| When browsing the Web or downloading software, there is always a risk of information about you without your knowledge. Ad-Aware is a tool for identifying these unwanted guests and putting them out of harm's way. It is one of the most effective programs that we have come across recently.
The danger is real. Advertising networks want to obtain information about you in order to build demographic profiles and to show you targeted advertising. Other more unscrupulous operators may try to steal personal information from your computer. This kind of information can be obtained by applications that are hidden within a file you download, or cookies and web bugs that are picked up while you surf. Ad-Aware is an exceptional way to detect and protect yourself from these risks.
The Personal version of Ad-Aware is available as freeware. After installation, it is very easy to launch a scan of your hard disk drives. Ad-Aware signals the presence of any of the thousands of malicious files and registry keys that figure in its database of known threats. Once identified, it enables you to place these files in quarantine, where they will not longer be able to spy on you. You may be surprised just how many of these undesirable files and applications are already present on your machine!
Free database updates are regularly made available by Lavasoft, the publisher of Ad-Aware. Other features include plug-ins for extra flexibility, automatic updating, and many tweaks for experts to try out.
The Plus and Professional versions are based on the Personal edition, but go further by offering a real-time scanning module, Ad Watch, so that offending components are detected before they even reach your computer. Furthermore, they contain extensive possibilities for customizing the way Ad-Aware works, especially in the Professional version.
Overall, Ad-Aware, which has a very professional look and feel to it, is an exceptional tool for detecting privacy threats, to which you would otherwise be completely oblivious. It is heartily recommended for everybody who ventures out onto the Internet.
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