Real-time protection layers off warning

[Munchkin]

Hi, I am also receiving 'Real-time protection layers off' pop up warnings after being prompted to install the new version a couple of days ago. In my case it seems to be the ransomware protection that isn't starting. The other 3 buttons are green so I presume they are working. I am a premium user and have a current license. I have contacted support via email but they are closed over weekend so I thought I would post on forums as other people seem to be experiencing various/similar issues with the new version.

[JoeBiggs]

I had this, this is how I fixed it:

1 - Go to "C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware"
2 - Right click on "mbam.exe"
3 - Click on "Properties"
4 - Go to the "Compatibility" tab
5 - Enable "Run as Admin"

If you have an Anti-Virus running alongside Malwarebytes, add mbam.exe as an exception to the Anti-Virus. (Might not really be necessary, I just did it in the name of redundancy)

Manually add mbam.exe to your Windows Firewall.

Reboot your computer.

[Munchkin]

Hi JoeBiggs,

Thanks for your response. Saw some similar advice re Anti-Virus/Firewall in a post  .As my PC skills are fairly basic I am a bit reluctant to mess with them but will investigate further.

[JoeBiggs]

Hey Munchkin, it's really easy to add exception to Anti-Virus. Don't be afraid, you wont nuke Russia if you click the wrong button.

As with setting an exception to the firewall, it's even easier.

1 - Click on Start
2 - Search "Firewall" and then click on "Windows Firewall"
3 - On the top left side click on "Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall"
4 - On the top right side click on "Change Settings". This will allow you to add "Allow another app"
5 - Click on "Allow another app"
6 - Next to "Path" click on "Browse"
7 - Go to "C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware" and double click on "mbam.exe"
8 - "Malwarebytes" will now be listen in the Applications field.
9 - Click on "Add"
10 - You will then see "Malwarebytes" with a tick next to it in the Windows Firewall, make sure there is also a tick in the "Public" and the "Private" rows, then click on "OK" on the bottom of the window

 

Assuming your AV is Windows Defender, I've attached a series of screenshots that will show you how to add Malwarebytes as a process exception.

Edited January 28, 2017 by JoeBiggs
Refined Step 2 - Added image. Maybe this will help

[Munchkin]

 Thanks for the reassurance. I am using McAfee and had a look at the Firewall settings and there is a Malwarebytes entry listed - 'Malwarebytes Service'. 

The advice given by Staff Moderator in a previous post by 'Lobalobo' on similar issue listed several malwarebytes Premium files that may need to be listed as 'trusted' within Anti-virus and Firewall :

                           

' Malwarebytes Anti-Malware works well and should run alongside antivirus software without conflicts. In some rinstances,  trust exclusions may need to be set for your specific antivirus product to achieve the best possible system performance.
I suggest putting in trust settings in your antivirus, as follows:
Please "put as Trusted" (i.e., put Trust settings ) for the following MBAM exe files within your Antivirus Software **whitelist** :

Note: If using a software firewall besides the built in "Windows Firewall" you may  need to exclude them from it as well

These are the other Malwarebytes Premium files that need to be added to the antivirus  exclusions list:

C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware\Mbam.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware\MbamPt.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware\assistant.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware\MBAMWsc.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware\mbamtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware\MBAMService.exe '

 

I have worked out how to add files to my Firewall ( I think) but not sure yet how to add exclusions to my Antivirus. Never needed to do so before. Working on it.

 

  

[Munchkin]

Hi JoeBiggs,

                  Received a support email as I am Premium user and advised to perform 'clean install' using MBAM Clean Tool, link provided. This did the trick and MBAM now working, fingers crossed. I had not adjusted any McAfee settings so ,in my case, not needed.