Using two antivirus suites has never been good advice.
With its latest version, things are a little different…
What Is Malwarebytes?
This was called version 3, and was greeted with mixed reviews.
One redesign later, the message became a little clearer with version 4 in 2019.
How Does Malwarebytes Compare to Microsoft Defender?
Microsoft Defender first appeared as a complete antivirus in Windows 8.
While it was good that everybody setting up their new computer had some protection, it received awful reviews.
Those original scores were hopeless, detecting only 70 percent of malware in many cases.
This graph shows just how big of an improvement has been made in the years since.
Its lowest score was 2, which was tested near the launch of version 4.
Microsoft Defender is a basic antivirus with the ability to stop malicious downloads and programs, and little else.
Learnthe major signs of a phishing scamandwhat ransomware isto know how to identify them and protect yourself.
Can You Use Malwarebytes With Another Antivirus?
Despite this, it does tell you how to use it with another antivirus if you wish to.
If you do, Microsoft Defender will be automatically enabled.
Navigate to Malwarebytes, click theSettingscog, go toSecurity, and uncheck theWindows Security Centersetting.
Microsoft Defender being built into Windows also lowers the risk of drivers conflicting.
Furthermore, Microsoft Defender scans every file downloaded, opened, edited, or moved.
Malwarebytes only scans files downloaded or opened.
This further supports the use of Malwarebytes and Microsoft Defender to supplement each other without issue.
Read aboutMicrosoft Defender periodic scanningto learn more.
Both Malwarebytes and Microsoft Defender Have a Purpose
It’s clear that both products offer great protection.
You should be fine using either, although the extra features Malwarebytes has may catch your eye.
