Adware is a form of malware that is installed on your computer without your awareness. It will then track your computer to find out what you are looking for and then display relevant advertisements. This can result in a an overwhelming amount of ads that can be very distracting, and slow down your PC. It also can pose serious security, privacy and health risks. Adware is also able to steal data from you and sell it to advertisers.
Lavasoft is the company behind Adaware, has been working on antivirus software for a long time and is a reputable company. The program is easy to install and does not need you to uninstall your current antivirus. Once installed, you’ll be able to perform a quick, full or custom scan and update the software via the main dashboard.
Adaware offers three plans including free, Pro and Total. The free plan includes real-time protection and download security but does not include the ability to block ads. The Pro version is more comprehensive and includes unlimited technical support, email and web protection as well as a strong firewall. It also includes an electronic lock, a parental control and file shredder.
In AV-Comparatives’ real-world Protection Tests, Ad-aware managed to block 95.4 percent of malware-related samples, but only 97% during the zero-day detection tests. These results may seem good but they’re not as impressive when compared to the leaders in the industry. If you’re thinking of purchasing this antivirus, there’s a 30-day money-back assurance for both the Pro and Total versions.