Opinions on use of Ad-Aware by Lavasoft?

Discussion in 'other anti-malware software' started by jbandbb, Nov 4, 2006.

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  1. jbandbb

    jbandbb Registered Member

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    Hi, I hope someone can be of help to me and hopefully, I'm asking in the correct forum. I previously was using the free version of Ad Aware personal by Lavasoft, and then just last weekend upgraded to Ad Aware SE Plus paid version which includes Ad-Watch. I am asking backwards I know. I should have asked prior to purchasing with them, but I'm wondering -- Is it a safe company and have I purchased the correct product for at home use? I didn't know they were in another country until my billing statement. I hope someone could advise me on whether I should keep the program? And if it is not advised to keep, which should I get? And how would I delete all traces of the product out of my PC because I'm sure it is pretty advanced.

    Thanks for any help you can give me. I'm not blonde, but feeling a little like it not knowing what I'm doing with such programs. . :doubt:
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2006
  2. the Tester

    the Tester Registered Member

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    Lavasoft is a legitimate company.

    Just my personal opinion, I think that there are better programs available.
    Maybe you could use a backup scanner to help cover a bit more.
    There are other programs that offer a free scanner that can be updated.
    SUPERAntiSpyware seems to be well liked and I use it.

    http://www.superantispyware.com/

    AVG Antispyware is another program that has a free scanner and updates.

    http://free.grisoft.com/doc/20/lng/us/tpl/v5

    There's nothing wrong with asking questions.
     
  3. Perman

    Perman Registered Member

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    Hi, folks: This is just my personal experience w/ this app, both free and plus version. The free version was an excellent app, one of my very first security softwares installed in my earlier days. I am afraid it is now in its dying days. As to the plus version, the Ad-watch was very effective in early days, however lately it has caused a good number of compatablity issues w/ newer security apps; a headache so speak, wish can be done w/o it. There are quite few good, better AS apps (both free and paid) available on the market. Just do some search on this forum, you will easily find your love(I mean your favorites) Good luck.
     
  4. john2g

    john2g Registered Member

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    I had Ad-aware paid version for some years, but haven't updated it for over a year. I don't see the need. I have another application that does a far better job.
     
  5. mercurie

    mercurie A Friendly Creature

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    I have used this both free and paid Plus version. I still keep the Plus version on my family machine and up to date.

    The company is honest. However, you have made a mistake purchasing the Plus.My cost basis is less then $20 because I am a long time user. The free is fine because it is free. As has been said there are far better products. Even though Ad-Aware Plus is on the family machine it usually sleeps....ZZZZZZZZ.:p

    I am sorry you purchased it the money could have been better spent.:(
     
  6. TopperID

    TopperID Registered Member

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    If you start asking questions like that you are going to be bombarded with opinion. It is important you realise people will be giving their own preferences, which may may not coincide with objective fact (which is unfortunately hard to determine in any case), nor your personal requirements.

    Lavasoft is a reputable company and AdAware is a good product. The problem is that modern spyware has been evolving at a rapid pace and is now much harder to deal with. Whilst other products have been coming up with new versions to try and tackle the latest threats, AdAware seems to have lagged behind. Basically it needs upgrading, and that includes AdWatch. It is not, however, a useless product and still has very many devotees. See the Forum here:-

    http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/

    As to whether you could have done better you have to consider what your own requirements are. Generally, free versions of anti-spyware apps lack realtime protection, they are demand scan only; it is also generally true to say that if you are going to rely on demand scans to remove spyware after it has installed then you are likely to experience disappointment whatever product you choose. I'd rather have AdWatch than no realtime protection at all.

    For free realtime protection you could certainly look at WinPatrol (though the Plus version offers better features) and for paid for protection my personal preference is CounterSpy (the new version 2 will be offering excellent improved capabilities) though others will go for Webroot's SpySweeper.

    I would certainly keep AdAware for a backup scanner, and quite honestly you would be fully justified in using AdWatch, until your licence expires, and use another one of the free versions for backup scans. To suggest you have simply wasted your money is stretching things too far; the object of the exercise is to keep yourself clean by up to date patching of Windows, browser settings, and basic common sense in surfing (allowing yourself to be tricked is one of the easiest ways to become infected!). AdWatch (or other realtime spyware protection) will then be for reassurance as much as anything. Your FW and AV are much more important.
     
  7. ErikAlbert

    ErikAlbert Registered Member

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    Most security forums/websites recommend Ad-Aware and Spybot as Anti-Spyware scanners, but I don't think that's enough nowadays.
     
  8. Pedro

    Pedro Registered Member

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    In my humble opinion, you wasted money. Not to be alarmed, it's a good product. I use the free version to scan and be sure i'm safe. Alongside AVG-AS, Spybot S&D, Spyware Terminator, A squared.:eek: All free, ST and Spybot have a resident shield (diferent). Use them to clean your computer. Recheck with the Spyware Doctor trial. If you want simplicity, i recomend GeSWall:thumb: for prevention (my choice because it's straightforward), or another "sandbox" software, besides a firewall (Comodo is simple and effective:thumb: ). If you're concerned that something passes that (it can and will), then some other sort of HIPS, like Cyberhawk that alerts you to possible malware actions, or Prevx1, my choice:thumb: , that does almost everything for you. Prevx1 is probably cheaper than Ad-Aware, and it's the only one i consider buying.
    The products i said are just references. They are my choices so far, but i'm far from understanding all of this. Besides Prevx1, all others are free or free versions.
    Search for the terms sandbox and HIPS in google and you'll quickly get the concepts.
     
  9. marcromero

    marcromero Guest

    Ad-Aware is an old standard, surviving on an old reputation, in my opinion. You have been given many good suggestions for alternatives, this is where I would look for adware/spyware protection. Most antivirus programs offer pretty good adware/spyware protection also, I personally, do not have any adware/spyware programs installed on my computer, other than my current antivirus solution. You can always use the free Dr.Web CureIt Utility for a second opinion scanner.
     
  10. aigle

    aigle Registered Member

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    I agree with this.
    If u wanted to pay there were much better options.
     
  11. tobacco

    tobacco Frequent Poster

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    Few years ago :thumb:

    Now - waste of space :thumbd:
     
  12. aigle

    aigle Registered Member

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    I have already dumped Adaware altogether even for on-demand scanning( alongwith Spybot)-- they are replaced by Ewido and SAS.
     
  13. kdm31091

    kdm31091 Registered Member

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    Ad-Aware is fairly useless for today's spyware IMO.
     
  14. EASTER.2010

    EASTER.2010 Guest

    AVG Anti-Spyware


    Ad-Aware SE is so YESTERDAY and very OBSOLETE IMHO. You can find posts scattered all over security sites even now where there are either delays in updating threats in their database files, (if the server is even up) or simple malware that either disables the program or slides right thru into the guts of a good machine.

    I posted on the new forums a valid suggestion they take a HIPS approach to those nagging and ongoing events happening with it.

    Which road they choose is of their own consequence, but as-is users everywhere are turning away from it in droves. There are simply others better equipped in detection and removals who have their eyes wide-open & set ahead of the curve by reading and taking seriously PC end-users reviews and acting on measures to keep your good machine safe.
     
  15. john2g

    john2g Registered Member

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    Coupled with what seems to be weekly FPs that they have to correct.
     
  16. mercurie

    mercurie A Friendly Creature

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    ...like BOClean... Lavasoft (Adaware Plus) has never asked for more money.

    $19.95 purchased August 2002. Just to be clear I do not believe it to be useless, just weak as has been said you need prevention, more then get nasty and remove it, software. Adwatch will pester you to death even on items that are of little threat it even hangs at times just a real pain. :p

    I do not recommend spending money to get Plus for anyone considering this today. :cautious: It is a disappointment to me. :(
     
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