Overview
Malwarebytes is a free anti-virus that Purdue Information Technology is recommending for students, faculty and staff to use on their personal computers. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems and uses both AI and various threat platforms to remain up to date with the latest new threats. It is a cloud-based product that allows for rapid updates when connected to the internet. It will require 1GB of RAM for most systems; 64-bit Windows installations will require 2GB of RAM. It will also require 600MB of hard drive space on the device.
Instructions
Malwarebytes is available as a free download for students, faculty, and staff on the Purdue Community Hub under the Antivirus and Security Software page or via their website at: https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download
Version Selection
If you receive an option to select it, please select the free versions directly from Malwarebytes website. When installing you will have an option to select Personal or Business for type of protection, please select the personal option. There are options to upgrade to the Premium version of Malwarebytes, add a VPN, and browser protection on their website in addition to the antivirus/antimalware tool. Purdue IT is not paying for the premium version for its users, so please select the Malwarebytes free version.
Install Location Selection
Choose an installation location for Malwarebytes to be installed. We recommend it in the C:\Program Files\ directory. This is the default location.
Installation
Malwarebytes takes approximately 2 minutes to install.
Completion Options
After Malwarebytes is finished installing, you may be prompted to run an initial scan. The scan takes approximately five minutes and ensures that the computer is secure and not infected with any existing threats that the user may be unaware of. Even if you have other antivirus software installed, such as Windows Defender, it is advised to run this scan as Malwarebytes may catch viruses or malware that other programs miss.
Once the installation is completed, a small icon will be visible in the lower right-hand portion of the task bar on Windows devices. Mac systems should be on the top task bar, depending on the version of OS. This icon will launch a pop-up whenever there is a noteworthy event, such as a virus being stopped and quarantined, or other issues that may require your attention.
Still need help? Click the 'Purdue IT Request' button to start a ticket.