Ad-Aware 2007 hijacked?

Just downloaded the update for Ad-Aware 2007 definitions and for the program. Upon completion the program closed and I got an error message in French, which is odd because my computer is configured in English. Clicked ok on the error message and opened Ad-Aware again.

Then a small box appeared above my clock/notification are with the LavaSoft logo in black/white/red with the following message: "Get Ad-Aware Plus for free when you buy flowers for your valentine." I clicked the x in the upper right corner to close it; hopefully nothing installed from this action.

This sounds like adware. Has anyone else gotten it? It would be ironic if ad-aware is resorting to buy-flowers-get-free-software advertising tactics.

 

If I am not mistaken Ad Aware is a Trial Pay partner, which could be the reason for the "buy flowers and get the program for free" add.

http://www.trialpay.com/


I have used it to get a license for another product and it is legit.

 

Oh, I see. Thanks for that info.

I only recently switched to Ad-Aware 2007 from SE, and haven't seen anything like that until now.

 

Ad-Aware 2007 is geared to enterprise anymore so don't expect earth shattering results out the home/end user end of it. It's obsolete, meaning IF something more modern in malware gets in, Ad-Aware is totally incapable of real protection or full removal. Just the facts as they now stand.

You would be better off with SAS for an Anti-Spyware App PERIOD.

 

This is one of the reasons I dropped Ad-Aware after updating from SE.

 

Do you guys know what actually happened to Lavasoft? I remember a few years ago, they were at the top of the game. What made them drop behind?

 

I agree on the SAS recommendation, I use it at home and our company is now a reseller. The results are seen in the field by us every week, great product.

Another highly under discussed product IMO is Trojan Remover for it's ability to remove garbage on a computer. www.simplysup.com

 

Probably bad management and inadequate programmers. The same can be said for Webroot's Spy Sweeper. They both built up a big subscriber base when spyware/adware/trojans weren't a huge issue like they are now, and since they have their software in retail stores they reap heavy profits. Now they simply live off of their legacy while pimping inferior products that pale in comparison to several free apps that are currently available, such as SAS, AVGAS, a-squared, etc.