Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
A-Squared Free seems to have worked out many of its major quirks, and has become a top-notch free malware remover.
When the program starts, it opens to the Security Status page. From there, you can run scans, update the program, access the A-Squared knowledge base and choose from among 20 display languages. Program options are arranged on the left nav: the aforementioned Security Status, Scan PC, Quarantine, and Configuration tabs. Scan PC contains four scanning options: Quick, Smart, Deep, and Custom. Obviously, Quick Scan is the fastest and most superficial, while the Deep Scan can take several hours.
If you choose a scan that examines your cookies, the app will recommend closing your Web browser. Custom lets you choose not only which folders to scan, but also lets you opt out of heuristic, tracking cookie, and spyware remnant scans. There is also a Whitelist where you can add folders or files, accessible at the bottom of the main Scan tab panel. The Quarantine tab uses a spreadsheet-style layout to manage isolated files, and the Configuration tab has options for Context menu scans, Update behavior, and Permissions settings.
There's an annoying design quirk, where important options like the Whitelist are placed in the bottom left of the active panel. But for an antimalware program that's free and doesn't install its own spyware on your machine, A-Squared 3 is the place to be.
Publisher's Description
From Emsisoft:
Scans your computer for malicious software (Malware), including Trojan Horses, Dialers, Worms, Spyware, Adware and more. a-squared is specialized in finding and removing them securely. The disk scan checks all files on your system disks for Malware. The scanner scans for Spyware Traces. Currently more than 700,000 different types of Malware may be detected and removed. Daily online updates provides the best protection. Version 3.0.0.357 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
What's new in this version: Version 3.0.0.357 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
3.8 starsout of 453 votes
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Current version:
3.7 starsout of 74 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"This is SPYWARE; Remove from your Computer!!!"
Version: A-Squared 3
Pros
Nice user interface, that?s IT
Cons
CCorrupts registry; program runs even after the registry keys have been deleted, processes can?t be stopped, locks you out of your account
Summary
Online Armor Free (Firewall) and A-Squared Free Online Armor Personal Firewall Bundle; I believe that the two programs to be spyware/viruses.
I installed A-Squared and it:
1. Caused my computer to crash, continuous reboot.
a. I had to perform a repair to get into my account.
2. Locked me out of ?My Accounts? in the control panel; I could not view, add, change or delete any accounts.
3. The program could not be uninstalled under any circumstances.
4. The processes/services could not be stopped under any circumstances.
a. In msconfig the services associated with the program could not be stopped even when deselected; the processes started even when deselected in the startup tab.
b. When I deleted the registry keys; the services and two processes ran even when their associated registry keys were deleted.
5. I had to reinstall Win XP using a repartition and format to get rid of the software. -
"It"s A Keeper!"
Version: A-Squared 3
Pros
Better than, SuperAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, Windows Defender and Windows Live One Care. Not a single one detected a Trogan, yet I knew something was not right so decided to give "ASquared" a shot and was blown away!
Cons
Nothing so far, I plan on keeping this one.
Summary
Easy on system resources, scans fast and finds what it's looking for. I definately recommend this product. Since AdAware turned to junk have been searching for so long, glad I found this, It's a real keeper!
PS: I NEVER go anywhere to look for products outside of CNet, I search by product name or google it and I always search the reviews, If CNet, (downlod.com) has good reviews I try it. I have never went wrong on this site and have never needed to look any further.
Two thumbs up CNet!! -
"GREAT"
Version: A-Squared 3
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"Definitly Not!"
Version: A-Squared 3
Pros
It updates pretty fast and has an unbelievable amount in it's database. Also it is free!
Cons
It doesn't have real time protection or automatic anything!
(Not a good choice for a primary spyware protection.)
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"absolutely a keeper"
Version: A-Squared 3
Pros
Before using this product i tried a few other free spywares including superantispyware, pc doc?, terminater with avg virus and i came across a problem that crashed my computer. After a more than a couple of hours with dell sevices, i decided to switch my arsenal. Downloaded A-squared,Avest,spyblaster, Window Def. and this is by far the best set up. No problemo. Would not go back! A squared updates, everyday, are packed with the latest to help with this ongoing problem of spyware!
Cons
NON
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"it is a trojan generic software"
Version: A-Squared 3
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"EXCELLENT SECONDARY MALWARE SCANNER"
Version: A-Squared 3
Pros
This version (the free version) doesn't have active protection. But it is the same engine as their paid product. It's detection of spyware and adware is excellent. It found a few things that spy sweeper didnt, and I paid 20 bucks for spy sweeper. It is supposed to be a good trojan hunter also, but I dont know I have no trojans on my system.. Great backup scanner to run a couple of times a week. Germans make good software.
Cons
No cons
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"Great program!"
Version: A-Squared 3
Pros
I feel very safe with this program running, and it feels like a program you would have to pay for; from the interface to the articles-links that allow to keep up-to-date on what is going on in the computer world. I have found very few items so far, but hopefully that is because of safe computer practices on my end, but I like knowing that this program will have my back.
Cons
An auto-updater and a scheduler would be nice, but it is free, so I am not going to fault the program for this.
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"Surprise! You have trojans"
Version: A-Squared 3
Pros
It's free, but, does it worth it?
Cons
I trusted on this software, and I thinked that, combined with the antivirus, my computer was safe. Then I tried Counter Spy, and surprise, I was infected with 2 trojans and 1 Hacker toolkit. So for me, A-Squared is history.
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"I don't know i can't download it~!"
Version: A-Squared 3
Pros
same as step 2!
Cons
Same as 3
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