Cyberprotection vendor Malwarebytes has introduced Malwarebytes Tools, a collection of free features designed to help people quickly solve computer problems, speed up their Windows devices, and boost protection and privacy. The company compares it to a new set of free features designed to give your Windows PC a breath of fresh air. The company also is launching Windows Firewall Control, a new feature to help users easily manage and control the built-in Windows Firewall. All new capabilities are launching in preview mode for free, so that no paid subscription is required.
“For years, people have come to Malwarebytes when something’s not right with their computer, turning to our malware removal software to help them find and fix their problem,” said Michael Sherwood, VP Product, Malwarebytes. “But issues aren’t always caused by malware. Sometimes it’s slow performance, privacy settings, or other device configuration settings. With our new optimization tools, we’re making it easier for users to spot these issues and take proactive steps to keep their devices running smoothly and securely. Think of Malwarebytes Tools as spring cleaning for your computer – clearing out what slows you down, tidying up behind the scenes, and strengthening defenses – without having to read a manual as lengthy as The Lord of the Rings trilogy.”
According to Malwarebytes research, nearly half of people (44%) are overwhelmed by security updates and safety measures, leading to inaction. People need integrated, clear guidance on steps they can take to optimize their devices and ultimately protect their data, digital assets and identities.
All new features are available for free in experimental mode for Malwarebytes Windows users. For the preview release, users can get an early look and are encouraged to share feedback.
“Your computer deserves to run light, fast, and secure, without you having to become its full-time mechanic,” Sherwood said. “With Malwarebytes Tools, we’re making that possible.”
The new Startup Applications feature boosts device performance with a simple, yet powerful interface to view and manage apps that launch at startup which may be impacting device resources.
Mark Stockley is a security evangelist with 20 years in the computer security industry, whose passion is to make complex technical concepts interesting and easy to understand. He works with the Malwarebytes content and Threat Intelligence teams to spread the word about the latest threats and consequential developments in the field of computer security.
“ChatGPT 4.0 will help you write ransomware and train you to debug it, without a hint of conscience,” Stockley noted.
In addition to the Startup Applications feature, users can also troubleshoot and optimize a device with a curated set of Windows tweaks to repair common issues, adjust privacy settings, and control how Windows works on the device. Finally, a new Firewall Control feature helps users easily manage and control their built-in Windows Firewall, automatically blocking inbound connections and making it simpler to block and manage outbound connections. The feature runs within the Malwarebytes app and gives users one-click control to switch filtering modes or approve connections. The full version of Firewall Control will be released in the coming months with additional features and functions.
Malwarebytes sees significant problems on the horizon.
In a recent interview at the Federal Reserve, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warned of “a significant impending fraud crisis” driven by AI’s ability to defeat biometric authentication, including voiceprints and video.
“AI has fully defeated the ways that most people authenticate currently, other than passwords,” Altman said.
These new features expand Malwarebytes coverage to provide proactive and reactive solutions to users across their digital lives, giving the support and guidance they need, whether dealing with security threats or just trying to get their computer working better.