BleepingComputer.com: Malwarebytes' accuses IOBits of stealing their programs malware definitions

The latest reply from IOBit on their blog barely hints to the issue.

They sure did back down from their first declaration

case.bolt, on Nov 16 2009, 11:35 AM, said:

This is begining to sound more and more like a famous game show A + Q

A "Imitation is the greatest form of flattery"

Q. What is the defense offered by IoBit when confronted by mbam?

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! I had no idea this co. (IObit) was from China! Now I'm really glad that I joined Bleeping Computer. I don't want to start a ruckus, but I seriously don't think that if we as a nation continue to promote and buy things manufactured in China, we will only hurt ourselves by doing so in that we will be taking jobs away from Americans. One might argue that "things are cheaper from China!". I believe it's an old American saying; "you get what you pay for" may be in order here as cheap products are not always reliable and therefore if I spend a little more money on something made in America, not only am I going to hopefully get a better product, I'm supporting jobs in America as well! We cannot afford to take this or the stealing of American technology by other countries lightly nor can we afford to neglect our obligation to support American products and jobs! Our economy and national security are at risk and we need to stand in unison as a nation and physically do something about it! Personally, I am going to boycott IObit, remove all of their software from my computers and search for an American product to replace it! I strongly urge you to do the same and show some support for the millions of people un-employed in this country as a result of corporate greed, political anarchy, laws supporting offshore imports and exports, NAFTA and corporate tax exemptions for taking their business offshore and make a statement by doing so.

i dont know if beleive it. like they said.. maybe they did just find it from multiple public databases. maybe malwarebytes is getting a little jealous of Iobits better peice of software maybes? ;) IOBits Software is very good. Im still gonna use 360 and all of they're products. 360 is fast and detects well... malware bytes free av is slow..

This post has been edited by XGelite: 16 December 2009 - 08:09 PM

XGelite, on Dec 16 2009, 08:04 PM, said:

Your thought go against an entire industry! The theft is well documented on all tech sites!

You can do a few hours of pro and con reading in the link below, you will see all the professionals that know what they are talking about condemn them!
http://www.google.com/search?q=Iobits+stea...lient=firefox-a

bleep is superb. a one stop solutions to all computer needs

I'm probably going to catch all kinds of flak for this, but...

honestly? I think that the whole "NO! WE MUST KEEP OUR INFORMATION ON THE MALWARE SECRET!" proprietary definitions concept to be stupid and irresponsible. it's little wonder why I have to keep multiple anti-malware programs around at all times, knowing that the people making them think like that. as if the malware coders put that much into keeping their exploits secret? hell no, they spread their info to their fellow scum and continue trying to make it harder and harder for the unknowledgeable to keep a computer running well. just look at all the variants of virii and other malevolent crap that's out there. It would be better for the users if the various antimalware coders were to share their information and work together to make more effective software. but of course, greed always seems to take hold, hence why we have so many of these things demanding money. sure, I know it's a lot of work, and people like getting paid for work, but honestly, shouldn't we(the users who actually know what we're doing enough to take care of our computers) all be in the fight against malware together? instead we have "OMG BUT NO THOSE MALWARE DEFINITIONS ARE OUUURRRRS!".

is it wrong for this "IOBits" group to be lifting definitions without even speaking to the mbam crew or others whom they get their intel from? yes, because it's rude to just go taking someone else's work without a word. but this whole idea of malware definitions as something that should be protected by copyright is dumb. if all these antimalware companies would take a page out of the books of the buggers who code up the malware and share their info on how this crap works, we'd probably see better tools come along as a result of it.

okay. through venting. you may now do as I expect you all to and start flaming me. X_x

well ZT, while i agree with the statement that we should all be in this together (vs. malware), keep in mind that these definitions are essentially a part of the program insofar as they are considered to be proprietary, just as the interface GUI and name are. that then gets into the nasty territory of intellectual property rights and copyright law. meh. i think malwarebytes is justified in taking offense to the theft of their hard work. however, it would be nice if there were some more cooperation between these companies to increase the efficacy of all anti-malware programs as a whole.

Sorry for bumping this topic, just want to share what I feel.

I have to say I love your idea and I agree with you on this, ZT. But it's not that simple.

We should and are in this malware fight together, just look at all the awesome people that takes their time to fix our computers, and giving us advice for free. But when it comes to malware definitions, it becomes a property issue. Those who created Malwarebytes spend their hard work and time to research on the malware they found, and they deserve recognition for their work. IOBit did not respect their hard work and went on to steal what does not belong to them, so Malwarebytes is right in accusing them of theft.

But if you look at it the other side, if Malwarebytes could freely share their definitions with all other vendors, this world would be a much better place and those bad guys would find it harder to go about their evil deeds. If IOBit could ask politely instead of stealing, if Malwarebytes was generous to give their definitions to IOBit, if Malwarebytes could work with IOBit and get those malware research done together, many new malware definitions could come in a much faster rate. But unfortunately, this is a corporate world and people want to make money. Though it would be ideal for Malwarebytes to share its malware definitions, research methods and skills with others - and make this malware fight a more united one - I doubt such a thing would happen.

Though, I would really be thankful if Malwarebytes' CEO becomes so generous about his hard work, this is just an ideal at this point.

ZT-repairseek, on Jan 9 2010, 10:43 PM, said:

This post has been edited by Ltangelic: 15 January 2010 - 09:31 AM

2 things I would like to comment on. 1st... it bothers me that IOBit stole from MBAM, which means their other products may be from stolen data as well. Which leads to this, I use their Smart Defrag, since it is free and has great ratings from Cnet.com, etc...

So does anyone else know of another good defrag product like Smart Defrag from another company?

2nd thing... I have become a fairly avid Linux (Ubuntu) user/learner (for the lack of better words) and love the "open source" state of mind that is part of Linux. (but I still use Windows 50-60% of the time)

So it seems to me, if MBAM allows us to use their product to fix computer malware problems for free, why would they not just openly share their definitions with other "legitimate" companies so long as those companies agree to offer it for non profit as well. Just like the open source companies of Linux.
I know it is a corporate world and "Windows" based products are all about the almighty dollar, but Malwarebytes is already letting anybody download, update, scan, and remove malware for free anyway. (and don't say it is like a loss-leader to get us to buy their real-time protection, it is more than just that I believe.)

Thanks for hearing my 2cents!

AustinTerry, on Feb 17 2010, 03:21 PM, said:

Marcin the CEO of MalwareBytes addresses that very question if you follow the link in the first post, to their site.

Animal, on Feb 17 2010, 07:40 PM, said:

I read the original post from Marcin (RubbeR DuckY) about 3 times over, and saw no mention of MBAM openly sharing their definitions with other companies. Just about IOBit stealing their proprietary database, which means it is their exclusive property....

no biggie... just a thought anyway.

I think some miss the point that MBAM is in fact a "Paid" program with a reduced feature version offered free the the home user! Naturally most all of the code is in the free but the paid version has all the features. There are several vendors that have free and paid versions, should anyone be able to just go and steal their hard work? Many of us have been using various free products, all of us should be very thankful that they exist, they only exist by being paid for by the "Paid" versions. I am 100% on MBAM's side on this issue, I think if you lean back and think a moment you too will agree!

Phil