Ad-Aware is the provider of the
most advanced
protection from damaging known data-mining,
aggressive advertising, Trojans, dialers, malware, browser hijackers,
and tracking components
.The
creators and developers of this software have made it possible for
everyone to get it for free. Simply go and click on the free
download button on the right and in a few minutes you can register
for a free
account. Afterwards just go to the download section "security
software"and
you will find the program.
As of 2010[update], Lavasoft makes Ad-Aware version 8.3 available in three core versions:[6]
- Ad-Aware Free Internet Security
- Ad-Aware Pro Internet Security
- Ad-Aware Total Security
Lavasoft also offers an Ad-Aware version for businesses, named Ad-Aware Business Edition,[7] which is designed for use over networks. It has a central server
console interface with licences for installing Ad-Aware Pro Internet
Security on the networked machines.[8]
Lavasoft also makes available an Ad-Aware spin-off product aimed at
online gamers and entertainment fans, called Ad-Aware Game Edition.[9]
Each version includes anti-spyware and anti-rootkit protection, as
well as integrated protection against real-time threats. As of July 7th
the Ad-Aware Free Internet Security version also include antivirus.[10] According to Lavasoft, Ad-Aware allows computer users to combat
malicious spyware, viruses, and malware; it protects users from malware
that takes control of a computer and can result in aggressive
advertising pop-ups, in sluggish computer activity and in the stealing
of private information. The vendors says that Ad-Aware detects hazardous
content on a user's computer, identifies the threat level, and then
gives the user the ability to block or remove unwanted content.
According to
PC World magazine,
an older version of Ad-Aware, the Anniversary Edition, could locate
only 83.6% of malware in a comparative test carried out by the security
firm av-test.org.
[11] However, as the article states, no such tests have been run on the newest version. Neil J. Rubenking at
PCMag has performed a lab test on the latest version, 8.3, where Ad-Aware scored 9.2 points, beating the previous top score of 9.1
