Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET Editors' review
One of the first applications built to find and remove adware and spyware, Ad-Aware's excellent reputation is well-justified. The 2008 edition looks to be more of a course correction from some of the missteps in the 2007 version.
The adware and malware detection engine has undergone a significant overhaul, resulting in faster scan times and improved rootkit detection. New users should notice that the app performs faster than integrated antivirus and antimalware programs: That's because only the paid version of Ad-Aware comes with a new antivirus engine. Only users of Ad-Aware's paid versions reap that benefit.
The updater is no longer permanently on, and it instead runs in your system's background only if you activate it--eliminating a big problem with last year's model. The interface improvements include six skins, cleanly designed tabbed navigation for each of the program's main functions, and easy-to-see red Xs and green check marks to indicate a features status.
Besides the antivirus integration, other features disabled in the free version include the real-time Ad-Watch guard, heuristics scanning, the scheduler, and plug-ins. Although Ad-Aware detects and removes malware with ease, we hesitate to recommend it as anything more than a secondary detection engine considering that many free competitors offer more features and similar, if not stronger, levels of effectiveness.
Ad-Aware Anniversary Edition:Publisher's Description
From Lavasoft:
With the ability to scan your RAM, Registry, hard drives, and external storage devices for known data-mining, advertising, and tracking components, Ad-Aware 2008 can clean your system easily, allowing you to maintain a higher degree of privacy while you surf the Web.
Ad-Aware 2008 includes an improved threat detection, enhanced rootkit removal system, faster updates, Lavasoft ThreatWork to submit suspicious files for analysis, and is now compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit Windows Vista.
What's new in this version: Ad-Aware 2008 includes an improved threat detection, enhanced rootkit removal system, faster updates, Lavasoft ThreatWork to submit suspicious files for analysis, and is now compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit Windows Vista.
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All versions:
3.8 starsout of 13,342 votes
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Current version:
3.4 starsout of 612 votes
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My rating:
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"Does NOT work with Vista Home Premium"
Version: Ad-Aware 2008 7.1.0.8
Pros
Installs sure enough, but won't work.
Cons
All free versions scan no less than 4735 files and no more, won't complete a scan in windows vista home premium.
Summary
I'd like to know if it is possible for any version to work with vista, because this is awesome with xp.
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"really casuing problems"
Version: Ad-Aware 2008 7.1.0.8
Pros
IF it runs then it seems to do a good job at removing adware/spyware
Cons
I have found that as Ad-aware is getting bigger it is getting more quirky, with lots of fatal errors...should have left itsimple!!!
Summary
Remember KISS...keep it simple stupid....
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"Won't install"
Version: Ad-Aware 2008 7.1.0.8
Pros
Former versions worked
Cons
The stumblingblock is a service: aawservice thatn causes a 1920 errorcode
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"Works well for my Windows XP"
Version: Ad-Aware 2008 7.1.0.8
Pros
Seems easy to use for the first time that I did it after a rather lengthy download and install. I have only used this version once and seems to find a lot of tracker cookies which even my Webroot spyware program does not find. Wonder why.
Cons
Have not used SE version in a couple of years and then was on Win98 computer, but this version seems much slower even on a much faster WinXP computer perhaps it is a more complete scan. It is a good backup to Webroot spyware program I subscribe to.
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"The best spyware remover"
Version: Ad-Aware 2008 7.1.0.8
Pros
Remove all spyware and adware in my pc and help me to play online better
Cons
Slow in start up
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"Excellent product that gives no trouble"
Version: Ad-Aware 2008 7.1.0.8
Pros
It is a nice interface, which is expandable to full window - a great plus as I hate programs that restrict you to the size they have determined.
Cons
None that I can think of.
Summary
I have Comodo firewall, Spyware Blaster and AVG Free installed and unlike some other anti spyware programs I have tried out Adaware has never given me any problems with any of these.
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"Bad Enough to Convince Me To Switch Programs"
Version: Ad-Aware 2008 7.1.0.8
Pros
I will not use Lavasoft products ever again.
Cons
Previous version ran fine. Saw the 2008 version under Update tab. It hung at the halfway mark during several scans & was still running 30 minutes in. More attempts & complete removal from registry of all related files & reinstall were waste of time.
Summary
I miss the days when you could download something, update it without hassles, and not have any issues. If you are running an older version then switch to something else like AVG. This program, like all programs, requires updates in order to be effective. Don't bother. Just switch.
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"awsome stuff"
Version: Ad-Aware 2008 7.1.0.8
Pros
it's much better then the 2007 version.
Cons
A little over I can't complain about it as a backup scanner. It seems to compliment my paid program well. It took them way to long to get this all worked out but it seems much better now.aggressive on cookies
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"It works fine for me!"
Version: Ad-Aware 2008 7.1.0.8
Pros
Ad-Aware was easy to down load and it was free. It's simple to use. I don't need any more bells and whistles. I've been using it for years and have ecomended it friends.
Cons
It's working for me.
Summary
I paid for Ad-Aware last year and was not happy. The Web Tracker would slow my system down when turning on my computer and loading my programs. Just about every time I would run a scan,whether Quick or Full, the program would stop and lock up half way through. I would have to end the program. I like this version and will conyinue to use the free program.
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"Very thorough - usually finds some issues.."
Version: Ad-Aware 2008 7.1.0.8
Pros
Fairly flexible with 2 Scan Levels.
Cons
Takes a fair while to complete a Scan.
Summary
Like it - Has possibilities. Still exploring added functions.
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