Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware — MBAM — was the original product name, and plenty of forum posts and IT runbooks still use it. Today the Windows application is simply Malwarebytes for Windows, but the abbreviation persists.
From MBAM to Malwarebytes for Windows
The early releases were a stand-alone on-demand scanner with a paid option for resident protection. Later versions merged the scanner with anti-exploit and anti-ransomware components that had been separate downloads, and the name was shortened. Functionally, MBAM is the ancestor of the scanning engine in the current Windows application.
What the anti-malware engine covers
- Trojans, backdoors and information stealers
- Adware, browser hijackers and search redirectors
- Spyware and keyloggers
- Rootkits, when rootkit scanning is enabled
- Potentially unwanted programs and registry modifications
Why people still search for MBAM
Corporate documentation, help-desk scripts and older tutorials reference mbam.exe and the MBAM interface. If you are following a guide that mentions those names, the modern equivalents are the Scan tab and the Detection History view. Our scanner guide maps the current interface.
Frequently asked questions
Is MBAM the same as Malwarebytes?
Yes. MBAM was the earlier name for the anti-malware product that is now called Malwarebytes for Windows.
Can I still download the old MBAM version?
Old builds are not supported and receive no database updates, which makes them a poor choice. Use the current release.
Malware-Bytes.net is an independent information resource about malware protection for Windows. We are not Malwarebytes, and this site is not the official Malwarebytes website or support channel. Malwarebytes is a trademark of Malwarebytes Inc.