Downsides to using an older version of Malwarebytes

[iliketehfair]

I updated Malwarebytes to the latest version about a week ago, but when I did it began to cause some kind of software compatibility issue that caused my OS to crash forcing me to hard shutdown my PC. I was planning on reinstalling version 3.3.1 until the next patch hoping it wouldn't have the same issue. I was wondering what downsides I might face by using an older version, like how it might affect how I am protected.

 

Thanks.

[Malwarebytes]

***This is an automated reply***

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[exile360]

Greetings,

If it was version 3.4.4 that was causing problems, you might try the latest version 3.4.5 that was released recently as it fixed a lot of problems that version 3.4.4 had.  If it was version 3.4.5 then you may still hold off if you wish, or post the requested logs as instructed above so that we can assist and try to get the issue sorted.

As for differences, yes, there will be differences in protection.  With each new release there are often enhancements made to the detection and protection capabilities in the software.  These can take the form of anything from new database syntax for better detecting threats, to enhanced heuristics for better detecting new and previously unseen threats as well as completely new detection and protection capabilities in the various realtime protection components built into Malwarebytes.  They generally do not divulge specifics on such enhancements since it would put them at a disadvantage to inform the bad guys of the details on any new capabilities so I cannot say specifically what might have changed since version 3.3.1, though I do know from the changelogs they have provided that at least some improvements have been made since it was called out in at least one of the line items for each version:

For 3.4.4:

•   Improved remediation for shortcuts and tasks
•   Added better handling for heavily infected systems to streamline detection & remediation
•   Continued improvements to overall protection, detection and remediation 

For 3.4.5:

• Improved remediation for hijacked shortcuts
• Continued improvements to overall protection, detection and remediation

Also, specifically with regards to the issue you mentioned, perhaps this applies from the release notes from version 3.4.5:

• Fixed a service crash related to self-protection
• Fixed a blue screen crash related to Web Protection