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Each version includes anti-spyware, antivirus, and anti-rootkit protection, as well as integrated protection against real-time threats. According to Lavasoft, Ad-Aware allows computer users to combat malicious spyware, viruses, and malware; it protects users from malware that takes control of a computer and can result in aggressive advertising [[Pop-up ad|pop-ups]], sluggish computer activity and the theft of private information. The vendor says that Ad-Aware detects hazardous content on a user's computer, identifies the threat level, and then gives the user the ability to block or remove unwanted content. Ad-Aware Total Security offers extra features that the three core versions do not, primarily: [[Personal firewall|firewall]], [[Utility software|system tuning]], [[Remote backup service|online backup]], [[data recovery]], anti-spam and [[parental controls]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_total_security.php |title=Ad-Aware Total Security by Lavasoft - Internet Security Software with Antivirus, Antispyware, Firewall, Parental Control and much more. |publisher=Lavasoft |date= |accessdate=2014-08-27}}</ref>
Each version includes anti-spyware, antivirus, and anti-rootkit protection, as well as integrated protection against real-time threats. According to Lavasoft, Ad-Aware allows computer users to combat malicious spyware, viruses, and malware; it protects users from malware that takes control of a computer and can result in aggressive advertising [[Pop-up ad|pop-ups]], sluggish computer activity and the theft of private information. The vendor says that Ad-Aware detects hazardous content on a user's computer, identifies the threat level, and then gives the user the ability to block or remove unwanted content. Ad-Aware Total Security offers extra features that the three core versions do not, primarily: [[Personal firewall|firewall]], [[Utility software|system tuning]], [[Remote backup service|online backup]], [[data recovery]], anti-spam and [[parental controls]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_total_security.php |title=Ad-Aware Total Security by Lavasoft - Internet Security Software with Antivirus, Antispyware, Firewall, Parental Control and much more. |publisher=Lavasoft |date= |accessdate=2014-08-27}}</ref>


According to [[PC World (magazine)|PC World Magazine]], an older version of Ad-Aware, the Anniversary Edition, could locate only 83.6% of malware in a comparative test carried out by the security firm [[AV-TEST]].<ref name="pcworld">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,71309-order,2-c,antispywaretools/description.html |title=Editorial Review of Ad-Aware Pro |date=13 October 2009 |accessdate=2009-10-31 |publisher=[[PC World (magazine)]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124095030/http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid%2C71309-order%2C2-c%2Cantispywaretools/description.html |archivedate=24 November 2009 |deadurl=no }}
According to [[PC World (magazine)|PC World Magazine]], an older version of Ad-Aware, the Anniversary Edition, could locate only 83.6% of malware in a comparative test carried out by the security firm [[AV-TEST]].<ref name="pcworld">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,71309-order,2-c,antispywaretools/description.html |title=Editorial Review of Ad-Aware Pro |date=13 October 2009 |accessdate=2009-10-31 |publisher=[[PC World (magazine)|PC World]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124095030/http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid%2C71309-order%2C2-c%2Cantispywaretools/description.html |archivedate=24 November 2009 |deadurl=no }}
</ref> However, as the article states, no such tests have been run on the newest version. Neil J. Rubenking at [[Pcmag|PCMag]] performed a lab test on version 8.3, where Ad-Aware scored 9.2 points, beating the previous top score of 9.1.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2366085,00.asp | work=PC Magazine | first=Neil J. | last=Rubenking | title=Ad-Aware Pro Internet Security 8.3}}</ref>
</ref> However, as the article states, no such tests have been run on the newest version. Neil J. Rubenking at [[Pcmag|PCMag]] performed a lab test on version 8.3, where Ad-Aware scored 9.2 points, beating the previous top score of 9.1.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2366085,00.asp | work=PC Magazine | first=Neil J. | last=Rubenking | title=Ad-Aware Pro Internet Security 8.3}}</ref>


Revision as of 00:00, 21 August 2017

This redirect is about the anti-spyware program. For advertising supported software, see Adware.
Lavasoft Ad-Aware
Developer(s)Lavasoft
Initial release1999; 26 years ago (1999)
Stable release
11.5.202.7299 [1] / 19 December 2014; 10 years ago (2014-12-19)
Written inC++, Visual Basic .NET
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
Available inMultilingual[2]
TypeSpyware removal software
LicenseProprietary , Freeware
Websitewww.adaware.com

Ad-Aware is an anti-spyware and anti-virus software program developed by Lavasoft that detects and removes malware, spyware and adware on a user's computer. According to Lavasoft, Ad-Aware detects spyware, computer viruses, dialers, Trojans, bots, rootkits, data miners,[citation needed], parasites, browser hijackers, and tracking components.[3]

History

Ad-Aware was originally developed in 1999 to highlight web beacons inside of Internet Explorer.[citation needed] On many websites, users would see a tiny pixelated square next to each web beacon, warning the user that the computer's IP address and other non-essential information was being tracked by this website. Over time, Ad-Aware added the ability to block those beacons, or ads. Ad-Aware no longer makes the user aware of the ads on the screen; instead the program fights spyware, adware, viruses and other malware.[4]

In the 2008 Edition, Lavasoft bundled Ad-Aware Pro and Plus for the first time with an antivirus scanner,[5] which used the Avira engine[6] and this arrangement continued for a few years.[7] Starting with Ad-Aware version 10, the Bitdefender antivirus engine was used instead.[8][9][10]

A new wrinkle is adware (using stolen certificates) that disables anti-malware and virus protection such as Ad-Aware; technical remedies are available.[11]

Overview

As of 2014, Lavasoft makes Ad-Aware version 11 available in four core versions:[12]

  1. Ad-Aware Free Antivirus+
  2. Ad-Aware Personal Security
  3. Ad-Aware Pro Security
  4. Ad-Aware Total Security[13]

The latest Ad-Aware products have been completely revamped to the point where it has almost nothing in common with its predecessors except the core functionalities.[citation needed]

Lavasoft also offers volume licenses of Ad-Aware for businesses,[14] which is designed for use over networks. It has a central server console interface with licences for installing Ad-Aware Pro Security on the networked machines.[15]

Each version includes anti-spyware, antivirus, and anti-rootkit protection, as well as integrated protection against real-time threats. According to Lavasoft, Ad-Aware allows computer users to combat malicious spyware, viruses, and malware; it protects users from malware that takes control of a computer and can result in aggressive advertising pop-ups, sluggish computer activity and the theft of private information. The vendor says that Ad-Aware detects hazardous content on a user's computer, identifies the threat level, and then gives the user the ability to block or remove unwanted content. Ad-Aware Total Security offers extra features that the three core versions do not, primarily: firewall, system tuning, online backup, data recovery, anti-spam and parental controls.[16]

According to PC World Magazine, an older version of Ad-Aware, the Anniversary Edition, could locate only 83.6% of malware in a comparative test carried out by the security firm AV-TEST.[17] However, as the article states, no such tests have been run on the newest version. Neil J. Rubenking at PCMag performed a lab test on version 8.3, where Ad-Aware scored 9.2 points, beating the previous top score of 9.1.[18]

Ad-Aware installs Google Chrome, which will be done automatically unless the user de-selects the tick-box in the Ad-Aware installation program.

Market share

Ad-Aware Free is listed as having been downloaded over 387 million times on download.com (and a total of 450 million times on the Lavasoft site, including downloads that do not originate at download.com) as of December 2014;.[19]

According to OPSWAT, in January 2015, Ad-Aware had less than 1% of market share globally.[20]

The paid versions of the product are under threat from more functional and lower cost, even free, competition such as Microsoft Security Essentials.[17]

References

  1. ^ "Ad-Aware Free Antivirus+ 11.5.202.7299 - History". FileHippo.com. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  2. ^ "Ad-Aware Free Tech Specs - Lavasoft". Lavasoft. Retrieved 9 November 2007.
  3. ^ "Ad-Aware User Manual" (PDF). Lavasoft.com. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  4. ^ "Ad-Aware 10 Early Preview". LavaSoft. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  5. ^ Hopkins, John A. "Ad-Aware 2008 7.1.0.8 - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com". Download.cnet.com. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  6. ^ "Page 3 - Ad-Aware Pro Anniversary Edition Review: Computer Security Articles at". Brighthub.com. 4 May 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  7. ^ "Ad-Aware v8.1, Powered by People Anti-Malware Protection". Brighthub.com. 19 July 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  8. ^ "Ad-Aware Product Comparison". Lavasoft. 22 January 2014. Archived from the original on 22 January 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "Ad-Aware Free Antivirus+ Review". Yahoo! News. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  10. ^ "Ad-Aware Free Antivirus+ 11". PC Magazine. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  11. ^ Casey, Henry T. (25 November 2015). "Latest adware disables antivirus software". Tom's Guide. Yahoo.com. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  12. ^ "New Ad-Aware Internet Security from Lavasoft Puts Power in Hands of People".
  13. ^ "Ad-Aware Free Antivirus, Antispyware and Anti Malware software. Free trial download". Lavasoft. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  14. ^ "Lavasoft Business Friendly". Lavasoft. Archived from the original on 1 November 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "What is Ad-Aware Business Edition?". Lavasoft. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  16. ^ "Ad-Aware Total Security by Lavasoft - Internet Security Software with Antivirus, Antispyware, Firewall, Parental Control and much more". Lavasoft. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  17. ^ a b "Editorial Review of Ad-Aware Pro". PC World. 13 October 2009. Archived from the original on 24 November 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ Rubenking, Neil J. "Ad-Aware Pro Internet Security 8.3". PC Magazine.
  19. ^ "Ad-Aware Free". n.d. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  20. ^ "Antivirus Market Share Report January 2015 | OPSWAT". www.opswat.com. Retrieved 3 January 2017.

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