Is It Worth Waiting for Malwarebytes to Complete a 62-Hour Scan?

Recently, I embarked on a thorough cybersecurity journey using Malwarebytes and I encountered an interesting situation that many users might face. After initiating a comprehensive custom scan, my Malwarebytes program has been running non-stop for an astonishing 62 hours. While it has made significant progress, with over 585,000 files scanned, I couldn’t help but wonder about the status of my system.

What’s particularly puzzling is the file count. I checked my C: and D: drives, and their combined total only amounts to roughly 406,000 files. So, where are all those additional files coming from? This discrepancy raises questions about what Malwarebytes might be scanning that isn’t immediately visible or accounted for in my file system properties.

For anyone who has been in a similar situation, it begs the question: should I let the scan continue until completion, or would it be wise to intervene? Malwarebytes is known for its thoroughness, but after more than two days, patience is wearing thin.

In this post, I will discuss some considerations that might help decide whether to wait for the scan to finish or take another approach.

Understanding the Scan Process

First, it’s important to recognize that security scans can be time-consuming, particularly during a complete scan where every file and application is scrutinized. Malwarebytes is designed to detect threats that may not be immediately visible, so the extensive scanning might include hidden files or system items that are not indexed in the standard file count.

Factors to Consider

1. Level of Threat: If you suspect that your computer is compromised or behaving unusually, allowing the scan to complete might be your best course of action.

2. Interruption Risks: Stopping the scan prematurely may lead to undetected threats lingering on your system, posing ongoing risks to your data and privacy.

3. Resource Usage: A lengthy scan can tie up system resources, affecting your ability to use your computer for other tasks. Balancing performance and security is key.

4. Alternative Options: If the scan continues to take an excessive amount of time without any alerts or suspicious activity, it may be worth considering alternate tools for a second opinion alongside Malwarebytes.

Conclusion

In essence, while waiting for Malwarebytes to finish this extensive scan may feel taxing, the stakes involved in cybersecurity are high. If you remain uncertain about the scan’s efficiency or your system