防火墙模块(firewall module)替换它。Malwarebytes for Windows不包含防火墙模块，因此没有理由禁用Windows 防火墙(Windows Firewall)。这也意味着您不应期望获得更好的保护来抵御源自您的网络的攻击，因为Windows 的 Malwarebytes(Malwarebytes for Windows)无法提供此类保护。
没有防火墙模块的好处是您在使用Windows的网络功能时不太可能遇到任何问题。创建(Creating)或加入家庭组(Homegroup)很容易，通过网络共享文件或文件夹也是如此。在运行或更新通用Windows 平台(Windows platform)应用程序时，我们也完全没有问题。
为了保护您免受危险网站的侵害，Malwarebytes for Windows会扫描并过滤进出您计算机的所有Internet 流量(internet traffic)。这意味着您在喜欢使用的任何网络浏览器中都是安全的，这是一件很棒的事情。
再往前走，我们想看看Malwarebytes for Windows是否会对我们(Malwarebytes for Windows )测试笔记本电脑(test laptop)的性能产生有意义的负面影响。我们首先使用BootRacer测量计算机在安装前后的启动时间。(boot time)我们使用Malwarebytes for Windows安装的数量增加了 10% ，这是一个显着的增长。我们还查看了它消耗了多少 RAM。在正常情况下，当没有任何异常情况发生时，Malwarebytes for Windows使用大约 227 MB 的RAM这比其他安全产品需要的多一点，但按照今天的标准仍然不是一个重要的数字。
为了检查 Internet 或本地网络速度是否受到Windows Malwarebytes 的(Malwarebytes for Windows)影响，我们使用Speedtest.net和LAN Speed Test进行了一些测试。结果显示没有有意义的变化，所以看起来这个安全产品(security product)不会损害互联网或本地网络的性能(network performance)。
Malwarebytes for Windows is security software that is integrated well with Windows. It can function alongside other antivirus software without issues. This security product did not appear to slow down our test computer too much, although it did increase the boot time by 10%.
在这篇评论的下一页上，您可以看到在 Windows 上使用 Malwarebytes(Malwarebytes for Windows)是多么容易，以及它在保护您的计算机免受恶意软件和恶意网站的侵害方面是多么有效。您还可以查看我们的建议，了解您应该考虑调整哪些设置。
Security for everyone - Review Malwarebytes for Windows Premium
Malwarebytes makes security software that is renowned for its malware removal powers, especially when it comes to adware and spyware. Their products are also known for their simplicity and ability to work alongside classic antivirus products, without interfering with their activity. In December 2016, the Malwarebytes Corporation released Malwarebytes for Windows (version 3), which is designed to offer protection against malware, ransomware, exploits and malicious websites. In their own words, Malwarebytes for Windows "is a next-generation antivirus replacement." We were curious to see if this statement is true, so we decided to test the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows. Here is our review of this product:
What is Malwarebytes for Windows good at?
Malwarebytes for Windows is a good choice for you if:
- You want to enhance your Windows computer's security by adding a second layer of defense against malware and ransomware, besides your main antivirus product
- You want to be well protected against malicious websites regardless of the web browser you prefer using
Malwarebytes for Windows Premium vs. Free
Malwarebytes for Windows is offered in two versions: a Premium version and a Free version. The Free version can detect malware and spyware, and can remove rootkits from your Windows machine. The Premium version does the same things, but it also offers:
- Real-time protection: identifies and stops malware before it infects your computer
- Anti-exploit: protects common applications from vulnerability exploits and zero-day attacks
- Anti-ransomware: stops ransomware from encrypting your files
- Malicious website protection: blocks dangerous websites before your web browser loads them
Considering all the additional security features that you get from the Premium version, we believe that it is a better deal than the Free one. In other words, if you want to be proactive, buy Malwarebytes for Windows. If you prefer to use it as a reactive security tool, alongside your main antivirus, the Free version is good enough.
Pros and cons
Here are some of the good things to consider about the Premium version of Malwarebytes for Windows:
- It includes anti-exploit features that some traditional antivirus products do not, and which can protect you more efficiently against zero-day attacks and apps vulnerabilities
- You can use it together with an antivirus product, without hurting your system's speed or stability
- It can efficiently stop you from visiting malicious websites in any web browser you prefer using
- It does not slow down your internet connection or local network data transfers
- The user interface is straightforward and easy to use
There are some negatives to consider too:
- It does not scan or ask to scan removable drives, and you cannot change this behavior anywhere in its user interface
- It is not the most efficient at detecting malware, so it is preferable to use it alongside another antivirus solution
- The price for a license is a bit high in our view, especially if you consider that you can't use it as a real antivirus replacement
Verdict
Malwarebytes for Windows is a useful security tool but only if you use it alongside another antivirus product or security suite. You must use at least Windows Defender as a complement to it. Although Malwarebytes for Windows brags on its website about being your next "next-generation antivirus replacement," as far as we can tell, this claim is false. When we used it on its own, with no other antivirus active, Malwarebytes for Windows failed to detect all of the malware samples that we used. Together with the lack of any firewall module, the price of Malwarebytes for Windows Premium feels high. The company says that the real power of Malwarebytes for Windows is it smarter technology and its anti-exploit protection abilities. That may be true, but the company is not honest about the fact that their software should not be used as an antivirus replacement because it cannot protect you efficiently against all forms of malware. You must have an antivirus alongside. If you already have one and you want a second layer of defense against malware, ransomware, exploits and harmful websites, and money is not an issue, you should buy Malwarebytes for Windows. If not, it is better to invest in a good antivirus product or use the Free version of Malwarebytes for Windows to scan your computer from time to time.
The download and installation experience
To get a trial version of Malwarebytes for Windows on your computer, you have to download an executable called mb3-setup-consumer-3.3.1.2183.exe, with a size of 74.7MB. Running the installer triggers the launch of the installation wizard, which lets you do a quick install using the default options. You can also configure the Advanced Options.
However, the only Advanced Options are choosing the installation folder and deciding whether to create a desktop shortcut or not. They are not "advanced" options if you ask us.
When the installation is done, you can see the user interface, and you are presented with a welcome message to "your 14-day Premium Trial". When this trial ends, Malwarebytes for Windows can be used to clean your computer if it is infected, but it no longer prevents malware or proactively stops ransomware and dangerous websites.
The download and install processes for Malwarebytes for Windows are straightforward and fast. Beginners and experienced users alike can perform it smoothly. Also, no user data is requested, which is excellent.
Integration with Windows, web browsers and universal Windows platform apps
Malwarebytes for Windows does not automatically disable Windows Defender, and it does not disable Windows Firewall either. We were expecting it to disable Windows Defender because the official website presents Malwarebytes for Windows as being a "next-generation antivirus replacement." However, it looks like this statement is at least deceiving. While scouring their forums and help documentation, we found out that Malwarebytes for Windows is designed to work well alongside other antivirus products, Windows Defender included.
When we test antivirus products like this one, we also check whether they disable Windows Firewall and replace it with a proprietary firewall module. Malwarebytes for Windows does not include a firewall module, so it has no reason for disabling the Windows Firewall. That also means that you should not expect to get better protection against attacks originating from your network because Malwarebytes for Windows cannot provide such protection.
The good side of not having a firewall module is that it is unlikely for you to have any problems in using the networking features from Windows. Creating or joining a Homegroup is easy, and so is sharing files or folders over the network. We also had no problems at all when running or updating universal Windows platform apps.
To protect you against dangerous websites, Malwarebytes for Windows scans and filters all the internet traffic that goes in and out of your computer. That means that you are safe in any web browser you like using and that is an excellent thing.
Moving further ahead, we wanted to see whether Malwarebytes for Windows has a meaningful negative effect on our test laptop's performance. We began by using BootRacer to measure the boot time of our computer before and after installing it. The numbers we got with Malwarebytes for Windows installed increased by 10 percent, which is a significant increase. We also looked at how much RAM it consumes. During normal circumstances, when nothing out of the ordinary is taking place, Malwarebytes for Windows uses about 227 MB of RAM which is a bit more than what other security products need but is still not a significant number by today's standards.
To check whether the internet or local network speeds are affected by Malwarebytes for Windows, we ran a few tests with Speedtest.net and with LAN Speed Test. The results showed no meaningful changes, so it looks like this security product does not hurt the internet or local network performance.
Malwarebytes for Windows is security software that is integrated well with Windows. It can function alongside other antivirus software without issues. This security product did not appear to slow down our test computer too much, although it did increase the boot time by 10%.
On the next page of this review, you can see how easy it is to use Malwarebytes for Windows and how effective it is at protecting your computer from malware and malicious websites. You can also check our recommendations for what settings you should consider adjusting.
