Ad-Aware 2007

S

Shoe

Reviewed by: Robert Vamosi

Reviewed on 12/13/07 Release date: 11/7/07
Lavasoft Ad-Aware 2007 came in dead last in our CNET antispyware testing.
Other than sporting a new interface, this long-awaited update doesn't feel
much different than earlier versions. What cripples this release most is
that Ad-Aware failed to detect half of the test spyware, either actively or
on demand, and, unlike nine out of the 10 other antispyware apps we reviewed
in December 2007, Ad-Aware left behind traces for all but one spyware. With
such a detection and low removal rate, it's hard to get too excited by the
latest iteration of this classic antispyware app. Also, with the exception
of Microsoft Windows Defender, Ad-Aware remains one of the few well-known
antispyware apps not to include (or provide the option of) antivirus
protection. In a rapidly evolving market, Ad-Aware seems to have fallen way
behind the times.

All versions of Ad-Aware 2007 run on Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows
Vista (32-bit). There is a free version, but with that version, expect to
find all features other than antispyware scanning turned off. The paid
version, Ad-Aware Plus 2007, costs $29.95 for a one-year single-user
license; Ad-Aware Pro costs $39.95 for a single-year license. The higher
price points activate more features within the basic product, with Pro being
more advanced than Plus.

Features in the paid products include a host file editor, Registry-blocking
shields, and a system-restore point.

For antispyware protection, Ad-Aware 2007 came in last place in our current
CNET antispyware tests. CNET Labs conducts three separate tests using
spyware found to be bundled within free applications rejected by CNET
Download.com (as part of its software policies, Download.com does not host
applications containing known spyware). In the first test, active detection,
Ad-Aware 2007 detected only 50 percent of the spyware; in the second,
on-demand, test, Ad-Aware 2007 detected a dismal 25 percent of the spyware;
and in the final, removal, test, Ad-Aware 2007 removed all traces for only
10 percent of the spyware in our test.

Support for Ad-Aware 2007 includes a generous 60-page manual, missing from
most antispyware products this year. Online e-mail service is available
along with an active community forum and several FAQs. But there is no
telephone support offered.

Given the low detection and removal rate for this iteration of Ad-Aware
2007, we can not recommend it, given that for $19.95 Sunbelt CounterSpy 2.0
gives you top-notch antispyware protection along with several other tools
including antivirus protection.







---
avast! Antivirus: Inbound message clean.
Virus Database (VPS): 071214-0, 12/14/2007
Tested on: 12/14/2007 8:12:22 PM
avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software.
http://www.avast.com
 
T

Tim Clark

Sad, Very Sad :-(
--
If you set a Vista disk in the CD tray upside down,
you can hear SATANIC VOICES!
But that isn't the worst of it,
if you set it the right way IT INSTALLS VISTA!
 
R

Randy Knobloch

<snip>
A rather negative review.
Third-party sources such a CNET are known for this.
I'm quite sure once the LS "SE" build is pulled from support,
the 2007 build will be up to it's muster.

Randy
 
R

Robinb

I hope so- so far I do not see it
Adaware SE was a good product and did not have any problems on all the
computers I put it on
robin
 
R

Randy Knobloch

Robinb said:
I hope so- so far I do not see it
Adaware SE was a good product and did not have any problems on all the computers I put
it on
I'm sceptical, too - Robin. If I don't like Ad-aware's 2007 build, off my
box it goes.

Randy
 
K

Kayman

Reviewed by: Robert Vamosi

Reviewed on 12/13/07 Release date: 11/7/07
Lavasoft Ad-Aware 2007 came in dead last in our CNET antispyware testing.
Other than sporting a new interface, this long-awaited update doesn't feel
much different than earlier versions. What cripples this release most is
that Ad-Aware failed to detect half of the test spyware, either actively or
on demand, and, unlike nine out of the 10 other antispyware apps we reviewed
in December 2007, Ad-Aware left behind traces for all but one spyware. With
such a detection and low removal rate, it's hard to get too excited by the
latest iteration of this classic antispyware app. Also, with the exception
of Microsoft Windows Defender, Ad-Aware remains one of the few well-known
antispyware apps not to include (or provide the option of) antivirus
protection. In a rapidly evolving market, Ad-Aware seems to have fallen way
behind the times.

All versions of Ad-Aware 2007 run on Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows
Vista (32-bit). There is a free version, but with that version, expect to
find all features other than antispyware scanning turned off. The paid
version, Ad-Aware Plus 2007, costs $29.95 for a one-year single-user
license; Ad-Aware Pro costs $39.95 for a single-year license. The higher
price points activate more features within the basic product, with Pro being
more advanced than Plus.

Features in the paid products include a host file editor, Registry-blocking
shields, and a system-restore point.

For antispyware protection, Ad-Aware 2007 came in last place in our current
CNET antispyware tests. CNET Labs conducts three separate tests using
spyware found to be bundled within free applications rejected by CNET
Download.com (as part of its software policies, Download.com does not host
applications containing known spyware). In the first test, active detection,
Ad-Aware 2007 detected only 50 percent of the spyware; in the second,
on-demand, test, Ad-Aware 2007 detected a dismal 25 percent of the spyware;
and in the final, removal, test, Ad-Aware 2007 removed all traces for only
10 percent of the spyware in our test.

Support for Ad-Aware 2007 includes a generous 60-page manual, missing from
most antispyware products this year. Online e-mail service is available
along with an active community forum and several FAQs. But there is no
telephone support offered.

Given the low detection and removal rate for this iteration of Ad-Aware
2007, we can not recommend it, given that for $19.95 Sunbelt CounterSpy 2.0
gives you top-notch antispyware protection along with several other tools
including antivirus protection.

an old hat, really.
http://www.rootkit.com/newsread.php?newsid=471
 
R

RobbL

This certainly doesn't read very well at all...it's now gone from my
systems...no need for something that is doing much of nothing, is there?
 
R

RobbL

Thanks Randy, but I prefer SuperAntiSpyware [Pro version]...it really gets
the bad boys when all others seems to dawdle. Whatcha think?
 
R

Randy Knobloch

RobbL said:
Thanks Randy, but I prefer SuperAntiSpyware [Pro version]...it really gets
the bad boys when all others seems to dawdle. Whatcha think?
I ran a Pro build as a test a few years ago, so I'm not sure if it's similar
to what you have installed. If it works for you, that's OK by me :D

Randy
 

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