Spyware, viruses, & security forum: Possible Lavasoft Adaware SE scam

They appear to make everything as difficult as possilbe relative to freeware version and try and dircet you to purchase version 1.06 for about $29. You really don't need it.

See my post at:

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6132-0.html?forumID=32&threadID=192710&messageID=2085494

which reads as follows:

Experiences with AOL & Ad-Aware identical to yours - BUT
But, I did not waste the time to fix them. AOL problem with macromedia error messages simply went away.

Just wanted you to know you are not alone.

First, Lavasoft is apparently doing a SCAM job to get people to buy the paid for version of Ad-Aware 1.06 by making everything as difficult as possible.

Ad-Aware Build 138 finally installed and works fine without doing anything on this computer despite the fact that I am first directed to download the "free $29 to buy" version 1.06.

The other computer my wife uses (see my cnet profile)went through a lightning strike that went through the surge protector and we had to call someone in to fix it (power surges are not covered under DELL warranty).

Now, the other computer works PERFECT except for Ad-Aware. It now will only give error messages that Ad-Aware definitions are 58 days old and we need to install version 1.06.

AOL spyzapper catches the most stuff of all six anti- spyware programs I run. Since all Adaware-SE ever catches is tracking cookies, it is easier to hit the ''delete cookes'' button on the internet options window than to worry about what happens.

I just deleted the Ad-Aware program from the second computer since Trend Micro Security Suite 12 and AOL anti spy catches EVERTYHING. Miccosofts Defender & Windows Anti Malware program full scans, Spybot, SBC/Yahoo anti spy, have never detected anything on either computer.

AOL spyzapper catches all the keylogger, trojans, etc. that McAfee and multiple spyare programs miss so it really is not worth worrying about. Good luck and I hope you are able to quit worrying about spyware and get on with a real life!!!

BTW: Assume you know it but for others that may read this, when you have a hardware router with a good firewall in addition to a good software firewall, your chance of getting a virus are from nil to zero unless you spend your life on porn sites and/or open SPAM emails.

Thanks

Best wishes.