The free edition of this software allows you to scan your system for virus, malware, and other harmful things against their database of known threats. It is available in a free version, which scans for and removes malware when started manually, and a paid version, which additionally provides scheduled scans, real-time protection and a flash memory scanner.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware finds malware including rogue security software, adware, and spyware.
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Although the best PC service technicians still remove individual threats manually, for the novice user software such as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is beneficial. Many low to moderately skilled PC service technicians also use such tools to make their job easier. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a practical approach to saving time scanning for known threats, as well as a nice way to double-check even after manual removal of threats has already occurred.
The free version is technically adware since it displays advertisements to encourage users to upgrade to the paid version. Since the advertisements are for the full version only, the advertisements are trivial. There are benefits to paying for the upgrade, including real time protection.
As of 2014 Malwarebytes Anti-Malware remains a safe and useful software to use. Always keep the threat database manually updated and remember to run manual scans on a regular basis if you continue to use the free version.