We’ve utilized a variety of antivirus and anti-malware tools over the years.  ESET Nod32 Antivirus is the only antivirus product we recommend.  We’ve even given Avira, G-Data and Microsoft Security Essentials a shot, just to test the options on the market.  No antivirus software compares to ESET Nod32, especially for systems running hi-demand database applications such as consignment software.

Antivirus alone is no longer enough though.  Threats come in all shapes and sizes and “virus” no longer covers the gamut of threats out there.  Once a system is compromised, it can be very difficult to regain control over.  The most effective tool in regaining control over a compromised system, in our experience, is Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware Pro.  Malwarebytes was released in 2008 and its free version is great at removing infections.  The paid Pro version runs in real-time, actively protecting your system against unwanted applications and threats.

Why do I need Malwarebytes?  I thought you only recommend ESET Nod32.

A few years ago, prior to Facebook being so widely utilized, viruses seemed to only show up by “obvious” methods.  e.g. An email with an attachment, a disc or external drive that is infected, etc.  That’s not to say obscure threats didn’t exist back then, but less people were exposed since they weren’t congregating in online forums and sites such as Facebook.

Since both businesses and individuals are utilizing Facebook on a daily basis, it’s almost like shooting fish in a barrel.  If you post one malicious link, by sheer statistics alone you’re going to get a large amount of people who fall for the trick and <click> away.

In addition to Facebook there is Google and Google Image search results.  Many consignment and resale stores will search for items on Google to verify anything from authenticity to current market value.  The people writing and deploying these malicious applications know that people are searching Google for a variety of keywords.  They do everything they can to get their websites and poisoned images into the top results on Google.  One <click> and wham, you’re infected.

The best response I have found @”Why Malwarebytes?” is on MBAM’s Facebook page @ http://www.facebook.com/Malwarebytes:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a complementary program and defined as an anti-malware program which detects and removes malware; malicious programs and files, such as viruses, worms, trojans, rootkits, dialers, spyware, and rogue applications that some antivirus software doesn’t detect or can’t fully remove. With that said, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware works well and should run alongside antivirus software without conflicts, though exclusions may need to be set in your antivirus for Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware’s exe’s to get the best possible system performance.

In a PC Magazine article, Malwarebytes’ COO Marcus Chung provides a great analogy for Malwarebytes:

“My favorite analogy,” said Marcus “relates to seatbelts. People used to think seatbelts were enough, but then airbags came along. It’s a solution from a different direction, not competing with the seatbelt. We are the airbag!”

So Malwarebytes is not an antivirus replacement.  Don’t let anyone try and tell you that Malwarebytes is the only security program you need.  It is intended to provide a mesh approach to security and is intended to compliment your existing antivirus software.

Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware Pro is completely compatible with all of the major consignment software programs on the market.  We’ve tested Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware Pro with the following consignment software programs:

• ConsignmentTill
• Consignment Success | Consignment Ease | Best Consignment Software
• ConsignPro
• Liberty
• SBS

Unlike other security programs that have done everything from block Liberty from communicating with Microsoft SQL Server, to deleting files that ConsignPro requires in order to run, Malwarebytes has done a perfect job of helping consignment software programs continue to run as intended.

The Computer Peeps recommend (and if we could, we’d require it) that any computer connected to the Internet run ESET Nod32 Antivirus + Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware Pro.  There are just too many threats and variants out there today and even with the best antivirus software out there (ESET Nod32), unwanted programs can still sneak by.

People think viruses have to be these big, bad programs that delete files, cause pop-ups, etc.  Not so.  Any software that is considered unwanted and any program that was brought onto the system without your knowledge or doing, can be considered a virus.

Malwarebytes can be purchased for $25 and it’s a lifetime license.  We strongly recommend downloading Malwarebytes and letting it run a QuickScan.  The Pro trial lasts for 14 days, but do yourself a favor and pay the one-time fee for a lifetime license.  Their developers and testers deserve every penny of it.

As always, if you have any questions or if you need any assistance, don’t hesitate to ask!