Ad-Aware Free Internet Security Review

Ad-Aware is an anti-spyware and antivirus program from Lavasoft that detects and removes malware, spyware and adware on a user’s computer. Ad-Aware detects spyware, computer viruses, dialers, Trojans, bots, rootkits, data miners, aggressive advertising, parasites, browser hijackers, and tracking components.

Lavasoft also offers an Ad-Aware version for businesses, named Ad-Aware Business Edition, which is designed for use over networks. Also available is an Ad-Aware spin-off product aimed at online gamers and entertainment fans, called Ad-Aware Game Edition.

Each version includes anti-spyware and anti-rootkit protection, as well as integrated protection against real-time threats. As of 2010, the Ad-Aware Free Internet Security version also include antivirus.

According to Lavasoft, Ad-Aware allows computer users to combat malicious spyware, by protecting users from spyware that takes control of a computer and can result in aggressive advertising pop-ups, in sluggish computer activity and in the stealing of private information. 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.

PC World magazine found an older version of Ad-Aware, the Anniversary Edition, located 83.6% of malware in a comparative test carried out by the security firm av-test.org. However, PCMag has performed a lab test on the latest version, where Ad-Aware scored 9.2 points, beating the previous top score of 9.1.