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How to Keep your
Computer Clean
by
The F@t Guy
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Clean and Scan Adaware Notes on Use |
| NOTES Below: Notes: Reoccuring problems: A reoccuring problem (that is not a cookie) has the potential of being a big problem. Try running Adaware from safe mode. Ihat doesn't fix it, please call for consultation. Cannot get updates: Adaware may not be able to access the internet unless the box is previously connected. If needed start your dialer (or Firefox, IE, or mail) and prove your connection before starting Adaware. The connection to the net need only be present for the update sequence, it can/should be closed for the actual scan. Interference from Antivirus: As files are scanned, if viruses are present, your anti-virus product may pop up as Adaware is scanning. It detects the access to a viral file by Adaware. If this occurs, it is best to cancel the anti-virus notice, cancel your Adaware scan, and update and run your Anti-virus product before attempting further spyware removal. Starting Differently: Adaware may start differently depending on the age of it's definition files. If the files are old it will start with an immediate prompt to update them. It is perfectly alright to follow the update procedure from this point, but if you are uncomfortable, just cancel it and the main interface will appear. Check the Defs: In the main interface, under "Initialization Status" be certain that the definition file is up to date. It will have a variable name, but what matters is the numbers with the "dots" between them. This is a date in the form of Day.Month.year. It need not be today's date, but should be within a week or so of today's date. Smart Scan vs Full Scan: In the Preparing System Scan" dialog, one should choose "Perform Full System Scan" from time to time- perhaps once per month. If your machine is acting funny and you suspect spyware to be the culprit, one should ALWAYS choose the full scan. This scan takes much longer than the smart scan, but is much more thorough. If you wish, there is no harm in choosing the full scan every time... it will just take longer. COMMENTS: Adaware is an industry leader in the spyware and adware war. It's function is to check your machine for spyware and adware in a similiar fashion to Spybot Search & Destroy. While it's ability seems somewhat better than the ubiquitous Spybot S&D, it seems to miss things that Spybot readily detects. So betwixt them BOTH you see... Adaware SE Personal is free for personal use and is as effective as the paid versions. but the "Plus" and "Pro" versions have a realtime scanner as well as the on-demmand scanner present in the "Personal" edition. The for-money versions can also be automated to perform all phases depending on your default settings. This is highly recommended if you are not responsible about frequent scanning. Even with automated systems it is still important to manually scan from time to time to be sure the software is functioning properly. Lavasoft is being very generous supporting many low-income folks with their free Personal product. If you have the money please consider buying at least one copy of their paid version to help support them in their work. http://www.lavasoftusa.com Back to Adaware |
