{
  "id": 109233,
  "title": "Malwarebytes Offers US College Students 2 Years of Free Antivirus Protection",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/malwarebytes-offers-us-college-students-2-years-of-free-antivirus",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-03T23:43:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CNET",
    "slug": "cnet",
    "url": "https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/malwarebytes-offers-us-college-students-two-years-of-free-antivirus-protection/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malwarebytes, a leading antivirus provider, is extending its Student Protection Program to US college students, offering them two years of free access to its Malwarebytes Premium Security suite. This comprehensive protection covers up to three devices and includes features such as malware and ransomware defense, phishing and scam detection, and ad blocking. The program is open to students aged 18 or older enrolled in US colleges and universities who can provide a valid .edu or .college email address. Students can verify their eligibility by entering their email address on the Malwarebytes website, where they also have the option to request early access or opt for a 50% student discount if their school is not on the initial list. The offer is particularly timely, aligning with the back-to-school season when students face a variety of online security risks, such as connecting to new networks and encountering phishing attempts disguised as financial aid notifications or IT alerts. Upon the conclusion of the two-year period, students can either maintain a limited free version or upgrade to a Premium subscription, which costs $60 annually. Malwarebytes selected the program as an Editors' Choice award winner due to its reliable security capabilities for devices with a limited quantity, and it currently competes with Bitdefender for the Best Antivirus Overall.",
  "summary": "The security suite’s new Student Protection Program covers three devices for eligible students at US universities.",
  "key_points": [
    "Malwarebytes extends 2-year free antivirus protection for US college students.",
    "Program covers up to three devices with malware, ransomware, phishing, and ad blocking features.",
    "Students verify eligibility via .edu or .college email on Malwarebytes website."
  ],
  "editors_take": "This move bolsters Malwarebytes' presence among students heading back to college, a demographic vulnerable to online threats, and potentially locks in a loyal user base long-term.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}