Ad-Aware Personal Security 11.10

Overview

Ad-Aware Personal Security is designed to provide antivirus, anti-spyware and web protection for a full security option to users of Windows. A system scan, email protection, network protection, malware sandbox protection and protection prior to the installation of new downloads are the key features. 

Installation

The 30 day trial version can be downloaded and installed. The software will detect whether you have another package protecting your system and offer to install Ad-Aware as a secondary layer of security protection so as not to interfere with the primary layer. Choose the destination folder (a default one is entered) and accept the ticked checkbox if you wish to have a desktop shortcut added.

Web protection components are shown next. Ad-Aware Web Companion can block dangerous web sites from being loaded. SecureSearch can be a new homepage feature for Firefox, Internet Explorer and Chrome with a search box presented on home. It is also possible to switch the search engine to SecureSearch. This feature may be better for security but it borders on search and home page capturing as it takes the user away from their preferred search engine and home page setting. These all default to ticked for install, so will need to be removed if you don't want them.

Interface

The interface is simple and clean. Menu down the left side of the app window, with the right side left for different modules to display their options. There are dashes of orange for slider options to turn features on or off. Until the latest definitions file has been installed, the package will remind you with a large red notice in the top-right corner of the app.

Pros

• Protection from spyware, malware and web intrusions while browsing the web. Takes the fuss out of staying safe while using online access, visiting web pages and downloading files.
• Files are protected when accessing them once their download is complete
• Web protection against malware installations
• Doesn't feel like full protection during use

Cons

• SecureSearch feature to change home page and search engine to this alternative looks more like ad-ware itself.

Alternatives

Avast Free Anti-Virus and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware both would be good alternatives to deal with viruses and malware protection and removal.

Conclusion

Ad-Aware is a professional application that offers increased security online. However, it also tries to bundle in a different home page and search engine which is less than welcome. The definitions file download is almost 140 MB which is huge.