Hot Take Malwarebytes is not available in many countries

[Divine_Barakah]

"Sorry, it seems like you are unable to download or purchase Malwarebytes.

This restriction is based on your current location.

Why can’t I download or purchase Malwarebytes here?
Our geo-location solution indicates that you are in a country or region where Malwarebytes does not offer its solutions.

Why does Malwarebytes do this?
Malwarebytes solutions are only available in certain countries or regions. This may be for a number of reasons, including complying with export control regulations and international sanctions. This may include preventing downloads or purchases in sanctioned countries. Compliance with these regulations is mandatory for us.

Currently, we do not sell any Malwarebytes consumer products in the following countries: Belarus, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Egypt, Hong Kong, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jordan, Korea, Democratic People’s Rep. (North Korea), Libya, Macau, Oman, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine (Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia)

Identity solutions are only available in certain countries. See here for details.

What if I am just traveling?
If you are only temporarily in this area, you may be able to download or purchase Malwarebytes products once you are back in a non-restricted region or country."

 

[Wrecker4923]

Some of those countries are still surprising.

 

[Parkinsond]

Not to be missed; too much FP and some FN, with negative impact on performance.

 

[TairikuOkami]

Why does Malwarebytes do this?

https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information

 

[Parkinsond]

https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information

Not including Egypt; however, it is not available!

 

[TairikuOkami]

Not including Egypt; however, it is not available!

Egypt - U.S. Export Controls | Privacy Shield

Includes the U.S. government export controls that companies need to abide by when exporting to this country.

www.privacyshield.gov

 

[Parkinsond]

Egypt - U.S. Export Controls | Privacy Shield

Includes the U.S. government export controls that companies need to abide by when exporting to this country.

www.privacyshield.gov

Egypt is not subject to special sanctions (such as those imposed on Sudan and Iran). Nevertheless, there are three aspects of U.S. export control regulations that should be considered in doing business with Egypt:

First, U.S. companies may not aid or abet the Arab League boycott of Israel. If there appears to be any request that might be in support of boycotts, companies should contact the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Second, BIS has a Denied Persons List and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), U.S. Department of the Treasury, has a Specially Designated Nationals List. Both of these lists can be checked online to ensure that the name of a prospective business partner is not on the lists.
Third, individual items may require specific export licenses. In particular, products used by the military and security professions, and high-technology equipment of interest to military and security services may be controlled commodities for export.

Could not find any reference explaining banning MB in Egypt!

 

[TairikuOkami]

Third, individual items may require specific export licenses. In particular, products used by the military and security professions, and high-technology equipment of interest to military and security services may be controlled commodities for export.

 

[Parkinsond]

Why not banning Norton and other Gen Digital products?
The same rules apply to; at least they work, not like MB.

 

[Harputlu]

I have a lifetime license. I have to use a VPN to activate it. That's ridiculous.

 

[bazang]

Could not find any reference explaining banning MB in Egypt!

MB, like many companies, chooses to avoid liability, compliance overhead, and regulatory violations by simply choosing not to do business in certain nations or even entire regions rather than try to navigate the regulatory requirements; these companies are making risk-based decisions.

The decision always remains each company's and it must assume all responsibility and accountability to the government for its decision to export something here or there.

I do business within Belarus. One of those nations where every single transaction has compliance overhead. The only way around it is to open an office within a nation that does not regulate commerce with Belarus.

 

[lokamoka820]

Serious Discussion Thread 'Malwarebytes Became Region Restricted'

Jun 5, 2025

I was trying to download Malwarebytes and I have got the following message:



After restricting almost every security extension available in Google Chrome store, now we can't install security software too?

• lokamoka820
• Replies: 42
• Forum: Malwarebytes

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[Parkinsond]

https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information

@lokamoka820
And again, Jordan is not on the list.

 

[Wrecker4923]

Jordan is not on the list.

It does seem somewhat arbitrary, or at least unintelligible. Although a company can ultimately decide what country it markets its products in, I think this kind of ban negatively impacts their cash inflow; they probably wouldn't do it (think of Facebook ad sales to scammers) unless they feel they have to. Generally for capitalists, cash is god anyway .

 

[Zero Knowledge]

Once your on the banned list it's almost impossible to do business or travel to those countries. If you do travel expect a rough prostate exam at customs when returning.

I guess Egypt users can use Kaspersky? If you can at least use one good AV suite then it's OK.

I know It's bad because good and hard working people like Egypt MT members get penalized because of a few politicians and leaders.

 

[Parkinsond]

I guess Egypt users can use Kaspersky?

Yes, it's not banned here, but I use MD fortified with ASR rules and sometimes, WDAC.