Icon of program: Ad-Aware Pro Security

Ad-Aware Pro Security for Windows

  • Trial version
  • In English
  • V11.12
  • 3.2
  • (89)

Ad-Aware moves into the big league of security suites

Most users will be familiar with Ad-Aware, the anti-spyware app that’s been around for over a decade. In version 10, developers Lavasoft made the jump from anti-spyware to fully-fledged antivirus. In version 11, they've improved and tweaked it to produce a security suite which they claim significantly outperforms all other free anti-virus and anti-malware products.

Slick and intuitive user interface

Ad-Aware Pro Security looks clean and simple, taking advantage of the streamlined look of Windows 8. Installation is fast although it does try to launch a scan upon start-up. You can skip this if you like and you're presented with a clean interface that's clearly divided into separate functions along the left-hand side, namely Home, Scan Computer, RealTime Protections, Web Protection, Network Protection, App Management.

3 different types of scans

Ad-Aware offers lots of scan options, making things very flexible for the user. There are 3 initial scan options, Quick, Full and Custom. The Custom option is particularly nice, allowing you to completely customize the scan with easy checkbox inclusions. You can also schedule scans, a must-have option for a modern antivirus. Scans aren’t particularly quick, but can be paused if you find they are slowing-down your system too much. LavaSoft have beefed-up the power of the anti-virus engine by introducing the award winning BitDefender to version 11 of AdAware.

Easy to manage plus Gaming Mode

The rest of Ad-Aware’s options are divided into two parts – the ones under Protection Settings (top right hand corner) and under Options. Under Protection Settings, you’ll be able to tweak the real-time protection and browsing options, although Safe Browsing can only be enabled and disabled, and not customized. Under Ad-Aware’s Main Options, there are various settings related to basic operation, updates and an explanation of Gaming Mode (although this can be quickly toggled in the main interface and from the task bar).

A serious competitor to the big boys

In all, we’re impressed by Ad-Aware’s addition of BitDefender to the antivirus suite, and we’re looking forward to trying it over time and seeing what future updates bring. Right now, it’s a solid app, with impressive detection rates, a slick Windows 8 modeled interface with all the basic options. It still doesn't have the brand trust of competitors such as Avast!, Avira, and AVG but it’s now certainly an antivirus to be reckoned with.

4 different versions available

Although Ad-Aware Pro Security is comprehensive and powerful enough for most needs, there are actually 4 other versions of Ad-Aware available offering slightly different functionality which is something that users of Ad-Aware might find confusing under the settings of Advanced Protection.

They are different according to which version of Ad-Aware you are running. Ad-Aware 11 is available in four versions including this one i.e. Ad-Aware Free, Personal Security and Total Security.

In effect, they are the same but more advanced features become available as you move through the versions. This will annoy some users who would prefer a fully comprehensive free version but at least Ad-Aware doesn’t nag you to upgrade.

Total Protection beyond the NSA?

It's worth noting that Lavasoft claim that Ad-Aware Total Security also includes Lavasoft Privacy Toolbox which has been built in partnership with Sweden’s renowned SafeIT Security (which Lavasoft claim can even protect you from the reaches of the NSA). For those in search of serious protection, it may be worth checking-out what Total Security can offer.

Changes

Full Windows® 10 compatibility Full scanning capability in Safe Mode Improved update mechanism Increased windows XP and Vista support Minor bug fixes

  • Pros

    • Includes BitDefender anti-virus protection
    • Well designed Windows 10 style interface
    • Basic, Moderate and Advanced scanning
    • Allows you to pause scans
  • Cons

    • Some advanced features only available in other versions
    • Initial scan can be slow
 0/7

App specs

  • License

    Trial version

  • Version

    11.12
  • Latest update

  • Platform

    Windows

  • OS

    Windows Vista

  • Language

    English

    Available languages

    • German
    • English
    • Spanish
    • French
    • Italian
    • Japanese
    • Dutch
    • Portuguese
    • Chinese
  • Downloads

    13.5K

  • Size

    2.15 MB

  • Developer

Program available in other languages


Icon of program: Ad-Aware Pro Security

Ad-Aware Pro Security for PC

  • Trial version
  • In English
  • V11.12
  • 3.2
  • (89)

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Your review for Ad-Aware Pro Security
Softonic

In Softonic we scan all the files hosted on our platform to assess and avoid any potential harm for your device. Our team performs checks each time a new file is uploaded and periodically reviews files to confirm or update their status. This comprehensive process allows us to set a status for any downloadable file as follows:

Clean

It’s extremely likely that this software program is clean.

What does this mean?

We have scanned the file and URLs associated with this software program in more than 50 of the world's leading antivirus services; no possible threat has been detected.

Warning

This software program is potentially malicious or may contain unwanted bundled software.

Why is the software program still available?

Based on our scan system, we have determined that these flags are possibly false positives.

What is a false positive?

It means a benign program is wrongfully flagged as malicious due to an overly broad detection signature or algorithm used in an antivirus program.

We’d like to highlight that from time to time, we may miss a potentially malicious software program. To continue promising you a malware-free catalog of programs and apps, our team has integrated a Report Software feature in every catalog page that loops your feedback back to us.

Flag any particular issues you may encounter and Softonic will address those concerns as soon as possible.