- 1). Download a free copy of Ad-Aware from Lavasoft's download site (see Resources).
- 2). Click on the downloaded Ad-Aware setup file, and then complete the program's installation wizard. Your computer will restart at the end of the wizard. Ad-Aware will launch after the restart.
- 3). Click on the program's "Scan System" button to start scanning your computer for malware. Press the "Stop Scan" button if you need to end the scan prematurely.
- 4). Click on the "Done" button after the scan has completed.
- 5). Click on the "Ad-Watch" shield from the main menu to set up Ad-Aware's firewall options. You can use the "Files," "Registry" and "Network" options to turn on protection against malicious files and registry threats as well as block out blacklisted network addresses.
- 6). Click on the "Main" button. Use the "Web Update" option to keep Ad-Aware updated with the latest security feature and virus definitions.
- 7). Click on the "Extras" button. You can use the "Track Sweep" option in the "Extras" menu to erase your Internet search and browsing history. Close any open browsers before you click on the "Track Sweep" button.
- 8). Click on the "X" button to minimize Ad-Aware to your taskbar.
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