Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is a macOS security app that scans for malware and helps protect your Mac from malicious files, apps, and unsafe websites.
What is Malwarebytes?
Malwarebytes is a security and privacy app for macOS that helps users detect and remove malware while adding ongoing protection against common threats. It is designed for people who want an extra layer of defense alongside built-in Mac security, whether they are checking a system after suspicious behavior or using continuous protection during everyday browsing and downloads. The app can scan for malicious software, quarantine detected threats, and help block harmful sites and network destinations associated with attacks. Current Mac versions also include web protection features aimed at stopping app-based and IP-based threats. Malwarebytes is published by Malwarebytes Corporation and is commonly used on personal Macs as a lightweight antivirus and anti-malware tool.
Key features
- Scan your Mac for malware and other unwanted threats.
- Quarantine detected items so they can be isolated from normal use.
- Provide ongoing protection while you browse, download, and open files.
- Block malicious websites and risky network destinations.
- Help check a Mac after suspicious pop-ups, downloads, or system behavior.
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Safety overview
Status: Mostly safe
Malwarebytes is legitimate security software, and its background monitoring and permission requests are normal for an anti-malware app. To fully protect your Mac, it may ask for access needed to scan files and enable protection features. Because security tools can inspect files, downloads, and web activity related to threat detection, install it only from Malwarebytes and keep it updated. If you remove it, you may lose active malware and web protection until you use another security tool.
Recommendation: Keep Malwarebytes if you use it for malware scanning or real-time protection on your Mac. If you no longer want a third-party security app, you can remove it, but make sure you are comfortable relying on your other protections before doing so.
Common paths
/Applications/Malwarebytes.app
Cache paths
~/Library/Caches/com.malwarebytes.mbam.frontend~/Library/Caches/com.malwarebytes.mbam.frontend.launcher
Support paths
/Library/Application Support/Malwarebytes~/Library/Application Support/Malwarebytes
Preference paths
~/Library/Preferences/com.malwarebytes.mbam.frontend.plist~/Library/Preferences/com.malwarebytes.mbam.frontend.launcher.plist
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