Qs on Running Windows Defender & Malwarebytes Premium

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[dmt_3904]

I am running MBAM Premium with Defender.  I just ended my subscription with ESET NOD32.  I have been reading online and am confident that it’s good protection.  But, as much as I am reading, I still don’t understand what I am getting from running both.  I know, you shouldn’t run two security suites due to conflicts – though these two seem to cooperate.  Malwarebytes is doing Realtime protection.

HowtoGeek says – Windows 10 automatically disables Windows Defender if you install another antivirus app. While another antivirus app is installed, Windows Defender won’t continue performing real-time scans, so it won’t interfere with your other app. You can still use Windows Defender to perform a manual—or offline—scan as a backup to your preferred antivirus app, though.

Is that it? What does running Defender with Malwarebytes buy me?  And I was going to do an offline scan (kept getting stupid COMPUTRACE alert on boot scan with EST but I had disabled Computrace and it could be false positive).

Also, I think I have everything set properly – Defender is showing no actions needed (some are greyed out due to MBAM).  I don’t have any exclusions, but seems to be ok – no performance issues.  I did not enable Automatic Sample Submission (trust issue), should I? This was set by default in MBAM, wondering what others have for this setting – Always register Malwarebytes in the Windows Action Center

• This topic was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by dmt_3904.
• This topic was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by dmt_3904.
• This topic was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by dmt_3904.
• This topic was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by Kirsty.

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Rest assured that the two play nice together, don’t get in each other’s way.  I’ve run this combination for a few years, now, without issue.  Your setup sounds OK.

I do enable Automatic Sample Submission and consider that to be useful telemetry, but that’s a personal choice.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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dmt_3904

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Hi thought of another question ; )  How do you have MBAM & WD configured?  WD is passive, MBAM – primary?

I checked this link, which discusses periodic scanning for WD:  https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2016/05/26/limited-periodic-scanning-in-windows-10-to-provide-additional-malware-protection/?source=mmpc

And then this says: Set Malwarebytes apply the best Windows Action Center settings based on your system (recommended) https://support.malwarebytes.com/docs/DOC-1149

These are the choices, is it best to configure the way MBAM suggests?
1. Let Malwarebytes apply the best Windows Action Center settings based on your system (recommended)  By default (and during install time), Malwarebytes is configured in compatibility mode. This setting configures Malwarebytes to co-exist with a present antivirus solution, and registers if no antivirus solution is present.

2.  Never register Malwarebytes in the Windows Action Center
This setting configures Malwarebytes to always run side by side with your third-party antivirus every time and not register with Windows Action Center at all.

3. Always register Malwarebytes in the Windows Action Center  Will register Malwarebytes as a security application in Windows Action Center regardless of the presence and state of installed third party antivirus program.

How do you have your settings configured?  I have MBAM as primary & WD passive (periodic scanning) want to ensure I am getting best protection.  thanks.

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I have been running Defender and MBAM Premium  on two machines for over 1 1/2 years. Defender is registered in Windows Security Center (obviously not MBAM). Everyone seems happy.  Malwarebytes “claims” that MBAM 4 is all ones needs.  Well it was released a month or so ago and I am waiting for the reviews before I turn off Defender.   I have exceptions on both products to prevent inference with the other.

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dmt_3904

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dmt_3904 wrote:

How do you have your settings configured?  I have MBAM as primary & WD passive (periodic scanning) want to ensure I am getting best protection.

I’ve got mine set for Malwarebytes to make the best choice which gives me Defender as primary and Malwarebytes as secondary. I’ve been running this way for years w/o problems or infections. YMMV

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
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wavy, dmt_3904

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well I had updated MBAM to 4.0 – now the choices have changed – it only lets you select “always register MBAM in the Windows Security Center” – which I am NOT happy with.  MBAM help says this  – Windows Security Center
Malwarebytes Premium and Malwarebytes Trial versions register as a security solution on your Windows device by default. If kept enabled, your Windows operating system recognizes Malwarebytes as your security solution. If you run any other anti-virus software, you may need to register that program with Windows Security Center separately.

I don’t know how to register Defender. Now I have to go find out how to configure that!

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I found instructions below on MBAM forum in response to someone. I set MBAM registration to ‘OFF’. Defender is on. MBAM real-time protection settings are on. I’ll see how it goes.

You indicate the pc has Malwarebytes Version 4. The choice as to whether to register with Windows Action Center ( Security Center ) is either OFF or ON. Since it appears this is on a Windows 10 system, it has Windows Defender. There is no need to register Malwarebytes into the Windows Security Center. Set that to OFF. Start Malwarebytes > click the settings icon at top > click on the tab Security > Scroll down to Windows Security Center. Set the slider to the left. It will show white color ( OFF condition). This setting does not diminish any protections in Malwarebytes. And the Windows Defender will still be the resident antivirus.

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DMT,

Set Malwarebytes: Always register Malwarebytes….  to OFF.

Reboot

Windows->Settings->Virus & threat protection to turn Windows Defender back on.

You’re now using both Defender and Malwarebytes.

HTH

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Fred

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thanks! I had just found those instructions online. Now I think I’ve got it : )

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You can use both – Windows won’t particularly like it, but it will deal with it and I’ve been running both for years.  I use the premium version of MB, and it’s my main source of anti-malware protection because on Win 7 and anything prior to Win 10, it has rarely if ever done any good.  It’s worthless, but Windows demands that it be activated. I understand that it’s effective on Win 10, not so on 7.  As my HP PC just died (only 3 years old, too!) I’m shifting to either MacBook or Chromebook. Two male friends both say Mac, but I’m not sure about everything migrating to Mac, like my Ancestry program which would require replaceing, etc. I understand there are some really nice Chromebook models out there now that also don’t require antimalware programs.

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[dmt_3904]

I’ve been using Malwarebytes premium with defender for a couple weeks now and think I have configured it correctly. Defender is primary a/v.   Just upgraded to 1903 today, yeah!!!!! I am on win10 pro & haven’t had any issues with defender but I have had a long history of problems with  Microsoft software and/or Dell hardware.  I have spent way too much time struggling, stressing and worrying about this stuff – tying to make it work when it breaks, which is often!  When we had a business,  I totally relied on my laptop to run the business.  So it was very stressful when  things didn’t work.

I seriously considered moving to Mac. I think it’s fairly stable and secure.   It would also integrate with my iPhone and iPad.   The biggest thing stopping me was Quickbooks (Plus the cost/pain of migrating) but now it doesn’t matter bc we sold our business.  I did a lot of research and yes, you have to ensure everything you need will work on Mac.  I would recommend, if you use MS office, to get o365.  I have used office for a long time and recently had the opportunity to use the Apple suite (pages,numbers).  Granted I am not as familiar with those as I am with Office but I found them to be lacking the function o365 suite has, especially numbers, when it comes to the functionality in excel.  I am not familiar with chromebook but I think Mac is a good option.

I have decided to try to abandon my Dell/windows machine in favor of using my iPad (I will have to switch over to the non-Windows forum ). Tablets  are getting better at replacing laptops.  I don’t want to spend anymore time messing around with windows or Dell. I know iOS has its own issues but they seem less severe and problematic than MS. We’ll see.  I’m currently in the process of figuring out what I need to do.  Donna

• This reply was modified 5 years, 5 months ago by dmt_3904.

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