After installing Malwarebytes for Android and ChromeOS version 3, you may see Critical and Non-critical issue notices on the app's Dashboard. Each of these detail issues identified by Malwarebytes on your device. Depending on the amount of messages, you may need to scroll down to view all of them. These issue messages are color coded to signal their severity:
- Orange: Issues which may affect your security but are non-critical.
- Red: Critical issues which require your attention.
Under each issue, you'll see a blue call-to-action button that recommends the next steps. Click the button and follow the prompts to fix the issue. There is also a checkbox to the right of each item. Check any of these boxes if you want to hide non-critical issues from view on the Dashboard. Critical issues cannot be hidden. The following is a selection of issues which may appear on your Dashboard, their severity, and our recommendation for correcting each of them.
Last Scan Performed
- Non-Critical: Last scan has been performed more than a week ago
- Critical: Full scan has never been performed
- Critical: Last scan has been performed more than 2 weeks ago
- Resolution: Perform a full scan
Last Scan Ignore Malware (not deleted or added to Allow List)
- Non-Critical: After last scan you've ignored some unwanted malware
- Non-Critical: After last scan you've ignored some adware
- Critical: After last scan you've ignored some dangerous malware
- Critical: After last scan you've ignored some dangerous RANSOMWARE
- Resolution: Perform a full scan and/or review Allow List entries
Unscanned Apps
- Non-Critical: You have new apps that haven't been scanned yet
- Resolution: Perform a full scan
Old/Missing Malware Database
- Non-Critical: Last database update has been performed more than a week ago
- Critical: Database has not been updated yet
- Critical: Last database update has been performed more than 2 weeks ago
- Resolution: Update your database
Allow List Cleared
In cases where a user removed items from the Allow List, Malwarebytes may need to scan to ensure previously excluded items are not present on your device.
- Non-Critical: Allow List that contained adware has been cleared
- Non-Critical: Allow List that contained unwanted malware has been cleared
- Critical: Allow List that contained dangerous malware has been cleared
- Critical: Allow List that contained dangerous ransomware has been cleared
- Resolution: Perform a full scan
Scans Disabled
- Non-Critical: Scan after update is disabled
- Resolution: Enable this setting to assure you are protected with the newest threat information
Real-Time Protection Disabled
- Non-Critical: Real-Time Protection is disabled
- Resolution: Enable Real-Time Protection
Security Audit Issues
- Non-Critical: Security Audit detected some issues
- Resolution: Reviewing Security Audit is highly recommended
Learn more about Malwarebytes for Android Security Audit overview.
Draw over other apps disabled
- Critical: This permission is required to show remediation instructions in Anti-Ransomware protection.
- Resolution: Allow permission for the Malwarebytes app to draw over other apps under device's Accessibility settings.
Background exclusion required
- Non-Critical: Malwarebytes is enabled for Battery Optimization in device Settings or 3rd party app which could cause functionality issues.
- Resolution: Disable Battery Optimization
Other permissions
Malwarebytes on Android devices offers several other protection layers which require user permission to function. Learn more about Malwarebytes required functions on Android device.
Return to the Malwarebytes for Android and Chromebook guide.