Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 5.6.1.257

Malwarebytes ❘ 21.8MB ❘ Commercial ❘
Windows
out of 177 votes ❘
Rank 4 among competitors

Latest Version
5.6.1.257 Safe to install

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Stay Safe from Malware with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware!

Peter Salakani

03/22/2026

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a powerful tool designed to protect your device from malware, viruses, and other online threats.

Malwarebytes Free Antivirus: Effective On-Demand Malware Scanning

Malwarebytes Free Antivirus is a widely trusted anti-malware tool focused on fast, accurate detection and removal of malware. The free edition excels as an on-demand scanner that cleans infections missed by conventional antivirus solutions, using signature and signature-less technologies to catch known and emerging threats.

Detection Engine and Threat Coverage

Malwarebytes combines heuristic analysis, behavior-based detection, and a constantly updated threat database to identify viruses, trojans, worms, ransomware, spyware, adware and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). Its layered detection approach improves chances of catching zero-day and obfuscated threats that evade traditional signature-only products.

How the Free Version Differs from Premium

On-demand scanning: Malwarebytes Free performs manual scans and removes detected threats but does not include continuous real-time protection.
Real-time protection reserved for Premium: Web protection, exploit mitigation, ransomware protection and automatic real-time blocking are part of Malwarebytes Premium and not available in the free edition.
Upgrade path: Users can upgrade to Premium for background protection, scheduled scans and priority support.

Performance and System Impact

Designed to run with a light footprint when scanning, Malwarebytes Free typically has low CPU and memory impact compared with full-featured AV suites. Scans are fast for targeted and quick scans, while deep system scans may take longer depending on disk size and active processes.

User Interface and Ease of Use

The interface is clean and intuitive, with simple controls for quick, full and custom scans, quarantine management and scan logs. Non-technical users can quickly run a scan and remove threats, while advanced users can access detailed logs and exclusions.

Update Frequency and Threat Intelligence

Malwarebytes maintains frequent signature and engine updates via its Threat Center and cloud intelligence. Automatic updates ensure the scanner stays current with newly discovered threats, and the Malwarebytes research team publishes insights on emerging malware trends.

Platform Support and Compatibility

Supports Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android and iOS clients (feature sets vary by platform and edition).
Compatible with many third-party antivirus solutions; designed to coexist with traditional AV products for layered security.

Quarantine, Logs and Recovery Tools

Detected items are moved to quarantine for safe review and restoration if needed. Detailed scan reports and history help troubleshoot persistent infections and verify removals. Some advanced remediation tools and automatic rollback options are included in paid tiers.

Privacy, Languages and Support

Privacy: Malwarebytes provides information on telemetry and data handling; configuration options and privacy details are available in product settings and online documentation.
Localization: The product and site offer multiple languages to serve global users.
Support: Free users have access to knowledgebase articles and community forums; Premium customers receive priority support and direct assistance.

Who Should Use Malwarebytes Free

Users who need a reliable, easy-to-use on-demand cleaner to remove infections missed by other antivirus programs.
Technicians and IT pros who use Malwarebytes as a second-opinion scanner alongside a primary antivirus.
Anyone looking for a lightweight, fast scanning tool without background protection—consider Premium if you want continuous real-time defense and advanced exploit and ransomware protection.

Overview

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a Commercial software in the category Security developed by Malwarebytes.

The users of our client application UpdateStar have checked Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for updates 2,733 times during the last month.

The latest version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is 5.6.1.257, released on 06/26/2026. It was initially added to our database on 10/29/2007. The most prevalent version is 5.5.7.255, which is used by 38% of all installations.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware runs on the following operating systems: Windows. The download file has a size of 21.8MB.

Users of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware gave it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Pros

User-friendly interface that is easy to navigate
Offers real-time protection against malware threats
Frequent updates to the malware definition database for enhanced security
Scans can be scheduled for automatic protection
Scan results provide detailed information on identified threats

Cons

Priced higher than some other antivirus software
The free version lacks real-time protection
May slow down older or low-spec devices during scans

FAQ

What is Malwarebytes Anti-Malware?

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a software program designed to detect and remove malware from a computer system.

What types of malware can Malwarebytes Anti-Malware detect?

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove a variety of malware, including viruses, Trojans, spyware, adware, and ransomware.

Is Malwarebytes Anti-Malware free?

There is a free version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, but it offers limited functionality. The premium version offers more comprehensive protection features.

Can Malwarebytes Anti-Malware work alongside other antivirus software?

Yes, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can be used in conjunction with other antivirus software for additional protection.

How often should I run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware?

We recommend running Malwarebytes Anti-Malware at least once a week to ensure your system stays protected from potential threats.

Can Malwarebytes Anti-Malware update automatically?

Yes, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can be configured to update automatically to ensure it has the latest threat definitions.

Does Malwarebytes Anti-Malware offer real-time protection?

Yes, the premium version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware offers real-time protection to prevent malware from infecting your system in the first place.

Can Malwarebytes Anti-Malware be used on both Windows and Mac computers?

Yes, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems.

What should I do if Malwarebytes Anti-Malware detects malware on my system?

You should follow the prompts provided by Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to remove any detected malware from your system. We also recommend running a full system scan to ensure all traces of the malware have been removed.

How do I get support for Malwarebytes Anti-Malware?

You can get support for Malwarebytes Anti-Malware by visiting their website and accessing their support resources, including a knowledge base, community forums, and email and phone support options.

Peter Salakani

I'm Peter, a software reviews author at UpdateStar and content specialist with a keen focus on usability and performance. With a background in both software development and content creation, I bring a unique perspective to evaluating and discussing general software topics. When I'm not reviewing software, I enjoy staying updated on the latest tech trends, experimenting with new applications, and finding innovative solutions to everyday tech challenges.

Latest Reviews by Peter Salakani

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2,733 users of UpdateStar had Malwarebytes Anti-Malware installed last month.

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