Adware is a type malware that is installed on your computer without knowledge. It then monitors you to find out what you are searching for and then show ads that are relevant to the search results. This could lead to numerous unwanted advertisements that can be distracting and slow down your computer. It also can pose serious security as well as health and privacy dangers. Adware is also able to steal your information and sell it to advertisers.
Lavasoft the company that developed Adaware, has been creating antivirus software for a long time and is a legitimate company. The program is easy to installation and doesn’t require that you uninstall your current antivirus. Once it is installed, you can run a fast full or custom scan from the main dashboard and run product updates.
Adaware offers three plans: free, Pro, and Total. The free plan offers real-time protection and download security but does not include the ability to block ads. The Pro version is more robust and comes with unlimited technical support, email and web protection as well as an effective firewall. It also includes a document shredder, digital lock, and parental controls.
In the AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection Tests, Ad-aware could block 95.4% of malware-related samples, but only 97% in the zero-day tests for detection. These results may appear to be good but they’re not exactly impressive when compared against the best in the field. If you’re considering purchasing this antivirus, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee for both the Pro and Total versions.