Is It Possible to Update Definitions in the Free Version

[daveKol]

I've been using the free version of this software for a few months and today checked the date on the definitions file and noticed it was the same day I'd installed the software. Does the free version work only once and then one must download it again each time one wants to scan the computer?

 

I've tried to search for the answer but haven't had any success. If the free version never auto updates I bet there are a lot of folks out there who think it does and who are probably getting infected because they, like me, assume updates were automatic and there is nowhere this information is posted. Shouldn't people be warned that this is a one time check?

[BNI]

The free version can be updated provided you are an Administrator on the pc. If this is a networked pc in an office, the IT department would take care of that. As a Standard User, updates for most software are only available to an Administrator on the pc or in the network. If you have an Administrator login, it should update with no trouble.

[daledoc1]

Hi and , daveKol:
 

I've been using the free version of this software for a few months and today checked the date on the definitions file and noticed it was the same day I'd installed the software. Does the free version work only once and then one must download it again each time one wants to scan the computer?

The Free version of MBAM is just a manual, on-demand scanner.
It must be manually updated to the current database each time before the scan is run.
Please refer to the features here: http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/
That is the standard behavior for such free, on-demand scanners.
 
In order to update, please click on your desktop shortcut icon to open the GUI (click YES if you get the UAC window in Vista/7/8).
Then click the Updates tab.
Then click the Check for Updates button.
Then click the Scanner tab, select the type of scan you want to run (QUICK scan is all that's routinely needed), then click Scan.
There is additional help in this video: How to Update Malwarebytes
 

I've tried to search for the answer but haven't had any success. If the free version never auto updates I bet there are a lot of folks out there who think it does and who are probably getting infected because they, like me, assume updates were automatic and there is nowhere this information is posted. Shouldn't people be warned that this is a one time check?

No, updates for any such manual, on-demand scanner (MBAM and others like it) are NOT automatic.
In order to be able to schedule automated tasks, such as updates and scans, and to obtain incremental database updates and to have the real-time, active protection alongside your anti-virus, one would need to purchase the PRO version: http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_pro/
What's the difference between the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free and PRO versions?
 
Currently, consumer licenses for use on personal home computers are a one-time, "lifetime" purchase with no renewal.
Each license can be used on only one computer at a time, but is transferable, if you buy a new computer.
There are discounts for multiple licenses purchased at the same transaction.
 

The free version can be updated provided you are an Administrator on the pc. If this is a networked pc in an office, the IT department would take care of that. As a Standard User, updates for most software are only available to an Administrator on the pc or in the network. If you have an Administrator login, it should update with no trouble.

 

Actually, BNI, the consumer version cannot be used legally on an office or work PC.

That would be a violation of the EULA.

Use of MBAM on business/enterprise/office computers requires business licensing.

 

However, it is true that one must have Administrator privileges to update MBAM.

More information here: I'm trying to update but the 'Check for Updates' button is grayed out or unable to be clicked, why?

 

Hope this helps,

 

daledoc1

[daveKol]

The free version can be updated provided you are an Administrator on the pc. If this is a networked pc in an office, the IT department would take care of that. As a Standard User, updates for most software are only available to an Administrator on the pc or in the network. If you have an Administrator login, it should update with no trouble.

That means one must run the PC as an Admin which is probably more dangerous than NOT running Anti Malware. I always run as a standard user. My main point is that there are probably thousands of people using the "FREE" version who don't realize their signature files are never being updated. I see it recommended on Security forums but don't recall ever seeing a warning about this. My Update tab is all greyed out.

[daveKol]

Hi and , daveKol:

 

Thank you for the welcome.

 

In order to update, please click on your desktop shortcut icon to open the GUI (click YES if you get the UAC window in Vista/7/8).

Then click the Updates tab.

Then click the Check for Updates button.

 

I do this and Check for Updates button is always greyed out. Does not respond. Is this intentional or is it the way my other PC security settings are set? With most other software installations Win 7 asks me if I wish to run as an Admin and then prompts me for the Admin password. No so trying to check for MBAM definition updates.

 

OK. I'd be willing to bet that 90 % of the people running the "FREE" version do NOT have their signatures up to date and are ignorant of that fact. Perhaps a lot more copies of the software could be sold at a more reasonable price if potential customers DID realize this. Right now it's as if they were playing some video game with a shield that doesn't work against a lot of things.

[Firefox]

You can still update your Malwarebytes under a limited account, simply by right clicking on the MBAM shortcut and selecting Run As Administrator. Then the update button will not be greyed out.

As far as betting that 90% of people running the "FREE" version do not have their signatures up to date....

Well lets see, if they don't open the FREE version of the program, then it will not get updated. (Only the PRO version updates automatically). As for them being ignorant of the fact, well once they open an outdated version of the FREE MBAM, they will be notified that the signatures are out of date, so they can update.

The price of Malwarebytes is very "REASONALBE" now. You can not beat the price for a lifetime license that never expires, and can be transferred to another computer especially for the protection you get with the PRO version.

[daledoc1]

Hi, daveKol:
 

My Update tab is all greyed out.

 

I do this and Check for Updates button is always greyed out.

 
Did you see this -- see below, from my earlier reply:
 

However, it is true that one must have Administrator privileges to update MBAM.
>>>>More information here: I'm trying to update but the 'Check for Updates' button is grayed out or unable to be clicked, why?

 
And thanks to Firefox, for further explaining how this works:
 

You can still update your Malwarebytes under a limited account, simply by right clicking on the MBAM shortcut and selecting Run As Administrator. Then the update button will not be greyed out.

 
And thanks to Firefox, as well, for explaining this:
 

As for them being ignorant of the fact, well once they open an outdated version of the FREE MBAM, they will be notified that the signatures are out of date, so they can update.

 
You might want to check your settings, to be sure that they are configured to remind you of outdated definitions database, e.g. as shown here:
 

 

As already explained, the PRO version features real-time protection, as well as the ability to schedule tasks (both updates and scans), as well as incremental updates.  It's an excellent value for the level of protection and features (NOTE: neither Firefox nor I work for MBAM.).

 

Hope this helps,

 

daledoc1

[daveKol]

 

Did you see this -- see below, from my earlier reply:

 

 

And thanks to Firefox, for further explaining how this works:

 

 

And thanks to Firefox, as well, for explaining this:

 

 

You might want to check your settings, to be sure that they are configured to remind you of outdated definitions database, e.g. as shown here:

 

 

As already explained, the PRO version features real-time protection, as well as the ability to schedule tasks (both updates and scans), as well as incremental updates.  It's an excellent value for the level of protection and features (NOTE: neither Firefox nor I work for MBAM.).

 

Hope this helps,

 

daledoc1

 

This screen shot is from the PRO version. The FREE version of which we are speaking does NOT offer to warn the user if the database is outdated. I still say that the great majority of people using the FREE version are not aware that it does not auto update nor are they able to update the definitions themselves unless they run as an Admin. And most folks these days try not to clutter their desktop with tons of shortcuts so it looks like Win 95 so right clicking the icon to run in Admin mode is not really practical and again people are NOT aware they have to do this.

 

I ocasionally run MBAM in addition to several other malware detectors. Most security sites seem to recommend this. I'm not a business and don't plan to buy "lifetime" subscriptions to any software. The world changes.

 

Just out of curiosity, do you guys who seem concerned about malware regularly run your PC's in Admin mode?

 

The point about most people running the FREE version not being aware they are not being protected from new malware because they do not have new signatures is valid. And the authors could increase sales by letting them know.

[Porthos]

The FREE version of which we are speaking does NOT offer to warn the user if the database is outdated.

 

Yes it does, Just checked.

 

The point about most people running the FREE version not being aware they are not being protected from new malware because they do not have new signatures is valid.

 

 

The FREE version DOES NOT PROTECT you from any thing. It is like a paper towel you clean up with AFTER the spill or in this case an infection.

 

ONLY the PAID version PROTECTS.