the terms "close ad-aware" and "open ad-aware" appear often:

Manual Update*
In some circumstances, you may not be able to update the definition file by using WebUpdate. Reasons can include the server being too busy to process update requests, or proxy settings are not configured correctly in Ad-Aware. You can download the reference file manually using the following steps.

1. Close Ad-Aware

2. Download the latest definition file in a ZIP file from Lavasoft's website*
http://dlserver.download.lavasoft.com/public/defs.zip
3. Save it to a temporary location

4. When complete, unzip the contents of the file, either through your favorite ZIP utility or through built-in support in Windows, to the installation directory of Ad-Aware, which is usually C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware SE\

5. Open Ad-Aware

please instruct me how to close, and open, ad-aware, and what are the ramifications of closure?


and one more piece of education to this newbie, please: what is a "definition file"?


thanks.

Hi nweissma,

Please see my response to your other Topic here: http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/index.php?showtopic=8771

The (free) Personal version of Ad-Aware SE has no real-time protection module, as opposed to the (licensed) Plus and Professional versions, which have a real-time monitor called Ad-Watch constantly scanning in the background.

Therefore opening and closing Ad-Aware SE Personal has no particular ramifications. You open the program to scan for any spyware/malware which may have managed to get into your system (having good anti-virus and firewall programs, kept up-to-date, is strongly recommended).

To open AAW SE Personal, select "Start > Programs > Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE" or click on the icon:

Click to view attachment

Close the program window (GUI) as you would any other program, once you have finished scanning - (the free Personal version has no components that load at system boot-up).

If you were to upgrade to either of the licensed versions, then the process is somewhat different (post back in the event that you do upgrade).

As mentioned in your other Topic, reading the "Help" file will give you all the info that you require - a "definition file" is Ad-Aware SE's detection list of known spyware/malware, which is up-dated regularly as new threats are identified. Regular scanning, after checking for up-dated definitions, is recommended.

There is also a Product Manual (much the same as the Help file) which you can download from here (2.91mb)):

Post back should you have any other questions once you have researched a bit

Regards,

Spike