Here’s an update for our Ad-Aware users: there’s less than a week to go until the official launch of our Ad-Aware 2008 product line! Be the first to have a look at the improved features of our new Free, Plus, or Pro versions when we release on Wednesday, May 21 at 12 noon (Central European Time).

What’s new in 2008?

• Integrated anti-virus protection - Our powerful anti-spyware software now includes extended anti-virus protection for Ad-Aware 2008 Plus and Pro versions.
• Improved rootkit removal system - An improved rootkit removal system is now available to address today’s threat framework.
• Bigger and better detection - Lavasoft’s new extended anti-virus engine boosts detection to include over one million additional virus and malware threats.
• Substantially reduced use of computer memory - Plus and Pro users will notice a significant reduction in computer memory used while in watchguard mode.
• 64-bit platform support - Ad-Aware 2008 Free, Plus and Pro versions will have full 64-bit platform support as well as Windows Vista compatibility.
• Faster updates - New download compression results in faster product updates for users on all systems.
• ThreatWork - Our new international network of malware security volunteers submitting samples of the latest malware threats in the wild.

Upon release, all customers with a valid Ad-Aware license can update to the 2008 version, free of charge, through the Lavasoft Support Center. Watch for the release of Ad-Aware 2008 on May 21!

Here at Lavasoft, we do our best to help you to stay in the know on industry and security news so you’re informed on topics relating to your online privacy.

While it’s important to stay educated on the latest malware threats and the growth of online crime, at times, it can seem that the bulk of the news is bad news. Here’s a change of pace - we’ve come across some interesting news on the web to help you stay up-to-date on steps taken to stop and deter the bad guys of online crime.

The Washington Post’s Security Fix blog has introduced a new feature, the Cyber Justice Chronicles, highlighting successful law enforcement and legal action taken against cyber criminals. Take a look from time to time to get updates on progress being made.

The new version of our Lavasoft Personal Firewall software, which was released in the end of March, was recently reviewed by PC World. From the review:

“…advanced smart firewall in an easy-to-use interface.”

“The clean interface and lack of technical jargon really drive home how friendly this firewall program is for newbies.”

“…unobtrusive, as it already knows about most of the programs you use…plays well with any antivirus or other real-time scanning software…

“Though Windows provides its own free Windows Firewall, Lavasoft’s more advanced features and easy-to-understand interface make it worth the money.”

Check out the full products details of our redesigned Personal Firewall 3.0, or try it for yourself by downloading a free trial.

It’s springtime and that means it’s the proverbial time to tackle the grime that’s built up in our homes over the past months. Around the house, you may have cleaned out the gutters, wiped down the windows, and uncluttered the closets….But what about your PC? Maintain your computer by putting these items, below, on your spring cleaning to do list.

• Sweep up spyware. If you’re an Ad-Aware 2007 Free user, run a scan to rid your computer of any spyware or malware that has wormed its way in. Ad-Aware 2007 Plus and Pro users benefit from real-time monitoring that detects these deceptive applications before they integrate into PCs.
• Wipe away surfing tracks. Do a quick sweep of your browser cookies, cache, and history. Ad-Aware 2007 makes this cleanup task simple; with TrackSweep (a feature in the Free, Plus, and Pro versions) you can erase the tracks left behind while surfing the Web on multiple browsers, including Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Opera, with one easy click.
• Out with old documents. After you’re finished using files that contain sensitive information (such as tax preparation documents), permanently remove them from your PC with a digital file shredder to ensure that your private information won’t fall into the wrong hands. With software like Lavasoft’s File Shredder you can also easily clean up your computing history, including Internet activity and Instant Messenger chat history.
• Tune the registry. Over time, your computer’s registry, the database containing information about programs installed on your PC, can become bogged down with corrupt and unused data. You can increase your computer’s speed and stability with a registry scanner and repair tool. Try Lavasoft’s Registry Tuner to identify, clean, and correct these errors.

For more tips and tactics on how to stay safe and secure online, check out our monthly newsletter, Lavasoft News.

CHIP Online, one of Europe’s leading computer sites, collects what they see as “the best tools and updates” among downloads on their site – known as their “Download of the Day” tool gallery. We’ve just heard from CHIP Online that our Ad-Aware 2007 Free software was chosen as a Download of the Day during the month of April.

Thanks, CHIP Online, for recognizing Ad-Aware as a top tool!

From Copenhagen, Denmark to Castlegar, Canada…
From Barbengo, Switzerland to Broadstairs, United Kingdom…
From Har Adar, Israel to Kawerau, New Zealand…

…our customers span the globe, from near and far!

We recently gave our Lavasoft News readers the opportunity to take part in the Lavasoft Testimonial Challenge, where we asked our customers to tell us, in their own words, what they like about our products. Not only did we receive some insightful feedback on our software, we were also reminded of what a diverse group our customers are.

Here’s a sampling of the winning submissions:

“My favorite software of Lavasoft is the File Shredder and its advanced features and many deleting methods to choose from. Especially the interface and the report details were surprising to me. I think the File Shredder is the best deleting software I have come across.”

Absalon (Copenhagen, Denmark)

“I recently purchased Lavasoft’s Registry Tuner and wow am I pleased with the results. From its easy installation to its ability to identify, fix and optimize my PC’s registry, this is one great package. I have noticed a marked improvement with my computer’s performance right from boot up.”

Wayne (Kawerau, New Zealand)

“Through the last years I have bought three of your products – Ad-Aware SE Plus with Ad-Watch, then I got Ad-Aware 2007, and lately I bought Lavasoft Registry Tuner. All products are excellent – especially the Registry Tuner on which I count that it won’t do any harm to my PC but keep it in good shape or even improve its work… Thank you for excellent programs…”

Levy (Har Adar, Israel)

Stay tuned for the rest of the winning entries in an upcoming issue of Lavasoft News. Want to receive our monthly newsletter directly to your inbox? Subscribe today!

As you may have seen on our News & Events page, this past week in Redmond, WA, USA Microsoft’s Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) met at the annual MVP Global Summit…Did you know that we have two of these prestigious MVP awardees at Lavasoft?

We’re happy to announce that Lavasoft researchers Dave ‘Atribune’ Nelson and Janie ‘Calamity Jane’ Whitty have, again this year, received Microsoft’s MVP award in Consumer Security. Janie, Lavasoft’s Support Forums administrator, was first named as an MVP in 2003, marking her fifth consecutive MVP award for her community work in PC security and assisting others in malware removal. Dave, a Lavasoft malware analyst, has been named as an MVP since 2006, making this his third consecutive year recognized for his online work in malware removal and computer help forums.

What does it mean to be a Microsoft MVP? From Microsoft’s website:
“Microsoft MVPs are a highly select group of experts representing technology’s best and brightest who share a deep commitment to community and a willingness to help others. Worldwide, there are over 100 million participants in technical communities; of these participants, there are fewer than 4,000 active Microsoft MVPs.”

Congratulations, Janie and Dave! We’re proud to have these dedicated researchers on our team, fighting the malware battle.