Ad-Aware v8.1 Review: New Detection Layers for Windows

The new Ad-Aware comes in three flavors again: Ad-Aware Free Anti-Malware, Ad-Aware Plus Internet Security and Ad-Aware Pro Internet Security. The Pro and Plus editions include antivirus protection. Network drive scan, game mode, toolbox, command line support and Ad-Watch Live! Expert is only available in Pro edition. Ad-Aware will run in Windows 2000 Pro, XP and Vista.

I'm surprised that Lavasoft has removed command line option in free edition of Ad-Aware. It's important option that most administrators would love to have. This option is available in earlier edition of Ad-Aware Anniversary Edition.

New Features in Ad-Aware 8.1

• New Detection Technologies: The three editions is now using Genotype detection technology and Behavior-Based Heuristics Detection
• New Advanced Removal Tool: The new version features The Neutralizer to remove nasty malware (those malware that will try to restore itself after system reboot) and this feature is all editions of Ad-Aware.
• New Protection: Download Guard for Internet Explorer is additional protection in Ad-Aware (all editions). This is a browser helper object only and not a toolbar.
• Mode in using Ad-Aware: You can now decide which mode to use because there is now simple, advanced and do not disturb modes in using Ad-Aware Pro Internet Security. Do Not Disturb mode is for gamers.
• Consumer and Developer Plug-ins: All Ad-Aware customers can now customize the skin and language by creating your own. Developers are allowed to create plug-ins for Ad-Aware.

The Download Guard for Internet Explorer is similar to SmartScreen Filter in Internet Explorer 8. This Browser Helper Object of Ad-Aware is useful to people using earlier version of IE. I test the add-on by Ad-Aware by downloading a positive malware and it able to detect fast the file is not safe: Ad-Aware Pro Internet Security includes anti-virus engine by Avira AntiVir and we know already the detection ability of AntiVir which has been tested by independent testing labs. I’ve put Ad-Aware to simple test by installing a backdoor Trojan. Ad-Aware did not only catch it in real-time but has removed the installed malware file. When I reboot the PC, Ad-Aware is able to detect the registry entries added by the said Trojan and I ended with a clean PC without using other tools to remove any remnants or active malware.