Ad-Aware SE released
 

The press release can be read here:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/news/20040809.shtml

Quick link for download:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

So this is what they have been up to - and will, hopefully explain the delay in updates.

I'm posting this having not yet installed it myself, so have no opinion yet...

Thanks for the info! I'll have to check this out.

I installed it just before reading this post. I can't say much about it yet, as I've only had for a few minutes. Seems to have more options than Ad-Aware 6 has.. I guess we'll see as time passes :)

Thanks for the heads up. :thumbsup:

There was a recent article in /. that was quite revealing, about the ways and means of the spyware/malware industry.
Link

I've had a lot of trouble with malware lately, so your update announcement is appreciated.

i wouldnt be surprised if companies like ad-aware fund alot of these spyware clients like gain and coolsearch, etc..

Um, and why would that be?

spamm
 

well, ad-aware being a business, makes money off of spyware. They dont want to 'defeat' it, they want to provide a bandade solution to keep you coming back. So what would be the best way to make more money... invest in spyware, no?

Makes sense to me. oh the corruption of america, ethics, haha what are they...

I could certainly see that for some of the lesser, shadier ones (in fact, several "spyware scanners" actually *were* spyware), but Adaware and Spybot were both made by people hating spyware, so I doubt thats the case.

Is it just me, or was the interface of the previous version of Ad-Aware much prettier?

You can't beat the price though!

Nice software.

FYI. they released a new build to their new version.

Newest version is Ad-Aware SE Build 1.03

/werd.

Glad to see people are finding it useful. As for looking a bit less pretty, I'm not sure. It doesn't look too different - I think it's just got a few more options to be fitted in, so it looks a bit more cluttered, but it's fine.

Re: spamm
 

Wouldn't surprise me. The same can be said of anti-virus software as well. If there are no more viruses, then norton, mcafee, etc. lose a chunk of change.

nah, they're legit, unlike Yahoo's spyware remover, which removes all spyware not affiliated with Yahoo, basically eliminating competition.

there is anti virus tech that doesnt use signatures, it basically bever needs to be updated and detects the virusses through different means and never ever misses, the problem? you cant charge subscriptions for something that doesnt need updating.

hopefully one day some spyware and virus fighting group that doesnt care about money at all develops the software and it becomes succesful, then we will never have to worry again

You mean heuristics? That's used in most AVs (although some are pretty terrible). It pretty much looks at a file and analyzes it for suspicious behavior, signs of mutation engines, etc.

If it's something else, then that goes into "the vault" along with the fabled car tire that is unpoppable. The big businesses don't want it getting out :D

I do part-time on-site PC support and played around with the new version on a few machines today. Just like before, it still misses some stuff that SpyBot will pick up, so I'd say the most effective way for spyware removal would be:
- Updated Ad-Aware scan
- Updated SpyBot scan
- HijackThis (assuming you know what to remove)
- WinsockFix (Handy utility will fix Winsock-related problems)
- Windows Update
- Alternative browser install (Firefox, Mozilla, etc.)

I also found it quite humorous that games at zone.msn.com don't like to work right in Mozilla. Coincidence? :-P

As spyware removal and prevention is 65% of the business I handle at my shop, I was excited to see a new adaware. After a couple dozen machines I can claim that SpySweeper is still better then adaware and spybot combined. When I say better I mean it picks up more files and registry settings even if run AFTER adaware and spybot. The best cleaning still comes in the form of running all three programs though, plus hijackthis, cwshredder, and various other utes as needed.

my 2 experienced cents. )