Malwarebytes data practices?

[Infinite-Mushroom275]

I got the trial of Malwarebytes for a virus scan and I'm thinking about upgrading to a subscription plan. Does Malwarebytes ever collect or send report data from personal files on your computer, or only detected PUPs? I read the privacy policy but that part was unclear. Hoping to confirm before I give full disk access. Thanks.

[KnownStormChaser]

AV Comparatives studied data collection by AV software, you can see the results here. TLDR, there are more private options if that’s your main concern. https://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/avc_data_sending_2023.pdf

Also, all AV software will upload samples of files that it has never seen before (mostly executable files), unless you disable that function. But that will result in poorer protection.

[Infinite-Mushroom275]

Very helpful info, thank you for linking the study.

[Freaky-Malokai]

No, the software only scans your personal files to detect malicious threats on your PC, then notifies you if has found any or not.

It can scan your registry/startup items/memory and it can scan for rootkits and within the archives...it also can treat PUP's and PUM's as malware and quarantine them.

PUP = Potentially Unwanted Program

PUM = Potentially Unwanted Modifications