Microsoft Windows users who rely on Ad-Aware SE Personal (the free version) to protect their machines from spyware and adware should be aware that Lavasoft, the company that makes the popular program, stopped shipping updates for the software after Dec. 31.

People who want to continue using Ad-Aware can upgrade to Ad-Aware 2007. The free version of that program is available here (the installer for the new version should automatically remove older Ad-Aware versions). Ad-Aware Plus and Professional users (as well as enterprise customers) will still be able to retrieve definition updates, according to a clarification posting on Lavasoft's user forum.