A newer version of Ad-aware is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
Features
- Editor's Rating:
- Average User Rating:
-
Downloads:
320,544,093
- Operating Systems:
Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 98
- Additional Requirements:
Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
- Limitations:
No limitations
- Date Added:
May 29, 2002
-
Previous Versions:
Publisher's description of Ad-aware 5.82
From Lavasoft:
Our editors say:
Adware is known by many names--spyware, trackware, or even Big Brotherware. While producers of adware claim its purpose is merely to collect information about Internet habits in order to deliver ads tailored to a surfer's interests, privacy advocates are concerned about the potential misuse of this data.Where does it come from? Most likely it was installed alongside that free software widget that you downloaded just last week, without you even noticing.
Ad-aware identifies and removes these surreptitiously installed applications. Using updateable "reflists," which are sort of like antivirus DAT files, Ad-aware scours your system--including Registry and temporary Internet files--and looks for traces of recognized adware modules. When it's finished searching, it displays a list of what it found and lets you select the items you'd like to remove from your system. And when coupled with its companion program, RefUpdate, you're always assured of using the most comprehensive list of adware to search for. The main drawback is that some ad-supported programs, such as GoZilla Free, will no longer function if you remove their ad modules. If privacy is your main concern, Ad-aware will help keep you anonymous on the Web.
The latest release detects even more adware modules and includes several minor fixes and improvements.Developer Changes:
Editor's review of Ad-aware 5.82
stars
- "Root out adware"
- Version reviewed: Ad-aware 5.82
Read a CNET review of the full version of Lavasoft Ad-Aware.
One of the first applications built to find and remove adware and spyware, Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition's excellent reputation is well justified. The sky-blue, skinnable interface features five buttons. The first two, Status and Scan, lead to the core function of the application. These buttons initiate a scan of your files for adware components. After scanning is complete, the program presents a summary of results, followed by a list from which you select exactly which components to remove. Right-clicking an individual entry gives some information about the piece of suspected adware, though we would like more details.
Ad-Aware SE can alert you to more malignant forms of malware by separating items into critical and negligible categories. The third button, Ad-Watch, is nonfunctional in the Standard version. The fourth button, Plug-ins, shows you which Ad-Aware plug-ins are installed. The fifth leads to the help files.Ad-Aware SE does an excellent job of quickly finding and removing most adware and spyware components, although you will have to restart and rescan for a seriously infected machine. We were pleased to see an auto-update feature included with the program, keeping Ad-Aware up-to-date with the latest adware components. Ad-Aware SE should be part of your arsenal for keeping your machine free of adware and spyware components.
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