Created: 02/02/2007
Video description: Ad-Aware has been around for nearly a decade and has been downloaded by hundreds of millions of people who want to scrub their computers clean. Check out what the latest version's got in this First Look video.
Ad-Aware 2008 Video Transcript
First Look video: Ad-Aware
Software users are often a fickle bunch--which is why it's more than a bit impressive to look at
the download count for Lavasoft's Ad-Aware, which is just shy of 300 million downloads at the
time that we're making this video.
Hi, I'm Seth Rosenblatt for CNET Download.com, and in this First Look video I'll be going over
the basics of AD-AWARE, a software stalwart. It's been around nearly a decade, and is one of
the most trusted names in spyware removal.
***
The 2008 edition looks to be more of a course correction from some missteps last year. The detection
engine has undergone a SIGNIFICANT overhaul, resulting in FASTER scan times and IMPROVED
rootkit detection. New users take note: the FREE version of Ad-Aware can't find or remove viruses.
THAT'S a feature reserved for the PAID edition.
***
Fixing a new problem with last year's model, the updater is ONCE AGAIN no longer permanently on.
Instead, it runs in your system's background ONLY if you activate it. There are interface
improvements, too: SIX skins, CLEANLY DESIGNED tabbed navigation for the main functions, and
EASY-TO-SEE Xs and check marks to INDICATE activation status.
***
Unfortunately, MORE than just the antivirus integration has been disabled in the free version. The real-
time guard Ad-Watch, heuristics scanning, the scheduler, and plug-ins all are reserved for PAYING
customers.
***
Considering that many security programs now bundle effective anti-virus AND anti-malware tools for
free, I hesitate to recommend Ad-Aware as anything MORE than a secondary detection engine--even
though it detects and removes malware with ease AND accuracy.
***
For Download.com, I'm Seth Rosenblatt. This has been a First Look at AD-AWARE.
Ad-Aware 2008

Ad-Aware has been around for nearly a decade and has been downloaded by hundreds of millions of people who want to scrub their computers clean. Check out what the latest version's got in this First Look video.