Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit Free, Premium and Business Stable released
Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit Beta has been available to anyone interested in the product for some time now. I have reviewed the security program back in 2013 when it was made available publicly for the first time and came to the conclusion that it could become a great addition to the security tools that you are running on your Windows PC.
In fact, I'm running it along with EMET and have not noticed any issues doing so. Malwarebytes on the other hand advises users against this as it can create conflicts.
Malwarebytes launched the stable version of Anti-Exploit yesterday, and just like with Anti-Malware, it is offering a free, premium and business version of the product.
You can download the free version of the software directly from Malwarebytes. While I did not notice any issues with existing security software on test systems, you may want to run a couple of tests just to make sure that everything is compatible and not causing conflicts on the system.
Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit free vs. premium vs. business
There are several differences between the free and premium version of the product. The free version is limited to protecting browsers, browser add-ons (including plugins) and Java from, while the premium version adds pdf readers, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, media players, and options to add shields for custom programs.
The business edition adds a management console and remote endpoint management & centralized reporting to the application.
| Â | Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit Free | Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit Premium | Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit For Business |
| Protection for browsers, add-ons and Java | yes |
yes |
yes |
| Protection for PDF readers, Office and media players | Â | yes |
yes |
| Activate/Deactivate pre-determined Shields | Â | yes |
yes |
| Add and manage custom applications | Â | yes |
yes |
| Management console | Â | Â | yes |
| Remote endpoint management & centralized reporting | Â | Â | yes |
The free version covers two of the areas of the operating system that are attacked regularly, while the premium version expands on that by adding additional program types that are targeted regularly and offering options to protect custom programs as well.
The premium version is available for $24.95 for three PCs and 1 year of free upgrades, the business edition is available for $29.95 for a single PC and one year of free upgrades.
Running Anti-Exploit
The free version of Anti-Exploit runs on its own for the most part. You can bring its interface to the front to check the version and that it is running, or check the logs, but that is about it.
While that works out fine for many users, some may prefer more control over the program. It is necessary in this case however to purchase the premium or business version as it offers that.
The program offers three layers of protection against exploits:
- Protection against operating system security bypasses - Techniques that detect and prevent that operating system protections such as Date Execution Prevention are bypassed by exploits.
- Memory caller protection - Prevents exploit code from being executed from memory.
- Application behavior protection - Blocks application exploits such as memory mitigations from running successfully.
How good is the protection?
As far as I know, there have not been any independent tests yet that pit Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit against EMET and a boatload of different attack programs.
Tests have been conducted, but they have been sponsored by Malwarebytes. According to the test, Anti-Exploit blocked all of the exploit kits from running successfully.
Tested kits included Nuclear Pack, Angler EK, Infinity EK, FlashPack EK, Magnitude EK, Fiesta EK, Grandsoft EK, Sweet Orange EK, Styx EK, RIG and Gondad.
Note that some targeted applications may only be protected by the premium and business version of Malwarebytes.
Verdict
The protection that the free version of Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit offers is limited to two key areas on Windows. While that may be sufficient for some users, it may not for others.
This is especially the case if you compare it to Microsoft's free EMET offering which provides you with all the customization options that you need.
I’ve had Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit for a few months now. Over the past couple of weeks, I have had nothing but
trouble with it, blocking my browser. I have shut the program off, which then allows my browser to take me out
into the internet. I have had technical support, which only provided temporary resolve., then the same problem appeared
just yesterday. I have become very disappointed in this product, now thinking it’s nothing but a load of garbage.
The Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a great product, one my technician truly likes…but I wish I could say the same
about the Anti-Exploit. By the way, here in Canada, the Anti-Exploit is more expensive than the Anti-Malware. Go figure,
yet the Anti-Exploit is a huge problem for me.
Based on my experience, I would not recommend the Anti-Exploit at all…not at all.
Yes I have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium!
I did not intentionally download “…. Anti-Exploit” how can I get rid of the error message in the above communication?
If you get the error message that anti-exploit expired even though you have never used it then you may want to uninstall that program. You get support as a premium user so you may want to contact Malwarebytes directly for further instructions.
I now have malwarebytes premium $25/year. I must have originally had the Beta (I think that means free) version because; on startup, I am getting the error “Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit – – Beta version expired” How do I get rid of this warning?
Do you have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium?
Anti-Exploit is a different product. You may be running an old version of the program, try updating.
Such a shame… Malwarebytes Anti-malware used to be one of the very best secondary scanners. Companies never seem to want to leave well enough alone. The overhauled version is awful: a buggy resource hog that doesn’t play well with EMET. Thanks for the memories, Malwarebytes; no thanks for your latest versions.
Don’t really see the point especially the free version only covers browsers, plugins. Looked at the test, and correct me if I am wrong but it was throwing known exploits at the plugins, so basically keeping your software up to date will be just as effective.
The real test is if this kit protects against zero day exploits, which EMET reportedly does.
Serious question… Do ppl still install such crap?
Yes, they do, as Windows OS can’t protect any app or data .
1. The app totally crashed/blocked Chrome browser on my Windows 7 64bit. Previous beta works fine. Probably a conflict with app on my PC.
2. You need to reboot Windows after the install.
3. Known Issues & Conflicts : https://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showtopic=135127
Anyone know what the technical changes were between the last beta (0.10.3.0100) and the free, release version?
I’m not talking about the feature restriction! :)
Update: Found the changelog – https://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showtopic=132660#entry840678
Does it protect all browsers or just major browsers (IE,Firefox,Chrome) ?
According to the app, Firefox, Opera, Chrome and Internet Explorer. I cannot say if that includes portable versions as well.