I have read some bad things about the new adaware on download.com, but on the couple of occasions that I have used the software, I have found that it works just fine.  Has anyone else had any good or bad experiences with the new adaware?

 

Dave :robottongue:

The consensus here, from regulars like Joe53, 1972vet, and myself, is that Ad-Aware '07 is a complete fiasco, which cannot be recommended in its current form.   See, for example:

 

 

message 7 here:  http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=si_virus&message.id=62159#M62159

 

message 1 here: http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=si_virus&message.id=62191#M62191

 

message 3 here:  http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=si_virus&message.id=62284#M62284

 

the entire [multi-page] thread here:   http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=si_virus&thread.id=61678&view=by_date_ascending&page=1

 

http://securitygarden.blogspot.com/2007/07/fiascos-continue-in-lavaland.html

In my opinion, it was fairly good a few years ago. Spybot too... good at one time but mediocre at best now. A program can only be as effective as the timely updated malware definitions it recieves. Both Spybot and Adaware are has-beens...

The new kid on the block runs rings around them both...that being (free too) superantispyware.

 

(no, I am not part owner of it, lol.. just a happy user of it..)

tommy wrote:  " A program can only be as effective as the timely updated malware definitions it receives...

 

that's only a secondary part of the story:   Both Ad-Aware SE and SpyBot still update their definitions at least weekly  (granted, that's not as good as daily).  

 

But the real problem [as I see it] is much more significant... the underlying programming techniques invoked by Ad-Aware SE and SpyBot 1.4 are incapable of adequately combating today's newer incarnations of malware... even if they were to receive daily updates!   --- Just look at how many versions of Vundo/Virtumundo or Smitfraud they claim to find, yet fail to remove.

 

But let's give credit where credit is due... they were more than just "fairly good" years ago... they were, in fact, the primary tools of choice  in their day.   Alas, neither is of much value at present...

 

and I concur fully with your view that SuperAntiSpyware is currently the best free on-demand anti-malware scanner available.  

This opinion is based on the number of severely infected systems I've been able to help other people clean by suggesting/using SuperAntiSpyware.  

[Personally, SAS has never found anything more than tracking cookies for me, but I attribute that to the fact that I do my best to practice "safe surfing", and to keep my systems clean... ]

I still run Spybot Seach and Destroy 1.4 and rely on it heavily. It could be another option to add SuperAntiSpyware along with that too. I might look into that. Right now, I'm pretty happy with Spybot Search and Destroy. Just adding my two cents in.

Dave,

 

I installed SuperAntiSpyware just to add to my computer protection arsenal. I have it running a complete scan of my computer right now.

S.C

 

I still use SpyBot 1.4 [and am in the process of  evaluating  the BETA 1.5]...

 

SpyBot has been offering updated definitions every Wednesday.  I'll get the updates, run the scan...

 

In my case, since I run several scanners... and try to practice "safe surfing".... SpyBot rarely picks-up on anything on my computers  [Today's new definitions picked up on a Yahoo! Coupon Bar that my wife intentionally installed a while back, and I'm leaving it alone, because I know she wants it]

 

But while I may still "use" SpyBot, I cannot say that I "rely on it" at all (and certainly not "heavily" )... rather, I just consider it one of several "secondary" (or "backup" ) scanners that I continue to run... simply out of paranoia :smileywink:

If you're running other scanners [and "surfing safely"], don't be surprised if it says your're "clean"... or if it ony finds tracking cookies....

it's still the best free generic anti-malware scanner that I know of, should you ever have a real malware problem.

 

by "generic" (in the above context), i mean it's an overall scanner... as opposed to a "specialized"/dedicated scanner [like VundoFix, which only scans for Vundo/Virtumundo]

 

Ah well. Thanks for the information.

 

Stephanie