I’ve used and tested this software for quite some time now. I even submitted a product review article about it to a leading tech website giving my initial impressions of it; although it hasn’t been published as far as I’m aware. That fact is something I’m actually glad of; as since then I’ve noticed something unexpected about the program.

Installation went smoothly and without problems, and after a reboot, (The installer didn’t ask me to reboot; but I always reboot after installing a new program, on the advice of Bill Hely, author of several books.) I ran AdAware.

The first thing I noticed was that the UI was prettier than before. I was soon to notice that the program ran faster then before also; yet it still did the usual thorough sweep and found all adware cookies etc. I was quite impressed and, after awarding it full marks, I retained it and am still running it on both computers.

I thought that there would be no more to report on it and put the matter to the back of my mind. – There was more, though, and it came as quite a surprise to me: -

Today as I looked at my computer’s screen a balloon tip popped up from the AdAware Anniversary Edition’s tray icon advertising a source of Valentine’s Day gifts, and informing me that if I bought one I could have a free subscription to AdAware.

Wait a minute! Adware on AdAware? – How ironic! Now that in itself is to me unintrusive, and it seems reasonable as an idea; as since I am using their product free of charge they should have a chance to attempt to generate some income from me. – Fair enough. It’s just the concept that I find rather self-defeating: AdAware is very thorough and even finds and removes legitimate adware cookies that are harmless but could be malicious if abused by unethical companies. Yet AdAware is generating adverts itself.

I have no problem with that: If I see something useful advertised through AdAware’s ads then I might buy it. If AdAware is going to remove other firm’s cookies so that they have no chance of advertising though, is it fair and ethical for Lavasoft, via AdAware, to advertise alone?

My honest opinion is that it’s a bit sneaky in a rather clever way; which is what it seems advertising is all about these days. What do you readers think? Please do comment.

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