Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes

Type	Private
Industry	Computer software Security software
Founded	United States of America (2008)
Headquarters	San Jose, California
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Marcin Kleczynski – CEO and founder, Bruce Harrison - VP of Research, Mark Harris – CFO, Rebecca Kline – COO
Products	Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit, Malwarebytes Endpoint Security, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Mobile, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac
Number of employees	140+
Website	www.malwarebytes.org

Malwarebytes is an internet security company which makes products that protect home computers, smartphones and companies. The company claims it can block and remove advanced malware like exploits and zero-day threats, which it says traditional anti-virus software misses. Malwarebytes advocates ‘layered protection’ – running alongside existing anti-virus to catch the threats which slip past.

Malwarebytes is based in San Jose, in the Silicon Valley area of California. The company said in 2014 that its home product has fixed more than 250 million computers, with an average of six computers repaired every second, and removed over five billion pieces of malware.

Company history

• 2004: Early versions of the product were created by 14-year-old Marcin Kleczynski (now CEO), when his family laptop became infected despite already having security software.
• 2006: Kleczynski worked with members of online forums to make a freely available program called RogueRemover
• 2008: The company started trading under the name Malwarebytes and officially launched a free tool for removing problem malware, and a paid-for version which provided proactive protection called Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware PRO.
• 2011: Malwarebytes acquired HPhosts – a website blacklisting company.
• 2012: Launched into the corporate market with an enterprise product aimed at desktop-based anti-malware detection and protection.
• 2013:

1. Malwarebytes acquired ZeroVulnerabilityLabs, an early-stage anti-exploit company, and added its flagship ExploitShield protection to their product line.
2. Expanded their malware removal and protection to the Android platform with the launch of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Mobile
3. Launched a USB-based product called Malwarebytes Techbench aimed at helping technicians remove malware.

• 2014:

1. Announced $30 million of venture capital funding from Highland Capital Partners.
2. Launched Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.0 with an improved user interface and dashboard.
3. Launched Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit which shields selected applications from attacks.

Products

The company offers four main products:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

Malwarebytes' longest standing piece of software comes in two versions, both for Windows. The Free version scans and cleans malware off infected computers, whilst the paid-for version provides proactive protection to prevent malware installing in the first place. The free malware remover AdwareMedic is now called Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac.

Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit

Anti-Exploit also comes in a free and paid for version for Windows computers. The free version stops exploits in browsers and Java, whilst the paid product adds protection for a wider range of software applications.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Mobile

A free Android app which protects smartphones from mobile malware.

Malwarebytes Endpoint Security

The Malwarebytes enterprise product protects companies from zero-day malware and exploits. This is designed to be run on company ‘endpoints’ (Internet connected devices) alongside a traditional signature based anti-virus.

The Malwarebytes website also offers a variety of free computer security-related downloads for more technically advanced users.

Reception

• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.0 has received 4.5 stars from both CNET and PCMag – as well as being named ‘best repair’ by independent testing laboratory, AV Test.
• Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit received four stars from PCMag and Softpedia and also recently won V3 magazine’s ‘Security Innovation of the Year’.
• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Mobile has a rating of 4.4 on the Google Play store.
• The company CEO, Marcin Kleczynski, has been named as an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year and also one of Forbes Magazine’s '30 Under 30'.
• The company placed in 2014's annual Deloitte Fast 500.

See also

• Anti-malware
• Antivirus software
• Comparison of computer viruses

External links

• Official website
  • Official blog