Made by cybersecurity firm Lavasoft (formerly also known as Ad-Aware), adaware aims to tackle the types of rogue programs and privacy infringements that a lot of users aren’t even aware. This includes programs that reroute your surfing habits, courses that hijack your browser’s start page and applications that display annoying advertisements at the most unsettling times. This free software also provides a host of additional features to boost security and keep your device working smoothly.

Adaware detected most of the malware that we tossed at it. However, it had a difficult time getting rid of some malware. The program includes a few useful features, including privacy monitors and a registry scanner. It also comes with an advanced file shredder, network monitoring, and find out an privacy watch. Adaware doesn’t provide as much protection as the best antivirus software.

The last time adaware took part in AV-Test lab tests, it was able to block only ninety five. The 4% of risks that are 0-day and 97% of known threats. These aren’t bad scores but they do not compare to the top security suites accomplish.

Anyone who wants adware to perform better should consider the alternatives. We suggest Kaspersky, Bitdefender and others due to their reliability during real-world testing. Also, only Pro and Total plan users receive access to online technical and customer support. This can be a bit disappointing for certain users. The company does provide a range of information and Frequently Asked Questions on its website, though.