I am a network manager that supports a large group of computers/users. I know how important a good Adware Remover is for a computer's health. I also know how critical it is to choose the right product for your PC. Put simply, whether you're using a PC at home or at work, Adware slows the system, can reveal private data such as credit card information, and causes issues with the computer itself (errors, crashes, etc).
Five years ago when I started working as a computer administrator, I found two things to be very surprising. Too many users don't understand the importance of keeping their home and business PC's free of Adware, and the ones that do often choose the wrong software. Adware is a form of Spyware and can often relay sensitive information about you and/or your computer without permission and without your knowledge. It can steal login details, credit card data, keystrokes, and other private information that you wouldn't want to share with the world.
There are literally hundreds of tools out there that say they can remove Adware. Few of those products are kept up to date though, and in turn, users end up with poor Adware protection on their computers. With so many Adware Removers out there, let's talk about what this type of tool can and can't do for you.
First, an Adware Remover is NOT a tool for cleaning your corrupted file system. It isn't meant to remove lost files, fix hard drive errors, or correct other issues of that nature. A registry scanner is more suited to that purpose.
Second, NOT everyone will need an Adware remover. If your PC doesn't have an Internet connection then you likely don't need to worry. On the other hand, since you are reading this, I assume that you are connected to the Web and in turn you should be protecting yourself from Adware.
Third, an Adware Remover IS a complete scanning tool for removing Adware (and usually Spyware as well) from your system to help keep it running smoothly. Adware (short for "advertising software") is a piece of malicious software that generates unwanted advertisements such as pop-up windows or hotlinks on web pages. Badly infected systems may operate very slowly, crash constantly, and sometimes will not start at all. A good Adware tool can keep your PC running as much as 70% faster than it would without one, and works to keep your information private (like it should be).
Fourth, if you don't take the time to choose the best tool for the job your PC won't be protected at all. Just as virus writers are constantly evolving their techniques, so are Adware writers. These types of malicious programs are getting more complicated as times goes on. Without a tool that stays up-to-date with the latest Adware protection you are putting your system at risk.
Along with a few of my colleagues we took the time to evaluate the five best tools on the market. We rated the Adware removers based on the following criteria:
Worked to remove the simplest types of Adware (tracking cookies and basic ad-poppers)
Removed the more complicated programs that are Adware, but could also be classed as malicious programs such as spyware, worms, or ad-viruses
Removed trojans and worms that could be classed as Adware or Spyware
Identified and corrected errors caused by Adware that had been running on the PC
Easy enough to use that even the least-technical users would be able to work the software and run a scan
Powerful enough to allow flexibility for power-users.
Adware tool was updated regularly - The highest-rated tools on our list were updated at least once per week.
Worked on multiple computers - We tested each tool on three computers. We had a desktop running Windows Vista, a laptop with Windows XP, and a MAC that had a Windows emulator installed.
Provided timely support when we asked questions of the company
Increased system speed on the most infected systems
Overall rating based on all of the above factors
To set up our tests we took the PC's we would be using and infected them with every type of Adware program we could find. We then used the computers for a week to ensure that the systems were thoroughly infected, experienced extreme slowness, and were getting random errors. After getting the systems to this point we set a restore point (to be able to return to our error-prone state) and then tested and rated each of the Adware Removers on our list.
Below I have shared the result of our testing for the top five adware removers. The clear winner from our testing was AdwareAlert. But the other four products on the list were also solid solutions.
The tools that made our top five were the easiest to use, worked better than the others we tested, and will allow you to use them without a degree in computer programming. These Adware removers are simple to use, but I will give you my email address (info@reviewsaboutcentral.com) anyway, in case you do have any questions.
Once you get your Adware remover running, please do let me know (email above) how well it worked for you. Also let me be the first to congratulate taking the steps needed to keep your computer in top-notch condition, and for not allowing Adware to affect your productivity!
To keeping the Adware gremlins at bay,
David Smidt (and team)
OUR TOP PICK FOR ADWARE REMOVAL
AdwareAlert
AdWare Alert - #1 Adware Remover
Rating9.9/10
Ease of Use
Adware Removal
Customer Support
Overall Rating
Click for a Free Adware Scan
#1 Rated Adware Remover for 2011
The clear winner from our tests was AdwareAlert. This one tool cleaned better, scanned faster, and allowed for more flexibility than any of the other Adware removers on out list. This is our top pick.
AdwareAlert was the simplest tool to use out of all of the tools tested. It really was as easy as installing the software and then opening the program. One click to scan your system and Adware Alert will find and correct more problems than any ad-remover out there. This ease-of-use didn't mean that the developers made a sacrifice to flexibility though.
When you click on the settings tab you can use the simple list to set the various aspects of the software, and you can easily manage scan locations and quarantined files.
On all of the systems we tested this one tool scanned faster, removed more adware, and corrected more problems than the other software we tested. In fact AdwareAlert even found a few virus-like programs that we wouldn't have even classed as Adware.
The tool cleaned each PC with only a single scan, and on the laptop we tested (the slowest of our 3 test systems) we experienced a 50% speed increase after running the tool only once.
In the 3 days we ran this tool on our PC's the software was updated twice. This is obviously a company that is on top of things in the industry. And, when we contact the company for support, we used the web sites chat system to contact the support specialist and our question was answered immediately. Adware Alert also has some getting started pages on their site that will answer most issues without having to contact the company.
For simplicity, power, top-notch support, and excellent Adware removal we are giving AdwareAlert the award for best Adware Remover!
Adware Award 2009
December Update: AdwareAlert is currently being offered at the limited time price of $19.95 for a single license. They also have some special pricing for multi-user licenses. I've been told that the price will go back up to $39.95 soon. You should take advantage of this one right away. The software also comes with an eight-week satisfaction guarantee.
In Summary: AdwareAlert was the easiest to use, updated most often, and the best performing tool that we tried. We are recommending this one to everyone who is looking for the best Adware Remover on the market today.
Click Here to Remove Adware from Your PC Now
No Adware
Rating9.1/10
Ease of Use
Adware Removal
Customer Support
Overall Rating
Highly Recommended
2. No Adware
In second place we have a program called No Adware. With this product, and then next on our list, they both actually performed very well and we could have put either into second place.
No Adware found almost as many malicious programs as Adware alert. It also found root kit errors, some of the trojans we had installed, and in general the software performed very well.
On all of the systems we tested the program corrected previous errors caused by Adware, and worked to give a speed increase once the system was cleaned. Scanning the system is as simple as clicking "Scan My PC", and the software did receive an Ad-definitions update in the short time we used it.
The only real complaint we had about this one was that the software is more difficult to change settings with than AdwareAlert was. As far as Adware removal it did perform almost as well.
For support we had our question answered immediately using the web sites live chat system.
We are giving No Adware a 9.1 rating and putting it in second place.
Click Here to order No Adware
AntiSpyware Adware Remover
Rating9.0/10
Ease of Use
Adware Removal
Customer Support
Overall Rating
Highly Recommended
3. AntiSpyware
The next tool on our list is AntiSpyware. This one performed as well as AdwareAlert in terms of Adware removal, but it wasn't quite as simple, and the support for this one wasn't as fast.
When we scanned our computers, as expected, all it took was a single scan to remove the Adware/Spyware from our system. The software did find as many Ad programs as the winner did, it removed all of the tracking cookies, and it caught and corrected issues caused by some of the more advanced malware we had installed on our system.
Where this one didn't perform as well was with ease of use. Yes you can scan the system with a single click, but for users who want to setup the software, the options list is more complicated. You can actually set the same options, but the interface is clunkier and the options aren't as clear.
Another area where we weren't as pleased was with the software support. They do have some decent online documentation, and they are supposed to have a live chat support. But, when we used that chat system, it took three attempts before we managed to actually get someone to talk to us.
Even with the minor issues, the product itself performed very well and is simple enough for even the least technical users. We can still highly recommend AntiSpyware as an Adware Removal tool.
Click Here to Order AntiSpyware
Spyware Nuker
Rating 8.0/10
Ease of Use
Adware Removal
Customer Support
Overall Rating
Highly Recommended
4. Spyware Nuker
The next Adware Remover on our list is Spyware Nuker. This tool is the last that makes our highly recommended list. It falls in fourth place because it doesn't seem to be updated as often, and the customer support wasn't as good. Also, Spyware Nuker didn't correct as many issues as the first three on our list.
On all of the PC's we tested Spyware Nuker, it did clean the system with a single scan. Adware, tracking cookies, and most of the trojans/worms we had on our system were removed. It didn't catch quite as many trojans as the first programs on our list, but all of the major issues were corrected (the other trojans will be caught by a virus scanner anyway).
The major issues we had with this one were: the interface is not as easy to use, and they don't update as often as the first two programs on our list.
It also took a full day to get an answer to the question we sent to support. Compared to many companies this isn't bad, but it definitely worked against them when the first two programs on our list allow us to chat with the support team.
Click Here to order SpywareNuker
Spyware Nuker
Rating7.0/10
Ease of Use
Adware Removal
Customer Support
Overall Rating
Also Recommended
5. Spyware Cease
In fifth place we have Spyware Cease. This program actually did okay for finding and removing Adware but we had some other issues that keep it in last place.
This tool found as many errors as our third place product did without having to change any settings. The issues we had were with support, adjustability, and updates.
During the time we tested this software it wasn't updated, and to confirm that this is an issue for this program it also didn't detect the newest adware-trojan that was on our Mac. The software is also harder to change settings with. There are too few options to make it very adjustable at all.
Finally support for this program was the worst of our top five. They have very little online documentation and the only way to contact them is through a form on their site. We did receive a response to our initial question, but the answer wasn't correct and we had to ask again.
Since it did work well for Adware Removal this program is also recommended. Most users will have an easier time with the first three on our list though.
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