Ad-Aware 2008 Pro Antispyware

This year's offering by Ad-Aware is called Ad-Aware 2008 Pro. This antispyware/antivirus application is a mixed bag of results. On one hand, the software is excellent when it comes scanning and cleaning a system. The bad side is, Ad-Aware 2008 Pro's real-time protection is years behind the competition: making it virtually useless. What's the point of having an antispyware program if it won't protect your PC against new threats?

For this main reason, and a seriously flawed user experience, we can't give Ad-Aware 2008 Pro high marks this year.

Editor's Overview

• Great spyware/virus/malware detection and removal
• Poor real-time protection
• Poor user interface
• Confusing user options
• Free tech support

One good feature that makes Ad-Aware Pro stand out from last year's version is the integration of an antivirus sweep (provided by Avira). This makes Ad-Aware Pro stronger in detection and deletion of spyware, viruses, trojans, etc.

However, this software has a fatal flaw: terrible real-time protection. Without good real-time protection, your PC is still wide open to spyware infestations. In independent testing, Ad-Aware 2008 Pro scored very low on its ability to prevent malicious software from taking hold. In today's world, strong, real-time protection is a must.


Ad-Aware Pro Freatures

• Integrated anti-spyware and anti-virus protection
• Real-time protection
• Rootkit removal system
• Reduced use of computer memory
• Hosts file editor
• Customizable scans
• Automatic Updates
• Free tech support

There are several user options that Ad-Aware Pro makes difficult. For instance, when a specific piece of malware can't be deleted, Ad-Aware Pro offers this: "Unable to quarantine item. Suggested Action 0." That's not very clear.

Then there are too many alerts notifying the user of virtually every activity Ad-Aware Pro is undertaking. This antispyware software will give an alert even when safe programs are launching. Each time a suspected browser function or any other suspected program is launched, Ad-Aware Pro gives an alert. This isn't very helpful when the majority of applications its alerting the user to are safe applications. It can get very annoying and untrustworthy.


Support

• Free tech support for register users
• Good FAQ and knowledge base
• User forums

System Requirements

• Processor: P600 or better
• RAM: Operating system + minimum 100 MB
• Free hard disk space: 100 MB recommended
• Operating Systems: Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows XP (Home and Pro), Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000 Pro
• Web Browsers: Internet Explorer (version 5.5 or higher), Firefox (version 1.5 or higher), Opera (version 9 or higher)

Conclusion

While Ad-Aware 2008 Pro is steadily getting better, they really need to shape up their real-time protection and user experience. This antispyware software already has the right stuff when it comes to the initial clean and sweep, but everything after that is seriously lacking.