Latest Version of Malwarebytes

Well this is discouraging, especially after using Malwarebytes Pro/Premium for many years. Windows 7 laptop (fully updated) froze about ten minutes into the installation of 3.0.5. When I checked the registry I found about 20 new Malwarebytes entries. Rather than edit the registry to clean things up I just used a system image and went back to 2.2.1.1043. Everything is working fine.

Tried installing 3.0.5 on my Windows 10 v1607. The install apparently worked but Malwarebytes did something to their coding and it's much more aggressive in removing what THEY consider to be PUPs.

Several years ago, I blogged that we would be increasing how aggressive we would be in detecting Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) and our fantastic malware intelligence and research teams have delivered on that promise. Last year, we removed approximately 500 million traces of PUPs per month!

In response, a lot of the PUP developers are making efforts to circumvent our criteria and continue distributing their damaging software to users. This is why we are getting even more critical about what we call a PUP, and what we are going to be detecting and removing from user systems.

Source: Malwarebytes gets tougher on PUPs | Malwarebytes Labs

Malwarebyes also decided to change their criteria on what constitutes a PUP.

Here are some of the criteria we use:

• obtrusive, misleading, or deceptive advertising, branding, or search practices
• excessive or deceptive distribution, affiliate or opt-out bundling practices
• aggressive or deceptive behavior especially surrounding purchasing or licensing
• unwarranted, unnecessary, excessive, illegitimate, or deceptive modifications of system settings or configuration (including browser settings and toolbars)
• difficulty uninstalling or removing the software
• predominantly negative feedback or ratings from the user community
• diminishes user experience
• other practices generally accepted as riskware, scareware, adware, greyware, or otherwise commonly unwanted software by the user community

Source: Malwarebytes | PUP Reconsideration Information & Request Form

I have to ask, who made Malwarebytes king. Especially since it now flags and removed my ESET Online Scanner, SUPERAntispyware, and Sophos Virus Removal Tool; all of which have worked flawlessly side by side with 2.2.1.1023 as additional on-demand scanners. Once again a system image saved the day.

It's almost as though Malwarebytes is trying to be king of the hill. If any competitor tries to plant their own flag next to Malwarebyes, MB will just destroy the flag and push the participants off the hill. Not cool IMHO.