Tech Outpost

[floplot Norton Fighter]

I read this morning that the free version of Lavasoft Adware is now going to provide free antivirus protection and also the ability to schedule it. Anyone who uses Lavasoft Adware is going to have additional conflicts with Norton Products.

[Yaso_Kuuhl Norton Fighter]

I remember ye anciente days when I had the free version of Lavasoft Ad-Aware installed on my old XP Home machine. As time passed, however, it fell out of favour with me, so to say, since it became increasingly "bloated".

On the other hand, I did receive excellent help from their support forums on the occasions I posted there (thank you, Amy!)  :-D

[Stu]

This was really the most terrible anti malware I've ever tested.

I wouldn't trust it on my machine anymore

[floplot Norton Fighter]

Hello

I haven't used it in years either.

[Tech83 Super Phishing Phryer]

Hi! All,

Sorry, to crash the Lavasoft Ad-Aware bashing party.

I have used NIS and Ad-Aware alongside each other since 2002 and started beta testing for Lavasoft in 2007.  I also beta tested the NIS and Ad-Aware products in 2008, the same year I began beta testing for Symantec.  I also got the chance to beta test both NIS 2010 and Ad-Aware 2010 alongside each other to test for conflicts;  I worked with both Symantec and Lavasoft to iron out any conflicts between the two programs and when the final versions were released both programs run without any problem or interference with each other's proper functional operations.

I am currently running both NIS 2010 and Ad-Aware 2010 Professional with all the updates installed without any conflict at all.  The two programs support each other and have prevented many malware infestations.  Anything that NIS misses Ad-Adware catches and safely sends it to NIS for proper quarantine measures whenever NIS is found to have the better quarantine function.

I am currently running multiple beta tests for compatibility with NIS 2011 beta so that any conflicts that do exist amongst the programs are take care of.  And yes it does require a lot of time and there's no room for error either.

I do these tests on multiple systems so that I can see how NIS 2011 beta works on its own and using separate systems I am checking to see how NIS 2011 beta works with other security programs.  If a conflict occurs there are ways to identify where the conflict is coming from so that the proper program manufacturer is notified of the problem.

Please rest assured that my work is checked and rechecked by my colleagues; failure to be as meticulous as possible is not an option.

Tech83 :)

Please let Lavasoft know when you find conflicts with their Ad-Aware program it helps them to improve it.  :)

[floplot Norton Fighter]

Hello Tech83

Are you saying then  that you are running 2 real time antivirus programs at the same time on the same computer?

[Tech83 Super Phishing Phryer]

Hi! Floplot,

My previous statement may not have delivered the way I intended; my apologizes for not being clear on the matter.

I do indeed run both NIS 2010 and Ad-Aware 2010 with both have the latest updates installed.  However, by design Ad-Aware automatically disables any component that will conflict with other installed security programs such as NIS 2010.  I am currently runing tests with NIS 2011 beta and Ad-Aware's latest release to make sure compatibility is present between the two.

I have witnessed many times where NIS 2010 may get bypassed by a malware item only to be stopped dead in tracks by Ad-Aware.

The role of Ad-Aware in many instances is that of a secondary set of layers for security.  In essence it takes the role of supportive functions. 

I hope I have not caused confusion.

If you would like I would be happy to express your concerns to Lavasoft and see what can be done to improve their standing with you and other members of the Norton Community.  :)

Tech83  :)

[Stu]

That sounds interesting.

Please do share your tests and opinions with us on this one.

[Tech83 Super Phishing Phryer]

Hi! Stu,

I will be happy to share the test results with you.  I have asked a colleague to also conduct the testing to compare our findings and to hopefully have another line of defense available to deploy in the on-going battle against malware.  :)

Tech83  :)

[Quads]

I managed to install Ad-Aware 8.x with NIS 2011, there was some fun involved including a BSOD after the installation and the first reboot after, and the Ad-Aware driver.

Partially to do with the fact Ad-Aware on install has the realtime set ON as deflaut, and turning realtime OFF by unchecking does not take effect until the next reboot.

Also there is a slow down of Norton loading on the Windows startup, 

Quads