Malwarebytes acquired Romania-based Binisoft in May 2018, according to contemporaneous reporting. Binisoft made Windows Firewall Control and USB Flash Drives Control; Malwarebytes said it planned to integrate Windows Firewall Control into its endpoint protection platform. The deal terms were not disclosed, and the available sources do not establish whether or when that integration was completed.
What Malwarebytes acquired
SecurityWeek reported on May 24, 2018, that Malwarebytes had acquired privately held Binisoft, a Romania-based software company. Its report identifies two Binisoft products: Windows Firewall Control and USB Flash Drives Control. The acquisition terms were not disclosed in that reporting. SecurityWeek’s report is the contemporaneous source for the deal and the statements about it.
- Windows Firewall Control is a utility for managing Microsoft’s built-in Windows Firewall.
- USB Flash Drives Control controls the use of removable USB drives.
What Windows Firewall Control does—and does not do
Windows Firewall Control is a management utility, not a firewall that replaces Windows’ built-in protection. The Malwarebytes Windows Firewall Control User Guide says the Windows Firewall service must be running for the utility to work. In practical terms, it provides a way to manage the firewall already included with Windows; it is not a separate network appliance or standalone firewall.
Why Malwarebytes said it bought Binisoft
The stated rationale was to make firewall administration easier for business customers. SecurityWeek quoted Malwarebytes CEO Marcin Kleczynski as saying: “We’ve seen tremendous demand from our customer base for these capabilities. With the acquisition of Binisoft, Malwarebytes will provide an all in one solution well beyond having to manage a Firewall through Group Policy Objects or other Microsoft technologies.” The quotation is reproduced as SecurityWeek reported it; the original announcement was not located among the sources available for this account.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
At the time, Malwarebytes described Endpoint Protection as a cloud-managed Windows endpoint product with a unified agent, multiple protection layers, and asset management. That historical description provides context for the proposed fit, but it should not be read as a description of Malwarebytes’ current product features. Malwarebytes’ June 2017 product announcement describes that earlier platform.
Was Windows Firewall Control integrated into Malwarebytes?
The 2018 report establishes an intention to integrate Windows Firewall Control into Malwarebytes’ endpoint protection platform. It does not establish a completion date, confirm that the integration shipped, or show the product’s current status. The acquisition announcement and plan therefore should not be treated as proof that Windows Firewall Control is now a feature of a current Malwarebytes business product.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Historical availability and product requirements
SecurityWeek reported that Windows Firewall Control was distributed as donationware and USB Flash Drives Control as freeware. It also reported Malwarebytes’ promise of continued maintenance and support and free availability at least in the short term. Those were statements made in 2018, not confirmation of today’s licensing, support, or availability.
The user guide surfaced for this article lists Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11 (x86 and x64 editions), plus Windows Server 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025. It lists .NET Framework 4.8 or newer as a requirement and says Windows Firewall, Windows Event Log, and DNS Client services must be enabled for the relevant functions. Because supported systems and requirements can change, check the linked guide for the version you intend to use.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesQuick Recap
Rank #3
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
