About Ad-Aware

By far the most popular adware and spyware removal tool is Ad-Aware from Lavasoft. There is a freeware version (Ad-Aware SE Personal) available for download at the Lavasoft website . The software features powerful search and removal tools that help detect and eliminate spyware from your computer efficiently and effectively.

The advantage of Ad-Aware for a personal home computer user is that it performs a quick scan that is effective enough for removal of not only spyware and adware but also Trojans, Keyloggers, and more.

Ad-Aware can detect spyware programs running in your computer's memory, examine your system's startup settings, deal with browser hijacking, remove tracking cookies, and finally changes to the Registry that have been made by spyware and adware programs. The best part about Ad-Aware is that it can get rid of stubborn spyware.


The application, however, does not have some key functions. For example, it does not let you schedule spyware scans. You can only configure it to run scans at startup, or normally when you choose. Also, its real-time scanning is not as efficient as that of some other programs. Still, the program makes up for this with it's easy-to-use interface and customisable san options. You can choose the level of thoroughness you want to run the scan at, from a deep system and archive scan to a simple surface scan.


Ad-Aware can be updated with latest spyware and adware definitions, that is available with Lavasoft. You can update it just by one click from within the program. This helps to keep your system more safe.