whatmeworry?

Thanks for letting me know.

Thanks VERY much, Porthos! I did what you said, and Malwarebytes is now at 4.6.13.324, and the other two numbers are also updated. I'm very pleased. I guess my only question is whether this is the only way to keep the MB files updated without running the risk of installing version 5. Of course, I realize that eventually I will want to update to version 5, but I'd rather see a few more things settled before I do that.

I have been using Malwarebytes for more than 15 years. Like many other folks here, I am happy with version 4 and am not ready to update to version 5. I have MB set NOT to automatically download and install updates, but to notify me when updates are available. However, I've found that I'm not "notified" unless I click on "Check for Updates," but that doesn't NOTIFY me, it automatically downloads and installs whatever update is available. Hence, I have not clicked on "Check for Updates" since version 5 was available several months ago. I somehow was under the impression that the update package version and the component package version are occasionally updated. I now think that I'm mistaken, that nothing has been updated since I last clicked on Check for Updates several months ago. My MB version is still 4.6.9314, the package version is 1.0.84589, and the component version is 1.0.2276. If these are all out of date, how do I get the more recent updates for version 4 without risking version 5 being installed?

Great! Again, thanks VERY much!!

Thanks very much, Porthos, for your very prompt and helpful reply. I've now turned off the setting you highlighted. Is that all I need to do? When I looked at Security Providers, it said MB Antivirus is turned on, and Windows Firewall is turned on, but it claimed that Web Protection has no providers. ???

I just updated MB. As always, I got a popup telling me that both MB and Windows Defender were off. I have always been under the impression that once the MB update finishes, both it and Windows Defender will be on. However, apparently Windows Defender is not on, and I can't get it to turn on. All I can do is have it run an occasional scan, which I don't think is what I want. How can I have both MB and WD protecting my system?

Terrific! I can confirm that my latest scan did not detect them. Thanks VERY much!

Thanks for your response. I've now zipped the setup file and have attached it here. LAUNCHBARCOMMANDERSETUP1_154_02.zip

I have used a program called LaunchBarCommander for many years. Its most recent set-up file has been on my computer for three years, and Malwarebytes has never flagged it until today. My guess is that it is a false positive. It is an .exe file, so apparently I can't just attach it to this message. A second file, tempstore.zip, was also flagged today (though it too has been on my computer for years), probably because it includes the LaunchBarCommander set-up file. However, since .zip files are accepted, I have attached it here. If you want me to send you the .exe file separately, please let me know how to do this. tempstore.zip

Thanks very much, AdvancedSetup, for your advice. But as you say, it's my call, and I'm sorely tempted to leave well enough alone. Again, many thanks.

Thanks very much for your prompt reply. I want to continue to use the version of Java that Pimlical uses. I'm still somewhat mystified about why I should implement this "fix." My computer is working well, I have no complaints. I'm reluctant to wipe out my cookies and many file caches when the computer seems to be working fine.

Hi AdvancedSetup, Thank you for your advice. However, I do not want to uninstall either of the programs you mentioned. I definitely do not want to uninstall Java, since I need it for Pimlical, the calendar I have used for years on my computer, my tablet, and my phone. As for CCleaner, I know that some parts of it can cause problems, but I use it only occasionally to clear out files I no longer need or want. I have never had a problem with it. It may be that if I do not uninstall these programs, I won't be able to follow your other instructions, I'm not sure. Even if that's not the case, I don't want to proceed until I understand what the problems are that you are trying to help me cure. I haven't had any complaint except for the "Unable to connect the service," which has now been cured.

Porthos, while I'm waiting for AdvancedSetup to get back to me, I thought I'd mention that after uninstalling and reinstalling MB, I did a scan without searching for rootkits. It took 48 minutes, noticeably less than I'd been experiencing in the last few months. So later the same day, I did another scan, this time with searching for rootkits implemented. The scan took an hour and 2 minutes. It also scanned almost 2300 more files (that was the number it almost always scanned). So today I ran a scan without rootkits, and this time it took only 43 minutes, again with about 2300 fewer files scanned. 43 minutes is considerably less time than I'd seen in months. So I've decided to do as you suggested and NOT have MB routinely scan for rootkits. Again, MANY thanks!

Hi AdvancedSetup, I've attached the logfiles you asked for. I'll be interested to know what you find. mbst-grab-results.zip

Well, I've now used the MB support tool to uninstall and reinstall MB. At first, I was told that the program still couldn't connect the Service. I even took a screenshot and copied it below. But then suddenly MB popped up on my screen, and the "Malwarebytes is up to date" message appeared. Huh? But it does seem to be working again. I guess I now have to configure MB, since the version on my screen is MB Free 4.5.6, whereas I have a lifetime premium subscription. I am worried that NONE of the settings I had will be present, including which programs and files to whitelist. Oh well.... I'm MUCH relieved that the program is now working! MANY MANY THANKS, Porthos, for all your help and your patience!

The scans are manual, so that I can run them when it's convenient for me. And you're right, the drive is definitely not an SSD. 😉

Two more things: I just took a look at Task Manager, and I see that pia-service.exe is listed. I'm not sure whether that means that the PIA-VPN itself is on or just this file, but I thought I should mention it. I haven't used the VPN in a while. Also, in about 45 minutes, I have to use my computer for a meeting. I think I should probably wait until the meeting is over before going through the uninstall/reinstall/clean process. I wouldn't want to interrupt it.

Before I do what you've said, I want to reply to part of your message. I know that people are often told not to have MB check for rootkits. However, several times I have watched MB as it goes through its checklist, and checking for rootkits takes it less than a minute, often only 30 or so seconds. Saving a minute or two is not what I'm concerned about. My daily scans, which are only threat scans, never full scans, have been taking me between 55 minutes (on a good day) to a little over an hour. They used to take MUCH less than that. I realize that I have an old computer, but still.... Anyway, that's why I don't see the point of objuecting to MB spending a minute checking for rootkits.

I should add that I run scans every day, and although they take much longer than I'd like, they always tell me there's no problem. As far as I know, the only thing that was different today is that I checked for updates and an update was installed. I'm therefore inclined to think that something about the update may have caused the problem.

No, Porthos, as far as I know, the VPN hasn't been on in a while.

Thanks very much, Porthos. I've now run the support tool and have attached the file it provided. mbst-grab-results.zip

I started my computer this morning and, stupidly, checked for updates. An update was installed. I was told to restart the computer, but when I did, MB provided a message saying "Unable to connect the Service." Sigh. I shut down the computer and rebooted. Same story. I decided that I'd probably need to use MB's support tool, so I tried to find where to download it. I first did a search here, and then at the MB site. For some reason, I couldn't find it. So...what should I do now? If I get the automated message, which includes saying to use the support tool, I won't be able to do so unless I can find where to download it. Thanks in advance for your help.

Thanks very much, AdvancedSetup, but I don't think that will be necessary. You and Porthos have helped me better understand the updates issue and how to get rid of the "you're not protexted" warning that greeted me each time I turned on MB. I don't really have any other issues at the moment. It's good to know that if and when I do, I can turn to MB for help.

Oh. If that's the case, then there's no contradiction between the two statements. Thanks for explaining this. And thanks very much for helping me see how to get rid of the "you're not protected" warning!

Many thanks, Advanced Setting and Porthos, for your continued attempts to help. Porthos, I've now clicked on the X, and I'm now told I'm fully protected. However, I'm also told that "Auto updates for Windows are turned on." That's not what I want. That makes me the canary in the coal mine, vulnerable to any glitch that a new update may bring. Why doesn't MB work the way most other software does and simply notify me without automatically installing the update? Advanced Setting, you've said that notifications can take weeks to arrive. That may make sense for major new versions, but not for the updates that seem to be made every few days or so. I'm obviously still confused. Having followed Porthos' advice, I'm now told "Auto updates for Windows are turned on." But when I go into Settings/General and look at Application Updates, I see that "Automatically download and install updates is still UNSELECTED. These two seem to contradict each other. How can they be compatible? I'm most grateful for your continued help and patience!