It is manufactured by cybersecurity provider Lavasoft (formerly popularly known as Ad-Aware) Adaware is a security program that aims to combat the kinds of rogue applications and privacy infringements that a lot of consumers aren’t even aware of. Adaware is a collection of programs that track your browsing habits, programs that hijack the browser’s homepage and applications that show annoying advertising at the worst times. The program is free and comes with numerous extra features to increase security and ensure your device runs smoothly.

In our tests, adaware was able to identify the majority of the malware we tossed at it. However, it had a difficult time eliminating certain malware. The program does have many useful features like a privacy monitoring view it tool, a registry scanner, file shredder and advanced monitoring of network. It’s important to note, however, that adaware does not offer the same level of protection as some of the industry’s leading antivirus tools.

The last time adaware was a participant in AV-Test lab tests, it was able to block only ninety five. 4% of 0-day risks and 97% known risks. They’re not terrible but they don’t compare to the most powerful security suites do.

Users who want adaware to perform better, should look at alternatives. We suggest Kaspersky and Bitdefender as they are known for their reliability in real-world tests. Some users might be disappointed to find that only users of the Pro and Total plans have access to technical and customer support via the internet. On its website, the company offers various information and frequently asked questions.