Just another Softonic Sites site
Today sees the release of LavaSoft’s Ad-Aware Free Antivirus+ 10. It is a major improvement, putting it in the same league as favorites Avast, Avira and AVG.
The free version is now much more powerful and won’t bug users about premium updates, which is an excellent development. It’s got a really clear interface, is relatively light on resources and effective.
Continue reading “Ad-Aware 10 makes the antivirus a serious choice”
Ad-Aware has traditionally been a very popular anti-spyware utility for Windows. This is why every time they launch a new version, news spreads quickly over tech blogs across the Internet. Today Lavasoft announced the release of Ad-Aware 8.1 in three versions, two paid ones (Pro and Plus) and one for free, which doesn’t have as many features as the other two, but works perfectly well for basic on-demand malware scanning.
Ad-Aware 8.1 Free protects you from spyware and and rootkits. The program scans your system (with three varieties to choose from: Smart scan, Full scan or Profile scan) and quarantines, removes or repairs any suspicious elements. Scans must be started manually – that is, the Free version doesn’t support scheduling. Besides system scanning, Ad-Aware Free also includes the so called Ad-Watch Live!, which protects your computer in real time, focusing on three main areas: active processes, Windows Registry and Network. Continue reading “New version of Ad-Aware (8.1) with improved design”
After a few weeks of open beta stage, during which the Lavasoft developers counted on users’ feedback to improve and fine-tune the last details in their flagship, Ad-Aware 2008 is finally here.
Though the user interface in itself hasn’t changed that much since the previous version, the new Ad-Aware 2008 includes a few interesting enhancements such as a noticeable improvement in stability and performance, which makes the program a lot lighter on system resources. The anti-rootkit and threat detection tools have been enhanced to provide you with a more extended, efficient protection, and the program features now an integrated anti-virus functionality as well.
Ad-Aware is very easy to install and use, especially if you’ve been using the previous version, because the program features a similar design. It’s constantly updated with new definitions, so that you keep up with the latest online threats and also includes a system restoration point to help you recover your system from a virus or Trojan attack. I especially liked the fact that Ad-Aware supports multiple browsers, which enables you to manage web browsing traces and control your privacy online in Internet Explorer, Firefox and Opera.
The program still keeps some functions as exclusive to the Pro and Plus versions (like the customizable scans or the real-time monitor) but still, Ad-Aware 2008 Free is a reliable, effective anti-malware tool that will keep your system safe and sound without disturbing your daily workflow.
Ad-Aware is one of the most popular anti-spyware tools worldwide, with millions of downloads along its history of development. It comes in three different tastes (Plus, Pro and Enterprise, all paid-for licenses), as well as a free, slightly crippled version for home users. And now all of them are going under a beta testing stage in preparations for their next big release: Ad-Aware 2008.
After their succeed with the previous beta program (more than 335,000 users applied to be beta testers) Lavasoft has decided to release the first public version of Ad-Aware 2008 also as a testing beta, counting on the users’ feedback to give its big shot the final shape before starting to ship it. After signing up as beta user and receiving a confirmation email, you can download the program. Your beta tester username and password also give you access to a special area in the Lavasoft website where you can submit any bugs you find, keep track of them and also suggest any idea you may have about how to improve the program’s functionality and performance.
Ad-Aware 2008 doesn’t change much in itself – at least not in appearance. The program still keeps the same interface from the previous version which, in my opinion, could improve a lot with some small tweaks (those crystal buttons and reflections are a bit out of date now).
According to Lavasoft, this new version has improved its performance and stability and now takes up much less resources. Though I probably didn’t test the program long enough (anti-spyware tools are fully tested when used over a long period of time) I can clearly tell the program is now faster in system scans and lighter on PC resources. Other important improvements include full support for 64-bit systems and Windows Vista, an enhanced rootkit removal system and integrated antivirus protection, though sadly this last feature will only be available for Plus and Pro versions.
So if you want to give Ad-Aware 2008 beta a go, sign up as beta tester and get your copy. Note that being a beta, the program may still be a bit buggy and you shouldn’t use it as your only security app for spyware protection.
Ad-Aware 2007 Beta is finally available for registered testers. Over on their blog, Lavasoft claim that over 50,000 users have already downloaded it. Anybody interested in trying it out just needs to go to the Beta registration page. If you’ve never heard of it before, Ad-Aware is one of the best free anti spyware applications out there. The program has a constantly updated database on all latest malware and will thoroughly scan your PC.
I personally received an email from Lavasoft yesterday, but the download page kept crashing. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one with this issue. Luckily, the folks at Lavasoft have worked hard fixing the problem and this morning I was able to install the Beta.
My first impressions are of a sleeker interface and a more “pro” feel compared to the old Ad-Aware. Lavasoft have already posted a full list of new features available in this version. The Ad Watch Connect feature, that protects you from “hijackers” as you browse the net, and the new advanced CSI technology, to detect malware seem to be the biggest improvements. The new Ad Aware will also have a function to clear out your cache, cookies and history from your browser in a click. The System Restore Point will keep you safe from accidentally erasing files and it seems Lavasoft have added a file editor to customize the Hosts file to improve your protection. I’ve had a few crashes, but, as the people of Lavasoft remind, that’s very likely to happen with this Beta version. Thanks to all the useful feedback and bug reports from testers, Lavasoft should be able to release the final version of Ad Aware 2007 sometime this month. We’ll make sure to let you know as soon as we’re aware of it.