I run 3 to 4 scans on my computer. Why? Because over the years I have found that there is no "one" program that does it all. One of them was Lavasoft's Adaware2008. I have always been more than happy with the product considering it's been free.

Lately Adaware has been getting slow and I'm being asked to upgrade to 2009. However, apparently the free version is no so free as they want me to sign up with one of their partners (sponsors?) before I can get the "free" version. I am very hesitant to do that without more information.

So is a downside to signing up or is there another "free" product out there?

FYI, I'm running McAfee, Malware Bytes and SpyBot Search & Destroy.

Not sure what you stumbled into, but Ad-Aware is still free for non-commercial use. Try here: http://www.filehippo.com/download_ad-aware/

I dumped McAfee a couple months ago. I use AVG on most machines now. On my older machines I use Avira.

If you look carefully on their page, you can still download the 'free' version. (It very much exists) What's happened, is there is this company called 'TrialPay' that if you sign up for an offer with a 3rd party, they pay that 'referral fee' to TrialPay, who in turn pays the software company. (In this case, Lavasoft)

They'd rather you go that route, as that means they get a few bucks instead of another free customer. Which, if the offer's right...might not be a bad idea (say, if you're planning on trying out Netflix anyway, if they're willing to toss you the Pro version of an app for signing up? Why not get a bonus?) I haven't done any of the TrialPay stuff yet. I just find the 'Free' link. (Lavasoft doesn't bury it like some vendors I've seen do)

I've had a lot of success with Spybot. It cleans up most things, and "immunizes" against lots of bad web stuff.

http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html

Is this a bad place to say I just run OS X?

-Mark

One thing PC users can do that Mac users can't...

LOL

I was going to say watch their computers crash and take all of their documents with it, but your idea is funny too.

Although honestly, the first time I needed Applecare for my company laptop (and yes, I DID need Applecare, the optical drive did actually fail), it was so painless that I swore the secret oath of Mac loyalty that same day.

-Mark

I use Linux and don't bother with all your silly Adware and virus crap!!

Since I switched to Firefox and AVG my Adaware and Spybot rarely find anything but each others folders. Don't know if it is less crap coming through Firefox or AVG being better than Mcafee.

Yep. I've been running Linux on my desktop since 0.99pl14R. (Remember Yggdrasil?)

Distro?

Whew, only as a footnote in my first days of college. I think the last distro of it went out the same year I started.

Anybody want to remember VAX / VMS? My first university email account...

And I ran OS2/Warp for a couple of years.

-Mark

Frickin Pine mail. Ouch.

MacPhisto and Q_Continuum are right. I had to look for it as it wasn't real evident , but it's working.

Thanks, folks.

LB