PROS
Antispyware & antivirus
Free tech support
Poor real-time protection
Poor user interface
Confusing user options
This year's offering by Ad-Aware is called Ad-Aware 2009 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 2009 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 2009 Pro high marks this year.
$39.95
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 2009 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 2009 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.
$39.95
