CNET Editors' review
While this application offers a decent set of features, it's not as robust as it needs to be to fight the ever-present threat of pernicious adware. Adware Spyware SE scans your computer (memory, Registry, and hard disk) for threats, whether they be adware or spyware. It also monitors computer processes, items that launch during start-up, and browser settings (such as bookmarks) for undesirable programs. One of our biggest complaints is how the application handles ActiveX. Instead of gauging the threat of specific ActiveX programs, it simply blocks all of them. What's more, during testing we intentionally installed several well-known spyware components to see if Adware Spyware SE would nab them; unfortunately, it didn't. To top it all off, the demo won't even remove the components it does find; you have to pay for that privilege. Overall, while the program's feature set is good, its performance and trial restriction leave something to be desired.
Publisher's Description
From Adware Spyware SE:
Adware Spyware SE detects adware, and spyware. Adware Spyware SE removes keyloggers, browser hijackers, and detects Trojans. Our Privacy Keeper allows users to remove tracking cookies, temporary files, and more. Additional functionality include a top notched computer analyzer (Which detects md5 calculations and monitors DLLs), a Process Manager (for analyzing processes), a Favorite Protection System (For preventing auto-insertion of favorites in IE), A start-up monitor (For detecting changes to your start-up), a host manager (for managing host files), a homepage monitor (for homepage protection), a port monitor (For monitoring of potential Threats and port activity), and a Privacy Keeper (for advanced privacy protection).
Version 2.1.5 includes upgrade to ActiveX.
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All versions:
3.7 starsout of 37 votes
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Current version:
2.2 starsout of 11 votes
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My rating:
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"lost keyboard volume button function after installation"
Version: AdWare SpyWare SE 2.1.5
Pros
Cleaned 6 tracking cookies on initial scan
Cons
Volume control buttons on my Acer aspire keyboard stopped responding immediately after the installation. I had to return to previous restore point. (Windows 7 Home ed; Intel core i5)
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"Can't figure out what free version actually does"
Version: AdWare SpyWare SE 2.1.5
Pros
Well, it's free, and a quick download, but otherwise, not sure. See Cons...
Cons
It ran some sort of scan, but then there were no options to do anything with the results. Either I have a buggy copy, or the free version is completely worthless.
Summary
What the heck does the free version actually do?
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"Junk - this is actually a Ad-Aware Rip-Off Counterfeit"
Version: AdWare SpyWare SE 2.1.5
Pros
It has no positves except they market the heck out of it and the owners are good at stealing your money
Cons
This is designed to make you think you are downloading Ad-Aware. It is a poorly written piece of junk that overcharges you each year. It even gives false positives to make you think it is working for you. Avoid it and make sure you get Ad-Aware. "
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"Absolutely hopeless!"
Version: AdWare SpyWare SE 2.1.5
Pros
There is nothing good to say about this product.
Cons
I disliked everything about this product.
Summary
It's very easy to get mixed up and download "rubbish" AdWare SpyWare SE, instead of the good Ad-aware
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"A waste of time"
Version: AdWare SpyWare SE 2.1.5
Pros
nothing good to say.
Cons
Doesn't find things that are there and doesn't fix anything.
Summary
Don't waste your time.
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"GARBAGE - AND A RIP-OFF - DO NOT PURCHASE!!!"
Version: AdWare SpyWare SE 2.1.5
Pros
DOES NOT EVEN DESERVE A STAR!!!
Cons
I was directed to the AdWare site via CNet - but, I was trying to upgrade my Ad-Aware to the Pro edition. Funny how much similarity there is in the name/description - definitely deliberate. Like a fool I purchased the pro edition of AdWare, plus the 2 options for a total of $49. I ran the diagnostic and got hundreds of problem areas - ran the software after downloading it and wathced them disappear - or so I thought! Ran the program every day with no probs found. Tried to go to the options and none worked. Queried "support" and received canned response to give them a couple of days to look into the matter. Waited and, just for the fun of it, ran it again with zero items found - then I ran the Norton free anti-spy that comes with the Yahoo toolbar - 39 problems found. Re-queried "support" as to why no reply and why yahoo found items that their product said didn't exist. Waited 2 days and received a mail directing me to re-download the software and use a new registry number - which I did. I then again ran the diagnostic and every bloody one of the hundreds of items that were found the first time were still there - the ones supposedly removed the first time. Went to the options again and they still did not work. At this point, I mailed support again to advise I wanted no more to do with it and asked how to get a refund - no reply! Went back to my payment receipt and called number for what I thought was the billing company - DigiWeb - and got PayPal. Complained to PayPal, told them I did not get what I paid for - they sent me a canned msg that that since i "received" the product I paid for there was nothing they could do. Called my Visa card bank and filed a complaint with them - got a temp. credit but noting final. Will be recontacting Visa tomorrow and advising of all the similarities in names, versions, etc. I also emailed the contact for "customer service" of the billing company - nothing! Figures, with them using a gmail account.
THIS IS NOTHING BUT A COMPLETE RIP-OFF - DO NOT PURCHASE IT!!!!!
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"it one of the best spyware out there"
Version: AdWare SpyWare SE 2.1.5
Pros
it easy to use and it does the job
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"CRAP!!"
Version: AdWare SpyWare SE 2.1.5
Cons
the bloody updates dont even work...it just shows updating and NEVER UPDATES....
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"Half baked rubbish"
Version: AdWare SpyWare SE 2.1.5
Pros
None
Cons
Everything
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"Excellent antispyware"
Version: AdWare SpyWare SE 2.1.5
Pros
deep search for most of spyware,trojans.
is a great product and its free
Cons
search take much time,but its free.
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