Adware is a form of malware that can be downloaded onto your computer in a way that you are unaware of. It can then spy on your activities to discover what you are searching for and then display advertising relevant to the search results. This can lead to many unwelcome ads that could be distracting and slow down your computer. It can also pose serious security health, privacy, and security risk. Adware is also able to steal your personal information and sell it to advertisers.
Lavasoft, the company behind Adaware has been developing antivirus software for years and is a reputable company. The program is simple to install and doesn’t require you to remove your existing antivirus. Once installed, you’ll be able to perform a quick, comprehensive or custom scan and update the software by accessing the main dashboard.
Adaware offers three plans including free, Pro and Total. The free plan offers real-time protection and download protection, but not blocking ads. The Pro version is more robust and comes with unlimited tech support, email and web security as well as an effective firewall. It also includes the digital lock, a parental control, and a file shredder.
In the AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection Tests, Ad-aware managed to block 95.4% of malware, but only 97% during the zero-day tests for detection. Although these numbers may seem decent, they are not impressive when compared with the best in the field. If you’re considering purchasing this antivirus, there’s a standard 30-day money-back guarantee for both the Pro and Total versions.
