This makes it more effective but it still has a way to go - it can't match software packages like BitDefender and Norton 360 (opens in new tab). If you have the paid version of Malwarebytes then you'll also have live, real-time protection. If you want total protection, something like BitDefender 2020 (opens in new tab) is your best option.

Since both are free it seems silly not to use them. This is where having both Windows Defender and Malwarebytes is a great double team way to stay protected and secure. What it can't do is the malware side of things for ransomware, for example. Windows Defender, for example, is now a really capable antivirus software that is included for free with Windows 10. But to avoid infection in the first place getting anti-virus software is a good idea. If you're already infected, this is what you want to get you cleaned out.

This is why it works well as a supplementary layer of security. Malwarebytes lacks some of the real-time protection you'll get from AV software, like a firewall, in the free version at least.

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