What is ByteFence?

ByteFence is a Anti-Malware solution, that will also sneak in a little browser toolbar. If you've accidentally installed it from installing another program, you can go in to "Uninstall a program" tab in Control Panel.

Unfortunately, while it is a legitimate anti-malware, it usually comes with a bunch of bundleware and might install certain toolbars or redirect your search.

It's most likely a Rogue antimalware app, if your description is correct. Certainly not a legit program. Rogue programs are actually malware themselves! There are countless nos. of those types of apps out there.

EDIT: I checked ByteFence against a couple Rogue AntiMalare lists and don't find it listed. However, some of those lists are outdated or incomplete. Still, any program that only scans for malicious software but requires you to purchase in order to clean any infections, isn't something I'd want to use. That's how many rogue programs behave.

P.S. No replies necessary. I'm not trying to get discussion going in this dated thread. Just a FYI to anyone coming across this old thread.

ByteFence is a commercial product by Byte Technologies LLC.

It has nothing to do with Microsoft and is not one of the products which are normally recommended here in Microsoft Community.

The free version only scans for malware. It does not remove any malware.

I, personally, have never used it and have no intention to ever use it.

You might want to read

• one or the other thread from this search
• Supplementing your Anti-Virus Program with Anti-Malware Tools
• Best Practices for Safe Computing - Prevention of Malware Infection

Is this a bad program to have? what are the downsides?

David

It isn't bad, the downside is the free version only scans for Malware, but does not remove it. I haven't used it personally, I'm not sure how good it is.