21 replies to this topic

[PICKETT]

I purchased Malwarebytes Anti-Malware on-line from Malwarebytes web site. I'm currently using version 1.34 and I get this error message when I click the "Start Protection" button under the Protection Tab:
An error occurred. Please report the following error code to the Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware support team. Error code: 732 (0,0)

I was reading through one of the threads and one of the guys said he thinks the "Pro" version will work with Vista 64bit, is that true?
Or is there another way to fix this? I'd like live protection to work with Vista64.
Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks, Pickett37

[exile360]

Greetings and welcome. Unfortunately the protection module doesn't currently work with 64bit, however scheduled scanning and automatic updates do. The developers are working on it but there's as of yet no ETA. I'm sorry for the confusion and if you would like to wait it out until a 64bit compatible version is available you may or you can contact support if you would like a refund: Helpdesk

I hope I've been helpful. If you have any more questions or issues please let us know. Good luck and safe surfing.

[PICKETT]

What about the "Pro" version that I read about in one of the threads? What's that about?

[exile360]

I'm not sure which thread you're referring to, but if they were talking about the "Pro" version that would simply be the same one you have, also known as the Paid version. Could you post me a link to that thread, I'd like to take a look and might be able to clarify things for you.

[PICKETT]

http://www.malwareby...showtopic=11224 It's post# 9 and 10. killshOt, in post 10, says he runs it just fine in Vista Business 64. ???

[exile360]

Ah yes, I remember that thread. He/she was referring to the free version, not the paid version. What I was referring to (note I'm poster #9) was when they do eventually release a 64bit compatible version, that I would then be purchasing a license so I could use the realtime protection as I myself am running Vista x64. What I meant by Pro was the same thing as Paid (which is what you have now).

[PICKETT]

Ah! Ok, that makes sense. Thanks for the clarification. And I didn't even notice you were Poster #9! I wouldn't make a good detective now would I!
Well here's hoping for a soon release of the 64 bit. I just love this software. I was using ESET Smart Security which I thought was one of the better ones out there. Well it didn't detect a Trojan that infected me.
I was very close to re-formating when a friend told me to try Malwarebytes. It found and removed it. What a time saver! I'm hooked. I'll will own Malwarebytes for as long as I own a computer!

[exile360]

I'm glad it was helpful. And yes, I too look forward to it's 64 bit compatibility. By the way, ESET (NOD32) is one of the better anti-virus programs out there, but no one product can possibly detect every threat out there on any given day, there's just too much because the makers of malicious software are in it for the money, they're good at what they do, and they're determined to make new versions of their trojans etc whenever they start getting blocked/removed by security software. It's a constant race both sides rushing to preempt the other with new tactics. What makes Malwarebytes' so good is also the reason it can't be relied on as the only line of defense for a system, namely, it's designed to detect active threats (meaning current) that most if not all anti-virus softwares are failing to detect/remove. It's like a second layer of protection in case your first layer(s) fail you (like your firewall and anti-virus).

[PICKETT]

Really, what would you suggest for protection? Do you think ESET and an occasional manual Malware scan would be sufficient or would you recommend more? What are some of the better ones besides ESET?
And, what's the difference between Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware?

[GT500]

PICKETT said:

Really, what would you suggest for protection? Do you think ESET and an occasional manual Malware scan would be sufficient or would you recommend more? What are some of the better ones besides ESET?
And, what's the difference between Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware?

For real-time protection, Comodo's BOClean is OK. It's not a full blown anti-malware, but it does have a decent list of items it will remove. It's probably the best that is available for 64-bit editions of Windows until we get our 64-bit protection module churned out.

[exile360]

Unfortunately BoClean is on it's way to being discontinued. I'd recommend Spybot Search & Destroy's Immunize function, Spywareblaster (works similar to Spybot) and a good hosts file (which can be accomplished through a great free program called HostsMan). ESET is good for anti-virus. And I hate to say this (cuz I know they're competition and all) but to some extent SUPERAntiSpyware does function with active protection in Vista 64 (it will block threats from executing but may have trouble removing threats if they already got in for the same reason MBAM doesn't work with x64 yet: driver incompatibility). You might notice a lot of the stuff I mentioned is listed in my signature below, that's the stuff I use and I'm on Vista x64. Of course, once MBAM x64 compatible is released, I'll have it up and running on my system as well.

Note: I'm an extremely paranoid user and that's why I use so many active protection softwares, many of which would not normally play nice together when they are all active, I have specifically used advanced techniques to make them play nice and work together without conflict. For normal (not insane like me ) users who want a good layered protection you can simply follow the advice offered above and IGNORE MY SIGNATURE BELOW

I hope we were helpful.

[PICKETT]

Yes, very helpful, thanks. But there is two more things, and please excuse my ignorance here but, can you explain to me what a "good hosts file" is and what does it do?

Also, what is the difference between anti-virus and anti-malware?

[YoKenny1]

What is the Hosts file?
http://accs-net.com/...t_is_hosts.html

Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File
http://www.mvps.org/...p2002/hosts.htm

I'll leave the rest for others.

[exile360]

No problemo. a hosts file is a file located at C:\Windows\Drivers\Etc on your computer. It can be used to list sites that will automatically be blocked when your PC tries to connect to them. For example, if you were browsing the web and came across a page that had malicious software on it like a trojan for example, if that site was already listed in your hosts file it would be blocked and there would be no risk of infection from that site. This can also be immensely helpful for blocking advertisements on web pages (many of which can often contain malware themselves). The program HostsMan that I mentioned basically downloads several hosts files that are updated regularly by security experts around the web. They find the malicious sites and add them to the list, you download the hosts file(s) and the entries in them get added to your hosts file so the bad sites get blocked. There's always new malicious websites popping up so this obviously isn't a full-proof form of protection, just a good added layer of security.

To be honest, the line between what are known as viruses and what are known as malware is somewhat blurry. Malware by it's true definition can be any form of malicious software (including viruses). However, used in the context of products like Malwarebytes and Comodo BoClean it means something different. Primarily focused on rootkits, trojans, worms, spyware and adware (things that up until recently the anti-virus vendors did not even bother detecting as threats themselves). These days the anti-virus makers are starting to detect the same threats, however this isn't their primary focus and for that reason they are often behind compared to tools that focus specifically on those types of threats. I'll give you an example, there is a well known malicious infection called Vundo, it is constantly being altered and updated to avoid detection and removal by security software. Most anti-virus softwares will detect and remove Vundo, as long as the variant you have isn't too recent. On the other hand, tools like Malwarebytes', SUPERAntiSpyware and Comodo Boclean are targetting exactly this kind of threat. For a bit of background, Vundo is essentially a trojan that pops up unwanted advertisements, controls a user's web browser to redirect sites/searches, and often pops up with fake security alerts telling the user they're infected and trying to sell them fake security software. Anti-virus products make definitions generally based solely on file signature (meaning if a threat is in their definitions it looks for an EXACT match and only then identifies it as a threat). Products like Malwarebytes' use much more than simple file signatures to detect malicious software, which allows them to use heuristic techniques to find new threats even without having a precise signature for them. Some anti-virus vendors are beginning to include similar heuristic detection methods in their own software, but they haven't yet bridged the gap between them and anti-spyware/anti-malware software, that's why most security experts recommend using an active anti-spyware/anti-malware application along with a good anti-virus and firewall. Besides that, I personally don't trust any one software company to be able to detect every single active threat out there on any given day, there's just too many threats out there, so I hedge my bets and increase my chances of staying clean by keeping my computer up to date, using up to date anti-virus software, and using a layered approach to security. Even doing all this, I still do a weekly scan with Malwarebytes' to check for anything my active protections might have missed.

[PICKETT]

Thanks for that great explanation exile360! You've really been a lot of help and I thank you for taking the time to help me out.

One thing, for sure, is very evident...these guys that spend their precious time maliciously devising this stuff need to get a life! It would make everyone else's much easier!
It must be a power trip for them...or just plain evil intentions!

Thanks again!

[exile360]

You're very welcome ! And I agree with you that life would be much easier without them. Long ago (before my time in PC's) viruses were created by geeks and college students just messing around and doing it for the fun of it. These days the primary motivation is money, earned by stealing info like credit card numbers, passwords, email account info for spamming etc, and even selling fake security software to remove the very real infections on a user's computer put there by the same people who made the fake cure they're trying to sell you. Of course, there's one more malicious use that can be the worst of all, botnets. But no matter their motivations or agendas, there will always be people like the developers and helpers behind Malwarebytes' and similar products and tools who draw a line in the sand ready to fight tooth and nail, some without sleep and even without pay, to help people get control of their computers back and kick the malware makers right where it hurts them most, in the wallet !

[PICKETT]

Hey Exile360, I have another question for you related to the Hostsman program you told me about. I installed it but it doesn't appear to autoload when Windows boots. Do I have to do anything special with this or is it just running in the background unbeknownst to me? The reason I ask is because I don't see it's icon on the lower right corner of the task bar where all the other MRP's run.

[exile360]

HostsMan doesn't need to run in the background to protect you, just execute the program (there should be a shortcut for it under Start\All Programs) and update it, it will then download the security hosts files and merge them with your current hosts file. If you run the other program in the same folder called HostsServer, it can speed up your browsing and can be configured to run in the background and @ bootup.

[PICKETT]

Ok, thanks! Do I need to tweek any of the options on the server tab of "HostsServer Control Panel?"

[exile360]

Not really, it's just some personal preferences, like using a custom image or message instead of the default "blocked" message. I use a cool looking Windows Security Center shield . I recommend using the HostsServer component as I noticed much faster browsing with it running. You can configure it to either show it's icon in your tray when it runs (it's a white box with an S) or not to show it in the tray.