Free security software should make you a little suspicious. After all, fake anti-malware apps are one of the most common malware disguises out there. So is Malwarebytes safe to use?
Rest assured: Malwarebytes is highly rated by trusted outlets like PC Mag and CNET, with a 4.2 rating on Trustpilot, and is safe to download and install, provided you follow official download links.
But just because Malwarebytes is legitimate doesn’t mean it’s all you need to keep malware at bay. In its free form, Malwarebytes is a scanner, not a shield. And a scan only protects you from what’s already on your device, not whatever comes next.
Keep reading to find out what Malwarebytes is, what the free version doesn’t help with, and the best practices you should follow to keep your device protected in ways Malwarebytes can’t.
What is Malwarebytes?
Malwarebytes is cybersecurity software designed to detect, block, and remove malicious threats from Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
Most people looking for a quick malware(nové okno) removal tool will only ever use the free version of Malwarebytes, which is far more limited than the paid tiers.
| Plan | Entry-level price | Devices covered | Key Features |
| Free | $0 | 1 | On-demand scan and removal, browser/web protection, ad and tracking blocker, data breach notifications |
| Standard | $44.99/yr | 1 | Same as Free, plus advanced, real-time antivirus protection, personalized security assessments, Browser Guard (in-browser scam and web protection, ad and tracking blocker, data breach notifications) |
| Plus | $79.98/yr | 3 | Same as Standard, plus Privacy VPN |
| Total | $89.99/yr | 3 | Same as Plus, plus Identity Protection ($1 million identity insurance, identity recovery specialists, advanced social media monitoring) |
Is Malwarebytes safe? Why a scan isn’t the same as malware protection
As with any cybersecurity tool, there are limits to what Malwarebytes can and can’t do. Here’s a clear explanation of exactly what it can do for your device.
What a malware scan does (and what it doesn’t catch)
The free version of Malwarebytes is essentially a scan-on-demand tool with a handful of protective tools bundled in. It’s effective at checking the files already on your device, identifying malware(nové okno) and viruses, and removing them.
However, this is only retrospective protection: any malware that was on your device before the scan could already have done damage: ransomware could have encrypted your files to be held hostage, or spyware could have harvested your data and sold it to data brokers.
What antivirus protection does (but can’t account for)
Instead of waiting for you to run a scan, full antivirus protection continuously monitors and blocks threats in real time. It catches most malware as it tries to install or run — before it has the chance to do damage.
This is a stronger layer of defense, which is why Malwarebytes charges you for it. The good news is you don’t have to pay for real-time protection, since you probably already have a real-time layer running on your device.
- Microsoft devices: Microsoft Defender and its firewall are built into Windows
- Apple devices: XProtect is built into macOS
- Android devices (with Google Play services): Google Play Protect is baked into every Android device and switched on by default
But whether free or paid for, real-time protection doesn’t guarantee against malware infection, because no antivirus tool catches everything. There are two reasons for this:
- New threats are always emerging: Before services like Malwarebytes can detect them, they’re able to slip past the defenses of even the most sophisticated tools
- Human error: If you download a malicious app from a sketchy site, or accidentally grant permission to an untrustworthy service or app, your antivirus won’t always save you
To be fully protected, you need to back up your antivirus protection and malware scans with smarter behavior. Use our guides to check if your phone has a virus and find out more about Android vs iOS security.
Five free habits that close the security gaps left by Malwarebytes
Here are five simple rules to follow that will provide an extra layer of protection no antivirus app can.
1. Keep your OS and apps up to date
Updates patch known vulnerabilities in operating systems(nové okno) and apps. Neglecting to update can present cybercriminals with a backdoor into your device that they already have the key to.
Turn on automatic updates for your OS and apps, right now. That way you don’t have to rely on remembering.
2. Do your due diligence before you install
On desktop, only download apps from the developer’s own official site, never a third-party download aggregator.
On mobile, only install apps from official stores. But be careful: there’s an abundance of disguised malware on both the Play Store and App Store. If you’re unsure, check the developer’s name in the app store to see what else they’ve published and find their personal website.
For a guide to protecting yourself against malicious apps on official stores, read our article on avoiding malware on Play Store. (Most of the advice applies to the Apple App Store, too.)
3. Use strong passwords (and don’t reuse them across accounts)
Most of us have a bad habit of using passwords that are easy to remember: short, predictable, and easy for cybercriminals to crack.
That habit’s even more damaging if you’re using that same, weak password across multiple accounts. One password is exposed, and every account that shares that password is compromised.
To avoid falling into these traps, you need a password manager to generate unique, strong credentials for every one of your accounts.
4. Use email aliases
Your inbox is a valuable target for cybercriminals, full of the personal information they need to build a clearer picture of you in order to scam you.
An email alias gives you a unique, disposable email address to use for each service, with all mail feeding into a single, “real” email address. As well as helping to get rid of spam email, aliases help hide your real inbox from cybercriminals when companies get breached.
5. Use a VPN
When you use unencrypted public networks, anyone else on that network can see what websites you’re visiting. They might not be able to see what you’re doing on a banking website, but they’ll be able to find out which bank you use.
Using a virtual private network (VPN)(nové okno) protects your privacy by encrypting your connection, so anyone else on the network who tries to look at your traffic sees only a scrambled, unexploitable mess.
Prevention starts with a secure VPN and password manager
When your device is already infected with malware, a Malwarebytes scan provides a handy cure. Ideally, though, you want to prevent malware getting on there in the first place.
Malwarebytes cleans up what’s already there. Proton VPN and Proton Pass make sure there’s less to clean up. Here’s how.
Proton VPN
Malwarebytes has its own VPN: Privacy VPN. It has some downsides:
- It can only be used with a $79.98/yr subscription to Malwarebytes Plus
- Malwarebytes operates under US jurisdiction, which makes it subject to the CLOUD Act, meaning your data can be disclosed under compulsion
- It’s only passed one independent audit, in 2026, which flagged a critical vulnerability(nové okno)
The Independent Swiss VPN(nové okno), Proton VPN, by contrast:
- Is free to use
- Is under Swiss jurisdiction, not subject to any mandatory data retention laws
- Has passed five consecutive annual independent audits(nové okno)
Discover Proton VPN(nové okno)
Proton Pass
If malware or a data breach does compromise one of your accounts, our end-to-end encrypted password manager Proton Pass can contain the damage.
Proton Pass makes it easy to create, store, and use strong credentials. It lets you:
- Generate strong passwords for every account
- Autofill credentials across sites and apps, so you only need to remember one password
- Use up to 10 email aliases (with the free version), and unlimited aliases with Pass Plus
Your vault is kept private by zero-knowledge encryption: not even Proton can access your credentials.
Ultimately, Malwarebytes is a helpful tool that can help you secure a compromised device. But staying safe online requires a more proactive strategy, which Proton’s easy-to-use tools can help anyone create.
