5 replies to this topic

[Curt31]

Hello just installed the free 9.0 version and was going to take Lavasoft up on a discount for the full version but I need some assistance on installation first and I have a few questions concerning functionality.

I thought that the "Ad Aware Live" was available on the Free Version but I can't seem to turn it on. Also can you run the live and have other viral scanning software running at the same time, just a little confused why when I checked the box Processes and Protection under Live it still says that the LIVE portion is OFF. I also plan on buying a new Laptop and was considering buying the Pro version but I have a few questions concerning the virus detection aspect of this program. Thanks for the assistance!


Tom j

[visitor]

Ad-Watch for the free version is Processes Protection only, so it should work. Maybe try shutting down Ad-Aware completely and restart it to see if the GUI corrects itself. Version 8 had a different problem where the free version was giving Pro feature notifications when it was not supposed to be active - maybe they overcorrected the problem when fixing it?

The free version now includes anti-virus, but again only running processes are protected in real-time - i.e. a malicious file is not detected upon entry to your system, only during an Ad-Aware scan (for example, the EICAR test file which similates malware is not detected when downloaded, only found when scanned). The paid version adds Files Protection, which would catch this new file when created.

The general rule of thumb is to only run 1 resident protection program to avoid conflicts, e.g. Spybot warns me that I have Ad-Aware installed even though I have not experienced a problem. Likewise, Ad-Aware version 8 had a feature which automatically disabled Ad-Watch when it detected other security programs. Not sure if they continued this with version 9.

[Curt31]

Ad-Watch for the free version is Processes Protection only, so it should work. Maybe try shutting down Ad-Aware completely and restart it to see if the GUI corrects itself. Version 8 had a different problem where the free version was giving Pro feature notifications when it was not supposed to be active - maybe they overcorrected the problem when fixing it?

The free version now includes anti-virus, but again only running processes are protected in real-time - i.e. a malicious file is not detected upon entry to your system, only during an Ad-Aware scan (for example, the EICAR test file which similates malware is not detected when downloaded, only found when scanned). The paid version adds Files Protection, which would catch this new file when created.

The general rule of thumb is to only run 1 resident protection program to avoid conflicts, e.g. Spybot warns me that I have Ad-Aware installed even though I have not experienced a problem. Likewise, Ad-Aware version 8 had a feature which automatically disabled Ad-Watch when it detected other security programs. Not sure if they continued this with version 9.

Thanks you answered my questions concerning the antivirus is the anti virus in the paid version only real time to can it detect a virus before it enters your system or only after scanning? not exactly sure I understand that part. And I still can't get the Ad Watch live to run I did check the Processes Protection and rebooted the machine several times but when the program opens it still says Ad Watch Live OFF. Thanks you're been a big help!

Tom j.

Edited by Curt31, 19 December 2010 - 09:39 AM.

[visitor]

Yes, the paid version adds real-time protection for scanning files as they enter your system. Not sure what's wrong with Ad-Watch being off. See if the service is running and set to automatic start. "Start" -> "Run" -> services.msc and look for the Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service.

It might also be the Ad-Watch driver failed to install, but all the links I have are for prior versions:

http://www.lavasofts...s...st&p=122343

http://www.lavasofts...mp;#entry106569

http://www.lavasofts...showtopic=26044

http://www.lavasofts...amp;#entry94748

[Curt31]

Yes, the paid version adds real-time protection for scanning files as they enter your system. Not sure what's wrong with Ad-Watch being off. See if the service is running and set to automatic start. "Start" -> "Run" -> services.msc and look for the Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service.

It might also be the Ad-Watch driver failed to install, but all the links I have are for prior versions:

http://www.lavasofts...s...st&p=122343

http://www.lavasofts...mp;#entry106569

http://www.lavasofts...showtopic=26044

http://www.lavasofts...amp;#entry94748

Hi thanks found this please see below and will the antivirus also work in say like the other day I went to a website and the antivirus kicked in and said if failed an attempt of a virus to enter my system. Just want to make sure I completely understand how the antivirus aspect of the program works guess I could always pick up a free link scanner. Thanks

Tom j


This person had exactly the same problem
I'm sure however that i have seen a fix for that particular problem so i update this post in a sec.



edit

Ok this has been said to work

For a 32bit operating system.
Go to, (the default installed location)
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\drivers\32
Right click on the 'lbd.inf' file and choose install, reboot the computer.

For a 64bit operating system.
Go to, (the default installed location)
C:\Program Files(x86)\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\drivers\64
Right click on the 'lbd.inf' file and choose install, reboot

[visitor]

will the antivirus also work in say like the other day I went to a website and the antivirus kicked in and said if failed an attempt of a virus to enter my system. Just want to make sure I completely understand how the antivirus aspect of the program works guess I could always pick up a free link scanner.

The free version will not stop a "driveby" infection as found on some web pages - only if it attempts to change a running process, since this is the only real-time protection offered with the free version. The anti-virus is only used during scan.

The paid version has process protection like the free version, plus real-time registry protection, file protection (as files enter the system) and link scanning (called network protection, it's a blacklist of malicious IP addresses).