We all need to be aware (Ad-aware)

Member Name: johnsy32

Product:	Ad-aware
Date:	14/03/05 (185 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It's free and it's needed!

Disadvantages: None

A free program that completing wipes spyware from your personal computer. A very popular choice for everyone on the internet, I accidently found it when looking at the most popular downloads on www.download.com, and how the hell did I get along with out it! I was shocked and amazed at what this program found on my pc, and luckily this sweet little program totally gets rid of these dangerous files.

Until I came across this program I would just access the internet with my firewall and Virus scanner on and I thought I was safe, but I was completing wrong. A new favourite of producers of software that is distriputed on the internet is something called spyware, programs included within programs that keep the software free, but at a price to the customer. Spyware can keep track of your online habits and produces pop-ups on products that you would preferably like. Some of the dirtier sides of spyware take screen shots every so often and send them to the distributor of the spyware in a bid to get hold of personal details.

Lavasoft has arrived to clean your hard drive of anything that can cause harm to your system and even to you! Please read on as I disect this program and go through the features that are on offer.

Getting hold of this program
*********************************
I downloaded my copy from download.com and is around 2.5mb so it is a quick download for even those of us with slow modems. It is a must have, if you haven't got it already, download it, run it and you will be shocked, it will find something! You can also get this from the Lavasoft website and I believe the latest version that is available is called Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE.

Installation
*************
Installation is quick and easy and is really agreeing to the terms and conditions and clicking a few next buttons. One reboot and then the program is ready to run!

On Opening the program
***********************
Once the program is opened you are given a start page which is the control panel of what you want to do. From here you can check the status, scan your system, ad watch, (which is a feature only for payed for versions) add ons and help.

Help Files
**********
Using the Ad-aware program is pretty self explanitry, but the help files are very in depth and all the relevant information is there if you need it. It is laid out just like the Microsoft Help and support pages, if you require more help or support the Lavasoft web site is available at http://www.lavasoft.com.

Running the scan
*****************
To run a scan, you have to click on the start button on the status page (the opening page), you are given the options to perform a smart scan, perform a full system scan, use custom scanning options or scan volume for ADS (this is the most in depth scan) I use the smart scan option, as it has never let me down yet! While it is scanning it checks and shows all processes identified, modules identified, registry keys identified, registry keys identified and folders identified.

I am running this application while I am writing this review, and at the moment it has recognised 7 new critical objects, and thats since disconnecting from the Internet, running a scan and then connecting again, checking my e-mail and visiting Ciao!

Once the scan is complete it lets you know what it has found and you are then able to click on to the next button. You are then given an overview of what as been found. My scan has just found 7 dataminers, so I think I will get rid of these, these are deleted by right clicking on the list and then selecting 'select all objects' and then you can click next. You are given a pop up message that the items are going to be removed and you can either ok or cancel this. This is very simple to use and the results are unbelivable, I highly recommend it to all internet users.

Updates
********
You are given the option to update the software so that you have the latest definition files and this is a very easy process, on the status screen you click on check for latest updates and then connect. It will tell you if there are any updates and if you would like to download them.

Conclusion
***********
This program has lots of features and I have covered the ones that I mainly use. There are lots of settings to play with and add ons to download, but I keep it simple and just use it for quick and easy scanning, with incredible results. If I never found this program by accident, who knows what spyware could be on my pc and what information could be available to others
that I didn't want them to know.

I have tried other spyware removal programs since finding this one, but Lavasoft is the way forward, and this program is so popular that updates are always available. It is easy to use, a few clicks and you scanned and cleaned. The dangers of the internet are getting worse and worse and luckily there are companies like Lavasoft who offer free utilities that combat these annoyances.

This program can be purchased so that all the features area available, but if you are using it personally and not within a company enough great options are there to keep your hard drive and details safe.

Here is a quote from the Lavasoft web site...

"While the Internet is a powerful resource and provides users with many useful and often entertaining things to see and do, it also has its dark side.

Most people are familiar with freeware, shareware, cookies, media players, interactive content, and file sharing. What they may not realize is that some of the aforementioned may contain code or components that allow the developers of these applications and tools to actually collect and disseminate information about those using them.

They can track your surfing habits, abuse your Internet connection by sending this data to a third party, profile your shopping preferences, hijack your browser start page or pages, alter important system files, and can do this without your knowledge or permission. The security and privacy implications of these exploits should be quite obvious and undesirable on any system or network!

Lavasoft is the industry leader and most respected provider of anti Trackware solutions. We have developed several applications that will provide you with the means to keep your computer or network free of these compromising and intrusive threats to your privacy."

I recommend this to all of you who use the internet, run it and you will be surprised!

Summary: