Download: Protect your computer with Ad-Aware Free Antivirus+

Lavasoft Ad-Aware is well known for offering protection from spyware online and now it has added antivirus protection as well.

Installation is simple and includes the Ad-Aware Safe Browser add-on that includes safe browsing and search tools for Firefox and Internet Explorer. It also offers to set your homepage to Ad-Aware Safe Search and make Blekko your default search engine. Both of these options can be disabled if you would prefer.

When it installs for the first time it will appear as Ad-Aware Pro for 30 days. After this time it will recert to the normal Ad Aware Antivirus+.

The interface is easy to navigate with clear markings for all of the different sections.

There is a useful Gaming Mode. This makes sure that Ad-Aware does not display any pop-up messages that can be distracting, or even cause games to crash.

Ad-Ware includes a sandboxing mode. This means that it can run suspicious programs to see what they do without putting Windows or your documents at risk.

This mode and the other settings can also be accessed by right-clicking on the Ad-Aware icon in the Notification Area when Ad-Aware is minimised.

Updates and new virus information in the form of definition files are downloaded and installed automatically.

The Pro version of Ad-Aware includes a safe browsing tool, email protection and external storage scan, shopping and banking tools and an advanced firewall.