Hi:
A wee bit of clarification to the OP's original questions.
One must bear in mind that much of what I'm about to say applies ONLY to the current, release version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM).
A lot of this will change when the new BETA product -- simply called "Malwarebytes 3" -- is released.
Hi,
Have a few questions:
1. After installing MBAM Pro, does one still get a alert message from action center?
The current paid version of MBAM (MBAM Premium -- it was renamed from MBAM Pro in 2014) is NOT an anti-virus or a replacement for an anti-virus. It does not report to the Windows Action Center as such.
So, even with the (current version) of MBAM Premium, one still needs a robust, real-time AV (either free or paid). That is why the Windows Action Center reports that there is no antivirus on the system, unless one has a real AV installed.
See here:
Does Malwarebytes Anti-Malware replace antivirus software
MBAM FREE provides NO real-time protection. It is only a manual, on-demand scanner to help remove infections that already made it past your AV onto the system.
Only MBAM Premium can help to PREVENT infection.
So, to
AddRAM's suggestion that only MSE + MBAM Free is sufficient, I would respectfully disagree.
The only realtime protection in that combo is MSE -- it's probably as good as any other free AV, but it's not rated very highly. The choice, however, is up to each user.
2. Should Anti exploit be purchased too, is it a effective combo with MBAM Pro?
Thanks.
There is no longer any need to purchase MBAE separately.
I would not pay for MBAE now, if I were you.
First, MBAE Free protects most popular browsers & plug-ins, the means by which most exploits are spread. MBAE Premium can also be configured to add custom shields for any other internet-facing application.
However, there was (and may still be) a promotion offering the MBAE Premium for no cost when purchasing an MBAM Premium license.
That seems to be a marketing ploy, because the MBAE technology has already been added to the new, does-it-all version of Malwarebytes 3.0 (along with another product, Anti-Ransomware Beta).
If company promises hold, any valid, legit license for MBAM 2.0 will automatically be honored for MB3, which will also include MBAE technology (and anti-ransomware technology).
NOTE: MUCH of what I just said will change when MB3 is released to the public.
It is being simultaneously marketed BOTH as an "AV replacement" (whatever that means, as they seem to be avoiding calling it either an "antivirus" or a "security suite") AND as a comprehensive anti-malware, anti-exploit, anti-ransomware, website-blocking product that can
still be run alongside a 3rd-party AV.
Thus far, clear, public explanations to resolve this contradiction have been lacking.
Announcing Beta of Malwarebytes 3.0, a Next-Generation Antivirus Replacement - Malwarebytes 3.0 Beta - Malwarebytes Forums
It's hard to understand how it can be both. There have already been several, new reports of "compatibility" issues of various components (especially MBAE) with several of the major 3rd-party AVs (and even MSE). If it's being marketed as (and perceived as and maybe even working as) a real AV, then it seems likely that the other AV vendors will eventually revert to treating the new version 3 as an incompatible competitor, not as a complementary malware protection tool.
As such, time will tell if the claims will hold up about being both an "AV replacement" and a robust tool to run with an AV.
And this "one-tool-to-do-it-all" approach was replaced long ago by recommendations for a layered approach to security. Trusting ONE security application to provide complete security flies in the face of that strategy.
So, bottom line:
- With the current version of MBAM Premium, you still need an AV.
- It remains to be seen if the marketing claim of running MB3 alone as a single security product will be substantiated by AV comparatives and real-world testing and use.
- If customers trust the claims, then they may choose to run only MB3, instead of a full AV + AM.
- The very fact that company declines to name the version 3 as "anti-virus" or "security suite" or "internet security" suggests to the outside observer that there may be less to the "AV replacement" claim than they want customers to believe.
- Now is a good time to buy MBAM Premium -- the current price of $25 per PC will jump to $40 when MB3 is released
- The justification for the hike is the inclusion of what are now 2, free products: MBAE and MBARW-beta
- MBAE Free is sufficient for most users for now.
- You can probably locate the current promo for MBAE Premium as a "free" add-on when you buy a new MBAM Premium license, as long as the offer holds.
- Otherwise, unless the company backtracks on current assurances, you will get MBAE when you upgrade your MBAM Premium version 2 to MB3 -- it will be included with MB3 Premium.
It's up in the air whether the current BETA of MB3 will live up to all of the seemingly conflicting company hype, and how the other security software vendors will treat MB3.
It seems likely that many longtime loyal customers of MBAM Premium who prefer to remain with their current AV will have to choose between them or move to another anti-malware solution.
It will be up to each user to decide what's best.
Cheers,
MM
P.S. Sorry about the formatting -- forum editor is misbehaving.
