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What about using Malwarebytes on iMac

Choctaw

Choctaw

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 8, 2008
324
12
Over the years I have noted even the mention of malicious adware on a Mac brings up those stanch believers that there is NO way Mac's can be affected. While using my Apple Care membership yesterday it was suggested that Apple now recommends the use of the MalwareBytes/Adwaremedic program to detect and prevent what they perceive to be an ever increasing occurrence of threats to the Apple software community. What is your thoughts on downloading this product? I am not trying to start a war about how safe our OS is, but giving a comment coming from Apple Care and one of their representatives.
 
I use Malwarebytes at home. The OSX version does not include active monitoring, so I don't see how it can do damage to the system files as some of the more religious Mac users will claim there is a risk of. I have used various Macs over the years, most without protection. I have never encountered malware. Not once. This is purely anecdotal, though. Chances are very low for any OSX machine to be infected with malware. There isn't a big enough pay-off to target these machines. This might change over time, however. Safe searching is your best protection.
 
AdwareMedic ( for OS X ) is a tool I've safely used for years. The author, Thomas Reed, sold it and his programming skills to the company making the PC MalwareBytes product. Now AdwareMedic has been renamed MalwareBytes for Mac but is essentially the same product with some upgrades. As Bent Christian mentions, there was( don't know about the new version ) NO active prevention and only scanned and reported. You can read the official details here: http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php
 
THIS is the version I am talking about.

Malwarebytes is really quick, too. When I first began using the software, I wondered how effective it would be. Malwarebytes completes a full system scan in a matter of seconds (no joke).
 
Thanks to bent christian, & briloronmacrumo for your quick intelligent reply. None of that in your face, blah, blah, about OS being void of any dangers. I will get the Malwarebytes for my Mac, I have used it for many years on the PC's our network has, but in reality, doing a scan with it has never found or fixed anything on those Windows systems. I use the free one. I have been told that there can be a conflict between the Norton security software my Comcast IP provides and Malwarebytes. Never know who to count on in this ever changing IT world. Mac Rumors has always been a helping hand for me since I added my iMac to my system.

For sure there are some programers out there who would love to destroy any OS just for the buzz it would produce to their deranged mentality.
[doublepost=1454350139][/doublepost]Another link I received from Apple Care where (if a user understands it all) they gave several things to research as to removing any unwanted popup adds or addware etc. Hope the link works. I did not understand it well. But if it helps anyone it might be of use.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203987
 
Just to clarify - MalwareBytes for Mac is not a preventative. It doesn't actively scan, you must run it.

Be careful of what you download, and you may never need to run it a second time.
 
If you start getting random unrelated Tabs/Windows opening in Safari when clicking on genuine links, then you need to run it. If you're not getting random unrelated Tabs/Windows opening in Safari when clicking on genuine links, then you probably don't need to run it.

Downloading stuff from Softronic and, I believe, MacUpdate these days, often includes malware, which is how I got the above problem. AdwareMedic/Malwarebytes cured it.
 
ApfelKuchen said:
Just to clarify - MalwareBytes for Mac is not a preventative. It doesn't actively scan, you must run it.

Be careful of what you download, and you may never need to run it a second time.
Click to expand...

Whats this be careful what you download, you may never need to run it a second time..........it's your statement, but what's the implied meaning? I can't read into it any wakeup call.
 
The stuff that MalwareBytes deals with comes from downloading. Adware is commonly installed as a bogus browser plug-in or extension. "To view content on this site you have to install XXXX. Click here." Sometimes it's legit, but even if it's a brand-name like Adobe Flash, go directly to Adobe.com for the download, don't trust that popup (and in the case of Flash and Java, there are usually System Preferences panes for them, where you can check for legitimate updates). Adware also hitches a ride on downloads of other apps (you think you're just downloading a particular app, but you wind up getting several useless programs and an adware infection - blame whoever offered the download - they're getting a cut of the ad revenue from the adware infections).
 
ApfelKuchen said:
The stuff that MalwareBytes deals with comes from downloading. Adware is commonly installed as a bogus browser plug-in or extension. "To view content on this site you have to install XXXX. Click here." Sometimes it's legit, but even if it's a brand-name like Adobe Flash, go directly to Adobe.com for the download, don't trust that popup (and in the case of Flash and Java, there are usually System Preferences panes for them, where you can check for legitimate updates). Adware also hitches a ride on downloads of other apps (you think you're just downloading a particular app, but you wind up getting several useless programs and an adware infection - blame whoever offered the download - they're getting a cut of the ad revenue from the adware infections).
Click to expand...

Thanks Apfelkuchen......I misunderstand that you meant downloading MalwareBytes itself might bring unwanted adware, I have heard of people thinking they were at the MalwawareBytes site, and in reality were at a bogus one, that installed unwanted adware.
 
Choctaw said:
Thanks Apfelkuchen......I misunderstand that you meant downloading MalwareBytes itself might bring unwanted adware, I have heard of people thinking they were at the MalwawareBytes site, and in reality were at a bogus one, that installed unwanted adware.
Click to expand...

Downloads from Malwarebytes.org have been just fine. As you noted, some people with existing adware infections can be redirected to other, far less benevolent sites. "Have adware? Here, have some more!"
 
ApfelKuchen said:
Downloads from Malwarebytes.org have been just fine. As you noted, some people with existing adware infections can be redirected to other, far less benevolent sites. "Have adware? Here, have some more!"
Click to expand...

I just noticed your reference to Malwarebytes.org. I had just downloaded (but not opened the .dmg) from Malwarebytes.com [insert heart palpitation coupled with faint nausea feeling LoL].
Opened new browser -typed malwarebytes.org -pressed Enter ...was immediately taken to their site ".com" so my download was safe -I had got the link from a thread on this site.
Thanks xoxo :)

I just went to the site again to download. It's for Windows. Chatted with their rep. was given this link for mac. https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac/
 
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I used to use Symantec endpoint protection and switched to McAfee because my organization switched their employee coverage. Active coverage with constant updates is way better than static updates. I worry less, because now all I really have to worry about is zero day.

I get warnings from web pages for malware and viruses.
 
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