Malwarebytes considered "incompatible" with Kaspersky

[Evander]

I use Kaspersky Free as my main antivirus software. I also have the free version of Malwarebytes with no real-time scanning activated. Despite this Kaspersky Free keeps telling me to remove Malwarebytes so I went on the Malwarebytes website and added some file paths to the exclusion list in Kaspersky, basically every single one that i was able to exclude. This is the page I used from the Malwarebytes website: https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038522974-Malwarebytes-for-Windows-v4-antivirus-exclusions-list. Even though I added all the exclusions, Kaspersky keeps telling me in the "recommended" tab that Malwarebytes should be uninstalled, whenever i contact technical support on Kaspersky team for answers they keep telling me it is incompatible with Kaspersky. Still, Malwarebytes themselves say that Malwarebytes is designed to run alongside other antivirus software. Is there something that I am doing wrong? I really need help on this.

[Guilhermesene4096]

@EvanderWelcome

 

Although you don't have to, because Kaspersky offers excellent protection, you can still use a second security solution as a second layer of security on your system if you wish.

 

Be aware of the following facts (I know you already made some points, but just to reinforce)

• Place the second security product with real-time protection disabled (acting as a second layer of security), leaving Kaspersky with real-time protection enabled.
• There is no need to deactivate your Kaspersky product while running a scan with the other security product.
• If Kaspersky gives you a message about software incompatibility, this recommendation is only a precautionary measure, as Kaspersky does not check how the other product is configured.
• Add the folder (→ "%ProgramData%\Kaspersky Lab\") for your Kaspersky installation to the second security product's scan exclusion settings so that the product's databases and directories are not mistakenly detected as malicious.

Edited February 5 by Guilhermesene4096

[kmscom]

List of applications incompatible with Kaspersky for Windows

[Evander]

Ok it sounds like Kaspersky Free and Malwarebytes will not automatically interfere with each other, rather it is just a warning to be wary of them possible colliding, I use Malwarebytes free version so the Real-Time protection for it is turned off so it should never interfere sounds like. I simply use it as an independent scanner sometimes just to check if Kaspersky missed anything with their scan. In your experience this should not be issue sounds like right? Also i tried adding the file path you listed as an exclusion but the folder in Kaspersky Lab returned 3 child folders for which to select with all of them having multiple items underneath them as well. I will show PNG image. If you want see more I can post video as well, but i think I don't even have to do anything since you say it is just a warning and not actual conflicting applications. Just let me know if I am wrong. Also I checked the incompatible applications with Kaspersky for windows and it does list Malwarebytes as one of them but the version it lists is version 3.5.1.2522 whereas the version i am currently using for Malwarebytes free is Malwarebytes version 4.6.8.311 

Thanks for help just let me know if it sound like I am doing something wrong.

[Flood and Flood's wife]

 

4 hours ago, Evander said:

Ok it sounds like Kaspersky Free and Malwarebytes will not automatically interfere with each other, rather it is just a warning to be wary of them possible colliding, I use Malwarebytes free version so the Real-Time protection for it is turned off so it should never interfere sounds like. I simply use it as an independent scanner sometimes just to check if Kaspersky missed anything with their scan. In your experience this should not be issue sounds like right? Also i tried adding the file path you listed as an exclusion but the folder in Kaspersky Lab returned 3 child folders for which to select with all of them having multiple items underneath them as well. I will show PNG image. If you want see more I can post video as well, but i think I don't even have to do anything since you say it is just a warning and not actual conflicting applications. Just let me know if I am wrong. Also I checked the incompatible applications with Kaspersky for windows and it does list Malwarebytes as one of them but the version it lists is version 3.5.1.2522 whereas the version i am currently using for Malwarebytes free is Malwarebytes version 4.6.8.311 

Thanks for help just let me know if it sound like I am doing something wrong.

 

Hello @Evander, 

Welcome back!

Kaspersky will always *warn* about the MB conflict as it's listed - as previously shown by Moderator @kmscom. As long as MB is run as an independent scanner - not real-time -everything will be fine. 

Don't worry about the MB version in Kaspersky's documentation.

Add the exclusion from within the MB application, drill down to: C:\ProgramData\Kaspersky Lab\AVP21.15 or AVP21.16 & select Add

The exclusion will look like this, except *your* Kaspersky might be 21.16* - do not go to the 'child' level:

IF (you) wish you may also add an exclusion for MB to Kaspersky. 

Thank you🙏
Flood🐳+🐋

Edited February 7 by Flood and Flood's wife
added instruction. added gif

[Berny]

@Evander

This subject has been coming up since many years in this Kaspersky Forum.
Malwarebytes is recommending to add following exclusions in a third party antivirus software

Quote

Folders

• C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes
• C:\ProgramData\Malwarebytes

Files if needed

• C:\Windows\System32\drivers\mwac.sys
• C:\Windows\System32\drivers\mbamswissarmy.sys
• C:\Windows\System32\drivers\mbamchameleon.sys
• C:\Windows\System32\drivers\farflt.sys
• C:\Windows\System32\drivers\mbae64.sys (Only present on 64-bit machines.)
• C:\Windows\System32\drivers\mbae.sys (Only present on 32-bit machines.)
• C:\Windows\System32\drivers\farflt11.sys (Only present on Windows 11 machines.)

 

 

 

[Evander]

yep i tried as many of those exclusions as i could, it total up to 4 exclusions for me. Still recommends that i uninstall Malwarebytes but from what i understand from the other guys this should not be an issue as it is only cautionary step right?

[Guilhermesene4096]

@Evander

Exactly, it is just a recommendation from Kaspersky as a precautionary measure.

If you have already added the exclusions and disabled Malwarebytes real time, I think there will be no problems...

[harlan4096]

I guess none of those exclusions "will work to stop the warnings" as K. has that product in his internal incompatible list, so it will probably continue warning...

[Evander]

I missed what Flood and Flood's wife recommended me but just saw it and added that one last exclusion on the Malwarebytes application itself not on Kaspersky Application. On Kaspersky I have 4 of those exclusions from that Malwarebytes page so problem should be done and done. One last thing i want to say, I contacted Kaspersky Technical support over email and they kept telling me I should just uninstall Malwarebytes over and over, this was a few weeks ago I believe, just think I should let you guys know. Kaspersky still recommends I delete Malwarebytes version 3.x-4.x on recommendation tab, but you guys say it is no problem. My problem should be fully solved though, thank you.

Edited February 14 by Evander

[Berny]

On 2/11/2024 at 7:50 AM, harlan4096 said:

I guess none of those exclusions "will work to stop the warnings" as K.

Correct 👍 , just got another one ...

Spoiler

 

[nexon]

Hmm.. I have added MBAM into exclusions but kaspersky still keep info about incompatibility.

Also i cant remove this notification  

 

[Berny]

Hi @nexon

Same here , this morning i proceeded with [Skip] → [Keep] and the recommendation  in still showing up on the main window 🤔

[nexon]

Hi @Berny

If i click keep kaspersky should ignore this and I shouldn't get the notification anymore... But still is here.

Maybe bug?

[harlan4096]

As I already said, if in K. internal incompatible list software, They changed recently the behavior and can't be ignored, They changed the Ignore button to just Keep, but still warnings...

[Berny]

Hi @nexon

This behavior is new on my side as well , I'm  not sure if this is a Bug 🤔  all my Real-Time layers in MBAM are disabled

[nexon]

@Berny I have also real time turned off. I use it once per month only for scan. So there is not any conflict with kaspersky. This scenario should be enabled from kaspersky hmm

[Berny]

Hi @nexon

Same here , i run MBAM once in a while as second opinion only to check if something strange has infiltrated in my Browsers.

[garioch7]

I am new to Kaspersky Premium.  I just purchased it yesterday.  I formerly used Bitdefender Premium for over ten years.  I have always used Malwarebytes Premium (lifetime licence) with all components active as well. Bitdefender never complained, but Kaspersky is reporting that the app is incompatible.  I don't see a way to dismiss this notification, and it is hogging screen space.

I have configured exceptions in both products, but the Kaspersky warning doesn't seem to be dismissible.  I want to keep both products with real-time protection enabled.  It is my computer.  It should be my choice.

We should have the option to IGNORE that recommendation, like the others.  What gives?

By the way, I am really impressed with Kaspersky Premium.  It is a much better program than Bitdefender Premium.

That's just my two cents.  Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

[nexon]

@garioch7 Hello, 

Welcome here!

You did good. Migrating from heavy Bitdefender. Kaspersky is light on system when we comparing with Bitdefender.

And yes it is not recommended use any other AV with kaspersky. Simply 2 antiviruses in same time is BAD idea they might fighting :) You can installed malwarebytes but REAL TIME protection DISABLED.

[harlan4096]

The issue here is that new MalwareBytes Premium has become recently in the last years a main antivirus / anti-malware solution, even registering as a main security provider in Windows Security System center, so keeping Kaspersky Premium and MalwareBytes Premium both running with all resident protection modules in a system it is just a big overkill, apart from that it may lead to issues, slowdowns, and incompatibilities even creating exclusions in both.

[garioch7]

@nexon,

Thank you for your post, but Malwarebytes is NOT a true antivirus program, despite their misleading advertising.  Creating exceptions should keep them from "fighting."  Certainly, I had no problems for ten years with Bitdefender and Malwarebytes playing nicely together in the same sandbox, with the appropriate exceptions added to both programs.

I mistakenly posted here because I was following a Google search result and didn't realize this was the Free Forum.  I have posted in the proper Forum now.  Please accept my apologies.  You can delete my posts here.

I think the user should be able to dismiss that notification.  Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

@harlan4096,

Thank you for your post.  Malwarebytes works just the same as it always has, just a new paint job and more aggressive advertising.  And yes, I don't permit MBAM to register in the Windows Security Centre.

https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/311423-scanning-pdf-files-for-malware/?do=findComment&comment=1633149

Have a great day, and great to be here.

Regards,
Phil

[nexon]

@garioch7 as @harlan4096 wrote above... MBAM (malwarebytes antimalware) is now classifed as true antivirus. And nobody tells you that running 2 AVs in same time is good idea. Every AV company warns about this and it is better uninstall one antivirus. Maybe you think that more is better? 2 or 3 Antiviruses in same time then it is better? It reminds me more stripes = more adidas...

[garioch7]

@nexon

We will have to agree to disagree, I guess.  Malwarebytes is not a true anti-virus.  I can provide links to other posts as well to substantiate my opinion.

I totally concur that running two genuine anti-virus programs simultaneously is a bad idea.  We are in total agreement there.

You don't know me, obviously.  I only joined yesterday.  I am a former Bleeping Computer Malware Response Instructor and classed as an "Expert" on the Malwarebytes Forums.  I use the same handle, garioch7, on all the security Forums that I frequent daily, so you can check me out.  I haven't figured out how to get that information into my Profile here yet, perhaps because my post count is too low.

BUT, that discussion digresses from my point that the user should have the option to dismiss that warning.  Kaspersky has warned me.  I considered the warning.  It should be my option not to be incessantly nagged about my choice.  I paid for the product.

Thank you, and have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

[nexon]

@garioch7 as we wrote above...

Also i have same... If you see my post here https://forum.kaspersky.com/topic/malwarebytes-considered-incompatible-with-kaspersky-44946/?do=findComment&comment=158825

I cant hide this notification. I press ignore but still is here notification and cant hide it. 

I created suggestion i think that should be removed this window when i press ignore and keep incompatible software.